Ripped off by a spice garden on the way to Galle.
3 Answers from travellers
This is an incredibly common scam. Private drivers receive massive commissions for forcing tourists to stop at these fake herbal gardens along the coastal highway. You should immediately leave a detailed, honest review on Google Maps and TripAdvisor specifically naming the garden to warn future travelers.
If you booked your driver through an agency or a hotel, you must report this aggressive behavior to management immediately. They rely on good reviews and will heavily reprimand the driver.
In the future, you must be extremely firm with your driver before the journey begins. Explicitly state that you will not stop at any spice gardens or gem shops, and you will not tip them if they deviate from the route.
Scam Watch: galle
Someone befriends you and offers a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to buy gems at wholesale prices and resell them abroad for huge profit. They may show you fake export certificates. The gems are worthless glass or low-quality stones.
Restaurants without visible prices. Bill arrives with inflated charges (500 LKR coconut becomes 1500 LKR). "Service charges" added without disclosure.
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