Top Sri Lanka hotels
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Spacious and airy...a delightful place to shop. The sound of gentle waves lapping the shore make this shopping trip very relaxing. No pressure from salespeople. just stroll around and choose what you want. Hats....for the beach, to keep out the sun, to go on a trip, to attend a funky wedding!! However much you can get it for...after the bartering!
Try not to do your shopping in a tourist area, even if you manage to escape the touts (and so avoid paying his commission) the prices for a western tourist will almost certainly be hugely inflated. Hop on a bus and head inland to somewhere not mentioned in the guidebooks (Matugama is good from Bentota and Beruwala) and do your shopping there, you will find shopping less hassle and half the price.
Laksala is a government-run emporium with fixed prices that are quite reasonable. You can buy all manner of handicrafts here, including woodcarvings, brass, lace, clothing, masks, etc. There are branches of Laksala in several Sri Lankan cities and tourist resorts in addition to the one in Colombo.
Village shops are often little more than huts and from the outside they appear to sell nothing but rice and toothpaste but if you get stuck in there are often all kinds of goodies to add spice to your visit or simply to vary your diet. In your tourist hotel the staff will vary your diet and rice and curry is a rare treat but off the beaten track curry is served up two or three times a day (see how many times tasty rice and curry is mentioned in LP rest house reviews) and after a week or more it can get a little too much for most westerners.Even local village shops will supply you with alternatives, from chicken sausages to Anchor butter, which your host will usually be happy to prepare for you. good bread is available just about everywhere. I have egg and chips occasionally, Sri Lankan potatoes are excellent and cooking oil is cheap, but you may need to show your host how to cook chips...
You may see many locla hand crafts or antique such as old Dutch coins or whatever in Sri Lanka. It is hard hard to say what the right price is. Try to discount the amount to 30% first before you jump into the trap. If not success, then just shop around and learn what the bottom price "should be". Happy bargainning.
This 5 storey department store specializes in branded clothings with prices as low as one tenths of original price. Case in point: Ermenegildo Zegna, Boss and Paul Smith long sleeved shirts, less than USD20 !!! Ralph Lauren polo shirts, USD7.As expected, with the low low prices, the place is naturally chock full of people. Expect long queues at the cashiers.
I found these marshmallows in a Kandy grocery stall in the central market. I am a sucker for homemade marshmallows. The bag says, the marshmallows come in five flavors, but i couldn't tell the difference between them.
One of Sri Lanka's biggest export is of spices. If you live in a country, that doesn't produce spices-you will find that they are much more affordable here than back home. In Singapore, most of the spices are the same price. (except for vanilla beans). In Europe and the usa-cloves and other spices can be quite expensive.The best deal is the lovely vanilla beans for sale. I think i went home with 40 of them. Great gifts and they last for a few years, if dried.
Always looking for unique gifts. The cashew chocolate bar is quite a good and cheap gift to give people back home-plus it's pretty tasty. The chocolate and cashews are both grown in Sri Lanka. If you drive from Kandy to Colombo-you will see many women selling cashews. You can find these chocolate bars all over Sri Lanka.
Odel's is a great shop in Colombo,set in a mansion which has been converted into a modern shopping mall,complete with a cafe and sushi bar.Here you can buy designer clothes,books and knick-knacks all at very good prices.
Mount Lavina Hotel Colombo
5 Reviews and 395 Opinions This is the closest hotel you can experience the Beach as you come to Colombo. Good food, good rooms...
Earl's Regency Hotel Kandy Kandy
4 Reviews and 235 Opinions Kandy Perahara Starts on Esala Full Moon Poya Day in July & finishes on Nikini Full Moon Poya Day on...
Palm Garden Village Hotel Anuradhapura
3 Reviews and 111 Opinions The Palm Garden Village is like a colonial club, but one with a relaxed and freestyle-air. It was...
Reviews and photos of Sri Lanka attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Sri Lanka sightseeing.
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Q: Thinking of traveling to Sri Lanka in the end of March for 3 weeks. I will go with my 6 yr old. Will take Medical precoushns bu...
A: Any special reasons why you want to stay in Colombo for 3 days. Everywhere in Sri Lanka is child friendly, but as you want to end up in Trinco (and spend part of your...
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