Packing for Sri Lanka can be complicated if you are not prepared. Sri Lanka is a tropical country with an amazing experience filled with adventures from wildlife safaris to nature treks, to culinary journeys, to exploring ancient ruins and of course unwinding-time at the beach. Whether you are staying for a few days or a few weeks, here are a few things you should bring when you travel around this island.

CLOTHING

When it comes to packing clothes for Sri Lanka remember that Sri Lanka is near the equator and is going to be generally warm year-round. Though as you make your way inland to places such as Kandy and Nuwara Eliya it will get cooler especially if it is during the rainy season. This makes bringing layers the key to packing so you can stay warm if it does get damp and cold.

Remember to bring some clothes that cover the knees and shoulders. You cannot rock up in your tank top and shorts in religious places.

Rain is never too far away in Sri Lanka, so a rain jacket and umbrella are essential items.

MOSQUITO REPELLENT & SUNSCREEN/ LIP BALM

When packing for Sri Lanka you do not want to forget the mosquito repellent. The likely hood of getting any terrible disease from mosquitos in Sri Lanka is slim but you still don’t want to risk it. Indulge in the Sri Lankan sun with the confidence that your skin is protected by sunscreen with SPF 30 and SPF 40; pack at least a small bottle of each. Your lips too need protection and should be kept moisturized with chapstick or lip balm. All these items are readily available at local chemists, but if you have preferred brands then pack them with you, as they may not be easy to find in Sri Lanka.

WALKING SHOES AND SANDALS

You have to take your shoes off frequently in Sri Lanka not just for entering temples, but sometimes also to go into cafes, shops, or massage parlors. Breathable, open shoes are just perfect for that. Hiking to Sri Lanks’s beautiful areas to explore such as waterfalls, forests and lush plains, your walking shoes will come in handy.

WELL STOCKED FIRST AID KIT

Having a well-stocked first aid kit is important wherever you travel but especially when going to a place like Sri Lanka. They have pharmacies and such in the various towns but coming with your well-stocked kit is ideal in case you are in a more rural area or can not find the familiar item you are looking for.

BATHING SUIT AND QUICK DRY TOWEL

Between the beaches and swimming holes, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to go swimming, so definitely bring your bathing suit and also a quick-dry towel would be good. It is also great to have hand sanitizer and wet tissues with you. You never know when you will need to wash your hands, for example during train trips there may not be running water to wash your hands. Dry shampoo is great to bring too.

OTHER ESSENTIAL

1. Make sure you haven’t forgotten to pack your passport, insurance card and a good book or two (or your Kindle). Also include a good old-fashioned paper notebook, pen and printed itinerary with addresses and phone numbers of all of your hotels and Travel Agencies. Bring a file or passport holder so that your travel documents won’t suffer from the humidity.
2. Sri Lanka is ridiculously photogenic. Youll have a tough time finding decent photography supplies anywhere here apart from Colombo, so bring more than you think you’ll need if you want to make your holiday memorable.
3. An essential no matter where you are traveling in the world a good universal adaptor is a must-have, especially when packing for Sri Lanka. It is common to find everything from British style, to European, to US-style plugs so having a universal adapter means you will never be without power!
4. Staying hydrated is important and you are more likely to remember this while exploring the island, if you have a bottle of water with you all the time. Having your re-usable bottle will ensure that you have a ready supply of drinking water to sip from constantly.