Safety of drinking iced cordials from free Vesak Dansal stalls
4 Answers from travellers
As a Public Health Inspector, I advise tourists to be cautious. While the host families boil the water and use commercial tube ice, the massive barrels and the sheer volume of serving means cross-contamination can happen. Locals have strong stomachs for it. If you are a tourist with a sensitive stomach, stick to the hot food (rice, noodles, fried manioc) and politely decline the iced cordials.
I drank a bunch of the pink milk drinks last year and got food poisoning for two days. Stick to bottled water.
If you want to accept it out of politeness, just take a tiny sip and hold the cup. It is the gesture of sharing that matters.
Thanks. We ate the hot fried chickpea snacks and they were incredible and safe.
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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