Packing list for Sri Lanka, travel insurance for Sri Lanka, and taking your belongings

What to bring to Sri Lanka: highlighted

Highlighted items:

• Documents: passport that is valid for at least 6 months upon arrival. An online and/or offline copy of your passport is always useful.
• Money: cash in Sri Lankan Rupees. Some ATMs cost money to use an ATM, so it doesn't hurt to bring some cash with you.
• Care: coral-friendly sunscreen with a high factor. You don't want to poison the turtles while swimming with them!
• Outdoor and practical items: cap or hat and sunglasses.
• Clothing: light, comfortable, covering clothing for warm weather, sun, mosquito protection and cultural visits. A sweater for the cooler hills, where it is a lot cooler in the evenings and during the rainy season than you would think. Quick-drying clothing is useful because it can be very humid and it can take a long time for clothes to dry.
• Shoes: sandals/slippers for the beach and temple visits (easy to take off) and comfortable shoes for all the walking.
• Medicines and travel kit: a small first aid kit with basic supplies, tissues and hand sanitizer. Mosquito repellent is also essential.
• Safety: money belt.
• Technology and equipment: in Sri Lanka there are three types of plugs, so bring a world plug.

What else can you bring:

• A reusable water bottle with filter, because tap water is technically drinkable, but often tastes strange.
• A snorkel set, sometimes you can also rent one on site.
• Water shoes given the coral and stones in the water at various locations.
• A spork in case you don't want to eat with your hands.
• Rain gear, bag cover and a good umbrella for the rainy season.

What knowledge is useful when you go to Sri Lanka?

• What you should and shouldn't do. Cultural norms and values, customs, such as not eating with your left hand, no selfies with Buddha statues.

Are there mosquitoes in Sri Lanka?

• Mosquitoes are everywhere in Sri Lanka and you are at risk of getting dengue.
• Mosquito repellent is therefore important, all day long, but especially in the early morning and evening.

Are there sand flies in Sri Lanka?

• Yes, in places all over the country, especially in the southern coastal areas and inland. Small creatures, terrible itching and a risk of Leishmaniasis.
• Covering clothing, good spray, and don't sleep on the beach will keep you safe.

Can you buy DEET, or other mosquito repellents, in Sri Lanka?

• You can find Soffell with DEET in the larger drugstores and shops. Picaridin is more difficult to get.
• Natural remedies are popular.
• It is best to bring your own repellent of choice.

Where can you get your food and drinks in Sri Lanka?

• The larger chains such as Cargills Food City, Keells and Arpico have some Western ingredients, but mainly local stuff.
• Fresh fruit and vegetables are cheap at roadside stalls or local markets – it doesn’t get any fresher than that.
• Every town and village has local curry houses or “rice & curry” buffets.
• Western restaurants are mainly found in tourist areas such as Ella, Galle, Unawatuna and Colombo – think pasta, avocado toast or smoothies for three times the local price.
• You can find delicious local dishes at street stalls, markets and tea stalls.
• For the vegetarians, Hela Bojun Hala is a great, local restaurant run by the Sri Lankan government.

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

• Cannabis is illegal and Sri Lanka has strict drug laws.