Weather
Singapore is warm and humid all year round with only slight temperature variations from the average high temperatures of 31 degrees celcius to the average minimum temperatures of 23 degrees celcius. This is ideal for those who are planning to escape from the cold winter back home or beach goers who want to bask all day in the sun or to enjoy all kinds of water sports that are available on our sunny beaches. Those who do not like topical climate need not fear as there are many air conditioned places such as shops, hotels, restaurants and office buildings. Since Singapore’s climate is a tropical one, do expect occasional showers but most of them are brief and they bring relief to the heat. Rain will be more sudden and heavy during the monsoon season from November to January.

Drinking Water
Its is fine to drink water straight from the taps as our water is treated and safe for drinking. However, if you prefer to drink bottled water, they are readily available at all supermarkets and all convenience stores.

Business Hours
Generally 8am to 6pm, weekdays, and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays, except Public Holidays when hours may vary. Shops and local stores open from 10 or 11am to 10pm, daily. However along the Orchard Road Shopping Belt, they extend their operating hours to 11pm on Saturdays known as late night shopping.

Banking Hours
Banking hours are Mondays to Fridays: 1000 hrs to 1500 hrs. Saturdays: 0930 hrs to 1300 hrs (some banks are open until 1500 hrs. Sundays: 0930 hrs to 1500 hrs (some banks in Orchard Road). Cash withdrawals can be done at ATM island wide with cards that have the Cirrus and Maestro logos. All major credit cards are accepted for credit purchase at no extra charges.

Currency
Other than the Singapore Dollar, the US, Australian and Brunei Dollars, Yen and British Pound are also accepted in most major shopping centres and big departmental stores whereas shops in the suburbs only accept the local currency.

Tipping, Service charges and GST
Tipping is not practiced in Singapore as most service industry charge a 10% service charge and tipping is prohibited at the airport. Tourist can also get refunds for the 7% GST (Goods& Service Tax) at the airport at any tax refund counters with their receipt before departing Singapore.

Time Zone
The time zone for Singapore is GMT+8.

Getting Around In Singapore
Its is very easy to travel from point to point in Singapore. Ranging from taxis, public buses, MRT( Mass Rapid Transit) trains to personal motorcars and motorcycles. However, if you wish to drive yourself around Singapore please be sure to have a valid international license or a local license for both motorcars and motorcycles.

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The Don’ts

Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in all public indoor places and most outdoor places. Those who wish to enjoy a cigarette may do so at smoking zones or boxes often denoted by a signboard followed by a yellow box drawn on the floor. In addition, smoking is not allowed at all entertainment nightspots unless within approved smoking zones. Offenders can be fined up to SGD$1000 and the throwing of cigarette butts on the floor will carry a fine of $200.

Chewing Gum
Chewing gums is not allowed to be brought into Singapore or to be consumed locally as it is banned unless the gum serves medical purpose such as dental-health gums and nicotine gums which help people to quit smoking. Offenders who are caught bringing chewing gum will be fined SGD$500 – SGD$1000.

Drug Abuse and Trafficking
Drug abuse is viewed seriously in Singapore. Illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is strictly prohibited. Offenders will be sentenced to a long jail term or even death if caught possessing more than 15g of heroin.

Fireworks
Any individual caught possessing, selling, buying or letting of fireworks (including firecrackers, rocket fireworks, sandcrackers and such other fireworks) is liable to a fine not exceeding SGD 5,000 or imprisonment for up to two years or both.

Gambling
Charity draws, Toto and Singapore Sweep lotteries, and on-course betting at the Singapore Turf Club on horse races are the only authorised forms of gambling in Singapore. All other forms of gambling activities are illegal in Singapore. Gambling in public is also illegal whether or not any money is involved.

Spitting and littering
To help preserve the cleanliness of Singapore, spitting and littering is an offence and carries a fine of SGD$200.