Are the Kandy cultural dance shows worth the ticket price?
2 Answers from travellers
While designed for tourists, the performances at the Kandy Lake Club or the YMCA are based on ancient Kandyan traditions. You will see Ves dancing, peacock dances, and the dramatic fire walking at the end. The drumming is exceptionally high quality and worth the two thousand rupee ticket alone. It usually lasts about an hour and starts around five in the evening.
Arrive twenty minutes early to get a seat in the front rows if you want good photos of the fire walking. It is a great way to spend an evening before heading to the Tooth Temple for the evening Puja ceremony.
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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