Local Informaiton

Singapore is well-known for its friendly and welcoming people, state-of-the-art infrastructure and something new happening everyday, making it a destination like no other.

Climate: Singapore’s tropical climate is warm and humid all year round, with only slight variations between the average maximum of 31 degrees Celsius and minimum of 23 degrees Celsius. This makes it ideal for those who enjoy sunbathing, swimming, sailing and other water sports.

Rain falls throughout the year, with more consistent rain during the monsoon season between November and January, and driest periods between May and July. The difference however, is slight. Showers are usually sudden and heavy but also brief and refreshing.

Languages: There are four official languages in Singapore: English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. English is the language of business and administration, and is widely spoken and understood. Most Singaporeans are bilingual, and speak their mother tongues as well as English.

Currency: The unit of currency used in Singapore is the Singapore dollar, denoted by the sign S$ or SGD. You can exchange your foreign currency for Singapore dollars at most major banks, where exchange rates vary from one institution to another. Most banks open from 9.30am to 3pm during weekdays and 9.30am to 11.30am on Saturdays. They are closed on Sundays and public holidays.
All major credit cards are widely accepted, with Visa and MasterCard being the most common. Traveller’s cheques are another convenient and safe way for you to conduct transactions in Singapore. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are found all over Singapore, and a large proportion of these allow for cash withdrawals from Visa or MasterCard credit cards.

Time Difference: Singapore uses a time zone eight hours in advance of UTC (Coordinated Universal Time), (UTC+8). It is known as Singapore Standard Time or SST, and is the same as Australian Western Standard Time, Central Indonesia Time, Malaysian Standard Time, Philippines Standard Time, Chinese Standard Time and Hong Kong Time.

Best Time to Visit: Many overseas visitors make annual shopping expeditions to Singapore as it has established a worldwide reputation for wonderful services and a great variety of products.

The Great Singapore Sale, held annually from May to July, is an event not to be missed as huge savings can be obtained from thousands of participating stores all over Singapore.

It is sometimes a good idea to time your holiday with special events taking place in your destination. Throughout the year, Singapore’s events calendar is filled with a unique blend of colorful ethnic festivals, dazzling international performances and thrilling spectator sports.

Local Attractions:

Orchard Road – From bargain buys to haute couture, there’s nothing you can’t find in the heart of this city’s premier shopping district. The famous shopping strip boosts numerous major shopping malls carrying reputable international brands as well as local labels.

Getting there: Orchard Road is serviced by three MRT Stations – Orchard (NS22), Somerset (NS23) and Dhoby Ghaut (NS24 / NE6) MRT Stations.

Merlion Park – The Merlion was designed as an emblem for the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in 1964 – the lion head with a fish body resting on a crest of waves quickly became Singapore’s icon to the rest of the world.

Getting there: The Merlion Park is a 10-minute walk from the City Hall MRT Station (EW13 / NS25), through an underpass which also links four other shopping centres.

Clarke Quay – Shop, eat and be entertained at the riverside! Featuring five blocks of restored warehouses, Clarke Quay offers a quirky alternative to mainstream attractions, with second-hand and antique shops, as well as themed clubs and restaurants showcasing an amazing array of food and beverage options.