What to actually pack for Sri Lanka and what to leave at home
I over pack every trip then carry it unused Help me right size a packing list for a month here covering the hot coast the cool hill country temples and a bit of adventure What clothing genuinely works in the heat and humidity what do I need for the hill country cold what is essential for temples what gear is worth its weight versus what I can buy cheaply there and what do people always bring and never use Honest packing wisdom please
5 Answers from travellers
Tour leader who watches people lug useless luggage so the right sized list Clothing for the heat light loose breathable natural fabrics cotton and linen quick dry travel shirts a few light long sleeve shirts (sun and mosquito and temple cover all at once) loose trousers and a couple of light dresses or shorts for the beach and casual a swimsuit and a sarong (buy the sarong here cheap and it doubles as beach cover temple wrap and towel) flip flops plus ONE pair of proper walking shoes or trainers Hill country cold this is what people forget the hills get genuinely cold at night single digits in Nuwara Eliya so pack ONE warm fleece or light insulated layer and long trousers you will be miserable without it and there is little to climb in tropical clothes up there Temples essential shoulders and knees covered for everyone so the long sleeve shirt and the sarong or long skirt and easy slip off shoes (you remove them constantly) socks for the hot stone Worth its weight a reusable filter water bottle (refills not bottles) a headtorch (power cuts dawn climbs) a small dry bag (monsoon canoe rafting) a universal adapter (or buy here cheap) sunscreen factor fifty (pricey here bring it) insect repellent with picaridin a basic med kit your prescriptions and a quick dry travel towel What you can buy cheaply there and should NOT pack heavy sarongs umbrellas (the monsoon kind) toiletries cheap clothes if you run short laundry is everywhere so pack FEWER clothes than you think a week is plenty for a month with laundry every few days What people bring and never use a heavy rain jacket (a cheap umbrella and a light shell beat it in warm rain) hiking poles for non trekkers too many shoes formal wear smart casual is as dressy as it gets fancy tech gadgets and a big first aid pharmacy the local ones are excellent The one line pack a week of light layers ONE warm thing one good shoe the sarong and the filter bottle and buy the rest as you go
A week of light layers one warm thing one good shoe the sarong and the filter bottle is the right size I needed the hill country fleece is the thing I would have forgotten thank you
For the adventure side add grippy shoes that can get wet and a rash guard the canyoning and rafting need footwear you do not mind soaking the single good trainer is not enough if you do water activities
The buy the sarong there and let it be beach cover temple wrap and towel tip is genius one cheap item replacing three packed ones the laundry everywhere point also let me halve my clothes
The sunscreen bring it from home point is right factor fifty is dear and harder to find in small towns the repellent and rehydration salts though buy here cheap at any pharmacy as the health threads say
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