Sri Lanka is warm everywhere except the high hills, wet somewhere in every month, and strict about covering up at temples. Pack for those three facts and the rest takes care of itself. Because you will move between coast, ancient cities and hills, think in layers that dry quickly and weigh little.
Clothes
- Light cotton or linen that covers shoulders and knees. You will want it for temples, and it is also the best defence against sun and mosquitoes. Long trousers or a long skirt, and tops with sleeves, are the easiest. Pack at least two sets of temple-ready clothes for a trip that includes Kandy, Sigiriya and Dambulla and Anuradhapura.
- A scarf or sarong. It doubles as a shoulder cover, a beach wrap, a seat cover on a dusty train and a light blanket on air-conditioned buses.
- Slip-on shoes or sandals. You will take them off at every temple. Add thin socks if you are climbing hot stone steps.
- A warm layer. The hill country around Nuwara Eliya and Haputale is much cooler, particularly at night and at dawn, and early safari starts are chilly. A fleece or light jacket is enough.
- Swimwear, and something to cover it with. Beach resorts are used to visitors, but towns and temples are not beachwear places.
Wikivoyage's etiquette notes add that it is customary to take shoes off before entering a temple or a home, and that nude or topless sunbathing is illegal outside private resorts that allow it.
Rain and sun
The Department of Meteorology describes four seasons: two inter-monsoons with thunderstorms and two monsoons that drench opposite sides of the island. In practice, rain can arrive in any month. See when to go for where is dry when.
- A light rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- A dry bag or zip bags for phones, passports and cameras, especially on a boat trip or at a rainforest such as Sinharaja.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. The sun is strong all year, and you will be out early on the rock at Sigiriya and on safaris.
Health and comfort
- Insect repellent. The US advisory says to use mosquito protection to prevent serious illness; dengue is widespread in the Western Province. See health and vaccinations.
- A refillable water bottle and the means to buy sealed bottled water. Tap water is not safe to drink in many areas, so do not plan to refill from the tap.
- Prescription medicines in their original packaging, with a copy of the prescription. The advisory warns that counterfeit medicines are common, so buy any extra from a trusted pharmacy rather than a street stall.
- A small first-aid kit with plasters, rehydration salts, pain relief and anything you take regularly.
Documents and money
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond your departure, with a blank page, plus your approved ETA. See visas and the ETA.
- Carry your passport or a copy at police and military checkpoints, as the US advisory suggests.
- Travel insurance that covers medical evacuation, and printed copies of the policy details.
- Some cash in small notes. The US advisory notes that US dollars are not widely accepted and should be exchanged, and that ATMs are common in tourist areas but scarce in remote locations. See money and costs.
Electronics
Wikivoyage lists the supply as 230 volts at 50 hertz, with British-style sockets (BS 546 and BS 1363). Bring an adaptor, and a power bank for long train days and early starts. A SIM or eSIM can be sorted at the airport; see SIM cards and data.
What to leave at home
- Buddha imagery. The US advisory warns against displaying religious images such as Buddha tattoos; some visitors have been arrested or turned away. Cover existing tattoos, and it is sensible to avoid clothing and jewellery that uses Buddha images as decoration.
- E-cigarettes and vaping devices, which the same advisory lists as prohibited, along with weapons, ammunition, explosives, gold, narcotics and pornography. Check Sri Lanka Customs if you are unsure about anything in your bag.
- A drone, unless you have checked the rules. Drones are restricted at places such as the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy and at military sites.
A pack that works for most trips
For a ten-day loop through the Cultural Triangle, tea country and south coast, such as ten days from Sigiriya to the south coast: four tops, two pairs of light long trousers or a long skirt, one pair of shorts, swimwear, a fleece, a rain jacket, a scarf, sandals and one pair of closed shoes for walking. Many guesthouses can arrange laundry, so you can pack less than you think.