Things to Know Before Go to Singapore (2024)

The Republic of Singapore is a tiny city-state that borders the South China Sea. The country is often called the “state of millionaires” because the standard of living in Singapore is very high. Tourists come here for Asian exoticism, high-tech attractions and shopping.

Check our ultimate travel guide for first timers on the most important things to know before traveling to Singapore in 2024.

Weather in Singapore: when to go on vacation

Singapore is hot all year round. Even in the winter season, the air temperature does not drop below +24 degrees Celsius at night. In the hottest months – from April to August – the air warms up to +33 degrees. Humidity is also high here – 81 percent. You can forget about styling if you have curly hair. No styling can cope with the local climate.

The waters of Singapore never cool down. The water temperature in the sea ranges from +26 to +31 degrees. Despite this, not many tourists go to Singapore for a beach holiday. The beaches here are a little worse than in neighboring Malaysia. The water is muddy, and most places for recreation belong to hotels – outsiders are not allowed there.

If you are going to Singapore to see the local wonders of the world, walk around the city and try the national cuisine, then choose the end of winter or autumn. At this time, the heat is not so strong – a maximum of thirty degrees. Walking around the city will be much more comfortable.

The highest amount of precipitation falls in December. There can be up to 16 rainy days this month. It often rains in January, November, March and April. The driest month is September.

Strong winds blow in Singapore from November to March. At this time, the air becomes even more humid. Many tourists find it difficult to endure such weather.

Despite the heat, it is better for tourists to take a sweater or scarf with them on walks in Singapore. Air conditioners in restaurants and shopping centers always operate at full capacity. If Singaporeans who are accustomed to such temperature changes are not afraid, then tourists can easily catch a cold and spend the rest of their vacation with a temperature.

Holidays in Singapore: the culture of the country

National cuisine

If you are a culinary gourmet, then you will definitely enjoy your vacation in Singapore. The local cuisine is very diverse. The cultures of China, Thailand, Malaysia and India intertwined in it. There are a lot of spices, seafood, rice and unusual ingredients in national dishes – wheat germ, coconut milk, exotic fruits and vegetables.

Singapore has many gourmet restaurants adorned with Michelin stars. But in order to try delicious national dishes, it is not at all necessary to spend hundreds of dollars on lunches in such establishments. Go to small restaurants or try street food – it conveys the traditions of the country more than big-name restaurants.

To enjoy local food, go to Lau Pa Sat market, which is located in the city center. Here you can not only buy the freshest seafood, but also visit small cafes inside the market. Meals in such places cost 3-8 Singapore dollars. The portions are very large, it is impossible to leave hungry.

You can start the tasting with the famous Laksa soup with rice noodles, coconut milk, seafood and spices. Meat lovers can recommend Bak Kut Teh soup, which includes pork ribs and fragrant spices. An equally popular dish is Satay kebab, which is prepared from different types of meat in peanut sauce. And Chilli Crab is a real gift for gourmets.

All these goodies can be tasted in other places, but the prices for them will be much higher. Products in stores are expensive. The most expensive item of expenditure is alcohol. Here it costs 2-6 times more than in Russia. But if you still want to drink a cocktail, then choose the Singapore Sling. This is a branded alcoholic drink that is praised by almost all tourists.

Bans for tourists on holiday in Singapore

Singapore is a multinational state in which representatives of different religious denominations live. There are Muslims, Buddhists, Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants and many others. None of the religions is considered a priority.

This also affects the attitude towards tourists. There are no strict prohibitions as in most Asian countries. No one will judge you for a short skirt or shorts. But there are a few rules to follow:

• Don’t throw trash on the street. It’s not just uncivilized. In Singapore, huge fines are issued for this (up to 1000 US dollars).
• Don’t fight on the street and don’t shout in public places. Singaporeans are a highly educated people. They value their own and others’ personal space and comfort. Street fights are rare here, and noisy behavior, for example, in a restaurant, can also be punished with a fine.
• Be tolerant. Due to the diversity of cultures, the inhabitants of the country have ceased to pay attention to those who are somehow different from most people. It is not customary here to point the finger at passers-by, stare at strangely dressed people and ask locals about religion, nationality and other personal things.

For more information about the rules of conduct for tourists in Singapore, read our article.

Things to do in Singapore: places of interest and attractions

Despite its small size, this state impresses with a variety of attractions. Holidays in Singapore can be completely devoted to exploring interesting places, and still there will not be enough time to see absolutely everything. So let’s start with the basics:

• Singapore airport . Yes, as soon as you arrive, immediately find yourself in a local attraction. At the airport, you will see a beautiful artificial waterfall and a real tropical park inside the building. Dozens of shops and cafes are gathered here, there are small ponds and artificial green recreation areas. But the main feature is kinetic rain. Hundreds of metal drops seem to float in the air, creating bizarre figures. This is not the case anywhere else.
• Howe Par Villa Theme Park. Theme park with statues and paintings from Chinese mythology. The most famous composition is “The Ten Courts of Hell”. It shows in detail how sinners are punished in hell. The sight is creepy, but very interesting!
• National Gallery of Singapore. The largest collection of paintings in the country. There are artists from all parts of the world. Most of it is devoted to oriental painters.
• Gardens by the Bay Park. One of the iconic landmarks of Singapore is the futuristic park with metal “Trees from the Future”. Huge twenty-meter buildings made of metal and tree-shaped illuminations, a restaurant with a panoramic view of the city, a heavenly bridge between two trees – there is something to do.
• The waterfront of Clarke Quay. Located at the mouth of the Singapore River. The embankment is part of the Old Town. You will see the buildings of two hundred years ago. Lots of souvenir shops, malls, restaurants, boutiques and places to stay.
• Singapore Zoo. Tourists call it the best in the world. Animals in the zoo do not live in cages, but almost in freedom – in spacious open enclosures. Here you can see tigers, zebras, giraffes, elephants and other representatives of the fauna.

And if you like nightlife, then stay in the city center. At sunset, Singapore is covered with millions of lights. Doors open dozens of nightclubs, bars and karaoke restaurants.

Shopping in Singapore is another entertainment for tourists. In countless malls, you can buy everything: branded designer clothes, original Asian cosmetics, herbs and spices, tea and coffee, souvenirs and gifts.

Conclusion

Holidays in Singapore will be remembered for a lifetime even without visiting the beaches. Here, futuristic skyscrapers coexist with historical landmarks, Asian traditions go hand in hand with European service. It is a city of contrasts and unforgettable sensations.