For most Russians, rest in Singapore is still not open. Perhaps the point is the remoteness of this Asian city-state from us, or maybe the cost of vouchers also plays a role. Nevertheless, there is interest in this country, and tours in this direction continue to be sold, proving that Southeast Asia is the most promising region for tourism, and Singapore is a showcase where only the best, most expensive and modern are collected.
Pros and Cons of Singapore
Advantages
- Low crime rate – the country has repeatedly been recognized as the safest in the world
- A variety of recreation – from beaches to amusement parks and casinos
- No language barrier – locals speak several languages
- Exemplary cleanliness on the streets
- No problems with transport
Disadvantages
- Long and not always easy flight
- Holidays are more expensive than in any of the neighboring Asian countries
- Strict laws and heavy fines even for tourists
- Unusual rhythm of life – the working day lasts 10-12 hours 6 days a week
Climate
According to toppharmacyschools.org, the equatorial climate of the country does not have divisions into seasons, so you can plan holidays in Singapore all year round. The republic is located at a minimum distance from the zero parallel, so all months it is relatively hot and very humid here, but without sudden temperature fluctuations, aggressive sun and other unpleasant moments, like in neighboring tropics.
With precipitation, everything is still stable – the minimum monthly rate is 170 mm, which in December can rise to 300 mm, but this rarely happens. The average annual temperature never drops below +20 °C in the shade.
Souvenirs
A vacation in Singapore will not be complete without memorable gifts for yourself and many friends who are waiting for you from the trip, obviously not empty-handed. There are a lot of opportunities for such purchases in the country, and local shops will prove to you more than once the diversity of Singaporean culture, which is reflected in almost all areas of life.
Merlayon
He is also a merlion – a mythical creature with the head and paws of a lion and the body of a fish, which has become the national symbol of the country and the main amulet against the evil eye, evil spirits and nightmares. It is depicted everywhere – on T-shirts, in the form of figurines, on mugs and stationery. Well, buying such a souvenir will be the main proof that you have been to Singapore.
Tiger Balm
An analogue of the “Vietnamese star” and other healing ointments of the Asian region. Helps with “a thousand diseases”, including sprains, joint pain, colds and bruises. You can buy at any pharmacy in two varieties – warming and cooling balm. Take both for a test, but it is better to use them only with the approval of a doctor.
golden orchid
A gift from the category of luxury souvenirs invented by Singaporean entrepreneurs to attract foreign capital to the country. This is literally a branded decoration in the form of a metal branch of an orchid, covered with an impressive layer of gold plating. It is expensive, but the price tag is justified by the incredible beauty.
stone picture
Another jewelry present that is fashionable to buy in the country for those who want a truly unique piece. Local craftsmen create paintings from precious and semi-precious stones based on national motifs, as well as on subjects that come to their mind. Sometimes these are real works of art, with a corresponding value.
singing vase
It looks like a simple trinket, but it has a sacred meaning for Buddhist rituals. Sold in a set with a special pestle, hitting which in the correct sequence and get the same “meditative” sound. Vases are relatively cheap, which is why they are very popular among tourists.
Painted scarves
The art of batik was brought to Singapore from neighboring Malaysia, and since then, local needlewomen have been putting up scarves and capes for sale in hundreds of shops and market stalls. These may be small items, but more often the guests of the country are interested in capes for the whole body with an abundance of embroidery, patterns and original painting.
Names
So here are called aromatic oils, which are sold by entire chains of boutiques. Particularly professional craftsmen make the composition in front of the buyer, immediately clogging the cherished bubbles. The price for them is different, everything will depend on the composition.
Visa and customs
In order to make a holiday in Singapore possible for a Russian, you need to take care of the availability of an electronic visa for a tourist visit in advance. This document is drawn up online, and for this you will need the following:
- A high-quality scanned page of a passport spread, valid for at least 6 months at the time of arrival in the country;
- One full-face photo on a plain light background, corresponding to international documents (without corners and ovals, glasses and headgear, the face must occupy at least 85% of the image area);
- Paid visa fee in the amount of €40 in rubles at the current exchange rate.
Important: Since 2015, fees have been accepted, including by the PayPal system, which makes it possible to apply without literally leaving home. Within 72 hours after the funds are credited, a receipt in PDF format will be sent to the email address specified during registration, which will need to be printed and presented at the border control.
The validity of the received document is 63 days. During this time, you can stay in Singapore for up to 30 days without a break. Also for our tourists there is a visa-free transit for a maximum of 96 hours.
You can read about additional documents that may be needed to obtain a Singapore visa, as well as customs regulations, here.
Frequently asked Questions
Question:
What month is best to plan a vacation in Singapore, is it true that winter there is a season of rains and thunderstorms?
Answer:
No, it is not true, since the equatorial climate has no division into seasons at all, and few people will notice temperature fluctuations throughout the year at all. Showers can happen both in July and December, but in general, winter rains are slightly more frequent and slightly stronger. Based on this, you can relax in the country all year round without fear of bad weather.
Question:
Do Singapore hotels have a rating system, and how to choose the right room?
Answer:
All hotels in the country use the international standard of the “star” system of comfort and luxury, so you can focus on a room of three stars or more, depending on your wallet. The only point that disappoints many is that the all-inclusive system does not work everywhere, and the general price tag of hotels is much more expensive than in Thailand or Vietnam.
Question:
How does the police work in the country, and where to call in case of emergency?
Answer:
With a probability of 99%, you will not need the police, or you will not have to call them at all – Singapore was deservedly recognized as the safest country in the world. Surveillance cameras are everywhere here, and they hang in “clusters” so that there are no blind spots, and at the slightest suspicion, the criminal is calculated and located in any area in a matter of hours. If an unpleasant situation arises, then dial the number of emergency services from any device: police – 999, ambulance – 995. It is also mandatory to inform the consular department of the Russian embassy about the situation at the round-the-clock number: +6 235 1832.