Do you need mosquito repellent in Sri Lanka, and where can you buy a repellent or plug-in vaporizer?

For the central part of the island and waterfall walks, bring or buy a DEET-based repellent. Soffel is a commonly recommended local option, available in Sri Lanka and containing DEET.

Check with your specific hotel in advance about a plug-in mosquito vaporizer: some rooms already have one, while others may not have window protection everywhere. Vaporizers and mosquito coils/incense sticks are easy to buy locally if needed.

There are generally very few mosquitoes on the coast because of the breeze. Repellent is more useful in central Sri Lanka, so it is worth keeping for inland trips rather than relying on it for every beach outing.

You do not have to pack mosquito protection from home: sprays are widely sold in supermarkets. If you prefer your usual product, choose one with DEET; many hotels can also provide a plug-in vaporizer on request.