3 Answers from travellers
Yes central Colombo is surprisingly clean and heavily policed making it very safe for an evening stroll. The area around the Dutch Hospital precinct and Galle Face Green is beautifully maintained and perfectly secure for tourists.
The new Port City development area is also incredibly pristine featuring wide modern walkways. You will see many local families walking around late into the night enjoying the ocean breeze.
While the affluent areas like Colombo 07 and Fort are spotless you should avoid walking through the narrow crowded alleys of Pettah market very late at night as it gets completely deserted and quite dirty after the vendors close up.
Scam Watch: colombo
Driver claims the meter is broken and quotes an inflated flat rate. Common on arrival at airport or railway stations when tourists are tired and disoriented.
Drivers wearing official-looking uniforms claim to be "government-approved" and charge 3-5x normal rates. They may have fake badges or ID cards.
Women with babies approach asking you to buy milk powder at a nearby shop (not cash). The shop is run by accomplices and charges 5-10x normal price.
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