lol, flanner.

I'm reviving this thread instead of starting my own, as i have [more or less] the same query - what to pack for Sri lanka?

I'm going in September, and we'll be touring round, including the hills of the tea country, and seeing Yala and staying on the beach.

how hot is it likely to be, and will we need warmer clothes for the hills?

BTW, what DID you wear? what about Mrs. Flanner?

Check a weather website for historic temperatures, highs and lows, month by month. I use www.weatherbase.com

Expect it to be cool - cooler than you thought - in the evenings in the hill country. I wished I'd brought along a pashmina for the evenings. Our hotel had heaters outside so we could enjoy eating outside in the evenings. Otherwise, we would have been shivering!

It will be hot elsewhere, take the same sorts of light clothes you would take elsewhere in SE Asia. I prefer natural fabrics. Some people like the synthetic wicking fabrics. Take a hat to keep the sun off of your face (and bring lots of sunscreen). We never got rained on in Sri Lanka, but elsewhere in SE Asia, I simply use an umbrella if it rains hard. Rain gear? It would be sweltering.

thanks, Kathie, as ever very helpful.

was it you who mentioned wearing socks in the temples?

did you have any trouble with mossies?

I always take those super thin disposable raincoats that fold up into a packet the size of a matchbox with me in SE Asia. If you get caught in a huge downpour, you can keep yourself from getting totally soaked, especially if the wind makes an umbrella impractical. Other than that, it is way too hot for regular rain gear.

lcuy - thanks. another great idea.

No, I never wear socks in temples. And you won't be wearing socks in the temples in Sri Lanka either. The Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka are clean, you'll see people sweeping all the time.

We encountered only a few mosquitos, some in Dambulla, some in Kandy. Do use repellant.

the socks weren't to keep my feet clean, Kathie! - i read on another thread that the temple floors were so hot that the poster couldn't stand still!

We'll definitely be taking mosquito repellant.