Singapore is one of the smaller island nations in south-east Asia but has become a powerhouse in its own right over the last several decades. While popular spots like Phuket, Thailand, Kuala Lumpur, and Malaysia regularly hit the headlines, Singapore has quietly developed itself into a world-class vacation destination.
Here are some reasons why people in the know head to Singapore.
English Is Widely Spoken
Most of Asia poses a language challenge for foreigners because typically, little English is spoken outside of heavily-trafficked tourist areas. When you want to get off the beaten track, it quickly becomes a barrier.
However, the majority of Singaporeans speak and write English well. The understanding of spoken English is one of the best in SE Asia outside of Malaysia and the Philippines, which run a close second and third.
Communicating with people on the street, and not just at tourist locations, is vastly easier. Genuine connections can be forged rather than almost everything being lost in translation. If you have traveled elsewhere in SE Asia, that comes as something of a relief.
Cultural Blend
The diversity in cultures is evident in Singapore. Many visitors are surprised by the diverse mix of cultures present in such a relatively small country.
Along with English, Tamil, Mandarin, and Malay are also widely spoken. Also, many religions are found in the country, so the respective national holidays are respected and celebrated too. This includes street festivals and entertainment centers.
What you can see in different parts of Singapore is as varied as the population is too.
Getting Around is Easier
Finding your way as a tourist is made easier because street signs are mostly in English, with other languages catered for too.
International travelers can navigate using Google Maps and readable street signs. Finding the way or taking a taxi is simpler than when street signs regularly confuse.
Food Diversity
The diversity is also evident in the food available at restaurants dotted around the country too. This is fortunate because dining out and enjoying locally produced dishes is generally high on the list of things that tourists wish to do.
It’s also worth noting that the greeting “Makan” literally translates to “Have you eaten?” which gives you some idea how much Singaporeans love their food.
You’ll discover influences from Indonesia, China, and even South Indian too. Chili Crab is the national dish in Singapore. But you can also find Hainanese Chicken, a steamed chicken and ginger broth served over a white rice dish with a chili-garlic sauce to pour over. It’s commonly available in hawker centers.
If you’ve just come from Malaysia, then the Nasi Lemak will be immediately familiar. That’s also found here in Singapore. It won’t necessarily be like you remember because there’s more than one way to prepare it on the island.
Otak Otak is also popular in Singapore. Grilled or steamed, the dish contains fish fillet as a fish cake either with noodles or individually as a midday snack. Satay is also found mostly in the evening as a fast food of sorts.
While the seafood dishes in an upmarket restaurant may cost US$30-40, simpler chicken rice, or Nasi Lemak at a street stall or indoor mall food court don’t usually cost more than US$3-4. Therefore, tourists can eat enjoyably regardless of their budget level.
Great Accommodation Choice
There’s plenty of accommodation available in Singapore.
While there are luxurious hotels, they cost a pretty penny. Tourists staying for a month or more may prefer arranging a rental or look at an HDB resale if they would like to shop for some real estate. PropertyGuru has a directory of HDB listings in all areas. If an initial visit quickly leads to thoughts of setting up a home in Singapore in the future, then PropertyGuru can help guide the way. For this reason, it might be worthwhile renting to get a taste for a property on the island first, rather than booking a hotel instead.
Safety
Strict laws and severe penalties make the country one of the safest in the region. It might be safer than back home too. Despite the blend of different religious belief systems, people get along extremely well.
The combination of good public order and improved security ensures that tourists feel safe when in the country. Unlike in some other parts of the region, there are few concerns about being taken advantage of because the gain is just not worth the risk. This makes it a safer country to visit, especially for families concerned about their children.
Singapore is popular with single ex-pats but also families wanting a safe, clean place to visit. There are certainly beachside locations, but for people who love city life, there are many attractions to see too. Perhaps not as many as some other destinations, but that allows more time to explore without needlessly hurrying from one place to place due to a shortage of time. For many tourists, Singapore is a hidden gem that other travelers mistakenly overlook, only to realize their mistakes later.
