Singapore

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• Singapore is described to be a tiny yet flourishing country in Southeast Asia. It is known to belong to the most prosperous countries in the world.
• The place has a unique scene of a wealthy city along with a touch of Chinese, Malay as well as Indian influences. Despite its small size, Singapore is proud of its title as a country of many races.

The Life:

• Vibrant and enchanting! The country has more than half of its area with foliage. It has several major parks and natural reserves.
• There are large residential towns covering the island but Singapore prides in being a very clean city at the same time a modern one.
• Getting around the city requires no effort as Singapore’s public transportation ranks among the world’s best.

 

Cost of Living:

• By Asian standards, it may be very expensive to visit Singapore but not for US tourists. $5 and below can go a long way of generous serving. Three to four-star hotels cost about $100-$300 every night.
• Fast food meals as well as restaurant meals have a price range of $2 – $5.

 

Poker:

• Two casino complexes which opened in 2010 have drawn lots of visitors from different parts of the world boosting its tourism industry.
• However, poker, even online, is illegal in Singapore.

 

Internet Access:

• Since most locals have access to the Internet at home, work and even school, internet cafes are not really popular although there are some scattered in the island charging $2 per hour.

 

Weather:

• Weather is unpredictable in Singapore. It is usually sunny but tends to rain almost every day all throughout the year. Enormous thunderstorms can happen anytime. US tourists must prepare for situations like these.

 

U.S. Visa/Entry Difficulty Level:

• US tourists will find it easy to get in to Singapore with no visa requirement for a maximum stay of three months. Extensions are fine with an additional fee of about $30. However, the following requirements apply: valid passport for six months, proof of sufficient funds as well as return tickets.

 

Language:

• Malay is the country’s national language. However, English is practically the most common means of communication.
• Mandarin Chinese and Tamil are the other official languages of the city.

 

Language Schools:

 

Food:

• Food in Singapore is legendary. There are bustling hawker centers as well as coffee shops which offer inexpensive food from all over the world.
• Some of the best local delicacies in Singapore come from Peranakan/Nonya cuisine which is known to be a mixture of Malay and Chinese influences.
• Their ice cream is worth a try especially with local flavors like durian or red bean.
• Most dishes in Singapore is heavily used with spices such as curries and stews.

 

Recreation:

• Holidays can be a great time to travel in Singapore. The country celebrates various types of holidays – Chinese, Muslim and Indian, even Christian holidays.
• Beaches as well as tourist resorts are worth going to. Three beaches are found in Sentosa while others are located in the East Coast.
• There are also popular tourist attractions waiting to be visited including Singapore Zoo, Botanical Gardens and Night Safari.

 

Safety:

• Singapore is a very safe place. Crimes are low but this does not mean that crime is no longer existent. Pickpockets are common in crowded areas.

 

Additional Reminders:

• US tourists planning to visit Singapore should remember to bring 6 things: sun glasses and sun block (for the bright and sunny weather), shorts or half pants (it can be very hot in the place), umbrella (for occasional yet sudden rains), sweater (air-conditioning in malls and museums tends to be really cold), and flip-flops – as Singaporeans are fond of wearing flip-flops, tourists may be interested to blend in.