Planning a trip to Sri Lanka? Time to start getting ready! One of the most important things is to determine what you'll be taking with you for your journey. We've put together a clear and comprehensive packing list for you. This way, you'll be well-prepared and won't forget anything.
Sri Lanka is an island with a combination of various climates such as rainforest, tropical savanna, and tropical monsoon climates. The temperatures hover around 30 degrees Celcius (86 °F) throughout the year.
Sri Lanka experiences two monsoon periods. The first is the southwest monsoon, lasting from May to September, bringing heavy rains to the southwest. Conversely, the northeastern part of the island remains relatively dry due to mountainous protection. The northeast monsoon lasts from October to April, resulting in rain in the east and northeast. Additionally, occasional showers can occur during the dry periods.
The central region of Sri Lanka is mountainous, where temperatures can be significantly cooler compared to the rest of the country. Particularly during the winter months, nights in the mountains can be quite chilly.
While exploring Sri Lanka, you'll encounter rain and varying altitudes. Carrying rain gear and layered clothing is recommended for your trip.
The first choice you have to make when you go on a trip is whether you opt for a suitcase or a backpack. There are advantages to both, and the best choice depends on your travel itinerary, the activities you'll be doing, but mostly on your personal preference.
The biggest advantage of a backpack compared to a suitcase is that you can carry it on your back. In Sri Lanka, you won't always find good sidewalks and paved roads, especially when traveling to more remote places outside of major cities, so a backpack can be the obvious choice. On the other hand, traveling with a suitcase is much more comfortable. You don't have to carry a suitcase on your back, making it more relaxed for longer walks.
An important difference is that a suitcase is heavier than a backpack. With a suitcase, you quickly reach the maximum weight for checked baggage. A backpack can be packed heavier, but it often has less space than a suitcase.
A backpack offers a lot of flexibility, but in most places, you can travel just fine with a suitcase. For example, in locations with only unpaved roads, you can usually take a taxi. It may be challenging to move your suitcase only in places where there are no taxis and no paved roads. So, consider your route carefully and choose what's best for you.
We often travel with our Eastpak travel bags. These have all the benefits of a suitcase, but they are essentially wheeled bags. This results in a lower weight than a suitcase, allowing you to bring more.
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Note: Tampons are less readily available than pads in Asia. There is often only one brand, and they can be quite expensive. So, make sure to bring enough tampons with you when traveling to Asia.