7 Things Mumbaikars Do To Beat The Heat

The most fundamental of all summertime beverages – coconut water – can be found in stalls on pretty much every major Mumbai street, all year round. Cooling, hydrating, nutritiously dense and almost always under 50 rupees, coconut water should be your trusted friend during the city’s heat episodes. Other common summertime beverages include nimbu pani, a masala-rich variant of lemonade, sugarcane juice and sweet lime sodas – all of which you will find being sold in overwhelming quantities around the city.

Mumbai is several hours away from most highly popular and scenic hill stations. For unmatched natural beauty, head to the evergreen and pristine Matheran, which is located just a couple of hours outside of the city. Lonavala, one of Maharashtra’s most popular hillside towns, is located just an hour and a half outside of Mumbai. Cool, cozy and densely green, these towns are guaranteed to give you a rejuvenating break from the city.

Mumbai has plenty of cold desserts to fall in love with, all of which are great for cooling your body with. For a truly indulgent experience, dig into a glass of falooda – a lush mix of rose syrup, vermicelli, sweet basil seeds, pieces of jelly, milk and ice cream. Kulfi, a creamier and more subtly flavoured variant of the ice cream, is another popular dessert you will find being sold all over the city.

If you are looking to completely forget the city’s soaring temperatures for a few hours, then head to one of several winter-themed spots put together by the city’s amusement parks. Snow World – a snow-themed amusement park at the Phoenix Market City Mall – offers ice skating, snow sledding and snowboarding experiences set in chilly temperatures. EsselWorld, in the village of Gorai in northwest Mumbai, also offers ice-skating, among other fun activities set in cool temperatures.

Mumbai is home to a rich range of beaches, each of which has something unique to offer. To chill with fellow Mumbaikars seeking a break from the city’s heat, head to the packed yet breezy beaches of Juhu or Girgaum. If you would like a solitary experience on a pristine and under-visited beach, head further north to the beaches of Aksa or Erangal.

Mumbai has quite a few well-maintained swimming pools visitors can access without gym or club memberships. C’est La Vie, a health and lifestyle club on Bandra’s bustling Hill Road, offers a rooftop pool that you can access with a one-day membership. For options in South Mumbai, 5 Fitness Club, a fitness studio in Cuffe Parade, offers daily access to a picturesque pool along with their state of the art gym equipment. Ozone Swimming Pool in Goregaon is another great option for those seeking a large yet reasonably priced pool.

Rejuvenate your body and its heat handling capacities with a pampering session at one of the city’s many luxury spas. Mudraa Spa, set in the lush green Hiranandani Gardens of Powai, is a great option for restorative massages that combine the best of Eastern and Western practices. Rudra Spa in Kemps Corner offers a range of treatments including Reiki, reflexology, hot stone therapy, Ayurveda and Shiatsu.