Nestled in the Indian Ocean like a precious gem, Sri Lanka is renowned for its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality. As travellers flock to this island paradise, an unfortunate reality persists—the prevalence of tourist scams. While the vast majority of Sri Lankans are welcoming and genuine, it's wise to remain vigilant against a few common scams that might mar your otherwise memorable experience.
Here's a look at some common tourist scams in Sri Lanka and how to avoid them.
Tuk-tuks, the iconic three-wheeled vehicles, are a popular mode of transport in Sri Lanka. While most drivers are fair, some might attempt to overcharge tourists, especially if fares are not negotiated upfront. To avoid this, agree on the fare before the ride and, if possible, use a taxi app or get advice from locals on the approximate cost of your journey.
Since Sri Lankan visas are issued electronically, you can apply for one in advance of your trip to avoid any hassles at immigration. If you are unable to obtain a tourist visa online in advance, you can still get one upon arrival.
When you arrive at Colombo International Airport, be prepared to be overcharged for your Sri Lankan visa. Hence, before you leave the house, do some research.
Sri Lanka is famous for its precious gemstones. Some people may try to sell you inexpensive or stolen gemstones. This is relatively frequent in Sri Lanka and could put you in needless legal trouble. Touts are easy to identify because they will attempt to sell you gemstones—sometimes even at a lower price than is customary. You're probably right if something seems strange to you!
When in Colombo, beware of the seemingly harmless task of helping people take photos. Often, locals ask you to take their photo and hand you their camera. When you are returning the camera, they deliberately drop it, accuse you of damaging their equipment, and demand payment. Please refuse to take anyone's photo (or don't take one until you are positive they are not local).
In exchange for a fee, tuk-tuk drivers frequently team up with a spice garden to entice visitors inside. The "doctor/professor" would then try to upsell you a variety of herbal cures and spices, most of which are of poor quality or useless. They may become annoyed and threaten to force you into purchasing something if you choose not to.
The con artist is likely to take you to an upscale hotel or restaurant and place a drink order. When you try to pay after a friendly chat, you discover that it's really expensive because the con artist requested that some cigarettes be added to the order. Since it's just a packet of cigarettes, you decide not to create a fuss about it.
When you go out, the best defence against being pickpocketed is to carry as little as possible. In this manner, you'll be relieved of one concern. Avoid being too showy as well. It will get you into trouble, and just draw pickpockets. Consider dressing in jeans or joggers with a zip pocket. It does help.
