Singapore is a vibrant country in Southeast Asia, renowned for its cleanliness and lush greenery. Despite being a small island with a land area of about 728.6 square kilometers (approximately 280 square miles), its population has grown significantly over the years. Keep reading to learn more about this fascinating city-state.
Language in Singapore
Since Singapore is known for being a very safe country where English is widely spoken, I chose it as the first destination for my mom’s international trip. As her tour guide and navigator, I felt confident despite not speaking Chinese.
English
- Main language used in government, business, education, and daily communication.
- All signs, documents, and public communication are in English.
- Most Singaporeans are fluent in English (often with a unique accent and slang called Singlish).
Singlish
- A local English-based creole mixed with words and expressions from Malay, Hokkien, Cantonese, and Tamil.
- Common in casual conversation, especially among locals.
Example:
- “Can or not?” = “Is that okay?”
- “Lah, lor, leh” = common sentence endings to express tone
Mandarin Chinese
- Spoken by the Chinese majority.
- Promoted as the standard Chinese language in Singapore (replacing various Chinese dialects).
- Taught in schools as a second language.
Malay
- National language of Singapore.
- Used in the national anthem (“Majulah Singapura”) and for ceremonial/military contexts.
- Spoken mainly by the Malay ethnic group.
Tamil
- Spoken by the Indian community, especially Tamil Indians.
- One of the languages taught in schools and used in media.
Getting to Know Singaporeans
Singapore is a melting pot of cultures, with the population consisting of a mix of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and other ethnic groups. Singaporeans are known for being respectful of different cultures, religions, and traditions, and they celebrate a variety of cultural festivals, such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Puasa, Diwali, and Deepavali.
Efficient
Singaporeans value efficiency, orderliness, and practicality. I noticed this when I was shopping for a shirt at Bugis—each shirt design was neatly arranged in rows, and within each row, the sizes were already grouped into small, medium, and large. When a shopper started putting shirts everywhere, the saleslady looked visibly stressed—lol.
There was also a time I got lost and asked for help from a concierge, probably in his 40s. Everything he said was so detailed and clear. Another time, when I was confused about the train system, an elderly gentleman working at the station explained everything to me in such detail as well.
Respectful
People in Singapore tend to be formal and polite, especially in professional or public settings. There was a time I wasn’t sure which bus to take, so I asked a Singaporean student for help. She kindly took the time to Google the information I needed. I thanked her with a big smile on my face, but I noticed she didn’t smile back. I started to wonder—maybe smiling warmly isn’t that common there, even if people are respectful? Were they just a bit more serious?
Tech-Savvy
Obviously, everything in Singapore is high-tech, so it’s no surprise that Singaporeans are very tech-savvy. I used to work with some Singaporeans in my previous job, and I would say they’re quite advanced—they can easily understand complex concepts.
Environmentally Conscious
Singaporeans are increasingly environmentally aware, with a strong emphasis on sustainability. I can’t praise this enough—the country is so clean that I spent the whole day walking around in sandals, and when I got back to the hotel, the soles of my feet were still clean!
Singapore Time
Singapore Itinerary for 6 Days
Here’s our DIY Singapore trip.
Day 1
- Jewel Rain Vortex
- Chinatown
Day 2: We made the most of the attractions around Marina Bay Sands.
- Merlion Park – 30 minutes
- ArtScience Museum (Future World only) – 1.5 hours
- Cloud Forest – 2 hours
- Flower Dome – 1.5 hours
- Spago restaurant (located at the 57th floor of Marina Bay Sands Hotel) – 1 hour to chase sunset
- Supertree Grove Rhapsody Lights – 30 minutes at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM daily
Day 3: We spent our time around Sentosa.
- Universal Studios Singapore
- Sentosa Beach
- Sensoryscape Sentosa
Day 4: Shopping Day in Singapore
- Mustafa
- Haji Lane
- Bugis
Day 5
- Singapore Zoo
- Hotel to pack all what we shopped
Day 6
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Checked out of the hotel in the morning for our flight
Manila to Singapore Plane Ticket Price
Despite talking about the high cost of living in Singapore, we got our ticket cheap! We got our round-trip plane tickets to Singapore for ₱22,806.44, plus ₱5,960 for insurance, totaling ₱28,766.44 for four passengers. The individual ticket price was ₱7,191.56/ USD 125.58/ SGD 168.47
We booked our tickets on May 13, 2024, for an October 2024 trip via Cebu Pacific.
Seasons in Singapore
🌧️ Northeast Monsoon (Wet Season)
- Characterized by heavy rain, especially in December and January.
- Rain can last for hours, usually in the form of afternoon thunderstorms.
- Cooler and windier compared to the rest of the year (but still warm).
🌤️ Southwest Monsoon (Drier Season)
- Generally drier with occasional short rain showers.
- Hot and humid with less frequent thunderstorms.
- Haze from regional forest fires (especially from Indonesia) can sometimes affect air quality during this time.
Inter-monsoon Periods
- Unpredictable weather — can have both sunny and stormy days.
- Frequent afternoon thunderstorms.
- High humidity levels.
We visited in October, and the weather was nice—except for the day we went to Universal Studios Singapore, when it rained in the morning. The rest of the days were sunny, and you can even see the tan line on my wrist from where my watch was!
In short:
- No winter or cold weather.
- Temperature is usually between 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F) year-round.
- Best time to visit? February to April — when the weather is relatively dry and pleasant.
10 Things to Bring When Travelling to Singapore
- Light & Breathable Clothing – Singapore has a tropical climate—hot and humid all year round. Pack light cotton shirts, shorts, sundresses, and breathable fabrics to stay cool and comfy.
- Comfortable Walking Shoes or Sandals – You’ll likely be walking a lot, especially in places like Gardens by the Bay, Sentosa, or Marina Bay Sands. Choose comfortable footwear—but sandals are okay too (the streets are clean!).
- Umbrella – Even though the weather is usually sunny, sudden rain showers are common. An umbrella or a packable raincoat will come in handy.
- Sunscreen & Sunglasses – The sun can be intense. Protect your skin and eyes, especially during outdoor activities.
- Power Adapter (Type G Plug) – Singapore uses the UK-style Type G plug (three square prongs). Make sure to bring an adapter if your devices use a different plug type.
- Reusable Water Bottle – Tap water in Singapore is safe to drink, so bring a reusable bottle to refill and stay hydrated while saving on plastic.
- EZ-Link or NETS FlashPay Card – These are reloadable cards used for public transport (MRT, buses) and even at some shops. You can get one at MRT stations or convenience stores. If you have a GoTyme card or GCash card, that can be used, too.
- Travel Documents & Accommodation Info – Printouts or digital copies of your passport, hotel bookings, attraction tickets, and itinerary can be helpful (especially if internet access is spotty).
- Small Backpack or Day Bag – Ideal for carrying your essentials while exploring—especially since Singapore is safe and very tourist-friendly.
- Light Sweater or Jacket – Some malls and indoor places blast the air conditioning, so having a light layer can be useful.
Cost of Living in Singapore
Although Singapore is firmly a developed nation, it was once categorized as an emerging market in the early stages of its independence in the 1960s. It has transformed dramatically from a port city with limited resources into a global economic powerhouse in a relatively short time.
Natural Resources of Singapore
While Singapore doesn’t have abundant natural resources like many other countries, it has invested heavily in technology, infrastructure, and innovation to overcome these limitations and become one of the most prosperous and resource-efficient nations globally.
Water Resources
Water is one of Singapore’s most precious resources. The country faces a lack of freshwater sources, so it relies on rainwater collection, desalination, and recycled water (known as NEWater) to meet its needs. I guess this is the reason why the water is quite pricier than in my country, the Philippines.
Natural Gas
Singapore has access to natural gas, which it imports from neighboring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. The country is a significant global natural gas trading hub and has infrastructure for liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals. This energy source is crucial for Singapore’s electricity generation.
Land and Soil
I also noticed in Singapore that there are more condominiums. The prevalence of condominiums and high-rise apartment buildings in Singapore is directly related to the country’s limited land area and its need to optimize the use of available space.
The country has developed sophisticated engineering techniques to build more land and accommodate its growing population and industries.
Soil is not particularly fertile, so Singapore has limited agricultural production, relying heavily on imports for food supply.
Maritime Resources
Being a global maritime hub, Singapore has access to significant maritime resources, such as fish, but the country also depends on fishing and shipping imports for most of its marine products.
Forest and Biodiversity
While Singapore doesn’t have large natural forests or extensive mining resources, it has rich biodiversity within its nature reserves and parks. Ironically, when I was at the Singapore Zoo, I didn’t really feel that the animals were limited in their habitat. The place felt so vast
Oil and Petrochemicals
Singapore does not have significant oil reserves, but it is a key player in the global petrochemical industry. The country’s refining and oil trading capabilities make it one of the world’s largest oil refining centers.
