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Sumba packing list: what to bring (and what you can't buy there)
A practical packing list for Sumba: clothes, sun protection, health kit, cash, electronics, village visits and items that are hard to find on the island.
Sumba has shops in its towns but little choice outside them. Packing well makes a big difference. Here is a list built for the island's conditions: strong sun, long drives, simple accommodation and village visits.
Clothes
- Light, quick-dry shirts and trousers or shorts.
- Modest clothing for villages: something that covers shoulders and knees; a sarong is perfect.
- A light jacket or fleece for the highlands and evenings in July and August.
- A rain jacket in the wet season (November to April).
- Swimwear and a long-sleeve swim shirt against the sun.
Shoes
- Sandals with good grip for waterfalls and rocks.
- Reef shoes for coral and rocky beaches.
- Light walking shoes for Tanggedu or hilltops.
Sun and insects
- High-SPF sunscreen, lip balm and after-sun.
- Hat and sunglasses.
- Insect repellent with DEET or picaridin, especially for dusk.
Health kit
- Personal medicines in your hand luggage, with prescriptions.
- Painkillers, fever medicine, rehydration salts, antiseptic and plasters.
- Anti-diarrhoea tablets and motion-sickness pills for winding roads.
- Malaria prevention if a travel clinic recommends it, see health and safety.
Money and documents
- Cash in small notes, see money and ATMs.
- Passport, copies, travel insurance details.
Electronics
- Power bank and a headlamp: power cuts happen.
- Plug adapter (type C or F, 230 V).
- Dry bag for phone and camera.
- Offline maps; our interactive map also works with tiles you have already viewed.
For village visits
- A sarong or scarf.
- Small notes for contributions.
- Patience and a smile; read village etiquette.
Nice to have
- Snorkel mask for Weekuri Lagoon.
- Reusable water bottle with a filter.
- Snacks from Bali for long drives.
FAQ
What should I wear in Sumba?
Light, breathable clothes, plus modest options that cover shoulders and knees for villages. A light jacket for the cooler highlands around Waikabubak.
Can I buy sunscreen in Sumba?
Basic products exist in town shops, but choice is limited. Bring high-SPF sunscreen and repellent from home or Bali.
What plug is used in Sumba?
Indonesia uses type C and F plugs at 230 V.
Guides
25 best things to do in Sumba
From Weekuri Lagoon to the Pasola, the dancing trees of Walakiri and the megalithic tombs of Anakalang: the best experiences on Sumba island, with a map.
The best beaches in Sumba (with map)
Every beach worth the drive on Sumba: lagoons, surf breaks, sunset spots and empty white sand on all four coasts, with tips on safety and access.
Where to stay in Sumba: the best areas for every trip
Which area of Sumba to stay in: Tambolaka and Kodi, Waikabubak and the south-west coast, Central Sumba and Waingapu in the east, and how to split your nights.
What to eat in Sumba: food, coffee and where to find it
Fresh fish, smoked meat, local vegetables, Sumba coffee and the betel-nut ritual: what you will eat on the island and practical tips.
Is Sumba worth visiting? An honest answer
The good and the hard parts of travelling in Sumba, who will love it and who should choose somewhere else.
Sumba in the rainy season: is it worth visiting from November to April?
What travelling in Sumba during the wet season is really like: rain patterns, roads, waterfalls, green landscapes, the Pasola, and how to plan around the weather.