Singapore Travel Medical Insurance for International Travelers—FAQs
Singapore has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. In fact, Singapore promotes itself as a medical tourism hub, generating about $3 billion annually from foreign patients alone.
However, the better the healthcare, the more expensive it is. If you were to need medical attention on your trip to Singapore, no doubt that you’ll be in good hands — but what about the cost?
Do I need travel medical insurance for Singapore?
Singapore ended all mandatory insurance requirements on February 13, 2023. Travel medical insurance is now optional for visitors, but it remains highly recommended.
Why buy travel medical insurance for Singapore?
Travel medical insurance is a vital aspect of your travel preparations. You can never prevent medical emergencies, the best you can do is to be prepared for them.
Healthcare is quite expensive in Singapore. To avoid paying an enormous amount of money for your healthcare, be prepared with travel medical insurance.
Buy travel medical insurance and be on the safe side.
Singapore Trip Cancellation Insurance for International Travelers — FAQs
Sometimes hotels and airlines play dirty. Canceled bookings might leave you without a room or a flight. If you’re unlucky, you’ll lose all your money, or at least a large part of it. There’s a lot of red tape behind refunds and compensations. For example, delays and flights canceled due to bad weather are unlikely to fetch you any refund.
Furthermore, you might have no choice but to cancel your trip. Trip cancellation insurance can give you this freedom.
Why buy trip cancellation insurance for Singapore?
A trip cancellation insurance plan can help you get reimbursed for canceled hotel reservations, airline tickets, or cruise bookings. Depending upon your plan, you can even change your existing trip plan.
What all is covered under trip cancellation insurance for Singapore?
According to their costs, different trip cancellation insurance plans will have different components included in them.
Here are some components you should make sure are included in your plan:
- Canceled bookings reimbursement
- Loss of baggage
- Emergency evacuation
To avoid any inconvenience during your trip, buy travel insurance.
Things to Do for Travelers in Singapore
An exotic and lively country, Singapore has a lot to offer to any tourist.
This is a country that has often been described as futuristic, and with good reason. The luxurious hotels, sparkling skyscrapers, and innovative layouts here will put you in a world completely different from your own.
Gardens by the Bay
These awe-inspiring gardens combine innovative designs and vibrant fauna, which makes them some of the world’s most beautiful and famous gardens.
Inside the gardens, make sure you don’t miss the Supertree Grove. These structures are iconic for their trademark layout and immense biodiversity.
Singapore Flyer
If you’re not impressed by the Gardens by the Bay, surely the Singapore Flyer will make it up to you. After all, it is Asia’s tallest Ferris wheel — and it does not disappoint.
Enjoy the skyline of Singapore in an air-conditioned capsule 160 meters above the ground. From here, you can even catch a glimpse of the exhilarating cityscape of Marina Bay and the stunning Singapore River.
Singapore Botanical Gardens
Had too much of the city bustle? Want to enter a peaceful paradise and relax amongst the trees and lakes? Then we have the perfect place for you: the Botanical Gardens of Singapore.
An impressive break from the concrete jungle that Singapore is the Botanical Gardens preserve the natural heritage of the country. Definitely visit the Botanical Garden, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is not something to be missed.
Chinatown
Singapore is known for its cultural diversity. Above all, this country whole-heartedly embraces the Orient, which becomes clear in Chinatown.
Traditional Chinese products, authentic cuisine, and Hindu temples: all of this makes Chinatown a happening and exciting place to visit. Make sure to visit the Thian Hock Keng, the oldest Chinese temple in Singapore.
Sentosa Island
If you’re craving some beach fun, then Sentosa Island is the perfect place to go. Siloso Beach is a great destination to enjoy the sun and lose yourself in activities like kayaking and skim boarding.
Another top attraction is the Underwater World aquarium. Also, don’t miss out on the Merlion, Singapore’s iconic statue with the head of a lion and the body of a fish.
Key Guidelines for Travelers in Singapore
Rainfall pattern
Singapore has erratic rainfall patterns.
Although most of the precipitation is limited to the months between November and February, we would advise you to take your umbrella and galoshes along with you.
Better be safe than sorry. You wouldn’t want to be caught in the rain, would you?
Cultural diversity
When in Singapore, you’ll encounter a lot of cultures.
Be sensitive to all cultures and maintain cultural tolerance in Singapore. Stay calm when a local doesn’t understand English, as a linguistic gap doesn’t always have to mean a gap in understanding.
Chewing gum
America has the highest amount of gum chewers in the world. If you’re one of them, we have some bad news — you can’t carry much gum into Singapore.
It is illegal to import or sell chewing gum in Singapore. Tourists are only allowed up to 2 packs along with them. If caught with more than that, you are likely to face a fine. If you’re unlucky enough, you could even face a jail sentence.
During your stay in Singapore, chewing gum one thing you’re going to have to abstain from.
Eating and drinking on public transport
The law in Singapore is quite strict. Another thing that reflects this is that you cannot eat and drink while using public transport.
The public transport system in Singapore is extremely efficient, and you’ll use it most of the time. When you do so, resist the urge to partake in a snack, unless of course, you want to end up paying a fine.
Littering
While this is part of common etiquette, there’s a reason you should be extra careful to not throw around litter in Singapore.
Littering is a crime here. They can fine you up to $1,000 for littering in public places.
So, keep that chocolate wrapper in your trouser pockets until you find a dustbin, or you might end up paying a lot more than $3 for it.
Before You Travel to Singapore - Do This
Pack your rain gear
Be prepared for some rain in Singapore. Getting caught in an unexpected downpour will ruin your mood, and by extension, your trip. So, be sure to pack appropriate rain gear.
Read up on the law and regulations of Singapore
Singapore has strict laws about seemingly insignificant things. Chewing gum, littering, and not flushing in public toilets can land you in trouble.
Buy travel insurance
Be wise and buy travel insurance or travel medical insurance. Leave nothing to chance and fate.
If you were to get sick or injured while in Singapore, you will have to pay high medical expenses out of pocket unless you have appropriate travel insurance. Hospitals in Singapore are generally willing to work with U.S.-based travel insurance companies.