Free Attractions in Singapore

Singapore is one item that we recently ticked off our long bucket list of travel destinations. I am happy to report that it lived up to expectations; in fact, it far exceeded the expectations that we've set. While I don't really like to go into a place with expectations, I couldn't help myself with Singapore as I've read so many blogs and heard many experiences from friends hyping it up! In fact, we were both so excited that we were 101% sure that this won't be our last trip to Singapore.

One of the things that we heard a lot of when we were planning our travel to Singapore is that it is an expensive country. However, with enough research and lots of planning, we were able to stick to our budget for this trip. In fact, we stumbled upon many list of free things to do that you need to exploit on your visit. While there are many expensive destinations, you will also find plenty of free things to do.

If you are planning a budget-friendly Singapore trip, these free attractions/things to do should b e on your list:

CHINATOWN




We always loving visiting the Chinatown districts with every city or country we go to. It always carries that jovial atmosphere. It was nonetheless busy but this was one of those moments when I relished the chaos of the crowd. There are plenty of things to see or do in Chinatown alone. First, you can explore the temples in this area. The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and the Sri Mariamman Temple are Buddhist and Hindu temples, respectively. Both are located in Chinatown and are within walking distance from each other. Thus, you can easily do temple hopping while in the area.



Aside from temple hopping, you can also do some shopping in Chinatown. There are plenty of outdoor stalls that you can buy souvenirs from. And when you are tired of shopping, you can always check out many of the dining options here. From the hawker centers to food stalls, you can find anything your tummy is craving for.

Address: 244 S Bridge Road, Singapore

MERLION PARK



The Merlion Park is an iconic landmark. In fact, the famous Merlion has become a symbol of Singapore. This mythical creature features the head of a lion in a body of a fish. It is a great place to go to during day or night. Hence, you need to add this to your itinerary when you travel to Singapore.

Address: One Fullerton, Singapore (near the Central Business District)

LITTLE INDIA



If you like to visit cultural destinations, you must add Little India to your Singaporean adventure. This is probably the most colorful part of Singapore. You will find lots of shops and restaurants, but what we enjoyed the most is the street art. There are also many accommodations such as hotels and hostels in the area so you can book those if you would like to spend more time exploring this district. 

Address: Serangoon Road, Singapore

SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDEN



Since this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is one of the attractions that I made sure not to miss while in Singapore. This tropical garden is about a century and a half old. It is located at the fringe of the famous Orchard Road district. The entire garden spans 82 hectares in land area and features more than 10,000 flora species. The botanical garden is open daily from 5 AM to 12 MN. Entrance is free.

Address: Cluny Road, Singapore

GARDENS BY THE BAY




The Gardens by the Bay is an awe-inspiring attraction and garden that is built on reclaimed land. It is located right next to the Marina Reservoir and you can also catch a glimpse of the Marina Bay Sands from the gardens. The entire garden spans 101 hectares in land area. It is important to note that the gardens and the Supertree Grove area are available for free. But if you wish to enter the Cloud Forest Dome and the Flower Dome, you must pay a separate ticket for those. Even if you choose not to pay tickets for the domes, you will still be in awe by the grandeur of the garden. There is also a light show at the Supertree Grove that is also available for free. 

Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore

SPECTRA - MARINA BAY SANDS LIGHT & WATER SHOW


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The Marina Bay Sands is one of the most iconic hotels in the world. It is also a must-visit when you're in Singapore. The Spectra light and water show is a free-to-public show that is displayed over the Event Plaza along the promenade. This spectacular show is held nightly for 15 minutes a show. The first show is scheduled at 8 PM. Be sure to come in early so you can get the best seats to enjoy the show as the crowd can thicken up pretty quickly. 

Address: Bayfront Avenue, Singapore

EMERALD HILL



Emerald Hill is one of our favorite destinations while in Singapore. It is located near the planning areas of Orchard and Newton. It is a perfect detour from the shopping district of Orchard Road. It is a small neighborhood and conservation area wherein you can find the former homes of the wealthy members of the Peranakan community. It is a beautiful contrast to the modern buildings and shopping centers that surround it with the area looking like it was preserved in time. 

Address: Emerald Hill Road, Singapore

There are more free attractions in Singapore; however, this list only represents the ones we've tried and enjoyed most. If we missed anything, do let us know so we can add it to our next itinerary for our return visit (hopefully soon).

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6 Other Philippine Islands to Explore Aside from Boracay

With a somber mood, I offer you the news that Boracay will be closed from tourism activities for 6 months. The closure order will start this April 26. This was already confirmed by the Palace spokesperson Harry Roque. 6 months is a long time especially for an island as active as Boracay. But this step has to be done to ensure that the island's natural resources can be preserved and protected from further damage. While I love Boracay and I agree that claims of it being one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines are warranted, I would like to bear the good news that it isn't the only beautiful island or beach in the Philippines. With over 7,000 islands, there are many other good (and some would argue, better than Boracay) beaches to choose from. 


1. El Nido

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You cannot talk about the best tropical destinations in the world (yes, not just in the Philippines) without talking about El Nido. This gorgeous group of islands is best known for its steep karst cliffs, secret lagoons, and pristine white sand beaches. The Small and Big Lagoons in Miniloc Island has been snapped in many Instagram photos and featured in numerous travel magazines (both in print and online). There is no word fitting to encapsulate the beauty of El Nido. We also found this interesting guide on what you need to know before going to El Nido to ensure a hassle-free trip planning.

Read related >> Thai Basil Boracay

2. Coron


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Coron is another popular destination also located in Palawan, Philippines. Even though it is not as popular as El Nido, it is slowly gaining its fair share of fans who are delighted to explore the stunning islands, lagoons, and cliffs of the island minus the flock of tourism. Mind you, more people are now finding themselves heading to this island because of the irresistible desire to set foot on one of the most beautiful tropical paradise islands you will lay your eyes on. 

3. Bantayan Island




I've only been to Cebu once and I was lucky enough to visit the beautiful Bantayan Island. As I've said in this post, I highly recommend a visit to Bantayan Island if you want to experience the same gorgeous white sand beaches that Boracay has to offer minus the crowd of tourists. 


4. Panglao Island


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I've never been to Panglao or Bohol, but it's on my bucket list. The beauty of the island struck me the first time I saw photos of it online. Specifically, I will want to visit Alona Beach because that is one that keeps popping up in many travel reviews that I've read. 

5. Palaui Island


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I am embarrassed to admit it but it wasn't until the Survivor show filmed at Cagayan province that I discovered this secret gem of a tropical paradise. It is located at the northeastern extremity of Luzon. Hence, the remoteness of the island can be one of the reasons why it is not as crowded by tourists yet. But for those who brave the travel to get to these remote island see their efforts pay off because it is truly a tropical haven unlike no other.

Read related >> 10 Photos of Puka Beach That Will Inspire You to Visit

6. Caramoan


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The Caramoan islands are on my bucket list and it should be on yours too. If you are constantly seeking out beautiful beaches that are isolated, this one right here ticks off that item in your bucket list. From secret lagoons, to turquoise waters, and untouched beaches, you will fall in love with Caramoan! The islands of Caramoan is quite remote, so don't forget to read this handy guide I found to get here. 

Which of these Philippine islands or beaches do you have on your bucket list? If I missed anything, do let me know as I would like to explore more of our beautiful country!

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Aria Cucina Italiana

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Aria Cucina Italian is a contemporary and modern Italian restaurant chain. Their branch in Boracay Island was among my must-try list of restaurants on our return trip last December. Many say that Aria Cucina Italian elevated the standard of restaurants in Boracay and we couldn't disagree with that. The tropical interiors, cozy ambiance, and excellent food truly satisfied hungry beach-goers like us!

While we were tempted to try as many items off of their menu, we felt like the best way to gauge the quality of an Italian restaurant is with their pizza. Hence, we quickly glanced over their pizza selection on the menu. In keeping with the tropical setting, we picked Frutti Di Mare (PhP 540 or US$ 11). This pizza consists of tomato sauce, garlic, seafood, and mozarella - basically everything I want in a pizza!


We both loved the pizza. Just look at our reactions, LOL! I love that they didn't scrimp on the seafood - we got a plentiful serving of shrimp, calamari, and fish! Same goes with the mozarella cheese too. I was in my happy place. I could have opted to eat here during the entire time we were in Boracay if not for my desire to try many other restaurants!

I couldn't resist sampling their Mousse ai Due Cioccolati (PhP 200 or US$ 4-5). It is a dessert filled with layers of white and dark chocolate mousse and topped with ground hazelnuts. This is supposed to be their house specialty. This was my least favorite part of the meal, though. For this price, I expected more and it was somewhat of a disappointment. 



While dining at Aria Cucina Italiana is not inexpensive, they give you good value for money. Their dessert was subpar but the pizza was definitely a winner. I can't wait to try their pastas when we go back - hopefully soon! Do yourself a favor and dine here when in Boracay.

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Dahilayan Adventure Park

Dahilayan Adventure Park is not a new name in the tourism industry of Mindanao. In fact, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations. Tourists from all over Mindanao come to Dahilayan Adventure Park to experience the cold weather and to enjoy the many activities that it has to offer. As the name implies, it is an adventure destination with plenty of activities for those who wish to get their craving for adrenaline rush. 



The allure of the cold weather was part of the reason why we were keen to visit Dahilayan Adventure Park. For those living in Luzon, it is like visiting Tagaytay or Baguio. It is the perfect escape from the heat of the city. At the same time, you can experience plenty of fun, adventure-filled activities to enjoy a bit of a rush. Dahilayan Adventure Park is located in Brgy. Dahilayan in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

The Accommodation

view from our room


During our trip to Dahilayan Adventure Park, we stayed in Pinegrove Mountain Lodge. It is an excellent choice for those visiting the park for a few days and want a comfortable place to stay. The pine lodge concept facilitates in a relaxing atmosphere so you can have a place to rejuvenate after a tiring day of adventure activities. Our room also has a balcony that fronted various palm trees to welcome you with a gorgeous view upon waking up. 

The Food




The food at Pinegrove Mountain Lodge was amazing. Needless to say, the restaurant was not inexpensive. However, the quality of the food was up to par. We have no complaints during our 2-night stay at Pinegrove Mountain Lodge. They also have a great selection of dishes from all kinds of menu - from Filipino, Asian to Western cuisine. Hence, you can have your culinary cravings satisfied, whatever it may be. 

The Activities


our souvenir
For the thrill-seeker, the range of activities available at Dahilayan Adventure Park is the main reason to go. On our visit, we were able to try all three of their zipline rides (you can purchase a ticket for all of these rides at a discount). This combo zipline ride allowed us to try all three zipline rides at Dahilayan Adventure Park: 150-meter, 320-meter, and the longest dual zipline at the park at 840 meters. All of these rides gave us quite the rush and is therefore highly recommended for anyone who wants to seek out the thrill.

 Another one of their attractions that we had the chance of trying is the Python Roller Zipride. This was the most enjoyable ride that we experienced in Dahilayan Adventure Park. This ride is 500 meters long and combines the features and experience of a roller coaster and zipline ride in one. You will zip, slide, swing, roll, and drop throughout various portions of the ride. It is an exhilarating experience to say the least. 

The Ropes Course is another fun attraction that you should try if you like a bit of a physical challenge. The website describes it as a "12-stage High and Low Wire obstacle course complete with a Multisided Rockwall". It is the ultimate obstacle course that you need to challenge yourself with. 

Other noteworthy attractions at Dahilayan Adventure Park that we recommend (though we couldn't try them all) are Skytower Base Jump, Flying Lizard Canopy Glider, and Dropzone (a 150-meter freefall ride!).

If you are interested to learn more about the attractions at Dahilayan Adventure Park, you can check more at their website

Have you been to Dahilayan Adventure Park?

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10 Photos of Puka Beach That Will Inspire You to Visit

Puka Beach is one of the must-see beaches when you visit Boracay Island. Although not as powdery fine as the white beach of Boracay is, I still highly recommend it for those who want to explore and spend time in an undeveloped yet pristine beach. It is surrounded by forested cliffs and majority of this beach is kept untouched. This is the perfect place to go for a quiet swim - if you want to take a break from the crowd of the White Beach, or if you want to enjoy other water activities.

On our recent trip to Boracay, we made sure to visit this quiet beach again and we had fun taking photos of this gorgeous beach. We tried our best but felt like we still did not do it's beauty justice. Hopefully, these photos will convince you to add this to your itinerary on your next visit to Boracay.


Have you been to Puka Beach? What other white beaches have you been to in Boracay?

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