6 must-do activities to maximize your next trip to Singapore
Best case scenario: Asian countries will continue to open their borders as COVID-19 cases ease. Worst case scenario: you don't know where to go! Don't worry, we've got you covered.
With Singapore joining the long list of countries officially allowing Filipino tourists to explore their beautiful homeland, it can be dizzying to plan out your itinerary with all the travel blogs and sources available online.
Luckily, PhilSTAR L!fe has partnered up with Best of the Best Manila to gather all basic and must-do activities to fully maximize your Singapore trip. After all, nobody wants their travel miles to go to waste.
First things first, get a prepaid sim card and EZ LINK Card
Upon landing in Singapore, former Singapore tourists highly recommend preparing with an EZ Link Card to easily get around the Lion's City—if you don't already have transportation in mind.
Prepaid sims also come in hand for any international trip, as they can save you money in getting an internet connection. Big groups also use local data plans to easily hotspot, so you won't get lost during your travels.
Try out Hawker Chan
Want to try out all of Singapore's famous local delicacies without breaking the bank? Meet "the world's cheapest Michelin-starred meal."
Although the Philippines already has a Hawker Chan of its own, its an entirely different ground when you try the meal from its hometown. For starters, try out their Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Roasted Pork Noodle. From there, you can come back around to explore their entire menu.
Walk on Cloud 9 at Cloud Forest
When visiting the Marina Gardens, make sure to check out the Cloud Forest that comes in highly recommended by the members of Best of the Best Manila. With its lush scenery kept safe by the conservatories of Marina Gardens, it's sure to be a place you'll keep coming back to.
Though it won't be a whole day trip (at least two hours will do), the tickets going for $28 (P1,050) per person will still make for a great Singapore pitstop.
Explore culture at the Singapore Art Museum
Dubbed as the "Home of Contemporary Art in Southeast Asia," the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) is a must activity for travelers wanting to soak in the culture of Singapore and beyond.
The exhibits offer important collections from all around Asia and similar to the National Museum of the Philippines, it's more than a single entity. SAM also has the Tanjong Pagar Distripark and two heritage buildings. Admission tickets are priced at $10 or P380.
Take a walk on the wild side at the Singapore Zoo
Singapore Zoo isn't your typical zoo that caters to human visitors, as its care for animals is evident through its lush tropical rainforest design.
With over 2,400 specimens of more than 300 species, the award-winning zoo offers an experience rather than a tourist location, so make sure you're ready to see animals in the wild doing their thing.
The zoo can also take up most of your day, as it's divided between exhibits such as Fragile Forest, Wild Africa, and more. Travelers can even get up close and personal with the animals through feeding sessions and Safari trips.
Tickets go for $48 (P1,800) for adults, $33 (P1,250) for children, and $20 (P750) for senior itizens.
Treat your inner child to Universal Studios
Finally, since you've worked so hard to make it to Singapore—why not do something for the little kid within? Universal Studios Singapore is sure to do the trick with its fun rides and adorable references to the characters you loved while growing up.
As Southeast Asia's first and only Universal theme park, it's also a must-go for anyone flying to Singapore. Just make sure you wear something comfortable, as it can get crowded and hot while in the amusement park.