DAILY LIVING

Getting things done in Singapore is generally a breeze.

The nation’s reputation for efficiency translates into fast, readily available services which makes living here that much more convenient.

Basic Utilities

SP Services Ltd, part of the Singapore Power Group, provides a convenient, one-stop service for electricity, water and piped gas supplies in Singapore. It also offers billing and payment collection services on behalf of other utility providers for services such as water and gas, and refuse collection.

Can I drink water from taps in Singapore?

The water from Singapore taps is safe for drinking.

How to open a utilities account in Singapore?

Opening a utilities account with SP Services is simple; just click here or call 1800 222 2333.

A bank account with a local bank is required, from which the monthly utility bills will be drawn.

Telecommunications

Fixed line services are only offered by SingTel, one of three major telecommunication providers in Singapore. Free digital voice lines for home are often offered as part of a package by SingTel and StarHub, another telecommunication provider. For more information, click here.

Cable TV

Cable TV is offered by StarHub and SingTel. For more information, click here.

Newspapers

The main local newspapers are The Straits Times and The Business Times, both in English. Local newspapers in the three other official languages are Lianhe Zaobao (Chinese), Berita Harian (Malay) and Tamil Murasu (Tamil). All these newspapers are published by Singapore Press Holdings. They can be purchased from newsstands, delivered to your home, or be subscribed to online.

Where to buy international newspapers such as the Financial Times, WSJ, NY Times and others in Singapore?

Major international newspapers are also available, including the Financial Times, the International Herald Tribune, the Asian Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. To subscribe to these and other international newspapers, click here.

Many international magazine titles, such as National Geographic, Newsweek, topical magazines such as Asian Diver, Sports Illustrated, Top Gear and the ever popular women’s magazines, are also sold here.

Groceries

Where to buy groceries in Singapore?

Cold Storage is a chain of supermarkets in Singapore popular for its large range of quality produce and sizeable selection from US, UK and Australia. Cold Storage also operates six MarketPlace stores, namely Jason’s the Gourmet Grocer at Orchard Towers, Tanglin MarketPlace at Tanglin Mall, Paragon MarketPlace at Paragon, Jason’s MarketPlace at Raffles City Mall, Naturally MarketPlace at VivoCity and ThreeSixty Market Place at ION Orchard. They offer a premium range of groceries, including organic produce.

NTUC FairPrice, the largest supermarket chain in Singapore, can be found in most major malls in the Housing Development Board (HDB) estates. It also runs a small number of higher-end supermarkets called FairPrice Finest.

With some supermarkets specialising in niche products, you can be certain there is something for every epicurean living in Singapore. Look out for Tierney’s at Serene Centre for Scandinavian, German and Swiss produce, Meidi-Ya at Liang Court for Japanese products, and a Korean Mart at Parkway Parade.

If you wish to imbibe in a totally local experience however, check out the wet markets found in the heart of Housing Development Board (HDB) estates. These markets often operate from the wee hours of the morning to noon, and are closed on Mondays. Be prepared to be greeted by the scents and sights of fresh fish, meat, seafood, fruit, vegetables and flowers amidst casually dressed locals going about their daily shopping.

Domestic Help

One of the many luxuries of living in Singapore is the availability and affordability of domestic help. Live-in maids who cook, do household chores and babysit are commonplace among Singaporean families. These Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) usually come from neighbouring countries like Indonesia, the Philippines and Myanmar. They receive a monthly salary of about SGD 320 upwards and have at least one day off a month, on a Sunday.

The government imposes a levy of SGD 265 per month for each maid and all employers have to take up a Personal Accident Insurance policy and medical insurance for their maids. Maid agencies will be able to help you with the maid selection and take care of the paperwork. The Association of Employment Agencies lists licensed and accredited maid agencies here.

For more details on the process, click here or visit the Ministry of Manpower website.

An alternative to live-in maids is local part-time maids who offer cleaning services on a per-hour basis.

Childcare

Another luxury of living in Singapore is affordable childcare and the range of preschools available. Child Care Centres (CCCs) run by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) provide half-day and full-day programmes for children from 18 months to seven years of age. Infant care is available at some CCCs.

Many privately run centres also have their own curriculum and methodologies, some of which promote brand-name learning methods. Many mothers rely on word-of-mouth and online forums to find the right childcare centre for their children.

Visit the MCYS website for more details such as locations and subsidies, or to search through a comprehensive directory of privately run child care services.

Student Care

Parents may need extra help with their school-going children or just opportunities for them to socialise with others their age. They have the option of placing them in Student Care Centres (SCCs), run by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS), which provide day care services for school children between the ages of seven and 14. Besides a safe environment, such centres provide tuition, homework supervision, enrichment and other recreational activities, to promote the child’s social, emotional and intellectual development.

Many privately run centres also provide similar services.

Visit the MCYS website for more details, or to search through a comprehensive directory of student care services available in Singapore.

Elderly Care

Living in Singapore is conducive for older people too. Many find Singapore accessible and friendly to older people, whether they are visiting or staying with their children and grandchildren who are working and living in Singapore.

The People’s Association organises many events for those over 55 years of age, including sports and fitness programmes, under its senior citizens’ or retirees’ clubs.

Specialised elderly services, which include counselling, day care and home care, are also available through the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS). You can find a comprehensive directory of eldercare centres on the MCYS website.

COMMUNICATION

It isn’t obvious when you’re walking down the streets, but wait till you try to find a public payphone.

There are fewer of them in Singapore these days simply because nearly everyone here owns a mobile phone. Singapore embraces communications technology with open arms. Its widespread use of the internet, for example, makes it the most wired nation in the world, ahead of countries such as Japan and South Korea, according to the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) of Singapore. The nation’s plan for harnessing infocomm to transform living, work and play can be found in the IDA’s 10-year blueprint, Intelligent Nation 2015 (iN2015).

Internet

By December 2008, Singapore’s household broadband penetration rate reached 99.9%. This means nearly every household has broadband internet access. The widespread popularity of broadband is partly due to competitive rates offered by the three main Internet Service providers (ISPs) in Singapore – SingNet, StarHub, and Pacific Internet.

You may also access the internet via Wireless@SG – which is a national programme offering seamless wireless broadband access at public areas – free of charge until 31 March 2013. This programme provides mobile users with maximum convenience on the move. To connect to Wireless@SG, all you need is a wireless-enabled device such as a laptop or smartphone, a web browser and a registered Wireless@SG account. To register for an account, click here.

Telecommunications

Mobile phones are the modus operandi in Singapore. You will often spot Singaporeans chatting or texting endlessly, anywhere. The three main telecommunication providers in Singapore are SingTel, StarHub and M1. You can either subscribe to a mobile service plan or buy a pay-per-use SIM card with a local number, if you are not planning to be in Singapore for the long term. For more information about interim mobile service plans, visit the SingTel website.

Apart from mobile phone services, you may opt for a fixed line, which is offered only by SingTel. SingTel and StarHub also offer free digital voice lines for home as part of a package.

Public payphones in Singapore accept credit cards or stored value phonecards. Both local and international calls can be made at these payphones. Local calls are charged at SGD 0.10 per three minutes. Stored value phonecards may be purchased from post offices and convenience stores. They come in various denominations.

Cable TV

Cable TV is offered by StarHub and SingTel via mio tv, a pay-tv service. Both service providers often offer promotions, especially if you package your cable TV connections with your internet broadband or mobile phone services. Cable TV opens the doors to popular channels such as Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Nickelodeon and Star Sports, news channels such as BBC, Bloomberg, and CNN, and foreign channels in Mandarin, Korean, French and German, to name a few.

Postal Services

Singapore has over 60 post offices, 40 authorised postal agencies and 250 Self-Automated Machines (SAMs), run by SingPost. Apart from regular postal services, the post offices also offer services such as courier, faxing, and bill payment.

TRANSPORTATION

Getting around Singapore is easy, thanks to a systematic and integrated land transport master plan that incorporates an efficient rail and bus system, a carefully designed road and traffic structure, and controlled car ownership.

Driving in Singapore

Cars in Singapore are on right-hand drive, driven on the left side of the road. Some of the local traffic rules include the mandatory fastening of seat belts, avoiding the bus lane during certain hours, and using mobile phones while driving only with a hands-free device. Visit the Singapore Police Force website for a complete guide to local traffic regulations and penalties.

In land scarce Singapore, the government imposes measures to curb car ownership and usage. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) administers the Vehicle Quota System to control the number of vehicles on the road and allows only a fixed number of new vehicles via the release of Certificates of Entitlement (COEs) every month.

Buyers of new cars need to bid for a COE, which is valid for 10 years from the date of registration. The LTA One Motoring website provides you with all the important information on vehicle ownership, from bidding for a COE to registering your vehicle and paying road taxes.

Leasing might be an attractive alternative to buying a car, especially if you are in Singapore for a fixed-term contract. If you travel in and out of Singapore extensively, rental or car-sharing may be a viable option.

Driving in Singapore has its unique quirks. One of these is the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP), a toll collected electronically via a network of gantries on several expressways and major roads. The ERP was devised to ease congestion on roads, especially during peak hours. All vehicles in Singapore have an In-vehicle Unit (IU) installed, which holds a cashcard. To use roads with the ERP gantry in operation, simply insert your cash card into the IU and the fee will be deducted automatically. The cashcard may be topped up at most convenience stores and petrol stations.

Many carparks in shopping malls and buildings conveniently make use of the IU and cashcard to deduct parking charges. Some public carparks however, especially open-air carparks and curbside parking along roads, utilise the coupon parking system. Parking coupons come in denominations of SGD 0.50, 1 and 2 (for overnight parking) and are sold in booklets of 10 or 20 coupons for each denomination. Just peel off the appropriate tabs for date and time and display the coupons on the dashboard of your car. To find out where to purchase the coupons and how to use them, click here.

Taxis

Taxis are readily available on Singapore streets, from a taxi stand, a phone or internet booking. You can also flag one from the side of the road, except in the Central Business District (CBD) where you have to board and alight at taxi stands only. Fares too, are relatively cheap compared to other major cities in the world although there are various surcharges for ERP, peak hours, midnight, public holidays and certain locations such as Singapore Changi International Airport and Singapore Expo. Fares are all metered and surcharges are listed upfront.

How to take a taxi in Singapore?

Where to call to book a taxi in Singapore?

For a small fee, booking a taxi is a convenient way of ensuring you have a taxi just when you need it. You can reach the following taxi companies at these numbers:

For greater comfort and premium service, you may wish to book an MPV, London cab, limousine cab or a Chrysler taxi from SMRT. These cabs are available for hire for one-way or multiple transfers, even per-hour charters.

MRT & BUSSES

The Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is by far one of the easiest and quickest ways to get around Singapore. Comprising four lines and 89 stations, the comprehensive network spans across most of Singapore. The trains are safe, clean and reliable, arriving every three to eight minutes from 5.30am to 12.30am daily.

The Light Rail Transit (LRT) is a feeder rail service of 14 stations, serving the Bukit Panjang and Choa Chu Kang estates.

Single trip tickets or the more convenient EZ-link card may be used on the MRT and LRT. The EZ-link card is a stored value card, allowing you multiple trips on trains and buses with rebates. Tickets and EZ-link cards may be purchased from any MRT or LRT station.

For more details on MRT routes, fares and travel times, visit the SMRT website.

DINING

It’s been said that there’s no better way to understand a country than through its cuisine.

From humble local fare to fine dining experiences, living in Singapore ensures a gastronomic adventure. At the last count, Singapore little island registered more than 5,200 establishments – this works out to about seven dining spots per square kilometre, or 18 per square mile!

Fine Dining

There is such an excess of options for the discerning palate when it comes to gourmet food that recommending a restaurant can be a mind-boggling affair. Many top hotels boast excellent menus to tempt the gastronome, but distinguished independent restaurants, like the members-only China Club atop Capital Tower, the Peach Garden (Cantonese), Les Amis (French), Da Paolo (Italian) and Santaro (Japanese) boutique chains, and countless other solo eateries, have carved their own firm niches in international cuisine. Fine dining clusters are also forming at Sentosa (including modern Chinese restaurant Cassia) and the revamped Collyer Quay. We even lay claim to having a home-grown French fusion restaurant, Iggy’s, on the S.Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. You may like to pick up a food guide such as the Miele Guide or search online for a wave of reviews on fine dining choices.

Exceptional Dining

And then there is location. You could make gastronomy an unforgettable affair with one of Singapore’s unique dining experiences, like a Jungle Breakfast with Wildlife, a romantic skylight dinner overlooking the harbour in a cable car or on board the Singapore Flyer, or else 70 storeys above the city at the Equinox complex. Be dazzled by celebrity chefs and acclaimed vintners when you attend masterclasses at the annual World Gourmet Summit.

Casual Dining

Whether in the city or the suburbs, the plethora of international fare will excite you. From heritage foods to popular Thai and Japanese restaurants to classic European or exotic Middle Eastern cuisines, you’ll never be bored eating in Singapore! Even celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is set to open his signature chain of Jamie’s Italian restaurants here. Soak in the ambience in different dining precincts; whether you prefer to relax or to party, epicurean enclaves like Dempsey Hill, Clarke Quay, and Chijmes are guaranteed to charm.

Hawker Stalls

While the ethnic quarters of Chinatown, Geylang Serai, or Little India are the obvious stops on a food tour, you can always get a good feel for local food at one of the kopi-tiams (coffee shops), hawker centres or air-conditioned food courts all around the island. You’ll find within them a diversity of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures offering a genuine taste of local favourites. The best of them include the Makansutra Glutton’s Bay, Lau Pa Sat Festival Market, and the Newton Food Centre. While the standard of cleanliness at such centres is generally high, you will be assured by the hygiene ratings plastered prominently on individual stalls, with ‘A’ being the cleanest.

At night, head out of the city to the East Coast Seafood Centre at the beach, to sample some of Singapore’s famous chilli or black pepper crabs. You’ll understand why the traffic there tails all the way back down the expressway on a weekend.

When such range and devotion abound, you’ll soon come to share Singapore’s passion for food. To start on your adventure, do browse the internet or pick up a local food guide such as Makansutra for reviews and tips. For opinions galore, check out epicurean blogs, including www.hungrygowhere.com and http://ieatishootipost.sg, prepared by food-obsessed Singaporeans.

BANKING

As one of Asia’s leading financial services centres, Singapore is home to an international array of major financial institutions.

Banking in Singapore, together with the financial infrastructure and services are backed by a strong regulatory framework, a pro-business environment, and sound economic fundamentals.

Types of Banks

The three local banks in Singapore are also Southeast Asia’s largest:

• DBS Bank Ltd

• OCBC Bank

• United Overseas Bank Ltd

Other leading consumer banks (foreign) in Singapore include:

• ABN AMRO

• Citibank

• HSBC

• Maybank

• Standard Chartered

Apart from the regular personal banking services, these banks also offer Singapore-specific services such as the Supplementary Retirement Scheme and CPF Investment Scheme accounts. These five banks also operate on a shared ATM system where customers of one bank may utilise an ATM of any of the other four banks without being charged additional transaction fees.

While many other banks have branches in Singapore, they may not have the licence to offer retail operations here. The Monetary Authority of Singapore lists the different kinds of bank directories and banks in Singapore.

Opening an Account

Only citizens, permanent residents and those holding employment passes are able to open a bank account in Singapore. Usually, a completed application form, passport, employment pass and proof of mailing address are required to open an account. It’s advisable to call the bank beforehand to be sure.

Each bank has different requirements for opening an account, with differing minimum balances and service charges. For savings or current accounts, you will usually receive a cheque book, an ATM card and a PIN for online or phone banking.

Most banks offer the following services:

• • • Savings/current accounts

    • Fixed deposits

    • Mutual funds or trusts

    • NETS (cash withdrawal) cards that allow for electronic payment for goods and services

    • Credit card facilities

    • Crediting foreign checks

HEALTHCARE

Singapore’s healthcare system has gained an international reputation for impeccable standards, with state-of-the-art medical facilities.

It is also readily accessible and affordable, thanks to a well-planned and integrated healthcare structure. More than 400,000 people come to Singapore each year for medical treatment.

Outpatient Medical Services

Outpatient medical services can be sought at private clinics. In Singapore, you can find a General Practitioner (GP) in practically every neighbourhood. In fact, there is often more than one clinic within a neighbourhood. Anyone can walk into these private clinics, although you may wish to call first for an appointment.

The operating hours of these private clinics vary, but most of them operate from 9am to 5pm on weekdays, 9am to 1pm on Saturdays, and are closed on Sundays and public holidays. There are also 24-hour clinics.

Consultation charges at a GP range from SGD 18 to SGD 55 per visit, excluding medication. Some GPs make house calls for emergencies. Government polyclinics also offer outpatient services at affordable rates.

Click here for a list of clinics in Singapore.

Hospitals

Public Hospitals in Singapore

There are seven public hospitals in Singapore comprising five general hospitals, a women’s and children’s hospital and a psychiatric hospital.

Six national specialty centres provide specialist services for cancer, cardiac, eye, skin, neuroscience and dental care.

There are also community hospitals for intermediate healthcare for the convalescent sick and aged who do not require the care of the general hospitals.

For medical emergencies, you may head straight for a hospital’s Accident and Emergency (A&E) unit. Usually, some form of identification and a doctor’s referral letter (if any) will be requested for.

At public hospitals, non Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents may only stay in A (with 1 or 2 beds per room) and B1 (4 beds) wards. The charges in these wards are not subsidised and charges for Class A wards are SGD 200 per day onwards. There are no restrictions for private hospitals which charge from SGD 310 per day for a single room. These charges exclude treatment and other fees.

Charges in Singapore’s public hospitals are as transparent as it gets. The Ministry of Health provides a list of complete charges including doctors’ fees for a comprehensive range of procedures at public hospitals here.

Private Hospitals in Singapore

The private hospitals in Singapore include Camden Medical Centre, East Shore Hospital, Gleneagles Hospital, Mount Alvernia Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Raffles Hospital, Thomson Medical Centre. Most private hospitals offer executive or VIP suites. Some also offer premium medical services, such as Gleneagles Hospital’s elite health screening and the International Patients Centre at Raffles Hospital. Camden Medical Centre, which is also centrally located, houses some 59 specialist clinics and the latest suite of supporting medical facilities and services.

Click here for a full list of hospitals in Singapore.

Other Medical Services

There are also many specialist clinics in Singapore offering services in dentistry and optometry.

Medical Insurance

Insurance policies that have been bought in your previous country of residence may still be valid in Singapore, a check with the insurance company will confirm if they can service your policy here, to cover your critical illness or hospitalisation bills in Singapore. Many employers in Singapore cover their employees’ medical expenses in part or in full.

Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents are required to maintain a Medisave account as part of their Central Provident Fund (CPF), which is contributed from their wages and by their employers. Medisave is a national medical savings scheme which helps individuals put aside part of their income into their Medisave Accounts to meet their future personal or immediate family's hospitalisation, day surgery and certain outpatient expenses. It can also be drawn out to pay part of hospitalisation bills as well as outpatient treatments for four chronic diseases, namely diabetes, high blood pressure, lipid disorder and stroke. CPF members can also choose to be covered under MediShield which is a basic, low-cost medical insurance scheme run by the CPF Board.

You may also consider buying private health insurance if you are not covered under Medisave or your company’s group health insurance. These can be basic, covering only inpatient hospital stays, or comprehensive services including inpatient and outpatient care, lab tests, x-rays and other medical services. There are many reputable insurance agencies in Singapore which offer attractive premium rates and coverage. Do shop around to find a policy that suits your lifestyle and needs.

Immunisation

All children in Singapore need to be immunised against a list of diseases, namely diphtheria, Hepatitis B, measles, mumps, pertussis (whooping cough), poliomyelitis, rubella, tetanus and tuberculosis. Health authorities will ensure that all required immunisation has been carried out before the child is allowed to register for Primary 1 in Singapore schools.

Children may receive their vaccinations at any General Practitioner’s clinic or government polyclinic. The child’s Health Booklet is needed for record purposes. Each child born in Singapore is issued with a Health Booklet. If your child does not have one, you may purchase one from the Health Promotion Board or any polyclinic.

For information on the immunisation schedule, click here.

HOUSING

Though a small nation, housing in Singapore comes in a variety of ranges to suit differing budgets.

Wide Selection of Accommodation

As far as housing options in Singapore go, condominiums are a popular choice with both locals and non-locals. The vast range of facilities, from swimming pool and gym to round-the-clock security and scenic surroundings, provide for a comfortable lifestyle, especially for families. For a listing of condominiums, click here.

Serviced apartments are a convenient alternative. Apart from the usual condominium facilities, value-added services such as a cleaning service, laundry and room service are usually included. Some serviced apartments include:

• • Ascott The Residence

  • Citadines Apart'hotel

  • Frasers Hospitality

  • Great World Serviced Apartments

  • Somerset Serviced Residence

For a listing of serviced apartments available, click here.

If your preference is for landed property, you will find that there is a fair variety in Singapore. Landed property includes bungalows, semi-detached houses, terrace houses, cluster houses and townhouses. You may click here to search for landed property in Singapore.

A unique type of Singapore housing are the black and white bungalows, which were houses built during Singapore’s colonial past and are now owned by the government. These houses are very airy, roomy and sometimes come double-storied with servants’ quarters. These bungalows have no facilities but are popular with expatriates for their size and quaint feel – the catch is that they are few and far between. You might want to try your luck at snagging one via Premas or through one of the many Singapore expatriate websites.

An exclusive guidebook on housing in Singapore is also available in the Contact Singapore members’ portal, which you can access upon registration.

Renting a Property

There are no restrictions on non-citizens renting a residential unit. Most who are new to Singapore engage a housing agent to source for a property that meets their needs. Or if you prefer, you may like to browse the local newspapers' classifieds section which advertises a list of private apartments, condominiums and houses for rent in Singapore. However, engaging a housing agent better ensures that your interests are protected, especially with regards to the lease.

Click here for a list of accredited housing agents in Singapore.

The cost of renting a place depends on:

• • • Location. Popular residential areas in Singapore are Districts 9, 10 and 11, which are close to the Central Business District. Areas close to MRT stations and the new waterfront along the Singapore River are quickly gaining in popularity too.

    • Size and condition of the place.

    • Amenities. Condominiums with full facilities may command a higher price. Rent also depends on whether the place is furnished, partially furnished or unfurnished.

These are the steps in renting a place:

• • • Sign a lease with the owner, the terms of which are agreed between the two parties. Most landlords and housing agents ask to see your Employment Pass before agreeing to the lease.

    • Sign an inventory listing of all the items provided by the owner, including their condition.

    • Usually, a deposit or “security bond” equivalent to one month’s rent is required for leases that are over a year.

    • Rental usually excludes utility bills but includes maintenance fees.

Approximate rental costs are:

Private residential apartments, condominiums and houses are intended for long-term stays. Current regulations do not allow these residential units to be rented on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Usually, the lease commitment has to be for a minimum period of six months.

To ensure a good living environment for residents, each occupant has to occupy at least 10sqm of the entire residential unit floor area, with the total occupancy not exceeding eight occupants per unit. This includes the owners if they are also staying at the premises.

For your own protection, be wary of renting any property that has been illegally repartitioned. Typically, a residential unit in Singapore should include basic functional amenities such as a kitchen, bathrooms, bedroom, and living and dining areas. Tell-tale signs that the property may have been illegally repartitioned include the presence of many small cubicle-like rooms (with or without their own separate utility meters) or the lack of basic functional amenities so that the premises no longer resemble a typical residential dwelling.

Buying a Property

Buying real estate is a consideration for those planning to stay in Singapore for the long-term. Under the Residential Property Act (RPA), there are no restrictions on non-citizens buying a private apartment or condominium unit, although prior approval from the government is needed for purchase of landed property.

As with rental, buying a property through an accredited estate agent is preferable. For more details on foreign ownership of residential properties under the RPA, visit the Singapore Land Authority website.

Short-Term Accommodation

Maybe you are just looking to stay for a while or you prefer to look for short-term accommodation, as you take your time to explore your work or residential options. There is a wide variety of short-term options to suit all budgets and personal preferences for those living in Singapore for a short period. These range from serviced apartments to world-class five-star hotels.

The Singapore Tourism Board website lists a comprehensive directory of places to stay and their estimated price range.

PLACE OF INTERESTS

Museums

Attractions

Singapore River Festival

Don’t miss the Singapore River Festival as it comes alive with its exciting line-up of performances that include a dazzling bumboat parade, a romantic dance musical and magnificent aerial performances. This extravagant celebration of water, heritage and entertainment offers free nightly events and activities, all happening on and along the river itself. The wide array of food and beverage establishments available will round up the festive atmosphere as revelers soak in a magical nightlife experience.

Check out the official Singapore River Festival website for more information.

http://www.yoursingapore.com/content/traveller/en/browse/whats-on/festivals-and-events/singapore-river-festival.html

Marina Bay Sands Sky Park

The Sands SkyPark is an awe-inspiring engineering wonder. This unique structural masterpiece, designed by visionary architect Moshe Safdie, floats atop the three soaring Marina Bay Sands hotel towers 200m in the sky. With an impressive 12,400 square meters of space, the Sands SkyPark can host up to 3900 people. The gravity-defying cantilever is one of the largest of its kind in the world. From the observation deck, hundreds of visitors at a time can feast their eyes on the unforgettable panorama view of the Marina Bay area.

Resorts World™ Sentosa

Resorts World™ Sentosa is a collection of six hotels and attractions with fun-filled offerings for the entire family. It is home to Southeast Asia’s first and only Universal Studios theme park, the world’s largest Marine Life Park, a destination spa – ESPA and a designer casino decked with exciting gaming opportunities. Six unique hotels complemented by creative meeting facilities, world-class shows and public entertainment, as well as celebrity dining and shopping options at FestiveWalk complete the experience.

Sentosa

One of the city’s livelier spots is undoubtedly Sentosa, a sun-kissed paradise in the tropics which has more than enough attractions and activities to delight everyone! You can learn about Singapore’s past at the heritage centre, enjoy the lush greenery at the nature park and explore the themed attractions, which are dotted all over this island.

Singapore Flyer

If it’s an unbeatable “rooftop” view of the Singapore skyline that you want, hop on board the Singapore Flyer, our very own observation wheel which stands at a staggering height of 165 metres. As the capsule you’re in ascends, you may even catch sight of our closest neighbours, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Sports & Recreation

With good weather all year round, and a wide range of indoor and outdoor sports activities and facilities islandwide, Singapore is a sporting haven. Sandy beaches and sea sports clubs cater to those seeking the adrenaline rush from water sports, be it windsurfing, sailing, wakeboarding or cable skiing.

Thrill seekers can also visit the MegaZip Adventure Park on Sentosa Island to tackle the challenging treetop aerial obstacles course, complete with cargo nets, wobble bridges and a 14 metres simulated free fall parachute jump. Extreme sports fans can zip down to the world-class Xtreme Skate Park. The $8 million park includes an international standard facilities such as a combo bowl, a 3.6m vertical bowl for advanced-level skating, as well as a street course for In-line skating, BMX Freestyling and Skateboarding.

For those who just enjoy making a splash, there are numerous public swimming pools all around the island as well as water theme parks with thrilling water rides for all ages. At the weekends, many retreat to the various parks and open spaces for cycling, jogging, skateboarding and rollerblading.

Public sports facilities such as swimming pools, fields, gymnasiums and sports halls are managed by the Singapore Sports Council and many of them are available for booking.

Also in the pipeline is the Singapore Sports Hub Project. When completed, the Sports Hub will be Singapore's premier land and sea sports, entertainment and lifestyle hub with integrated programming. Featuring a unique cluster development of integrated world-class sports facilities within the city, it will not only spur the development of sports industry, excellence and participation , but also take sports to the next level in Singapore.

In addition, the Singapore Sports Council’s “Lets Play” movement also offers a series of affordable and enriching sports for everyone. Through the movement, one can expect to take part in classes on swimming, yoga, tennis and even salsa.