Sri Lanka can be a very hot and sunny country — so hot that it can sometimes reach up to 40°C. And with that kind of heat, you're sure to risk irritated skin, sun poisoning, or even worse — sunburn.
So it is very important that you make sure to pack a bottle of sunscreen for your journey to Sri Lanka. But even if you forget, don't worry — you’ll be able to purchase sunscreen locally.
We recommend buying it from a pharmacy or a supermarket for a fair market price.
It’s also a good idea to pack moisturizer to prevent your skin from drying out, though it’s not as important as sunscreen.
Even if you’re visiting cooler places like Nuwara Eliya, we still advise using sunscreen — the sun is always out and brighter than ever there.
A bit ironic since we just talked about the sun and heat, but Sri Lanka’s weather is quite unpredictable.
We recommend packing a travel-size umbrella — especially if you're heading to Ella or anywhere in the central province.
Sri Lankan rains can vary from light, aesthetic drizzles to heavy hailstorms that feel like it’s raining cats and dogs.
To stay updated on the weather, check out our Weather updates page.
Sri Lankan plug sockets can be a bit tricky and might be different from what you're used to.
Traditionally, Sri Lanka used round-pin sockets, but square-pin sockets have become common, especially in hotels.
It's best to pack a multi-plug adapter — one of the top things you should bring when travelling in Sri Lanka.
A power bank is also highly recommended, useful for situations when you can't find an outlet or during a blackout.
Sri Lanka is one of those places where frostbite-level cold is unheard of. Locals typically wear clothing suited for sunny weather, and for footwear, we recommend packing a pair of rubber slippers (flip-flops).
By slippers, we mean rubber flip-flops — not the ones you wear with a bathrobe. Shoes are great if you're going hiking or doing activities in the central province, but otherwise, you'll mostly wear slippers, especially for the beach.
They're easy to clean, perfect for sunny weather and dirt roads, and widely available in Sri Lanka. Popular brands include DSI and BATA.
However, these slippers aren’t the sturdiest, so they might break or sometimes small thorns can pierce through. Just choose your paths carefully and you’ll be fine.
If you’re planning to hike in the hill country, it’s almost certain you’ll encounter a kudalla (leech), or you might get a small splinter. It’s important to have plasters to cover up wounds and prevent infection.
We recommend bringing a pack of small, easy-to-use plasters. You can also buy them in Sri Lanka at small shops or supermarkets — the Dettol brand is reliable.
Furthermore, it’s wise to pack clothes you can use in various situations.
In case of an emergency, head to the nearest hospital or contact the ambulance service (Suwa Sariya) at 1990.
For more emergency contacts, visit our Emergency Contacts page.
If you’re heading to the beach, it can feel like someone’s shining a torch right in your face — and that torch is the sun, held by nature itself!
Make sure to have a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from the strong sunlight.
Also, pack a small cloth to clean your glasses, as the winds can be dusty.
Now you're ready for your trip to Sri Lanka! That covers the essentials — let’s hope you remembered to pack everything else too. All jokes aside, we hope you found this information helpful.
Have an amazing trip and we look forward to seeing you again!