Are the Matale spice gardens a tourist trap or a real place to buy cooking spices
5 Answers from travellers
The vast majority of the tourist spice gardens along the A9 highway in Matale are unfortunately traps. The tour is free, but they heavily pressure you to buy spices and Ayurvedic creams at 500% to 1000% markups, which is how your driver earns his heavy commission. If you want authentic spices for cooking at local prices, ask your driver to stop at a normal grocery store (like Keells or Food City) or a municipal public market.
Be careful with the hair removal cream they demonstrate on your leg during those tours. A lot of tourists report getting mild chemical burns from it!
Tell your driver firmly beforehand that you do not want to stop at a spice garden. They will be disappointed about losing the commission, but you will save yourself a very awkward, high-pressure sales pitch.
If you do go for the educational tour, just enjoy the complimentary massage, give the massage boy a 500 LKR tip, and walk out of the pharmacy without buying anything.
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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