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Want to enjoy Singapore without melting in the humidity? Try these 9 cooling tricks
Singapore’s heat and humidity can be intense. Use these 9 local-inspired cooling tricks to stay comfortable, hydrated and refreshed while exploring.
Stepping out of Singapore’s airport can feel like walking into an oven. Within seconds, you go from the air-conditioned terminal to a wall of hot air and 80%+ humidity.
It’s a shock to every traveler’s system and takes time to adjust to. But this doesn’t mean you have to stay in your hotel room for the first few days while you acclimatize.
You’ll notice how locals continue to go about their business year-round. That’s because they know the tricks for dealing with Singapore’s intense humidity.
You can use these tricks, too. Here are 9 ways to stay cool and explore Singapore comfortably.
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1. Dress for the humidity, not just the heat
When it’s hot, we naturally want to wear as little as possible. But in high-humidity destinations it’s more about what you wear.
Humidity stops sweat from evaporating, making you feel hotter and stickier. So while cotton is a popular summer fabric, in high humidity it can trap moisture and make your clothing stick to your skin.
Instead, choose lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics or breathable linen.
Loose, light-colored clothing also allows air to circulate and absorbs less heat from the sun, making it ideal for all-day sightseeing.
And make sure your footwear is breathable. Comfortable sandals help prevent overheating when you’re walking for long periods.
Finally, a lightweight hat and sunglasses will keep the sun off your face, so they are a must on any Southeast Asia packing list.
2. Hydrate constantly and refill for free
One of the most important things to do when it’s hot and humid is drink a lot of water. But don’t worry; you won’t have to buy bottled water constantly.
Unlike most other countries in the region, Singapore’s tap water is safe to drink. You will find free water dispensers and bottle-refill stations in the malls, at MRT stations, in public parks, and at most attractions.
So, carry around a refillable bottle and fill it up whenever you see a water dispenser. If you plan to be out all day or walk in the sun, consider buying electrolyte drinks to replace salts lost through heavy sweating.
3. Time your outdoor sightseeing around the sun
From Gardens by the Bay to Marina Bay to Sentosa beaches, there are some incredible outdoor things to do in Singapore. To enjoy these places without sweating buckets, schedule them for the early morning (before 10 am) or early evening (after 4 pm).
11 am to 3 pm is the hottest part of the day. Reserve this window for indoor plans, such as a leisurely lunch in an air-conditioned restaurant, a walk around the mall, or a museum visit.
Planning your Singapore itinerary in this way is the single biggest comfort upgrade you can make.
4. Use Singapore’s air-conditioned network as your cool-down route
Most indoor places in Singapore have air-conditioning, such as malls, museums, and MRT stations. This makes it easy to hop between cooled indoor spaces and the hot outdoors.
For example, if you are walking somewhere that’s a 15-minute walk, check the map for convenience stores or transit stations where you can pop inside for a few minutes to cool down en route.
What’s more, Singapore’s downtown and commercial districts have several air-conditioned underground pedestrian networks connecting MRT stations, shopping malls, and office towers.
So, for example, if you’re exploring Orchard Road, you can use the underground walkway to move between malls without having to step out into the tropical heat.
5. Ride the MRT instead of walking or waiting for taxis
The MRT train network is hands down the best way to get around Singapore. It’s fast, cheap, and connects the entire city via six color-coded MRT lines that are super easy to follow.
The entire MRT network, including the trains and stations, is also air-conditioned. So it makes total sense to take the train between attractions rather than walk.
A 15-minute walk might not sound too bad, but in Singapore’s heat and humidity, it quickly feels more like a desert hike than a short stroll. Even short early-afternoon walks can leave you soaked in sweat.
Paying for the MRT is easy too: you can tap a contactless bank card or use a mobile wallet like Apple Pay.
6. Pack a compact cooling kit
When visiting Singapore’s outdoor attractions, there are a few small things you can pack in your day bag to help you stay cool and comfortable, such as:
- Portable handheld fan
- Cooling towel
- Mini umbrella
- Sunscreen
These small things can make a big difference when you’re stuck in a queue in the direct sunlight.
Another thing you might want to consider carrying is a power bank. Phone batteries often drain faster in the heat, so having a power bank on hand will ensure you stay connected on long days. Plus, you can use it to recharge your portable fan.
7. Eat and rest inside hawker centers and cafes
When traveling in hot countries, food breaks become strategic cooldowns as well as meals. At restaurants, choose to sit inside to enjoy the aircon or eat at one of the many air-conditioned food courts in the malls.
And if you want to experience traditional Singapore food like Laksa and Char kway teow, head to the Hawker centers. While they don’t have air conditioning, they do have roofs to protect against the sun and large industrial ceiling fans to keep air circulating.
Locals also rely on cooling snacks and drinks to avoid overheating during the day, such as:
- Ice kachang (shaved ice)
- Sugarcane juice
- Iced kopi (iced coffee)
8. Cool off in water spots and green shade
Singapore also has many places to cool off. Sentosa’s public beaches are popular among locals and tourists alike, with calm waters and designated swim zones for safe bathing.
Then there’s the Cloud Forest dome at Gardens by the Bay. This futuristic greenhouse recreates the cool, misty environment of tropical mountain regions, with a consistent pleasant temperature of 23-25°C (73-77°F).
Meanwhile, the Harbourfront promenade makes for a breezy evening walk when the sun is going down.
9. Escape to a cooler island or day trip when the heat peaks
If you want to escape the city’s mugginess, take a boat trip to one of the Indonesian islands near Singapore, like Batam or Bintan, both about 1 hour away. You’ll get a welcoming sea breeze, a slower pace, and a chilled tropical island vibe.
Another popular Singapore day trip is the Desaru Coast in Malaysia. This beautiful beach resort destination is just a 90-minute ferry ride from Singapore and offers stunning golden-sand beaches and an awesome, refreshing waterpark.
Build a heat-smart daily plan before you go
Managing Singapore’s heat and humidity means adopting a daily rhythm of outdoor mornings, indoor middays, and outdoor evenings. This keeps you out of the sun during the hottest part of the day and makes outdoor activities more enjoyable.
When putting together your Singapore trip itinerary, research the attractions you want to visit to understand which are indoor and which are outdoor. Some places like the Gardens by the Bay have both indoor and outdoor areas, so you’ll want to slot these into an early-to-late-morning or mid-afternoon-to-early-evening window.
Finally, as rain is common in Singapore, keep an umbrella, offline map, and transport card on you at all times so you don’t get caught in a sudden downpour.
Stay cool and connected across Singapore with Holafly
Getting around Singapore in the heat is a lot easier when you can check the next MRT train, pull up an indoor spot to duck into, or reroute around a downpour without hunting for Wi-Fi. A eSIM for Singapore keeps you online the moment you land, with unlimited data, 5G speeds, and 24/7 customer support, so your phone is ready whenever the plan shifts.
What’s more, every Holafly eSIM includes Always On, 1 GB of backup data at no additional cost that activates automatically as long as the eSIM stays installed on your device. It renews every month and works in 150+ destinations, so if your main data runs low mid-afternoon, you can still map your route to the nearest air-conditioned refuge. Stay connected even when the weather has other ideas.
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Hi, I'm Mika, a South Korean writer living in the US. I cover travel and live events, focusing on the practical stuff that makes your trip smoother, whether you're navigating a new city or heading to a major international event.I'm also the founder of Search SEOul, South Korea's leading SEO conference, bringing together search marketing experts and speakers from around the world.
