How to avoid the stilt fisherman photo scam?
I want to photograph the famous stilt fishermen near Koggala, but I heard they demand outrageous amounts of money if you even point a camera. How does it work?
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4 Answers from travellers
They are no longer real fishermen; they are models posing for tourists. The fish are long gone from the shallows. The "boss" sits on the beach. Approach him FIRST, agree on a price (usually 500-1000 LKR), and then take your photos. If you snap a photo from the road without paying, they will chase you and demand 5000 LKR.
I refused to pay and just drove past. If you want authentic fishing photos, go to the Negombo fish market at 5 AM instead.
Understanding that they are basically actors makes it much clearer. I'll just pay the small fee upfront.
It is essentially a paid cultural exhibit now. Once you accept that and pay the 500 rupee fee, it is actually quite fun. They will even let you climb up on the stilt for a photo yourself.
Scam Watch: galle
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