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Sri Lanka was an absolute shocker. I’m not sure what I expected but I now understand why it’s made the top travel lists for several years in a row. Travelers seem to fall in love and if you’re looking for a warm safe tropical place to visit – this is it!
Keep reading to find out why it’s amazing and learn what to wear in Sri Lanka!
What to Wear in Sri Lanka
General Travel Info
The overall ambiance in Sri Lanka is calm. Things are relatively orderly and the country is welcoming. The island as a whole is generally very clean. There is little trash on the streets, the beach, or even the train stations.
The people here were incredibly kind to us beyond anything I’ve ever experienced anywhere in the world. When I didn’t have the exact change to pay for water or shampoo in the street stalls several of the owners told me to take the item and come back and pay later. I’m certainly not used to this type of trust anywhere.
We were received with genuine smiles; people offered help usually not expecting anything in return; and there was very little hassle from vendors or touts. How refreshing!
Lotion | Hat | Travel Guide | Earrings
The west coast was lined with pristine beaches free from people, stores, or buildings. As I rode the bus and train I saw kilometer after kilometer of palm tree lined white sand beaches with a turquoise ocean.
As a woman I felt relatively safe, hardly anyone stared at me or even made a second glace at my boyfriend’s bright blonde hair (his hair usually equates to a walking ATM). We hardly experienced any hassle whatsoever!
When planning where to stay in Sri Lanka, you’ll find a variety of accommodation available to suit your budget. I like using Booking and Agoda when traveling in Asia.
If you’re a solo traveler looking for an exotic, untouched destination look no further than Sri Lanka!
Tip: The key to packing light is to create a capsule travel wardrobe which can easily fit into a carryon suitcase with the help of packing cubes to compress your clothing!  Â
Here are some tips on what to wear in Sri Lanka:
Shirt | Pants | Sandals | Bag | Bracelet | Scarf | Sunglasses | Lipstick | Makeup
City: Colombo
For the most part, the local dress seamed to be either jeans and a short sleeve top or a knee length skirt and a short sleeve top. I wasn’t sure if there were any guidelines, per say, but if you stick to these basic lengths for clothing items on your Sri Lanka packing list you’ll play it safe.
Most travelers avoid Colombo like the plague and I’m not sure why but since this is the main entrance to the country you’ll be passing through it at one point or the other.
It’s easy to hire licensed taxis upon arrival at the airport and if you want to take the local transport the slow buses were cheap but long and the train was easy and clean (2nd class).
Dress | Cardigan | Tank | Short | Sandal | Bag | Sunglasses | Bracelet | Hat | Sun Care | Camera
Beach Towns: Negombo, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Trincomalee
Standard beach attire is acceptable near the beach. Shorts, sundresses, and tank tops are suggested near the tourist streets. As you go on the main road try to cover up slightly more but you won’t get hassled if you wear a dress or shorts. Add a a cardigan, hoodie, or light jacket to your Sri Lanka packing list to wear for the evenings.
If you go whale watching in Mirissa or Galle, Sri Lanka make sure to bring layers and a waterproof rain jacket or poncho just in case! For scuba diving, Sea Horse in Unawatuna were very nice and knowledgeable.
Tunic | Pants | Sandal | Bag | Scarf | Sunglasses | Bracelet
Inland: Kandy, Sigiriya, Dambulla
Once you travel away from Sri Lanka’s beautiful beaches modesty is encouraged. As the heat rises you may be tempted to walk around half naked but follow the local lead. What are they wearing in these towns?
Some easy suggestions for your Sri Lanka packing list include loose fitting airy short sleeve tops and comfortable pants or capris. The Dambulla Cave Temple and Sigiriya are not to be missed so you’ll definitely want to cover your knees and shoulders to visit them. They are amazing!
A Few More Tips on Dressing for Sri Lanka
I visited in March and the weather was unforgiving. The heat was relentless and only my lightest clothing provided some relief. A hat is suggested to help shield your face from the sun especially when climbing up the steps of the Sigiriya temple.
A comfortable pair of no-slip shoes are also helpful to add to your Sri Lanka packing list. Normally, outdoor sandals aren’t my thing but my Birkenstocks didn’t feel secure enough to walk up the steps of the temples. Trainers may be a comfortable option but your feet may prefer to breathe in the scorching temperatures. Personally, I can’t wear trainers in the heat because my feet swell.
These are cute travel sandals recommended by one of TFG’s writers and there are also a few suggestions in the below Sri Lanka packing list.
Sri Lanka Packing List
- Two airy pants; highly recommend Athleta featherweight collection
- Five-seven tops in various sleeve lengths such as sleeveless, 3/4 sleeve, and short sleeve in cotton, rayon fabrics
- One midi-maxi skirt (for towns)
- One shorts (for beaches)
- One or two sundresses (beaches, dinners, towns)
- Two-three breathable shoes recommended: one flip-flops for beaches and one pair of comfortable sandals for walking around flights of steps in temples such as Teva Kayenta or Verra (or trainers instead of outdoor sandals if you don’t mind the heat). Optional: espadrilles or sneakers
What are your tips on what to wear in Sri Lanka? Please comment below!
For more Asia packing tips, please read:
- 10 Step Packing Guide for Southeast Asia
- What to Wear in the Philippines: Island Hopping Adventure
- Packing List for Siem Reap: What to Wear in Angkor Wat
- India Packing List
Suggested Travel Resources:
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Hey hi..! Am leaving to srilanka for a holiday in the next week.. will the temperature be too hot in this month? And will sneakers be sufficient for the entire trip.. adding a pair of sandals for the streets..?
Hi Sanjana, thank you for reaching out. We would advice that you look at the weather forecast at weather.com to check what the temperature is going to be like to ensure that you have packed the most appropriate clothing. The temperatures in southeast Asia tends to be hot so the majority of your clothing should be planned around high heat and humidity. We recommend packing clothing with is light, breathable, and breezy. Sandals would be a good alternate pair of shoes to pack. If it’s hot, your feet might swell, and sweat and sandals will allow your feet to breathe. Hope this helps answer your question. Have an amazing time! ?
I’m a girl born and raised in Sri lanka until mid-twenties. Casual cloths – Jeans and tee shirts, medium-length Shorts, skirts, and dresses, tank tops, short sleeves tops are what most girls wear on the streets. Scarfs are only worn by Muslim girls – not necessary unless you want to wear one. Girls wear short shorts in shopping malls or beaches.
Swim wear – pools and beaches. Pretty much anything you like, two-piece or one piece. There are no nude beaches in Sri Lanka.
Religious places require tops with at least short sleeves and knee-length bottoms for girls and boys. Ironically, you can go belly button out if you wear the traditional dress (osariya or saree) lol. Saree is not worn for out and about except for some workplaces or formal events.
Realistically, “to each her own”. You can wear pretty much what you like (think casual summer clothes). No rules and restrictions other than the (new) temple visiting ones I posted.
Hi there, thank you for sharing your fashion and travel advice for Sri Lanka with us, always love hearing from a local!! Happy travels ?
Hii. Thanks for the tips! I’m planning to go to Sri Lanka around the first week of June and on my list of clothes to pack are shorts, sleeveless and sundresses and quite a few of long below the knees light clothes, since it will be too hot. Will it be a problem? I’m not planning on going to the temples.
Also, are the mosquitoes rampant and in all areas of SriLanka? I’m really worried about this. Will it be a good idea to bring mosquito repellents?
Hi Meg, if you are worried about mosquitoes, have a look at this article for some suggestions: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/best-insect-repellent/ To get the best advice and help with your question, I would highly recommend that you join our TFG facebook group and post your question there: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelfashiongirls/ Also you may find this article helpful for what to pack for the heat: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/pack-light-for-hot-weather/ Its a fabulous community of helpful female travelers that love to share their advice and travel tips and I am sure one of our female adventurers might be able to help you. Hope this helps. Have an incredible trip!!
Hi,
I am Sri Lankan, and sooo good to see someone giving sensible dress tips. Could be one reason you had such a excellent time 😉
One thing travellers from colder countries don’t seem to realise is that exposing too much skin in the tropics is not just culturally insensitive it is also a bad idea in terms of sun burn and insect bites. Tiny tops and non-existent shorts may seem a good idea in the heat, but in its a killer! The reason people of the tropics wear cotton and cover up is not just cultural 🙂
Hi Nera, thank you so much for your lovely comment, so glad you enjoyed the tips!! Thank you for sharing your great travel tips with us!
Hi I’m off to Sri Lanka in march (guava house) very good article, as a man going is there any tips you can give me visiting temples whilst we are there
Rules for men are the same as for women. Tops with at least short sleeves (no tank tops), and bottom should cover up to the knees. No shoes or hats are allowed inside of temples, wear flip flops/ sandals. You will have a place to hold flipflops at the entrances to temples.
Hi,
Thank you for the packing suggestions. Did you see a lot of clothing for purchase over there like flowy pants, skirts and light tops? Can’t really get that now where I live and was hoping to pick up a few cute things there at someplace like Barefoot perhaps or other local retailers?
Erin
Hi Erin, I don’t really remember to be honest…have you tried Amazon?
Hey Alex,
I am travelling to Sri Lanka next month and touring around the country, I found this article really helpful thank you for your great tips!
Safe travels
My next holiday is a tour of Sri Lanka and I always manage to pack too much for my trips, so this post was a big help. I love the styles and outfits you have chosen. Fantastic ideas.
Thanks
Thanks Lynne!
I’m going in July and have been stressing about what to wear – thanks so much for the advice.
Yay, happy to help 🙂 have fun Amy!
I’m also going in July, really struggling with what
Clothes to take my usual holiday attire is short shorts and a pretty top! Do you think it is acceptable to wear short shorts a top and a longer kaftan for over the top? It’s going to be so hot
Hi Lisa, I would recommend you cover up especially if you’re going to visit temples. You’re fine to wear shorts by the beaches. Just choose the right fabrics and it won’t be so bad. It might be worse having the hot sun directly on your skin. Read this post for the best fabrics: https://travelfashiongirl.com/how-to-choose-the-best-fabrics-for-travel/
https://travelfashiongirl.com/is-cotton-the-most-breathable-fabric-for-hot-weather/
Thanks so much for the wonderful fashionable tips! We’re going to Sri Lanka (Negembo, Kandy, Ella and Mirissa). I mentioned to hubby I’m looking for boho chic – these tips and and helpful links make attire planning much better. Many thanks!!!
Quick one. Any tips on cute stylish backpacks/luggage? 🙂
Thanks Angel! Here are our top recommendations for luggage: https://travelfashiongirl.com/best-carry-on-suitcase/
Brilliant post on what to wear in Sri Lanka. The country has two different climates at the same time, in the coastal area and the Norther central area you will feel the hot Sun and in the central highlands you will feel the cold (moderate). Also, as Oscar said in above comments, when you are visiting to the religious places, you may not permitted to enter with the short dresses.
Thanks for the tip!
appropriate attire for temples.
There is no such a Buddihst rule regarding the temple dress code but it is a cultural custom to wear white dress or atleast neat dress which cover your shoulders and atleast upto your knees.
you can use a cloth to wrap around your shoulders or use local sarong to cover upto the knees.
When entering temple remember to take off your shoes, caps and hats.
Thanks for the tips Oscar!
heyy
I’m going to Sri Lanka tomorrow actually
this was very helpful and now i know what to pack
ur tips are great
can u also do some for:
Hawaii
Germany
Romania
Italy
Africa
and
Israel
if u do that would be amazing
We’ve got packing lists for all of those places, use the search function at the top of the page and you should find some great resources!
I’m Sri Lankan and happy to read this article. Since I’m from Kandy I wish to see foreigners who respect our culture and values and dress neat ( I know it’s hot but ) at least when ur going to a TEMPLE…people will be happier to see you that way! ?
Thanks for reading! I love helping readers to dress appropriate for their destination. Thanks for the comment!
Such great recommendations! I will be traveling to Sri Lanka this February and this was exactly the resource I was looking for. Thank you!
Perfect! Glad we could help Marissa!
Hi. I’m Sri Lankan and I lived in Negombo. This article is very accurate. Try to cover your skin upto your knees and your shoulders. But this is not neccesary, but I reccomend it. Other than that, if you are visting a religious place, wear white coloured clothes (especially for temples).
Have a nice and safe journey!
Thank you for the tips 🙂
Hi Alex!
Love your outfit ideas!Especially the 2nd one!Very helpful post for the travellers willing to travel Sri Lanka.
Glad you like it!
Really loving those pants! So practical and versatile, but very cute! Definitely will be looking into getting myself a pair.
They also offer petite sizing too 🙂
Sri Lanka sounds amazing and I’d love to visit, those Athleta pants are gorgeous!
Danielle
The ones I had wear similar but are now sold out but the fabric is the same – awesome!