You will find here the results of our backpackers' survey as well as comments on some aspects of Singapore.
We asked backpackers who had traveled in Singapore for more than three days already to answer the followings.
Do
you like Singapore ?
88%
of the backpackers surveyed (58) say yes ! (up)
Absolutely ! Most travelers have a great time in Singapore ! This is particularly true with those who have been traveling for a while on the dirty roads of Asia. The clean attractions of this very modern city are a great way to relax !
Would you happily come back ? 81% of the backpackers surveyed (58) say yes ! (up)
Again, the majority really would not mind coming back. To visit the excellent attractions again, to meet more people, to eat more delicacies or to do more shopping !
Would you recommend Singapore ? 86% of the backpackers surveyed (58) say yes ! (up)
"To my parents, yes. To my friends, no" This was the answer of one backpacker. He has a point but this is a minority one. Most travelers would recommend Singapore to their friends. But, of course, as a break on the way to other countries...
We
also asked them to rate the followings :
The tourists attractions
Backpackers : 14.14 /20
(down)
Singapore boost some top-notch attractions : its zoo is one of the best in
the world, its night safari is extraordinary, its Sentosa Island very colorful
& relaxing,... You understood : most of Singapore's attractions are fairly
modern with little connection to Asia. There are of course some Temples and
colonial buildings but nothing spectacular worth a special trip.
The city scenery
Backpackers : 15.66 /20
(up)
Singapore is basically a city. Fortunately, it is a nice
one. It does not have the lights of Hong Kong nor the colonial charm of Kuala
Lampur but it is nevertheless a charming, reasonably relaxed and fairly green
place with colorful ethnic districts and lots of markets and food courts.
The natural scenery
Backpackers : 11.76 /20 (down)
People do not usually think of
Singapore as a place to get in touch with nature. Looking closely, and with no
reference to all those attractions which let you meet the animals kingdom, there
are however a few great green escapes. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve,
one of the world's only two primary rainforest located by a city, is one of them
and should be high on everybody's itinerary. The island of Ubin is another
relaxed spot to forget the City.
The cultural opportunities
Backpackers : 12.34 /20
(up)
This is the lowest rate for all the countries surveyed
and it is surprising as Singapore boost some good museums as well as
English-speaking people to converse with. The clinical look of the city and the
lack of big historical sights may explain it.
The
food Backpackers
: 16.83 /20
(same)
For such a developed and expensive place,
the food offering of Singapore is surprisingly wide and reasonably priced, hence
this excellent rate. Clean food courts can be found at nearly every corner while
excellent restaurants cater to richer gourmets. Eating is a good pastime in
Singapore...
The
infrastructures
Backpackers : 19.52 /20 (up)
Singapore number one !
Everything in this clean city works efficiently. But it is not very surprising
is it ?
The
cost of living and traveling
Backpackers : 10.55 /20
(down)
OK,
so the above has a cost : Singapore is the second most expensive place
covered after Hong Kong (actually the most expensive if visiting the
attractions). Backpackers therefore do not really retire there.
But, to be fair, Singapore comes out much cheaper than most western cities : by western
standard, guesthouses, transports and attractions are reasonably priced while
the food is much cheaper. And if you start shopping...
The
safety Backpackers :
19.10 /20
(up)
Do you know any place in Asia safer than Singapore ?
Myanmar maybe... Singapore enjoy one of the lowest rate of criminality in the world. To
be enjoyed at any time of the day or night !
The
cleanliness Backpackers
: 19.10 /20
(up)
Singapore number one again
! This is indeed an area where Singapore is famous for and, in dirty Asia, it is
striking indeed. But leave the city and its fine and it becomes far from perfect
: I spotted one of the dirtiest beach of Asia and lots of rubbish on natural
Pulau Ubin !
The
pollution Backpackers
: 15.52 /20 (down)
Being a city, is it not
surprising that Singapore receives the best mark in this field ? No, it is not :
come and breathe !
The
Shopkeepers' attitude Backpackers
: 14.69 /20
(down)
Number
one again ! Indeed, shopkeepers in Singapore are relaxed, helpful and honest. A
little bit pushy in some places maybe but why not ? As long as it comes with a
smile...
The
Local people's attitude
Backpackers : 15.59 /20
(down)
An excellent rate again to thanks
the Singaporean for their excellent English, their smiles and their courtesy
toward foreigners. The government can be proud of them. My personal rates
would however be slightly lower as I found in Singapore some of the rudest
guesthouses owners of Asia. Fortunately, the people in the streets looked genuinely
friendly.
Entertainment
Backpackers : 13.55 /20
(same)
A fair rate as it is now
possible to have reasonable fun in Singapore. The night scene indeed developed
over the last few years and restrictions have been relaxed. It is not as crazy
as Hong Kong or Thailand and it is expensive but it is at least there.
Shopping
Backpackers : 18.04 /20
(down)
Another
best rate ! Everything you need and more is indeed available in Singapore, the
true shopping paradise of Asia ! Well, kind of. Shops are numerous, prices for
electronic goods are cheap and shopkeepers are fairly honest (but not all of
them so be suspicious with very cheap prices and check the product carefully) but the choice of
goods looked more limited than on the night markets of Hong Kong, Malaysia
or Thailand for example. As for souvenirs, they are fairly kitschy or
expensive.
Generally,
the country Backpackers
: 15.03 /20
(up)
This
good rate should finish to convince you to visit Singapore. Of course, not on a
special trip : Singapore might not be worth a plane ticket ! But, if in the
area, make sure to buy that bus or boat trip to this very spectacular city !
Value
for money Backpackers
: 12.48 /20
(up)
It may not be such a good rate on the Asian
scale (only Macau is rated lower) but Singapore is certainly an excellent
bargain from a westerner's point of view. There are only a few places in the
world with so much modernity for so little cost !
Backpacker's Tips : Mark Holleman, Dutch
(Jan 04)
« I think most travellers, especially backpackers, have the wrong idea of
Singapore, which usually corresponds to the stereotype of Singapore being very
expensive, boring, with too many rules and fines. There is much to do in
Singapore for backpackers and it is definitely worth spending a few days (3 or 4
would be ideal) to explore this unique city. Singapore is unique in Asia (but
very much part of it) and I believe it is worth exploring this city for a few
days to see how much they have achieved in such a short time. Things to do for
backpackers which will not 'break the bank' include: Spending a day hiking or
cycling on Pulau Ubin, exploring Little India, visit some of the excellent
museums (including the recently opened Asian Civilisations museum on Empress
Place), have a stroll along Orchard Road, shopping for electronics (Sim Lim
Square or the much better Funan IT Mall) which are still much cheaper than in
Europe and last but not least, trying out all the food! Recommendations for food
are the Geylang Serai Market for Malay food (the best Nasi Padang I have ever
tasted at the Hajjah Mona Nasi Padang stall), the various Indian stalls and
restaurants in Little India, Newton Hawker Centre (although a bit touristy, the
food is still very nice), famous Peranakan restaurants like Chilli Padi on Joo
Chiat Place and more, much more!
Backpacker accommodation in Singapore has much improved and there are now a
handful of very nice and very good value-for-money hostels, where you will get a
bunk bed, with bed linen and blanket, security locker, breakfast and Internet
access, for S$18 per night! These hostels are the A Traveller's Rest Stop, the
Betel Box Hostel, Chill'Inn and The InnCrowd.
Although more expensive than other destinations in Southeast Asia, a visit to
Singapore does not have to be that expensive and is still significantly cheaper
than backpacking through Australia or New Zealand.
As for the strict rules and regulations, there are some things you simply should
not do, such buying/ selling/ importing/ consuming illegal drugs and littering.
As a result of Singapore's strict rules, the city is clean, safe and the public
transport is cheap and probably the most efficient and comfortable anywhere in
the world. »
Give your opinion ! If you have traveled in Singapore for more than 3
days, please participate to our
surveys !
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