The Weather — Surviving the Dubai Heat

Some days went over 40°C, but honestly, it was more bearable than I expected. We avoided direct sun around 1pm and went to malls or restaurants instead. What surprised me most was how bad the humidity got at night. I like to wear jeans when I go out, but even in the evenings the humidity lingered, and it made things a lot more uncomfortable than the daytime heat.

You can wear shorts pretty much anywhere, especially nice tailored ones, and I did on a few nights. But I just prefer jeans, so that was a bit of a struggle. Walking along the West Beach promenade near the infamous FIVE Palm was... sweaty. Thankfully, there are buggies running up and down the strip to save you the trek.

Everything indoors is air-conditioned, and outdoor spaces like restaurants usually have big industrial fans. The most active we got during the day was going to Wild Wadi Waterpark with friends and their kids. It was hot, but the chilled water helped massively. Unlike the sea, which felt like bath water.

Myths vs. Reality

"Dubai is empty in the summer" — not true. Sure, it’s quieter, but far from dead. Malls were buzzing, restaurants were vibing on the weekends, and it didn’t feel deserted. I can only imagine how busy it must be during high season.

"You'll get heatstroke just stepping outside" — exaggerated, but the risk is real. I saw a couple of people collapse from the heat. It didn’t happen to me, but I stayed hydrated and kept to the shade.

"Nothing's open" — false. Everything was open. Some places shut earlier or close midweek, but Dubai still felt alive.

"Everyone's fake or trying to sell you something" — can be true, but not completely. You’ll meet a lot of people trying to make money off you in one way or another, and you need to have your guard up. But there are also genuine people out there — those trying to build real businesses, collaborate, or network meaningfully. Meeting a few of those gems shifted my perspective. Dubai isn’t all fake — but I understand why some people say that.

"Is Dubai safe?" — Absolutely. I always felt safe, day or night. And I spoke to a few women while out there who said the same thing. It's one of the safest cities I’ve travelled to in terms of crime and street safety.

Tips for Surviving (and Enjoying) Dubai in Summer

• Drink a lot of water. Ask your hotel to restock bottles daily and finish them.
• If you’re swimming a lot, you’ll still sweat plenty — hydrate more than you think you need to.
• Start with SPF 50+.
• A portable fan isn’t essential, but I saw loads of people using them.
• Stick to official taxis (yellow cabs) — they’re metered. Hotel taxis are often unmarked and charge double or triple.
• Don’t rule out hotels — I almost booked an apartment but the breakfast alone made the hotel stay worth it.
• Food everywhere was great. Even the Pizza Hut tasted like it was straight out of Rome (seriously).
• Cleanliness? Unmatched. I’ve never seen a city this clean. People cleaning pavements, beach walkways, everything — all day, every day.

‍What I Wish I Knew Before Going

You can do Dubai cheap if you want to. Stay out of the most expensive areas and you’ll be fine. But you can also go all-out luxury if that’s your vibe. It reminded me of Vegas or Miami — tall buildings, flashy hotels, heat and humidity, that kind of energy.

If I had known earlier about the alcohol rules, I’d have saved a lot of money. Bars can be really pricey. You can legally buy alcohol in certain supermarkets (we went to The Cellar Door at Palm Mall), but you need your passport to register.

And the women? Let’s just say I was surprised. A lot of them are professionals — some more discreet than others. I didn’t expect that in a Muslim-majority country, but it’s there.

Final Thoughts on Dubai

When I left Dubai, I honestly thought it might be too fake for me. It lacks nature — and for someone like me, that matters. Everything is man-made, polished, and built for purpose. But the more I explored, the more I realised Dubai has become a magnet for the best bits of cities around the world — and the people, energy, and experiences it attracts reflect that.

This blog has highlighted what it’s really like to visit Dubai in the summer — not just the heat (which is serious), but how to handle it, what’s actually worth doing, the myths that aren’t always true, the subtle scams to watch for, and the little things I wish I’d known before going. From the humid nights to the wild waterparks, from luxury breakfasts to surprisingly clean streets — summer in Dubai is unique.

It’s not just a tourist trap or influencer playground. As long as you know how to navigate it and go in without crazy expectations (like becoming a millionaire overnight), Dubai can be a genuinely enjoyable trip.

Would I live there? Not quite. The lack of greenery and natural spaces is a dealbreaker for me, at least for now. But I did find myself considering it. With how much they’re building — the upcoming world’s largest airport, plans for another tower taller than the Burj Khalifa — it feels like a city that’s always becoming something. Planning, not settling. That’s how I see Dubai.

It’s definitely worth a visit, even in summer, and even more — a revisit, and then who knows what the future holds.