All foreign visitors to Singapore must have a passport, which will remain valid for a minimum of six months after the return date of travel. Most nationalities, including U.S. citizens, do not require visas for tourist or business visits of up to 90 days. For further information you may contact the nearest Consulate of the Republic of Singapore or the Singapore Tourism Board.
Language
English is the common language of Singapore and is the language of business, government, and instruction in schools. Most Singaporeans are bilingual in English and another of the country’s official languages; Mandarin Chinese, Malay, and Tamil.
Currency
The currency used in Singapore is the Singapore dollar (S$). Money changing services can be found not only at the Singapore Changi Airport but also most shopping centers and hotels around the island. You can also access the automated teller machines (ATMs) located everywhere (even in the most obscure bits) in Singapore, that accept most of the main credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express.
Cell Phones
Singapore’s international dialing code is +(65). While in Singapore, and if you have international roaming service on your cell phone, you don’t have to press +(65) as it will automatically connect you to the local numbers here.
Climate
Singapore is known for its hot and humid weather, with little variation throughout the year. The average daytime temperature is 88ºF (31ºC), dropping to around 75ºF (24º) in the evenings. The monsoon season occurs from November to January, and can bring lengthier spells of rain during these months.
Electricity
Voltage is 220 AC at 50 cycles per second. Singapore uses the standard 3- pin square plugs (British plug) and socket, so bring along a universal adaptor.
Time Zone
Singapore is 8 hours ahead of G.M.T., which is 13 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time. No daylight savings time is practiced.
Tipping
Tipping is rarely seen in Singapore, and in most cases never expected. In hotels and major restaurants a service charge of 10% may be added into the bill. It is, however, customary to tip your tour guide and driver.
Health
There are no required immunizations to enter Singapore. Tap water is safe for drinking, and sanitation standards are very high. Travelers to Singapore should drink plenty of water to keep hydrated due to the heat and humidity. Singapore has excellent and high standards of medical care.
