Whenever and wherever you travel, it is always a good idea to find out what other travelers think about your destination. If you are traveling to Singapore, you may be interested to find out what other travelers thought of it. You can find great information on the coco blog and other quality Singapore guides.
It should be no surprise that among the most popular activities in Singapore are visiting the tourist attractions, meeting the people, eating the wide variety of food and, of course, to go shopping. According to a Passplanet.com survey of backpackers, most backpackers would recommend Singapore to their friends and family members. However, they would do so as a part of the itinerary, not as the main destination.
Of the attractions, the backpackers most enjoyed Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, one of the few remaining primary rainforest preserves near a city. They also enjoyed the island of Ubin, with its authentic village, Pulau Ubin, where it’s possible to go back in time.
Among the other popular attractions noted on the survey, respondents noted the shops of Little India, the Asian Civilizations Museum, and Orchard Road
The backpackers who responded to the survey also enjoyed the variety of food offered at very reasonable prices. Whether you explore the many food courts and restaurants or simply buy something from a cart on a street corner, there truly is something for every taste. The survey respondents recommended Geyland Serai Market for Malaysian food, Little India, the Newton Hawker Centre, among countless others.
Singapore also received high marks for its cleanliness and efficiency. In fact, Singapore received the highest mark among Asian cities for its cleanliness and clean air. It was also highly rated for its low crime statistics and friendly people. However, those marks came at a cost, as the survey respondents criticized the city’s “clinical look”, the high cost of living and the vast number of laws.
These regulations have a relaxed somewhat, especially concerning Singapore’s nightlife. Backpackers responding to the Passplanet survey said that nightlife has improved. However, they noted that it is still relatively expensive.
Because Singapore is world-renowned for its bargains in shopping, it may be surprising to find that its ratings have declined somewhat among the backpackers who took the survey. Many respondents said markets in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand offered a wider variety of goods. However excellent deals can still be found in Sim Lim Square or Funan IT Mall.
In terms of accommodations, the survey respondents also found excellent values at A Traveller’s Rest, the Betl Box Hostel, Chill’Inn and The InnCrowd. Each of these hostels offers simple bunk beds, bed linens, lockers, breakfast and Internet access. Of course more deluxe accommodations are available elsewhere, for a more significant price.
Overall, the survey respondents rated Singapore as an excellent value for the money spent, offering friendly modern services for a reasonable cost, especially when compared to western prices. However, when compared to other Asian countries, Singapore was rated next to last in value for money, second only to Macau.
In general, while the backpackers in the survey would generally not recommend Singapore as a main tourist destination, it is definitely a worthy side trip, full of hidden treasures.
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