Located just one-and-a-half degrees north of the equator, Singapore has a tropical climate, which is defined by frequently wet weather and uniformly warm temperatures all year round. Temperatures usually hover in the 30 degree Celsius range, sometimes even shooting up as high as 35 degrees Celsius. For those coming from a temperate climate, Singapore’s hot and humid weather can be a bit too much to take, especially in April and May, typically the hottest months in the Lion City. But don’t let that deter you from a visit. Keep cool and spend less with our list of budget-friendly ways to beat the heat.
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Load up on icy desserts
Food is one thing Singapore is known for, so it should come as no surprise that Singapore boasts an array of delicious treats to quench your thirst and help you chill out. Most food centers have a dessert stall where you can find a variety of ice-filled bowls — but the one you should not miss is ice kachang. Underneath a mountain of finely shaved ice covered in sweet colourful syrups is a delicious mix of red beans, sweet corn and jelly, perfect to counter the heat. A similar dish is chendol, where kidney beans and green pandan flour jelly is covered with shaved ice topped with palm sugar syrup.
Other local desserts that you should try are cheng tng, a Chinese cold ‘soup’ with ingredients like dried persimmon, winter melon, white fungus and barley — this traditional Chinese medicine is considered to have cooling properties; grass jelly can be enjoyed as a drink or in a bowl with some lime squeezed over it, both options are equally refreshing; and green bean soup, which some believe can expel heat from the body and also has the benefits of clearing the body from toxins, promoting weight loss and reducing skin problems.
Take a dip
There’s no better way to cool down and have some fun than spending the day at a water park and Singapore has a number of options to choose from. For those who enjoy thrills and spills, the Adventure Cove Waterpark at Resort World Sentosa offers rides with high speed twists and turns. If you prefer to take it slow, grab a tube and take a leisurely ride down the Adventure River, splashing water on yourself when the heat gets to be too much.
On a tight budget? There are well-maintained swimming pools located throughout the island where you can spend a day cooling off in water for less than $3 SGD. And, if you are willing to travel to the western end of Singapore, there are two public pools in the Jurong area with water rides. The Jurong West Aquatic Centre has a winding ‘Lazy River’ with floats for rent and a Jacuzzi where you can get a relaxing water massage. The slightly more centrally located Jurong East Complex also has a wave pool and three slides to zip down.
Admire nature’s beauty in air-conditioned comfort
Singapore is well-known for being a garden city or, lately, a “city in a garden”. However, most of its lush greenery is outdoors and, if you are dripping perspiration in the sweltering heat, you won’t be able to fully enjoy its beauty. But there is one place in Singapore where you can enjoy greenery without breaking a sweat – the Gardens by the Bay. At the Flower Dome, you can discover a colorful array of flowers and plants from all over the world in what the 2015 Guinness World Records lists as the largest greenhouse in the world. You can also head to the Cloud Forest conservatory where there is a 35-metre-tall mountain covered in vegetation from the tropical highlands. The Cloud Forest is also home to the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. Just $38 SGD and you’ll be able to enter both conservatories to enjoy both nature and respite from the sun.
Spend the day at the waterfront
Since there are usually sea breezes to relieve the heat, being near the water is one sure-fire way to cool down. Though the Punggol Waterway Park is man-made, the park is full of greenery and there is a 4.2 kilometre river water path that runs through the park, connecting two reservoirs. Take a seat at one of the many benches that line the park. It’s also a fantastic place to catch the sunset. The Jewel Bridge is the best place to watch the sun disappear beyond the horizon.
Go underwater
Specifically to the S.E.A. Aquarium. There are more than 100,000 marine animal of over 800 species spread over a myriad of exhibits, and you can walk through air-conditioned comfort admiring them. The key attraction is the Open Ocean where you can sit before a huge screen and admire the beautiful sea scene in front of you with giant manta rays, leopard sharks and schools of rainbow colored fish swimming from end to end in a chilly atmosphere, it’s easy to spend hours here admiring the “dance” of the marine creatures.
Before you go, prep for your trip with 15 things to do before a trip to Singapore.
Main image: iStockphoto/davidf
