Currency Singapore dollar (SGD). Singapore is one of the world's most cashless countries.
Cards Visa, Mastercard and Amex work almost everywhere, including many modern hawker centres. Apple Pay and Google Pay are fully integrated.
Cash Carry 100 to 200 SGD for small stalls, traditional markets and occasional tips. Exchange at Changi Airport on arrival for competitive rates.
ATMs Plentiful and reliable across the island. Alert your bank before travelling: Singapore is a fraud detection hub and card blocks are common.
Tipping Not culturally expected. Formal restaurants add a 10% service charge and 9% GST. No tipping at hawker centres.
Tax GST is 9% in 2026. At sit-down restaurants it is added to the total alongside the service charge.
Latin America Colombians, Mexicans, Argentinians and most South Americans do not require a tourist visa.
Spain Spanish nationals are also exempt from tourist visa requirements.
Arrival Card The Singapore Arrival Card must be completed online — it is free and must be submitted within 3 days before arrival, including a health declaration.
Passport Must be valid for at least six months at entry. The entry stamp is electronic, with e-Gate lanes for biometric passports.
Documents Have your first accommodation voucher, international insurance and return flight to hand. Entry rules can change: verify before travel.
Vaccines No mandatory vaccinations for arrivals from Latin America or Europe, except a yellow fever certificate if coming from an endemic country.
Recommended Routine vaccinations up to date (MMR, polio, tetanus) and, depending on your itinerary, hepatitis A and B.
Water Safe to drink and of high quality throughout the island. Ice and fresh juices are safe.
Dengue Endemic year-round. Use DEET repellent at dawn and dusk, particularly on Pulau Ubin and in nature reserves.
Heat Heat exhaustion is a real risk: hydrate every two hours and seek shade between midday and mid-afternoon.
Hospitals Mount Elizabeth, Raffles Medical and Gleneagles are world-class. International insurance is strongly recommended given the high cost for foreign patients.
MRT The metro covers 90% of points of interest. Clean, air-conditioned and punctual. Fares from 1 to 2 SGD per journey — the best weapon against the heat.
Grab Asia's equivalent of Uber. Works impeccably with integrated card payment. Download before you arrive.
Taxis Official taxis (ComfortDelGro, SMRT, Trans-Cab) always use a meter. Be wary of any fixed fare offered outside of Grab.
Private driver The CocoVolare standard for intensive days: booked in four-hour blocks, it saves two to three hours daily compared to navigating traffic independently.
Walking Viable and rewarding, but demanding given the humidity. Carry water, a compact umbrella and take breaks in air-conditioned cafés.
Official languages Four official languages: English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. Malay is the national language; English is the administrative one.
English Spoken fluently by around 90% of the urban population. It is the language of education and the standard throughout the tourism sector.
Singlish The local dialect blends English with Malay, Hokkien and Tamil: "can lah" (yes, of course), "shiok" (delicious), "makan" (to eat).
Spanish Virtually non-existent outside international hotels. CocoVolare prioritises Spanish-speaking guides and drivers where relevant.
Tip Mandarin is heard in Chinatown, Tamil in Little India, Malay in Kampong Glam. There is always someone nearby who will switch to English.
Fines Jaywalking, eating on the MRT, littering, chewing gum or smoking outside designated areas all carry fines — enforced for visitors too.
Temples Cover shoulders and knees. Remove shoes in mosques and Hindu temples. Keep your phone on silent and do not point your feet toward the altar.
Greetings A firm but brief handshake. Physical contact in public is minimal: no hugging or cheek-kissing unless there is an established prior relationship.
Queuing The queue is sacred. Any attempt to skip it will be corrected immediately. Stand on the correct side of escalators.
Table manners Eat with your right hand when having traditional Malay or Indian food. Do not stick chopsticks vertically in rice — it is a Chinese funeral gesture.
Hawker centres Reserve a seat by leaving a packet of tissues on the chair. Return your tray to the return station when you finish.
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2–3 nights
