3 Answers from travellers
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Reserved balcony seating for the Kandy Esala Perahera is highly commercialized and very expensive. Official seats along the main parade route usually cost foreign tourists between 50 to 100 USD depending on the specific night and the viewing angle.
The final Randoli Perahera night is always the absolute most expensive and sells out months in advance. You must strictly purchase tickets through reputable travel agencies or directly from major hotels along the route to avoid getting scammed.
If you do not want to pay you can technically watch for free from the pavement but you must claim a spot sitting on the hard concrete by midday and wait in the scorching heat for eight hours before the parade actually begins.
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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