Packing list for Turkey, travel insurance for Turkey, and taking your belongings

To take or not to take to Turkey, leave at home or arrange locally?

Sufficiently insured or not for your activities in Turkey?

Sufficiently insured or not for your trip to Turkey?

What to take with you to Turkey: short

Featured items:

• Documents: at least a passport that is valid for at least 6 months upon arrival and an online and/or offline copy.
• Money: Turkey is a cash country, so it is useful to have a good number of Turkish lira on you. Furthermore, you can find good ATMs, especially in tourist areas.
• Care: sunscreen or sunscreen with a high factor.
• Outdoor and practical items: hat/cap and sunglasses. Raincoat for the period from November to March (more about rainwear and waterproof clothing) and possibly a backpack rain cover.
• Clothing: depending on when you go and where you go. In the summer, light clothing (but nice to cover your shoulders a bit when you do cultural excursions), in the other seasons layers (especially for the evenings and mornings). In spring and autumn a light jacket, in the winter a warmer jacket. Covering clothing for religious places and small villages. Beachwear for the resorts.
• Shoes: comfortable (walking) shoes and slip-on shoes or sandals for visits to mosques. Medicines and travel kit: a small first aid kit with plasters, painkillers, hand sanitizer and ORS (dehydration is a thing) and insect repellent.
• Technique and equipment: world plug with type F.
• Woman: scarf or light shawl for religious and cultural visits.

What are some other options for packing as well?:

• Reusable water bottle with filter, because tap water is technically drinkable, but often tastes strange.
• Quick-drying travel towel for fast swimming adventures.
• International driving permit, when you want to rent a car.

What should you keep in mind when traveling to Turkey with your belongings?

• The varied climate.
• Cultural sensitivity.
• The activities you are going to do.

Are there mosquitoes in Turkey?

• Mosquitoes are widespread in Turkey, especially in coastal areas and near water sources.
• The risk of mosquito bites is highest during the warm months, from May to October.
• The risk is small, but mosquitoes can transmit malaria and West Nile virus.

Are there sandflies in Turkey?

• Sand flies are found throughout Turkey and are particularly active during the warm months (May-October).
• They can carry leishmaniasis, among other things.

Can you buy DEET, or other mosquito repellents, in Turkey?

• In Turkey, local insect repellents such as 'Sinkov' are available, which are effective against local mosquito populations.
• Local repellents often have lower concentrations or no DEET at all.
• If you don't want to take a chance, and you are attached to your own repellent, bring it with you.

Can you buy a joint or weed in Turkey, or take it with you to Turkey?

• Cannabis is illegal for recreational use in Turkey.
• Possession, use and sale of cannabis can lead to serious penalties, including long prison sentences.
• You also definitely can't take it with you! Let that joint wait until after your vacation.