Shopping Tips
Customers can shop at ease at large more established private and government shops across the island where prices would be marked on each item for sale.
However if you are looking around antique shops, craft shops, bazzars and small shops in tourist towns like Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa then you’ll be expected to bargain. You’ll also need to bargain in jewelry stores. Make sure you research prices before making a purchase. Ask your driver or local friends to give you an idea about what the correct price should be. It is typical for prices for tourist to be significantly inflated. But if you bargain in a friendly manner then the prices will soon come down. Avoid being aggressive as this is likely to offend and will not secure the best price. When buying gemstones, ensure that you shop from a dealer that has a license from the government National Gem and Jewellry Authority.
Antiques : Waruna Antiques
- 761 Peradeniya Road, Kandy
- A virtual Aladdin’s cave for the discerning looking for ‘that’ special piece
- Ancient temple paintings, statues, masks, materials jostle with jewellery both old and those created by Waruna himself, together with paintings done by his beautiful multifaceted wife Yumi, which all in all makes this a must in Kandy either for browsing or for those serious collectors. Best to try and go ‘unencumbered’ to the shop when you have the time
Gems & Jewellery: Asian Jewelers
- Colombo street, Kandy
- Portobello Road type bric a brach
