Are Kandy hotels really 3x the price during Esala Perahera?
We accidentally booked our flights during the famous Kandy festival in August. Are the hotel prices really that inflated, and should we book now?
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5 Answers from travellers
Yes, prices skyrocket. A $30 room will easily sell for $100+. Book IMMEDIATELY. Kandy completely sells out during the final 5 days of the Randoli Perahera. It is the biggest festival in the country.
Also beware that some hotels along the parade route will force you to buy overpriced "viewing tickets" just to sit on their own balcony. Read the fine print!
Panic booking right now! Thanks for the warning about Peradeniya, I will look there.
It is totally worth it though. The elephants, the fire dancers, the drums... it is an unbelievable spectacle.
If Kandy is too expensive, book a hotel in a nearby town like Peradeniya or Katugastota. You can take a tuk-tuk into the city for the evening parade.
Scam Watch: kandy
TukTuk or tour drivers take you to "gem museums" or "government-certified" gem shops. They receive huge commissions (up to 40%) on anything you buy. Prices are inflated 3-10x the actual value.
Men approach tourists near Temple of the Tooth offering to be guides. After the tour, they demand large "donations" or guide fees (5000-10000 LKR).
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