Candy
Eat
- Sri Lankan cuisine is notoriously spicy. Dishes center around rice or hoppers (similar to paratha).
- Locals buy readymade meals from special stands. It is cheap (around USD 2) and pretty good (if you can manage the spiciness). Ask your tuk-tuk driver where to get it.
- For a full meal, the best options are often guesthouses. You don’t have to stay there to have dinner, although upfront bookings are required.
Sleep
- You can stay in hotels with amazing views for as little as USD 20-30 per night. Many (but not all) of the hotels and guesthouses are on all the usual booking sites. You can often make bookings by email or phone as well. Hostels are slightly cheaper, but not worth it.
- The center of Kandy is noisy and not really a good place to stay. It is better to stay in a hotel/guesthouse in one of the small streets around the main lake going uphill. The south side is generally quieter and nicer to stay.
Transport
- Town:
Despite Kandi being a small town, it is hilly, and some sights are far apart. Tuktuks are always readily available, and reasonable prices can easily be negotiated at low prices (often around USD 1).
- Airport:
A tuk-tuk or taxi to Kandy airport should cost around USD 5-10. It is also possible to arrange for a taxi straight from/to Colombo Airport (expect around 3-4 hours, depending on traffic, costing around USD 50).
- Out of town:
There are trains and buses from Kandy. Train timings can be found online (http://www.eservices.railway.gov.lk/), although booking requires a Sri Lankan credit card. (Hotels can typically help out.) Bus timing can be irregular, and it is often best to check once you are there. All day, tuk-tuks and taxis can be arranged at about USD 30 (prices may vary depending on the distance you want to go).