SINGAPORE
This information has been compiled for your reference in good faith but please use this only as a general guide. We advise you to check with relevant authorities with regard to the latest requirement for passport, visa, travel advisory, entry restrictions, health requirements, local currency etc as these are subjected to change with without prior notice and our information given below may not be as updated.
Best time to go: Singapore is year-round destination with warm and humid tropical climate. It’s hot and sunny throughout, with two monsoon seasons - December to March and June to September bringing heavy rains.
Singapore consists only of one main island and 63 other tiny islands. Most of these islands are uninhabited
Visa: New Zealand passport holders do not require a Visa for Singapore. Entry Permit for a 30 days’ stay is granted on arrival free of charge. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the expected departure from Singapore.
SG Arrival Card: Please fill up online SG Arrival Card within 3 days of arrival (not required if transiting): https://www.ica.gov.sg/enter-transit-depart/entering-singapore/sg-arrival-card
Singapore is among the 20 smallest countries in the world, with a total land area of only 682.7 square kilometres.
Currency: Singapore currency is called Singapore Dollar and is divided into 100 cents. The notes include S$1, S$2, S$5, S$ 50, S$ 500, S$ 500, S$ 1000 and S$ 10,000. The coins are in the denomination of 5 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents and 1 Dollar.
All the major credit cards are accepted in the hotels, restaurants and shops. In the Singapore economy there is no restriction of export or import of local and foreign currency. The foreign currency and travellers cheque can be changed at most banks and licensed moneychangers. ATM's are also available at many places.
The entire lyrics of the national anthem are printed in microtext on the back of the $1,000 note.
Health: There is no need for precautionary vaccination for Singapore but it is recommended to check the latest conditions with your doctor while planning your trip. Singapore has one among the best health and medical facilities in the world. The pharmaceuticals are easily available in numerous outlets, including the supermarkets, department stores, hotels and shopping centres. Make sure that you have adequate health insurance, as medical care can be very expensive in Singapore.
The Guinness book record for the longest human domino chain was set in Singapore on 30th September 2000. Formed by 9,234 students, it measured 4.2km.
Food and drinks: The cuisine of Singapore bears strong influence of the Malaysian, Indian, Chinese, and Indonesian delicacies. The western traditions can also be reflected in the Singaporean cuisines. In Singaporean hawker stores one can come across a Chinese chef experimenting with tamarind, turmeric and ghee, which bear strong influence with the Indian style of cooking.
The tourists in Singapore are very fond of skewers popularly known as satay. This is one of the original Malay dishes prepared in a traditional Malayan method to melt the hearts of the food lovers. The northern and south Indian cuisine is marked as one of the most popular Singaporean dishes. The spicy Indian food is a hot favourite in the local food stalls and menu comprises of biriyani, curries, masala, thosai, idli and tandoori. The wide variety of seafood dishes is also quite popular among the Singaporean food lovers.
The Singapore popular dishes include seafood varieties like barbequed stingray, chili crab, fried oyster and black pepper crab. The vegetarian food outlets are well known for selling special Singapore dishes. In the recent times to promote healthy living people have started to remain stick to the vegetarian diets.
Being cosmopolitan in nature, Singapore offers all brands of international beverages but one must try the local legend – Singapore Sling. Considering the warm climate, it is advisable to drink a lot of water. Tap water is safe to drink and bottled water is widely available.
The Singapore Sling was first served in 1915 at the Long Bar of the Raffles Hotel. The ingredients are gin, Cointreau, cherry brandy, Dom Benedictine, pineapple juice, Grenadine, Angoustura bitters and limes.
Public Transport: Singapore’s subway system or the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is the most convenient way for travellers to get around cheaply and easily. It cover the length and width of Singapore. The main Island of Singapore is also connected to other islands via ferryboat services. You will also find single and double-decker buses operated by various companies way to get around Singapore. For the most convenient and hassle-free way to explore Singapore, consider booking a private vehicle by using Grab, Tada Global and Gojek App.
Safety & security: Like in any other part of the world, a few precautions need to be taken to avoid any problems. Please do not leave your bags unattended at any times. Please use safe deposit in your hotel room or Reception to keep your money or valuables including passport. When you leave the room, it is recommended that you lock your suitcase. It is also recommended to carry a copy of your passport including the visa page.
More Singaporeans are born in the month of October than any other month of the year.
Clothing: Casual and semi-casual summer clothes are acceptable in Singapore and residents are fairly tolerant of different cultures' mode of dress. Take light cotton clothing and smart casual for evening dining.
Singapore is the biggest exporter of ornamental fish.
Language: There are four official languages - English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. Most Singapore residents speak English in addition to another language.
It is against the law and a public caning offense to not flush the toilet after using it.
Gratuities: Most of the restaurants include service charge in the bills, hence you do not need to tip the waiters. Hotel Bell Boys, guides and your driver would expect some gratuities. Tipping is not mandatory but it is highly appreciated by the people who serve you.
Apart from Monaco, Singapore is the most densely populated country in the world, with 6,430 people per square kilometre.
Airport tax: Generally your international air ticket should include airport tax on international departure.
The national anthem ‘Majulah Singapura‘ is actually sung in Malay.
Internet: Internet is common in hotel rooms and a lot of hotels also have internet facilities at their Reception or Business Centre for use by guests at a small fee. Cyber cafes are available in the city in main shopping streets at very reasonable costs.
Nearly 9 out of 10 Singaporeans live in public housing flats.
Telephone: Singapore has a dialling code of +65 from New Zealand. Telephone numbers of Hotels arranged by us will be supplied to you in your itinerary. While calling New Zealand from Singapore, you will need to dial 008 64.....
The record for the most number of people participating in line dancing was set in Singapore in May 2002 with 11,967 dancers.
Time Difference: Singapore is 4 hours behind New Zealand from April to September and 5 hours from October to March.
Singapore has more than 3,000 kilometres of roads. Stretched end to end, they can cover the distance from Singapore to Hong Kong.
Photography: Taking photos of airports, government buildings and military establishments are prohibited. Please avoid taking photos of local people without their permission.
The world’s highest man-made waterfall, standing at 30 metres, is located at the Jurong Bird Park.
Electricity: Voltage supply in Singapore is 220 volts and 2-pin or 3-pin (round pins and square pins) are used. Few Hotels have adapters available which you could borrow free of charge during your stay but it might be a good idea to carry one from home. Please visit this website for more information on plugs:http://kropla.com/electric2.htm
Dos & Don’ts: There are several do's and don’ts that a visitor should remember while in Singapore. Handshaking is a warm way of greeting others regardless of racial background. Once invited to a home remove your shoes and also while entering a temple or a mosque. Leave a little on the plate when you have finished eating as it might be interpreted, as you are still hungry.
Laws relating to littering are strictly enforced in urban areas so don't litter while in Singapore. Other don'ts in Singapore include no smoking in public areas including restaurants also for dropping a cigarette end in the street would lead to fine. Chewing gum in Singapore may get you arrested. For drug trafficking there is death penalty and harsh penalties for those possessing and using within the country.
Those on business trip should be punctual for the appointments. Exchange of cards is quite common and while giving hold it with both hands. It is considered proper to address by using Mr., Mrs. or Miss and not first names.
Don't touch opposite sex as it may not be received in a good light. On the other hand don't point with your finger this is considered rude and you may use entire hand with the palm to draw attention.
General:
Singapore comprising 63 islets encircling the main island is a land of natural and manmade beauties. A popular centre of commerce, one of the world's most significant oil refining and distribution centres and the hub of tourism, Singapore in the last 150 years has proved to be a leader in all respects.
A country with a fusion of the traditional and the modern, Singapore's dynamics is unique and incomparable. A melting pot of cultures, Singapore's population includes Malays, Chinese, Indians, Filipinos, Thai and ethnic groups. The different ethnic quarters in Singapore like Little India, Chinatown, Kampong Glam and Geylang Serai further display the variety and assortment of cultures and ethnicity in Singapore.
Singapore is a magnificent land of in numerous skyscrapers, state-of-the-art architecture, delicious cuisine, breathtaking locations, many museums, temples and above all extremely warm and amiable people. Singapore has some of the most picturesque locations, beautiful architecture, very interesting ethnic quarters, different places of worship, many wildlife sanctuaries, the fascinating Singapore River, the fabulous parks and gardens and the state-of-the-art museums.
The Ethnic Quarters of Singapore is a famous tourist attraction of Singapore as it highlights the heterogeneity and the diversity of culture in Singapore. The ethnic quarters include Little India, Chinatown, GeylangSerai and Kampong Glam. The wildlife sanctuaries of Singapore are an important tourist attraction. The Singapore Zoo is famous for the orang utan and small-clawed otter and reticulated python. The Jurong Bird Park is another favourite tourist location in Singapore. It is famous for the 600 different species of animals. The Underwater World located on Sentosa is home to the different underwater animals. The Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom is unique to Singapore.
Some of the museums of Singapore are the Asian Civilizations Museum, Changi Chapel and Museum, the Chinatown Heritage Centre and the Malay Heritage Centre.Singapore is popular for its magnificent places of worship like the Abdul Gaffoor Mosque, Armenian Church, Central Sikh Temple, Hajjah Fatimah Mosque and the JamaeChulia Mosque. Those interested in water sports, the Singapore River will seem your ultimate tourist destination in Singapore. The Robertson Quay, the Clarke Quay and the Boat Quay offer different and very unique landscapes.
