Your go to Sri Lanka packing list

Okay so you think you know what to take on a holiday but do you really? Each country is so different and there can be those little things that you forget that could make the difference between being ready or running around searching for gumboots in a market… true story.

I’m skipping the basics, here is everything extra you will need for your ultimate Sri Lanka trip!

• Pack some white clothes. In all the temples most people wear white, it doesn’t matter too much if you don’t but if you want to show respect and that you understand some of the culture white is better. Especially if you are visiting around a holy day.
• Skirts/dresses –  you will need long skirts or dresses to cover your legs past your knee, at least midi length to enter temples.
• Long pants if you are a man…Mike found this out the hard way and wore long pants after that! Below is a rare pic of him in a sarong, kindly borrowed from and tied on by the security guard at the entrance.
• Jumper – It gets cold in the highlands, you’ll be glad you have it. Although really you’ll probably want it on the plane anyway as well.
• Thongs/flip flops/jandles –  the easiest thing to wear visiting temples as you have to take your shoes off. Also for the beach.
• A rain jacket or poncho – yep it will rain. It might be a light shower, a drizzle or a downpour…you wont see it coming. We didn’t take one, thinking we would be fine as we could just sit in our tuk tuk. But getting to and from the tuk tuk…. drenched! Also yes the tuk has flaps you can put down, no it is not at all easy to put them back up as neatly as you found them…
• A sarong or scarf –  you will need it when you go to temples, the beach, when you are cold in the high lands…or if you need a makeshift pillow.
• Mosquito repellent and sunscreen – it can really hot, you’ll be out and about sightseeing and it is really easy to get burnt. I put sunscreen on in the morning so I know I’m ready for the day. I’ll carry the mosquito repellent with me for when it is needed.
• Hiking shoes or trainers – you’ll definitely want to hike at some point in Sri Lanka. Places that have stairs are ok but honestly why risk it. We always take a pair of trainers with us for those mountains you’ll want to get to the top of. Ella has a heap and you are definitely not hiking Worlds End in thongs!
• Refillable water bottle. Help to save the planet and reduce plastic waste! If you can refill from a hotel or restaurant please do. You’ll want a water bottle to take on hikes as well. We took a double walled stainless steel one so the water stays as cool as possible for as long as possible. It was excellent, we just purchased a large bottle and refilled from there, or if there was safe water offered at our hotel or a restaurant we could fill up there too.