Are you moving to Singapore from a temperate country that experiences all four seasons? Then, living in Singapore's year-round tropical sunshine and warmth may feel like you’re on a perpetual summer vacation.
However, the reality of our tropical climate is vastly different. Locals will tell you that one of the things we struggle the most with in Singapore is the unrelenting heat and humidity. And yet, you’ll notice that the stifling heat doesn’t keep anyone from getting out and about the city.
If you want to learn how to survive the heat in Singapore, this guide is for you.
Singapore’s weather is what you would expect in a tropical rainforest—hot, humid, and rainy. Located just one degree north of the Equator, Singapore has no true seasons. Instead, it alternates between dry and wet periods during monsoon seasons.
There are two main monsoon seasons in Singapore:
Northeast Monsoon: December to early March
Southwest Monsoon: June to September
During monsoons, thunderstorms frequently occur in the late afternoon and evening. These thunderstorms bring moderate to heavy rain, thunder and lightning. They are also sometimes accompanied by gusts of wind.
However, rain offers little relief as it quickly evaporates, adding to the humidity.
Average temperature: 27-28°C (80.6-82.4°F)
For example, 29°C can feel like 37°C outdoors with high humidity.
Wondering how you can beat the brutal Singapore heat? Here are some tips from a local to not just beat it, but even thrive in it.
Our best tip? Just embrace the stickiness as part of life here, you’ll find it so much easier to bear with once you wrap your head around the fact
Avoid polyester, nylon, and knit clothing. Instead, choose clothing made from natural fibres like cotton, bamboo, linen and tencel. These materials are lightweight, breathable, and do not trap moisture on your skin. You’ll find that dressing in lighter colours and looser cuts also helps you feel less warm, because they tend to trap less heat on your skin.
If you’re looking for breathable cotton, bamboo, linen, and Tencel clothing, Singapore offers plenty of local and regional options. Popular places include Uniqlo (Airism and Linen lines), Muji, Cotton On, and Marks & Spencer, all of which carry lightweight, natural fibre collections suitable for Singapore’s climate. Local brands like Ong Shunmugam and Matter Prints also offer high-quality linen and breathable fabrics with a Singaporean aesthetic. Bugis Street, City Plaza, and local markets can be great spots to find affordable cotton and linen pieces for everyday wear.
If your new place doesn’t already have ceiling fans installed, head over to the nearest electronics store to purchase a fan for every room in your house.
Fans are a must-have in every Singapore home. You need them to help you feel cooler for a fraction of the electricity consumption of an air-conditioner. That’s because the wind generated helps sweat evaporate from the skin more quickly.
For double the cooling effect, get a dehumidifier as well. It’ll make the air less humid, leaving you feeling less sticky and more comfortable.
Cost tip: Air-conditioning can significantly increase your electricity bills in Singapore. Consider using it strategically at night while using fans and dehumidifiers during the day to balance comfort and costs.
You can’t help it if our house’s windows face the sun, which may feel unbearably hot. Thankfully, you can mitigate some of the broiling heat with solar film on your windows and by fixing blackout curtains or blinds over them.
Solar film works by cutting out a portion of the UV rays and infrared heat from the sun.
Blackout blinds or curtains physically prevent the sun’s rays from entering your room.
Do remember to check with your landlord if you can make these additions to your rental unit.
Whatever you’re used to back home, showering daily in Singapore—sometimes several times a day—is not a luxury, it’s a need. You’ll definitely need these blessed showers to get sweet relief from the perpetual stickiness, thanks to our humidity!
But more than that, showering helps you keep cool by bringing your core body temperature down.
Skip the heater and shower in cold water to feel even more refreshed. Yes, even at night. Taking that cold shower before bed and again when you get up in the morning is every local’s best hack to thrive in the tropical heat.
Drinking cold water does wonders to lower your core body temperature. Do yourself a favour and bring some everywhere you go in an insulated flask, which will keep the water icy cold for hours. Taking sips throughout the day can go a long way in keeping you hydrated and cool at the same time.
The good news is that many of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train stations are air-conditioned and connected to malls or underpasses. This means you can walk out of the sun and into air-conditioned comfort for some part of your commute.
This is especially true if you work in the Central Business District (CBD) and need to walk to your office from the train station. You’ll most probably be able to get there without needing to walk above ground.
Plan your route with CityMapper or MyTransport.SG app to minimise your time spent walking on the open sidewalks, your armpits will thank you.
If you absolutely have to be out and about in the open and exposed to the sun in the day, make sure to bring an umbrella, hat, and sunglasses with you. You may not have needed these where you came from, but here in Singapore, having these on hand will definitely give you some respite from the heat.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses with UV protection, and seek shade whenever possible to reduce direct sun exposure. Consider using UV-protective umbrellas when walking outside during peak sun hours to protect your skin while staying cool.
Choose natural-fibre sheets and lightweight bedding to help you sleep comfortably, even on the most humid nights. It definitely beats feeling sticky and irritated before bedtime.
This one seems like a no-brainer, but do your best to plan your day around the weather.
Singapore’s high UV index means suncare is essential year-round. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher daily, even on cloudy days, and reapply every two hours if you are outdoors. Choose gel-based or lightweight formulas to avoid stickiness in humid weather. This is especially important in the morning when you need to face the day (and the inevitable onslaught of heat).
Minty shampoo or body wash is also a great way to up your cool shower game.
Local pro-tip: Use cooling wet wipes, which you can purchase from retail pharmacies, to remove sweat and odour from your skin. it also helps to bring down the temperature on your skin. Many locals swear by them.
Listen to your well-meaning local colleagues or friends when they advise you to drink more “cooling” teas and beverages. Here are a few great options to help you stay cool in the heat:
Barley water
Chrysanthemum tea
Luo han guo (monk fruit) tea
Water chestnut
Grass jelly
Coconut water
Sugar cane juice
These drinks are known to have heat-dispelling properties and can be found at hawker centres, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) halls, and neighbourhood shops or malls.
Locals are completely unabashed about bringing a multitude of portal cooling devices out wherever they go. Keeping cool is way more important than looking cool.
Handheld fans, fans that clip onto your strollers, fans that hang off your neck, watch fans, and even mini fans that can be attached to your phone. Just buy one of each. You’ll definitely find some use for them as you’re sweltering in the midday heat.
These fans are all USB chargeable, so you can always recharge them when you’re home. You can even bring a portable battery pack out to extend the running time of your fan.
Have some more questions about living with heat and humidity cranked up 24/7 here in Singapore? We have answers for you.
A: The short answer? Stay in air conditioning as far as possible. Bring your portable rechargeable fans and cooling wipes if you need to step out. Especially if there's no aircon where you're going.
Using a dehumidifier at home, together with electric fans, will help with the incessantly high humidity. Taking cold showers several times a day will also be helpful in removing the sticky sweat on your skin, leaving you comfortable and dry.
A: In Singapore, adults are recommended to drink at least 2 litres of water daily. This is crucial in replacing the body’s water lost to perspiration, which you will do A LOT OF here. Drink more water if you’re going to be spending more time outdoors, or if you are planning to exercis,e to prevent heat-related injuries. And if you’ve perspired buckets and need a little boost, chug down an isotonic drink or coconut water to replenish those electrolytes and salts.
A: Early mornings and late afternoons till night are the best times to head outdoors, because these are the coolest periods of the day.
A: While many local homes now have air-conditioners, some older houses may not have air-conditioners installed.
If you happen to be renting a home that doesn’t have an air-conditioning unit installed, check with your landlord if you can do so. If you’re unable to get permission for that or if you simply want to make do without, you can alleviate the heat with electrical fans and dehumidifiers.
Ceiling fans are a staple in many local homes. They don’t take up floor space in our already-tiny houses and do a great job of keeping the room windy and cool.
Tower fans, tornado fans, tabletop fans, and wall fans are other fan options to consider for your home. You can also consider getting a portable air-conditioner, which runs on water to generate cool air.
A: While Singapore has a year-round tropical climate that’s hot and humid all the time, the months of April to July are typically warmer than others because of a combination of factors: the inter-monsoon period with weaker winds, and stronger solar radiation due to the sun being more directly overhead. This year, the higher temperatures from April to July are also worsened by the prevailing El Niño effect, which has brought drier and hotter conditions.
A: The constant heat coupled with the stifling humidity can really creep up on you if you’re not used to such conditions at home. Look out for symptoms like:
headache
Dizziness
Nausea
Weakness
Fatigue
Muscle cramps
Cold sweat
A sudden spike in temperature
Heart palpitations
Especially if you’ve been in the sun just before the onset of these symptoms.
A: If you notice yourself suffering from any of these symptoms, move yourself to a cool area immediately and rest. Take small sips of water or isotonic drinks, like H2O or 100 Plus, and loosen your clothing. If you still feel unwell after 30 minutes, please see a doctor for medical treatment. If your symptoms are more severe, call 995 immediately.
A: Yes, even though it may feel uncomfortable because of the extra stickiness. It’s really important to apply sunscreen every day, even if you’re mostly indoors, because of our high UV index year-round. You’ll want to make sure your sunscreen has a minimum SPF of 30 and is a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Gel and lightweight formulas are available here to make it a lot less sticky.
Singapore’s heat and humidity are part of daily life, but with these local tips, you can adapt comfortably, protect your health, and enjoy everything this vibrant city has to offer. Embrace the warmth, and stay hydrated. Remember, keeping cool in Singapore is an art you can master with the right approach.
Moving to Singapore can be challenging, especially when dealing with the logistics of relocating in the heat. The Wise Move platform makes it easy for newcomers to settle in comfortably by helping you book trusted, vetted local movers in one place.
You can post your moving request once and receive competitive quotes from reliable Singapore moving companies, ensuring you find the right service for your needs and budget. The platform is designed for convenience, transparency, and cost-efficiency, saving you time while ensuring your belongings are moved safely in Singapore’s heat and humidity.
Want to learn more about living in Singapore? Here's 8 Things you need to know before moving to Singapore
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