What to wear and bring to Singapore Zoo (complete guide)
Nearly all of Singapore Zoo is outdoors and experiences the full tropical climate associated with Singapore: Hot and humid. There is also a lot of walking. As part of my series of guides on the Singapore Zoo, I put this one together to help visitors to Singapore write a checklist of items they should wear and bring to the Zoo.
I usually recommend wearing and bringing the following items to the Singapore Zoo to cope with the heat and humidity:
- Loose breathable shirt or t-shirt
- Shorts, trousers, skirt/dress that is loose, breathable and easy to walk in
- Hat or cap
- Comfortable footwear
- A light bag for carrying a water bottle, umbrella, and sun protection
Wear something that is easy to walk in. On my last visit I saw a woman holding her skirt as she walked around the park - even though it was breathable material, it was a design that wasn’t easy to walk in and she had to hold it. There is a lot of walking at the Zoo.
Footwear
Footwear can either be open and breathable, or water resistant.
The reason I recommend this is that your feet will likely get wet when it rains. If your shoes are open, then your feet will dry off when the rain finishes and it’s not a problem (I often wear flip-flops around Singapore).
Alternatively, if you’re wearing sneakers with socks, then you’ll want the shoes to be water resistant so your socks don’t get wet (“water proof” may be too warm, and given you’re unlikely to be walking through deep water, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it). I used to live in Hong Kong where Hunter rainboots are popular, even in the hot and humid summers; I don’t see this as much in Singapore.
Clothing
Clothing should be loose, breathable, and easy to walk in. Most visitors I bring to the Singapore Zoo spend a significant amount of time walking, and it’s important your attire supports this.
I also usually recommend long-sleeves and trousers to cover a lot of your skin. This serves as protection against the sun and against mosquitos.
Good insect repellent and sunscreen are also things I recommend bringing, for the sections you haven’t covered up.
Rain protection
Bring rain protection with you to the Singapore Zoo. Some of the rain protection I like to give to visitors in Singapore includes:
| Rain Protection | Cost at 7/11 |
|---|---|
| Small Umbrella | S$9 |
| Large Umbrella | S$15 |
| Poncho | S$3 - S$5 |
I included the costs when buying at 7/11 because I find a lot of people forget rain protection and end up having to buy it from a convenience store (that’s also why I tend to give it out to visitors I work with).
Try to avoid buying rain protection from the convenience store located at Mandai, I’ve heard some feedback about the stores not having enough stock or charging too high a price compared to the city.
I usually use a small foldable umbrella, which I purchased from 7/11 (after losing my favourite British Marks & Spencer one). It’s great for light rain, but in heavy rain I need to find shelter to avoid getting wet.
For most of the year in Singapore, the rain is short-lived and the heat means you will dry quickly after the rain. Rain also isn’t cold unlike other countries. To learn more about the different seasons, check out this guide by the Meteorological Service Singapore
Sun protection
Bring sunscreen and sunglasses when you visit the Singapore Zoo.
The Singapore Zoo can be bright and sunny, with lots of open-air space, and surrounded by water bodies that can reflect a lot of glare. Sunglasses will help manage this glare and allow you to get a better look at the animals.
Sunscreen is also important as there is not much shade at the Singapore Zoo. There are a lot of trees and sheltered areas which can provide some shade, particularly in the morning and the afternoon. However there is a lot of walking in the sun as well.
An umbrella can also be used to provide shade from the sun.
Air conditioning
Air conditioning is generally not available at the Singapore Zoo. Nearly all of the Zoo is outdoors. Unlike the Bird Paradise, there are not many air conditioned relief rooms at the Singapore Zoo.
Some air conditioned areas at the Singapore Zoo include:
- Ah Meng restaurant
- Reptopia
- Souvenir shops
- Some parts of KidzWorld
The Tram and tram stops are not air conditioned.
The air conditioned areas are not that cold though. Entrance doors to these areas stay open often due to people coming in and going out. This reduces the effectiveness of the air conditioning.
Bag
When preparing a bag for the Singapore Zoo, I like to recommend including the following items:
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Umbrella (small foldable type)
- Rain poncho
- Snacks
- Tissues
- Water bottle to refill
The bag itself can be small and light, after all you will be carrying it around all day.
Food can be brought in to the Zoo, and this includes snacks or even a full meal - there are places where you can have a full picnic at the Singapore Zoo.
Tissues are something I recommend visitors carry with them everywhere when they explore Singapore. A small packet of tissues can be good for wiping the sweat from your face, reserving a table (called ‘chope’ in local parlance), and cleaning yourself after a meal. The eateries within the Singapore Zoo do not provide complimentary tissues or serviettes, as is the norm in Singapore.
Water refill stations are available extensively across the park. These are clean and free to use. The refill mechanism is designed for bottles, so it is unlikely a child has put their mouth around the dispenser.
I often forget to bring a water bottle and end up buying one sold by the Zoo. A bottle of water sold at the Zoo costs S$2.90 (when I last visited in summer 2024), and is recyclable when you have finished with it (it can be refilled).
Further reading
Singapore is occasionally affected by Dengue Fever. This is a mosquito spread disease and as such, Mandai Wildlife Group (the owners of Singapore Zoo) take extensive steps to control mosquito populations. You can read more about their efforts here.
I’ve prepared a series of guides to help visitors to the Singapore Zoo plan their day, including transport, budget, and food. Check out the other guides in this series below:
