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Singapore

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Airport Tax
For your convenience you can buy $15 airport tax coupons in advance at most hotels, travel agencies and airline offices. The coupon must be attached to your airline ticket.

Weather
Located just 2?north of the equator, Singapore enjoys a warm tropical weather that is relatively calm and consistent throughout the year. The average daily temperature is 26.7'C with a mean temperature of 30.8�C occurring in the afternoons and a minimum of 23.8�C just before dawn.

Relative humidity often exceeds 90 percent at night and in the early hours of the morning shortly before sunrise. On dry afternoons it is usually between 60 and 70 percent.
Rainfall is most abundant during the Northeast Monsoon season from November to January. Much of the rain falls in sudden showers. February is usually the sunniest month while December is often the wettest. However, July and August are the hottest months when average temperatures are at their peak.

Singapore's tropical weather makes light summer clothing (preferably of natural fabrics) most practical, especially for outdoor activities like sightseeing. Most restaurants and nightspots are not restrictive on the dress code - polo shirts, T-shirts, jeans, slacks, blouses and skirts, sun dresses and sneakers are acceptable at most places. Although some establishments require formal wear for the evening, suits and evening dresses will never be out of place in Singapore's trendy nightspots. It is always advisable to ring up beforehand to check on dress regulations, if any .

Tipping
Tipping is not very common in Singapore. It is prohibited at the airport and discouraged at hotels and restaurants, as most have already added a 10% service charge to the bill. Taxis drivers do not get tipped.

Water
Singapore water is clean and safe to drink from the tap, and need not be boiled.

Electricity
Singapore's voltage is 220-240 volts AC, 50 cycles per second. Most hotels can provide visitors with a transformer which can convert the voltage to 110-120 volts, 60 cycles per second.

Currency
The currency unit is the Singapore dollar (S$). Approximately S$2.2 = UK? Coins are in denominations of: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of: $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, $500, $1,000 and $10,000. Brunei notes are interchangeable with Singapore notes and are quite common.

Banks and hotels can change money and most shopping complexes have a licensed money changer. Visitors are advised not to change money with an unlicensed operator. Most banks open from 9.30am to 3pm on weekdays and 9.30am to 11.30am on Saturdays.

Medical Service
Singapore's medical facilities are among the finest in the world, with well-qualified doctors and dentists, many trained overseas. Pharmaceuticals are available from numerous outlets including supermarkets, department stores, hotels and shopping centers. Registered pharmacists work from 9am till 6pm, with some shops open until 10pm. Most hotels have their own doctor on 24-hour call. Contact the Front Office or Room Service for assistance. For an ambulance, dial 995.

Postal Service
Most hotels provide postal services at the front desk. The Changi Airport Post Office is open from 8am to 8pm daily from Monday to Saturday. Basic postal services are available round the clock at the General Post Office and the Comcentre branch.

Transportation
Cars:
You can rent a car from any of the international firms, or from local car hire firms. You will need both a national and international license. Driving is on the left side of the road, and wearing a seat belt is the law.

Trains:
Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system is a new, clean and easy way to travel. The train consists of two main lines that run north-south and east-west. Coin-operated ticket-dispensing machines are located inside the main doors at each station. Money-changing machines for changing paper money to coins are located opposite the ticket machines. Enter the platform through the gates marked with green arrows. There you insert your ticket, arrow first (and facing up). The machine will open the gate and return the ticket. The same procedure is followed at your destination, except that your ticket will not be returned.

Buses:
There are two types of buses in Singapore: the Singapore Bus Service and the Trans-Island Bus Service. You can purchase a Singapore Explorer ticket that will allow you to travel anywhere for up to three days. The ticket comes with a useful map with details on major tourist destinations and which service to use to get there. For more information. pick up the "See Singapore by Bus" pamphlet from the STPB (Singapore Tourist Promotion Board) in Raffles City.

Ships and Ferries:
Ferry and water taxi services departing from Cliff Pier, Jardine Steps and the World Trade Centre can take you to Singapore's outlying islands.

Dining and Drinking
The food of Singapore reflects its multiethnic society. The hotels contain restaurants that specialize in dishes from all over Europe and Asia. The famous hawker centers, however, are possibly the best place to sample the various Singaporean cuisine. You can taste Indian, Malayan and Chinese dishes all in one night. These food centers can be a great experience and are part of the reason why Singapore is considered by many to be "the food capital of Asia." There are very strictly enforced official Public Health controls in Singapore, so it is safe to eat food from any of the restaurants or stalls.

It is important to note that smoking is completely banned in all air-conditioned restaurants.

Throats can get pretty dry in this climate, and there are many ways to quench your thirst. Many soft drinks such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and 7-Up are available. Other popular drinks sold in Singapore include coffee, tea, beer and tasty fruit juices. Tap water is safe to drink.

Smoking
Smoking in public buses, taxis, lifts, theatres, cinemas, government offices and air-conditioned restaurants and shopping centers is against the law. First offenders may be fined up to a maximum of S$1,000. While it is an offence to smoke in air-conditioned eating places, smoking is not prohibited in air-conditioned pubs, discos, karaoke bars and nightspots.

Littering
Singapore's clean and green image is the result of more than two decades of public education campaigns and strict laws against littering. Littering of any kind is subject up to S$1,000 fine for first offenders, and up to S$2,000 fine and a stint of corrective work order cleaning a public place for repeat offenders. As an extension of the law against littering, the import, sale and possession of chewing gum is prohibited. The high costs and difficulty in removing indiscriminately discarded chewing gum were the reasons for the prohibition.

Passports and Visas
A visa is not required for U.S., European and Australian citizens for a stay of up to 14 days. All visitors are required to have a valid passport and onward ticket.

Customs Regulations
BE FORWARNED, DEATH FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING!!!!

Duty-Free Items: Personal effects and food preparations not exceeding $50 in value. Visitors over 18 and not coming from Malaysia are allowed to bring in duty-free 1 liter of spirits, 1 liter of wine and 1 liter of beer, also 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco .

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