Packing your suitcase for a trip to Sri Lanka

Apr 28
5 min read

Have you applied for your e-Visa, completed your health check-up, and prepared your first-aid kit? The big departure is approaching; it's time to pack your suitcase for your holiday in Sri Lanka.

What clothes should I choose? What essentials should I pack? How should I transport them?

In this article we will give you tips on how to best pack your suitcase for Sri Lanka.

Before you start packing, check your flight information: how many bags you are allowed and the maximum weight permitted, which can vary from one airline to another and also depends on whether you bought your tickets online or through a travel agency. The maximum weight allowed varies between 20kg and 40kg.

Personally, and since Sri Lanka Airlines no longer offers direct flights to Colombo, the best airline for travelling to Sri Lanka, in our experience, is Qatar Airways, after having tested many airlines previously.

Luggage selection

Regarding your luggage, the choice (suitcase, bag or backpack) will mainly depend on your itinerary and the mode of transport you will use on site.

1) If you opt for a backpacking trip to Sri Lanka, using bus and train as your mode of transport, then you obviously need to take a Quechua type backpack which you can find at Decathlon, for example.

We use this backpack very often for our trips to Sri Lanka and the rest of the world; it's very practical and easy to carry. A 50L backpack per person is more than enough, and we average around 15kg.

"Photo of a person with a hiking backpack, exploring the green mountains of Sri Lanka, symbolizing adventure and discovery amidst the island's spectacular natural landscapes."

2) If you have opted for a comfortable trip to Sri Lanka with a driver in a van or car, we advise you to choose suitcases or travel bags.

Hard-shell suitcases: Ideal protection, especially if you are bringing fragile items such as cosmetics or any other object/product that could be damaged.
The Travel Bag: If you only have clothes and nothing fragile, this bag has the advantage of being lighter than a suitcase (a suitcase weighs on average 2.5kg and a backpack on average 0.80Kg) and you can store many more clothes in it.

What should I pack in my suitcase for a holiday in Sri Lanka?

1) Choosing clothes to pack for Sri Lanka

Choosing the right clothes for your suitcase is important when you go on holiday to Sri Lanka, as the climate is different from that of France and you'll be doing more or less strenuous activities depending on your chosen itinerary. Sri Lanka has a tropical and humid climate. It's hot and humid, and you may find yourself sweating a lot. On tours, we have travelers who change their clothes an average of two to three times a day, depending on the activities, and each time they need a good shower to freshen up. In some regions, and depending on the season, such as Nuwara Eliya or Kandy, the climate and temperatures vary; it's cool and sometimes even cold, especially in the mountains.

For men: During your holiday in Sri Lanka, we recommend wearing loose-fitting, flowing clothing. You can bring shorts, t-shirts, and/or tank tops. For evenings, pack trousers and long-sleeved shirts, both for going out and to protect yourself from mosquitoes 😉. When visiting religious sites , keep a pair of trousers with you to cover up or opt for a sarong, the traditional attire for men in Sri Lanka. Regarding footwear, flip-flops or good non-slip sneakers are recommended for hikes, such as in Hortons Plains National Park or the Knuckles Mountains, and/or a pair of sneakers for sightseeing.

When visiting religious sites, you will need to remove your shoes regularly. We therefore advise you to wear shoes that are easy to take off. You can keep your socks on, as the ground can sometimes be very hot depending on the time of day.

For women: We also recommend packing loose, lightweight clothing for your trip to Sri Lanka . You might want to bring summer dresses or long skirts, ideal for visiting temples, as well as shorts or lightweight trousers, depending on your comfort. We advise choosing cotton underwear for your holiday due to the climate and comfortable shoes that you can easily slip off when visiting the Cultural Triangle or temples.

Remember to always carry a scarf to cover your shoulders when visiting religious sites such as the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, the Golden Temple of Dambulla, or the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo.

Accessories include a pair of sunglasses, a shoulder bag, a raincoat and a hat.

In the evening, pack a second outfit with light-colored, covering clothing to protect yourself from mosquitoes. For hot regions, such as Sigiriya, which has an average annual temperature of 27°C (81°F), it is very hot and the sun is very strong. We recommend lightweight clothing, sneakers, a hat or cap, and sunscreen for this visit. We advise against nylon clothing; cotton is preferable. Don't forget essential sunglasses, caps or hats, as well as your swimsuit and sandals for the beach.

For cooler and sometimes rainy regions: In Nuwara Eliya, for example, the average annual temperature is 16°C and the average annual rainfall is 2050 mm. Our travel advice is to bring warmer clothing (a sweatshirt and jeans, for example) and a raincoat, in case of rain. A rain jacket is essential; it's always useful and practical in tropical downpours. You can easily find them in major sporting goods stores.

Mosquito-resistant clothing when traveling in Sri Lanka: It's also important to know that mosquitoes are most numerous from 4 pm to around 9 pm. You're most likely to get bitten in the evening. As we advised earlier in this article, opt for a second outfit for the early evening with long, covering, and light-colored clothing. There are also mosquito-resistant garments available, such as the "Travel Pant" by Cimalp. These are trekking pants that convert into shorts; they are very lightweight, durable, and mosquito-resistant.

Temple visits are frequent: Therefore, you should plan to wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, such as trousers or skirts for the lower half and a scarf or shirt to cover your shoulders. Please ensure that everyone follows the same dress code to respect local traditions and customs.

2) The first aid kit for a worry-free holiday in Sri Lanka

Antiseptic and bandages
Compresses
Tweezers
Feminine hygiene products and cranberry capsules for cystitis
Motion sickness medication
Anti-diarrhea
Antihistamines for allergic reactions
Tropical-type mosquito repellent spray: 1 per person
Antihistamine cream for insect bites
Doliprane®
Sunscreen + Biafine®
Physiological saline

3) Pack your suitcase for Sri Lanka

Binoculars if you enjoy birdwatching, a book, a notebook to keep a written record of your experiences in Sri Lanka, a camera, video camera and a flashlight will complete your luggage.