Communications

You can arrange your mobile phones using international roaming. Normally the phone charge is calculated from your home country to the destination number and can be very expensive. You can purchase the prepaid card in Singapore and look for the Singtel, Starhub or M1 are the leading service providers.

IDD (International direct dialing) is Available from most hotels. Check rates, hotels often levy a surcharge. Costs vary with the time of day and charge for a minimum of 1 minute) Dial 100 for Operator-Assisted Overseas. For IDD dial 001 followed by country and regional codes.

You can also phone from International payphones found at the airport and most tourist areas using credit card or phone cards which can bought at most convenience stores.

Power Supply

Voltage is 230V/50Hz and the most commonly used socket is Type G (British Plug) with flat 3 pin plugs.

Language

English is fairly widely understood and spoken in most tourist areas of Singapore. English has been heavily promoted as the country's language of administration since its independence. The English used is primarily based on British English, with some American English influences. The second most common language in Singapore is Mandarin, with over seventy percent of the population having it as a second language. Most Singapore Chinese are, however, descended from immigrants who came from the southern regions of China where other dialects were spoken, such as Hokkien, Teochew and Cantonese. Mandarin use has spread largely as a result of government efforts to support its adoption and use over the dialects.

Money Matters

The dollar (sign: $; code: SGD) is the currency of Singapore. The currency is the Singapore dollar (S$). Singapore uses 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, and S$1 coins. Notes are in denominations of S$2, S$5, S$10, S$50, S$100, S$500, and S$1,000. The islands also has a S$10,000 note.

ATM machines are available at most banks and shopping centres throughout the city. ATMs generally have English language displays and will accept most internationally recognised foreign cards. Many ATM's will also accept cards under the CIRRUS, Maestro, VISA or Mastercard system.

Travellers Cheques / Credit Cards Most traveller cheques can be cashed at banks. Take your passport or ID. Mastercard and VISA are widely accepted by major banks, restaurants and shops.

Tourist GST Refund

Tourists may claim for refund of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) paid on goods purchased from retailers participating in the Tourist Refund Scheme. Please note there are eligibility criteria and conditions.

Time Zone

Standard time zone: SST (UTC+8)

Tourist Visas

Visas are not required for Commonwealth citizens, British passport holders, and Republic of Ireland citizens for a stay of up to 14 days. All onward visitors should have passports valid for at least three months from the time of arrival. They should also have return tickets, and sufficient funds for the length of their stay in Singapore.

Weather

Like most of Southeast Asia, Singapore is generally hot and humid. It's warm and humid year round, with the temperature almost never dropping below 20°C (68°F), even at night, and usually climbing to 30°C (86°F) during the day. Recent times, it even reached till 35°C. Humidity is high, mounting over a 75% mark.

November and December is the rainy season. June-August is considered to be the best time to visit, but even then it rains often. Don't let the climate stop you from going, however. Most buildings are air-conditioned (to the point that you may want to take a sweater), and pains have been taken to make everything as comfortable as can be, all things considered. When it does rain, it's generally only for a short period.