What to Wear in Sri Lanka: Complete Packing List for Sri Lanka

We spent 10 days in Sri Lanka exploring the highlights across the central and western parts. This island in the Indian Ocean south of India is quite diverse. You get the misty hills and tea plantations in the central regions, there are several ancient ruins and Buddhist sites for the culturally inclined. You are never far from a beach both on west and east sides, plus plenty of hiking trails. Then there are charming colonial towns like Galle. So your packing list for Sri Lanka needs to account for all these diverse activities. 

Disclaimer: This helpful post contains some Affiliate links. This means that if you click on any of the links in this post (AND make a purchase), I may receive a small commission at absolutely no cost to you. As such I thank you in advance should you decide to click & buy.

Travel Tips On Sri Lanka Packing List

Pack for hot and humid weather

Sri Lanka is a tropical country with hot and humid weather throughout the year. But during the winter months of November to April, the nights are less warm. If you are thinking what to wear in Sri Lanka, loose cotton shirts, pants or shorts, loose summer dresses in cotton or linen work well. 

Remember that there are 2 monsoon periods to be considered while planning your trip to Sri Lanka. The south west areas in Sri Lanka that are more popular get south-western monsoons between May and September. So the best time to visit these areas is during the dry season: November to April.

If you are going in rainy weather, do carry a rain jacket. But it’s possible that many people coming from cooler climates feel warm and muggy in a rain jacket. A loose poncho might work better. See options here for Rain Poncho for Women.

What to wear in Sri Lanka at temples and religious sites

Buddha is a spiritual and religious deity for Sri Lankans so don’t do anything that shows disrespect. It is best to keep your Buddha T-shirts at home while figuring your Sri lanka packing list. 

While entering into a Buddhist temple, you will be required to take off your footwear outside. Both men and women should not have their upper arms and legs bare, so dress modestly. It is always a good idea to carry a stole or scarf for such occasions that can double up as headgear or be thrown across your shoulders. It is considered an insult to show your back to the Buddha statue in the temple so selfies are out!

What to wear for a wildlife safari

Sri Lanka has 20+ national parks, so you are bound to take a wildlfe safari on your trip. Beware of mosquitoes in this tropical country especially in national parks. Do use mosquito nets and repellents liberally. Neutral coloured clothing in light breathable fabric like cotton or linen works best on a forest safari. Do carry a sun hat, sunglasses, water with you and wear comfortable walking shoes. You will need a light jacket for cooler evenings if you are staying overnight inside or near a national park.

What to wear in Sri Lanka at beaches

While it is fine to wear any swimwear, even bikinis at beaches or by the pool side at resorts, it is not ok to be traipsing around in swimwear on the road. So pack your swimsuits, flip flops, sun hats, sunglasses, plenty of sunscreen, t-shirt and shorts or a dress to cover up. You can check out this complete beach packing list for families.

What to wear on a hiking trail

For rock citadel climbing in Sigiriya, or any of the other hikes, you will need to carry standard gear – hiking shoes or sporty trainers, caps and sunglasses for sun protection, hiking pants or shorts along with a quick-dry t-shirt, and plenty of water. It is not a long hike but there are lots of steps, so comfortable clothes and hiking or sports shoes are a must.

Avoid tap water in Sri Lanka. But you can easily fill your reusable water bottle from your hotel or a restaurant. See options for Water Bottle here.

What to wear in highlands / Tea plantations

Expect highlands to be much cooler in the early mornings and nights. For the evenings, full length trousers, thick socks and fleeces or jumpers are recommended.

What to wear in towns in Sri Lanka

Although it’s a conservative country, Sri Lanka is relaxed when it comes to dress standards for travellers. You can wear t-shirts and shorts on your travels, but as such, avoid very skimpy clothes. Sri Lankans are conservative folks so don’t get drunk in public or swear loudly or create a scene.

What to pack for Sri Lanka

Here is a packing checklist for your trip to Sri Lanka. I have given quantities for about 10 days in Sri Lanka, do adjust depending on the time you are spending in the country. It is not too expensive to get laundry done there.

Clothing essentials for women 

• Pack 7-8 underwear and 6-7 bras. Packing cubes are useful for inner wear to keep them separate. See options here for Packing cubes.
• Pack 2-4 pairs of socks for certain activities like wildlife safaris or hiking.
• 7-8 assorted tops (including T-shirts, half sleeve tops).
• 3 or 4 travel bottoms (pants, capris, shorts, skirts).
• 2/3 dresses (we stayed at nice hotels including the Amanwella Tangalle and I wanted to change for dinner at times).
• Nightwear (pajamas or shorts, or whatever else you are comfortable in at night time).
• 1-2 swimsuit or bikini.
• Beach cover up (a flowing dress works well for me).
• 1 cardigan or shawl (something to layer up if the evening gets cool).
• 1 pair of sandals (or flip-flops of you are more comfortable roaming in those).
• 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes (essential for all the sightseeing especially around Sigiriya, and on wildlife safaris).
• Sunglasses.
• A cap or hat for sun protection.
• 1 rain jacket or rain poncho. See options here for Rain Poncho for Women.

Items for men

• Pack 7-8 underwear.
• 2-4 pairs of socks for certain activities like wildlife safaris or hiking.
• 7 assorted shirts / T-shirts (make sure to pack a couple of nice shirts / T-shirts for dinner time).
• 3 or 4 travel bottoms (pants, shorts).
• Nightwear (pajamas, or shorts, whatever you are comfortable in at night time).
• 1-2 swim shorts.
• 1 light jacket (something to layer up if the evening gets cool).
• 1 pair of sandals (or flip-flops of you are more comfortable roaming in those).
• 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes (essential for city sightseeing).
• Sunglasses.
• A cap or hat.
• 1 rain jacket or rain poncho. Check out these Rain Poncho options for adults.

Clothing items for young kids

• Pack 7-8 appropriate inner wear.
• 2-4 pairs of socks for certain activities like wildlife safaris or hiking.
• 7 assorted tops (including T-shirts, half sleeve tops).
• 4 or 5 travel bottoms (pants, capris, shorts, skirts as appropriate for boys or girls).
• 2/3 dresses for girls and nice T-shirts for boys.
• Nightwear (pajamas or shorts, or whatever else they are comfortable in at night time).
• 2 swimsuits.
• 1 light jacket (something to layer up if the evening gets cool).
• 1 pair of sandals.
• 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes.
• A cap or hat for sun protection.
• 1 rain jacket or rain poncho.

Sri Lanka packing list: Electronics

• We now read books on kindle app on the ipad. So we carried our iPads. 
• Phone. If you use iPhone and iPad like I do, it is easy to download ios vpn for greater internet speed and enhanced online security.
• Also charging cables and travel adapter for the same. We use packing cubes for electronic items like chargers and cables to keep them separate. See options here for Packing cubes
• Portable power bank
• Camera. This has become redundant for me in most trips with photography limited to iPhone.

Sri Lanka packing list:Toiletries and medication

A toiletry bag is needed to pack all this separately. See some of the options for travel: Toiletry Bag.

• Regular toiletries like toothbrush, toothpaste, contact lens kit, menstrual products, hair accessories, hair brush
• It is important to travel with deodorant and good quality sunscreen to a tropical country like Sri Lanka. 
• If you are staying in nice hotels throughout your trip, shower soap / gel, shampoo, conditioner are all taken care of. But do carry them if you prefer your own brand.
• Prescription medication
• If you need allergy medication
• Mosquito repellent (Mosquitoes are found in most parts of Sri Lanka so use mosquito nets and repellents liberally).
• Some basic medicines like paracetamol and for stomach upset.
• I was traveling with my 3-year old daughter, so essential medication like paracetamol for kids, stomach bug, anti-itch cream for bug bites, band aids, cough syrup was in my medicine kit.

Travel Essentials for Sri Lanka

Passport: Carry your valid passport that has at least 6 months of validity.

Visa: Most nationalities need a visa to enter Sri Lanka. It is best to arrange a Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before you enter the country from the official site.

Travel insurance: I would not recommend any trip to Sri Lanka without proper travel insurance. Carry a printed form with you. See the insurance products by Visitors Coverage.

Credit cards: Carry your credit cards to be used at all the hotels, hi-end restaurants and for pre-booked tours in Sri Lanka.

Cash: You would need cash for many things: to take tuk-tuks or taxis in towns, or to eat at local spots, or to buy souvenirs from local shops, or to pay entrance fees at national parks.  When you reach the international airport at Sri Lanka, do exchange some currency for Sri Lankan Rupee. Sri Lankan Rupee is not used anywhere outside the country, so best to have a good estimate for daily cash spends. 

Since we are not backpackers, a Suitcase with wheels worked best for us. A  Light Backpack is good for city sightseeing and day trips.

Best Places to visit in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka offers diverse attractions such as sandy beaches, lush tea plantations, national parks, Buddhist monuments, colonial towns, and more. so many beautiful places to visit in Sri Lanka!

Cultural Immersion: A popular attraction in the Cultural Triangle is the rock citadel of Sigiriya. It offers a dramatic setting as the citadel sits atop a massive rock and towers 200m above the surrounding countryside. Another highlight is the extensive and well-preserved remains at Polonnaruwa and the rock-cut temples at Dambulla. Kandy is a famous pilgrimage site for Buddhists, with beautifully carved houses, palaces, and temples.

Wildlife safari: The national parks in Sri Lanka are definitely one of the most beautiful places to visit and enjoy wildlife. Some of the most touristed parks are Yala, Uda Walawe, Bundala, Minneriya, and Kaudulla. The ocean around the island is home to the blue whale, sperm whale and dolphin.

Beach stay: South of Galle lies Unawatuna and Mirissa, both with fine beaches. Mirissa is also the base for whale watching tours. If you are headed to the east side of the country, check out Arugam Bay with its fine sand, surf, and laid-back atmosphere.

Tea plantations: Nuwara Eliya also referred to as Sri Lanka’s ‘Little England’ makes a good base to explore the spectacular countryside and the tea plantations.

Colonial Towns: Galle, the country’s perfectly preserved colonial town, is a must on Sri Lanka’s ‘places to visit’ list. Then there is Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital where all international travelers begin their journey.

_____________________________

Pin it for later!

_____________________________

Have you visited Sri Lanka? Would you recommend any travel essential that you needed on your trip?

Join me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook as I share my travel experiences.