Are you planning a big trip to Sri Lanka? Packing can be tiresome and difficult, especially if you are traveling to a new country. To make your packing easier and smoother, we have created a packing guide that includes the essentials you need to carry before going on vacation to Sri Lanka. You can use this list as a checklist, and we are sure it will make packing a lot easier than you imagine.
Passport
A passport is the most crucial document that will take you everywhere when traveling around the world. Make sure your passport is valid before the trip. Also, do not forget your air tickets.
E-visa
You can apply for Electronic Travel Authorization from the emigration department and immigration before arrival in Sri Lanka. Click here for more information.
Debit/Credit Card
One of the most important things to plan before departing is your finances. Having adequate finances is crucial as most of the things you do in a foreign country will require money. A card that is frozen can make your vacation a dull one. So before departing, you can contact your bank and check on the card’s flexibility in a country like Sri Lanka.
No fee bank card
When you are traveling to a foreign country, it is ideal if you can carry a credit card or a debit card that does not have any foreign transaction cost. It will save a lot of money during your vacation. Hence, make sure you carry a reliable card that does not have any transaction fee.
Extra Cash
Extra travel cash is a must carry to prevent any dampers during your vacation. If you run out of money or your debit or credit card gets frozen or lost, the extra cash you bring will be the most significant relief. To find a cash withdrawal machine, you might have to walk long distances. To be on the safe side, make sure you also carry some extra local currency when you travel.
Currency to exchange if required
When you stroll through beautiful Sri Lanka, you will find a large number of shopping destinations that have a wide variety of lovely things to buy. There can be instances where these shops do not accept debit or credit cards. Most small snack stands in cities, and street vendors will not have the facility to accept card payments. To enjoy your vacation to the fullest, it is recommended that you have some foreign currency which you can exchange for local currency if needed. The currency exchange facility is available even at the airport of Sri Lanka.
Driving License
This is something that you need to think of if you plan to take a vehicle for rent and drive around the country. If you want to take a car for rent, there are mandatories that you need to have. One is the driving license from your home country. On top of that, you also need to have the International Driving Permit to drive a vehicle in Sri Lanka. If you plan to drive your car and explore the country, make sure you bring all of these required documents with you. You can discover unique destinations and sceneries by registering for your very own Tuk-tuk trip via https://thetuktuktrip.com/ttt20.
Towel Pack
A travel towel pack will be helpful when you are roaming in Sri Lankan cities for long periods. This towel pack can be small in size and lightweight. The ideal form of a towel for travelers would be quick dry towels. You should be able to carry it around in your backpack. This will help you freshen up and dry yourself during your walkabout in the city.
Extra socks for hiking
If you plan to visit Sri Lanka, you must carry extra socks because you will have so much to explore, from hikes to trekking trails. It is ideal to take hiking socks, trainer socks, and long socks to protect your feet during the vacation.
Garbage Bags
If you are staying in a hotel, they might provide you with garbage bags. However, if you plan to stay in a hostel,, it is better to carry your garbage bags. A garbage bag is ideal if you want to keep your used laundry or goods in one place. Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with so many amazing things to discover. If you take your garbage bags, you will join hands to keep the environment safe by not leaving your garbage behind.
Luggage Locks
Sri Lanka is known to be a safe country to travel to. However, there can be travel scams and robberies of valuable items from your luggage or backpack. On public transport, you may have to leave your bag in a different place from where you are seated. Also, there can be times your luggage accidentally opens, and you may misplace your belongings. To avoid such situations, it is better if you can carry a few keyless luggage locks. Keyless padlocks will be useful to prevent your keys from going missing during your trip. Once you lock your bags, you will be free as you don’t have to keep an eye on them to keep them safe.
Copies of the important documents
In case you misplace your essential documents by some means, it is recommended that you keep a set of copies of your most important documents. This can include your visa, passport, travel tickets, driving license, travel insurance, etc.
Portable Flashlight / Torch
Don’t forget to pack a travel-friendly flashlight/torch when you travel. This will be highly useful when you stroll around the cities of Sri Lanka as some streets may not have adequate lighting for walking during the night. A flashlight will serve the purpose and will let you have the best nightlife during your vacation.
Medicines
If you are a person taking medicines for a specific chronic illness, make sure you adequate good medicine for the number of days you plan to stay. It can be slightly challenging to find the same medication you purchase from your home country from Sri Lanka. To avoid such unpleasant situations, it is recommended that you bring sufficient medicine when you travel.
Basic first aid kit
A basic first aid is essential to carry wherever you go, and it is a top priority on your packing list. Suppose you are a traveler; you need to know what exactly you need to carry in your first aid kit. The whole purpose of a first aid kit is to support you in need of minor accidents, medical emergencies, or injuries during your vacation. Some must-haves are gauze, cotton wool, bandages, plasters, pain relief medication, balms, a small scissor, antibacterial or antihistamine cream, sanitizer with a considerable percentage of alcohol, surgical wipes, and any other medicines of your preference.
Metal water bottle with a filter
A travel-friendly stainless steel water bottle with a filter can help you in multiple ways if you are a frequent traveler. Plastic bottles are usually for one-time use. When disposed of without care, it can severely damage the wider environment. A metal water bottle with a filter will usually purify water from harmful bacteria, viruses, and other particles and can be used for an extended period. When you are traveling to Sri Lanka, make sure you carry a stainless steel water bottle as it will help to keep yourself safe while protecting the environment.
Walking and hiking shoes
Shoes are your next best companion when it comes to traveling. Discovering and exploring Sri Lanka can be highly adventurous. You may have to walk for miles, run, climb and even hike to witness the best of Sri Lanka. For this, you may need different types of shoes, out of which walking and hiking shoes are the most common. It is better if you can take more than one pair of shoes and all your shoes need to be lightweight and comfortable to your feet.
Backpack
A travel-friendly backpack is a must for travelers, and it tops the packing list. If you plan to take public transport such as the bus or the train, a spacious backpack will be your closest friend during your vacation. You must think of the size and the space of the bag you carry, and it will depend on the goods you are planning to take during your trip. It will be effortless to walk around with a backpack as you can hang it on your shoulders. Also, you can keep the bag closer to you, and your goods in the backpack will be safe during your trip. It will be less hassle as you will not need any help to handle your luggage when it is in a backpack.
Jacket with a hoodie
To safeguard yourself from tropical weather, a jacket with a hoodie is a must in Sri Lanka.
Sunglass
This is self-explanatory. Sunglasses are a must if you are planning to stay outdoors roaming and sightseeing in cities. If you are traveling to Sri Lanka, make sure you bring a good pair of sunglasses to keep your eyes protected from the weather.
Collapsible Duffel Bag
This would be helpful for the days you are planning on going shopping in Sri Lanka. If you run out of space in your backpack, a collapsible duffle bag can help you out. As this is foldable, it can be packed in your backpack easily and can be used when required. These are very light in weight and can be carried around very quickly.
Power Bank
One of the most stressful things that can happen to you when you are on vacation is your phone battery dying in the middle of the day. You will not be able to connect with your loved ones, and most importantly, you will not be able to click photos and take videos of the most memorable things you encounter during the trip. A power bank with an adequate capacity is mandatory when you travel to a foreign country. It is recommended that you carry a quality power bank from a good brand even though it can be slightly costly.
Inner soles for shoes
Uncomfortable shoes can ruin your trip. They can cause sore feet, blisters, and wounds on your skin if worn for a considerable amount of time. As a remedy, you can take comfortable inner soles for your shoes which is the best foot accessory to prevent sore feet during your trip.
Mosquito Repellents
Mosquitos are seen everywhere in Sri Lanka,, which is one of the most common things seen in the country. Mosquito repellents are a must carry if you are planning to stay in a hostel. To prevent yourself from getting diseases like Dengue, Malaria makes sure you take a strong mosquito repellent with you when you travel.
Collapsible Umbrella
Sri Lanka has a highly unpredictable climate. Weather can be travel-friendly at times, and it can also mess up your travel plans. Weather cannot be a reason to stop yourself from enjoying your vacation. Let it be sunny weather or a rainy one; an umbrella is a must carry if you travel around the country. An umbrella can take you anywhere regardless of the climate. Make sure you pack a lightweight, collapsible, and travel-perfect umbrella before you start your vacation.
Water Proof Phone Cover
You will depend on Google maps to stroll around the cities. If you visit Sri Lanka during the rainy season, a waterproof phone cover will help protect your phone. Also, you can use this phone case to take amazing underwater photos and videos.
Sunscreen
Traveling to Sri Lanka means a lot of time enjoying yourselves outdoors. Climate can be extremely sunny and heaty during certain months (January to March) of the year. It can be an arduous task to find quality sunscreen to suit your skin from Sri Lanka. Hence, it is recommended you carry your sunscreen with you when you travel.
Camera
A camera is ‘the must carry’ on your packing list. A camera is what will help you to create the best memories of your vacation. Make sure you carry a good camera with you to capture the best moments of your trip with your loved ones.
Facemasks
During a time of a pandemic wearing a face mask is a must to keep yourself safe and keep people around you safe. Make sure you carry an adequate number of facemasks to use during your trip. Facemasks will safeguard you from viruses, bacteria, and dust particles.
Hand Sanitizer
Last but not least is the hand sanitizer which is essential to keep your hands clean. When you are traveling for long hours, you may not always find places to wash your hands. A hand sanitizer will instantly kill microorganisms on public surfaces and hands that can cause various illnesses.
The packing list we have created includes the essentials that we recommend you to carry if you are planning a trip to Sri Lanka.
If you believe there are other essentials that we have missed out on in the above packing list but need to be included, please leave a comment below. It will help everyone who wants to travel to have the perfect packing list to discover amazing Sri Lanka.
If you need further assistance to make your dream trip to Sri Lanka a reality feel free to reach us at [email protected].
