What to Pack for a Holiday in Sri Lanka

When you are packing for Sri Lanka you may get halfway through and then think “but what do I actually need to bring?” The last thing you want to do is over-pack for a trip where you’ll be travelling on foot a lot of the time so, to help lighten the load, Cover-More has come up with a suggested packing list for Sri Lanka to help you avoid over-packing and help you bring exactly what you do need.

Climate

Sri Lanka has a tropical climate with just two distinctive seasons—wet season and dry season. There are two monsoon seasons as well: Yala runs from mid-May to October and Maha runs from December to March. Beyond these seasons, the temperature in Sri Lanka is pretty consistent, thanks to its location right around the equator. Average temperatures tend to fall between 26-28 degrees Celsius. November to January are cooler months and February to May are the hottest.

What to Pack

Generally, when you are planning what to pack, you should look for dark-coloured, drip-dry clothing. Beyond that, loose-fitting and lightweight cotton items are the most comfortable for the humid weather you are sure to encounter in Sri Lanka. Here are some other packing suggestions for your holiday abroad:

• Mozzie spray – Mosquitos are very common throughout Sri Lanka and while there is generally some form of protection in hotels (mosquito nets/repellent), it would be wise to bring plenty of spray for yourself.
• Camera – Unlike some countries in Asia, photographs are very welcome in Sri Lanka. Locals are friendly and out-going and more often than not will be happy to pose for a photo with you!
• Light but sturdy luggage – If you will use public transportation to get around Sri Lanka, try to travel as light as possible. If your luggage takes up an extra seat on the bus or train, you’ll be expected to pay for the extra seat.
• Map of the Country/City you’re visiting – Smartphones are great for a lot of things, but in terms of durability as you trek through humid cities among crowds of people, they can be more hindrance than help.
• Hat – It doesn’t need to be a goofy looking explorer hat, but if you can find one that suits your style and blocks your head and face from the constant sun, bring it along—you’ll be happy you did.
• An extra bag for day travel – you will want to travel around the cities exploring the nooks, crannies, culture and people, but you probably won’t want to do all of that while lugging your suitcase around. Packing a small bag that can expand to hold your essentials during the day will be a lifesaver.
• Guidebook – If you aren’t travelling to Sri Lanka as a part of a tour, then invest in a great guidebook that is current, informative and accurate for all your sightseeing. And, when it comes to needing last minute accommodation or meal plans, these guidebooks can get you going in the right direction quickly.

Laundry?

You can cut back your packing even more if you aren’t opposed to doing laundry on the road. Most guesthouses and hotels will offer an affordable laundry service and will take at most 24 hours to complete. You will never have to do laundry yourself! This is especially recommended as there are no publicly owned, coin-operated launderettes anywhere in Sri Lanka.

Once you’ve packed your luggage perfectly, the last thing you want to happen is to hear your luggage with all your amazing things inside has been lost or delayed somewhere along the journey and you are in Sri Lanka with just the clothes on your back. Protect against this possible problem by choosing a travel insurance policy with lost or delayed luggage cover, so you can get the essentials without slowing down your holiday plans. Get a quote from Cover-More Australia and buy your policy online now!

Image courtesy of Flickr user Shankar S.