It gets scorching hot in Metro Manila during the summer season that we often feel discouraged to go out. But sooner or later, we’ll get bored at home and start looking for something fun to do.
To make your summer memorable without risking a heatstroke, here are 10 summer activities to do in Metro Manila to cool you down without the hassle and cost of planning an out-of-town trip.
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Temperatures in the Philippines during the summer typically range from 25 degrees to 32 degrees Celsius. However, temperatures from 40 degrees to as high as 52.3 degrees have also been recorded in previous years, although these were rare.
A certain place may also feel hotter than the actual temperature due to several factors, including humidity and wind speed. Thankfully, there are plenty of summer activities that you can do to cool off while in the country – so check out the list below!
Summer in the Philippines begins in March and peaks in May. If you prefer milder temperatures, consider visiting from December to February, when it’s generally dry but not excessively hot.
However, the best time to visit beaches in the Philippines may vary depending on the specific location, as the archipelago encompasses diverse climates and weather conditions.
Your guide to the best months to visit the beaches in the Philippines.
Cove Manila.
Image credit: okadamanila.com
If you want to take a dip in the pool but want to avoid overheating under the sun, go to Cove Manila at Okada.
It’s a huge swimming pool in an airconditioned glass dome that minimizes your exposure to the sun. Enjoy a refreshing swim without fear of overheating. There are also loungers and cabanas, making for a beach-like, indoor setting.
Loungers.
Image credit: okadamanila.com
This indoor beach is open on weekends. They’re currently offering a beach club daycation inclusive of meals starting at P1,200 (~USD21.57) per person.
Address: Okada Manila, New Seaside Drive, Entertainment City, Parañaque, Metro Manila
Opening hours: 9am-8pm Sat-Sun, Daily
Contact: (02) 8555 5775 | website
Going to malls is one of our go-to summer activities for free air conditioning. At Mitsukoshi Mall in BGC, you can take malling to the next level. You’ll feel as if you’ve traveled to Japan with the Japanese shops and dining spots around.
Itadaki Food Court is where you can get classic Japanese dishes such as tonkatsu curry (pork cutlet curry) and soba (buckwheat noodles). Meanwhile, matcha lovers can enjoy all the green tea-flavored goodies that they want at Matcha Tokyo.
Fully Booked’s storefront.
Image credit: Fully Booked via Facebook
For manga fans, English-translated Japanese comics and books are also available at the new Fully Booked branch opened in partnership with the Japanese bookstore chain Kinokuniya.
Address: 8th Avenue corner 36th Street, Grand Central Park, North BGC, Taguig City, Metro Manila
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am-10pm | Sat-Sun 10am-10pm
Contact: 0917 829 5864 | website
National Museum of Fine Arts.
Image credit: @ririperez9 via Instagram
It’s hard to resist the temptation of buying new things when you’re at the mall. So if you want an alternative free activity with access to air conditioning, spend a day museum-hopping in Manila.
National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of Anthropology, and National Museum of Fine Arts are all free-entry. Not only will you get to stroll in cooler places but you’ll also get to learn a thing or two about our history.
Replica of a butanding or whale shark at the National Museum of Natural History.
Image credit: trickytreck via Google Maps
Plus, the museums are not too far from each other so you won’t have to suffer under the sun for too long when you move from one place to another.
Address: Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila, Metro Manila
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 9am-6pm (Closed on Mondays and holidays)
Contact: website
Image credit: @swimcentralph via Instagram
Prep for your out-of-town summer adventures and sign up for swimming lessons with Swim Central.
They provide basic swimming, survival swimming, and free diving classes starting at P1,299 (~USD23.38), suitable for all ages. You can also arrange private classes for yourself or a group of friends at a pool of your choice and on your preferred schedule.
Image credit: @swimcentralph via Instagram
The best thing about Swim Central is that they offer their swimming lessons in different cities in Metro Manila so you can find a venue that’s most convenient for you.
Contact: 0917 500 7288 | website
For a list of branches, click here.
Royal Halo-halo.
Image credit: @bebang.halohalo via Instagram
When you accomplish any task despite the glaring summer heat, you deserve a treat – including 24-karat gold shaving halo-halo.
Bebang Halo Halo in Mandaluyong offers halo-halo with 24-karat edible gold flakes. Besides gold shavings, the Royal Halo-halo (P498, ~USD8.95) has your usual halo-halo add-ons, plus strawberry jam, pistachios, and a toasted marshmallow topping.
Royal Halo-halo’s marshmallow topping.
Image credit: @bebang.halohalo via Instagram
If you want to enjoy other flavors, the store also offers other elevated halo-halo variants such as Matcharap (P168, ~USD3.02) and Cookie Crumble (P148, ~USD2.66).
They accept walk-in orders, but it’s best to DM them to order ahead for pickup or delivery as wait time can at the store can go up to 2 hours.
Address: Unit B C N E, Wack-Wack Royal Mansion, 574 Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila
Opening hours: 10am-6.30pm, Daily
Contact: Facebook
Image credit: Wetpark Adventure Lagoon via Google Maps
If you have children in the family, treat them to a refreshing time at Wetpark Adventure Lagoon in Taguig, the first indoor water park in the country.
It has slides, rope courses, and a bucket that surprises you with a refreshing splash of water. Kids will also love their mini zipline.
Rope course.
Image credit: Wetpark Adventure Lagoon via Google Maps
Admission rates at the water park start at P588 (~USD10.57). Each ticket is for kids below 18 and one accompanying adult.
Tickets purchased online are valid for 3 hours while walk-in guests can stay for 1 to 2 hours, depending on available slots.
Address: 3rd Floor, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKinley Hill Drive, Taguig, Metro Manila
Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11am-9pm | Fri–Sun 7.30am-9pm
Contact: Facebook | Instagram
Pudding & Mochi Milk shaved ice.
Image credit: @meetfreshph via Instagram
Take the summer season as a chance to try a cold dessert from another country. Meet Fresh offers the popular Taiwanese shaved ice with a variety of toppings.
Pudding & Mochi Milk shaved ice (P520, ~USD9.35) has almond and caramel puddings, melon jelly, mini taro balls, mochi, and ice cream. Since it’s overloaded with toppings, it’s good to share among 4 people.
Iced teas.
Image credit: @meetfreshph via Instagram
The shop’s menu also includes a variety of milk tea, soy milk drinks, and more.
They have several locations in the metro, including S’Maison, Robinsons Manila, and Robinsons Magnolia. You can also get their iced desserts delivered if you live within 8 kilometers of their branch at The Podium in Ortigas.
For a list of branches, click here.
Mul naengmyeon.
Image credit: @sariwonph via Instagram
If you want to eat something cold that’s not dessert, try mul naengmyeon or Korean cold noodles (P430, ~USD7.73) from Sariwon Korean Barbecue in BGC.
It’s a refreshing noodle soup made with thin potato noodles and chilled broth made with beef stock and dongchimi or radish water kimchi. This gives it a savory and tangy flavor.
Haemul pajeon.
Image credit: @sariwonph via Instagram
Besides this popular Korean summer dish, the restaurant also serve other recipes such as bulgogi (marinated meat), samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly), and haemul pajeon (seafood and green onion pancakes).
Address: C2, Bonifacio High Street Central, 7th Avenue corner 29th Street, Taguig City, Metro Manila
Opening hours: Sun-Thu 11am-10pm | Fri-Sat 11am-11pm
Contact: (02) 8705 1628 | website
Use a polar bear skating aide to keep your balance.
Image credit: @smskating via Instagram
Ice skating is a classic summer activity you can do in the metro at SM Mall of Asia and SM Megamall’s skating rinks.
If you have no idea how to skate, there are attendants on the rink that can teach you ice skating basics or get a coach there to teach you for 30 minutes. You can also rent a polar bear skate aide to help you stay in balance.
Skating itself starts at P350/person (~USD6.30) for 2 hours of skating, inclusive of a pair of ice skating shoes and a helmet. Just make sure to go to the ice skating rink earlier than your desired schedule since lines tend to be long.
Disco ice skating.
Image credit: @smskating via Instagram
Disco ice skating is also available every Friday at 5.30pm amd 8pm for P400/person (~USD7.20).
SM Mall of Asia
Address: Seaside Boulevard, Pasay City, Metro Manila
Opening hours: 10am-10pm
SM Megamall
Address: Mega Mall D Fashion Hall, EDSA corner Doña Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila
Opening hours: 10am-9pm, Daily
SM Skating’s Facebook
Image credit: @climbcentralmanila via Instagram
If you want to avoid the harsh summer sun but still want an adventure, try indoor rock climbing at Climb Central.
This beginner-friendly climbing gym is both for beginner and experienced climbers. As the largest air-conditioned climbing gym in the country, it features a wide range of climbing routes with varying levels of difficulty.
Image credit: @climbcentralmanila via Instagram
Starting at P750 (~USD13.50), you can get a walk-in pass, which includes a safety harness and climbing shoes. And you can always come back for more. Climb Central regularly changes its climbing routes, so there’s always a fresh challenge awaiting you.
Address: The Portal, Mayflower Street, Greenfield District, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1pm-10pm | Sat-Sun 10am-10pm
Contact: (02) 8721 8307 | website
You don’t have to travel out of the metro to have a memorable summer. Summer activities in Metro Manila such as the ones above can keep you occupied and – more importantly – cool. Now, all there’s left to do is to plan when you’re going to do these summer activities!
Explore these water parks in the Philippines for some family fun in the sun this summer. For things to do with your friend group, check out these group activities in Metro Manila.
Cover image adapted from: okadamanila.com, @bebang.halohalo via Instagram, Eizen Barleta via Google Maps, @smskating via Instagram
Article originally posted on 31 March 2023, updated on 18 March 2024.
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