Souvenirs from Sri Lanka: 15 Best Things to Buy

Sri Lankan souvenirs at a glance

1. Ceylon tea

Tea is the most popular souvenir from Sri Lanka, and for good reason: it's light, affordable and loved everywhere. Buy it fresh at a tea factory in the hill country, where you can taste before you buy. Look for the lion logo, which marks pure Ceylon tea packed in Sri Lanka. Strong BOP grades are good with milk; lighter OP grades are good without. White tea and green tea make special gifts. See tea factories to visit in Sri Lanka.

2. Spices

Sri Lanka is famous for true cinnamon ("Ceylon cinnamon"), plus cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, pepper and curry powders. Visit a spice garden near Matale or on the south coast to learn how they grow. Spice garden shops can be expensive, though, so compare with supermarket prices. Buy whole spices in sealed packs for the freshest flavour. See spice gardens.

3. Wooden masks

The coastal town of Ambalangoda is famous for its colourful hand-carved masks, used in traditional dances and healing rituals. Masks represent demons, kings and characters from folk drama. Visit a mask workshop to watch carvers at work, and buy directly from them. Small masks make great wall decorations and pack easily.

4. Batik

Batik is cloth decorated with patterns using wax and dye. You'll find batik sarongs, wall hangings, shirts and scarves. Visit a batik workshop to see the process and buy directly from the makers.

5. Handloom textiles

Sri Lanka's handloom weavers make colourful cotton fabrics, sarongs, bed covers, cushion covers and bags. Handloom is soft, bright and supports village weavers. Look for it in craft shops and Colombo boutiques.

6. Kandyan brass and silverware

The Kandy region has a long tradition of metalwork for temples and royalty. Look for brass oil lamps, trays, bowls and figures, and fine silver jewellery. Craft villages around Kandy let you see artisans at work. See craft villages.

7. Lacquerware

Lacquerware is wood decorated with bright layers of coloured lacquer in traditional patterns. Look for bowls, boxes and small trays. It's light and makes a colourful gift.

8. Dumbara mats

Woven by hand in villages near Kandy, Dumbara mats use natural fibres in geometric designs. They're used as wall hangings, table runners and bags.

9. Gems and jewellery

Sri Lanka is one of the world's most famous sources of gemstones, especially blue sapphires, as well as rubies, cat's eyes and moonstones. Buy only from licensed, reputable jewellers, ask for a certificate, and never buy gems from street sellers or people who approach you. The National Gem and Jewellery Authority can help with testing. See Ceylon blue sapphire, buying blue sapphire in Sri Lanka and gem mining.

10. Ayurvedic products

Herbal oils, balms, soaps and teas based on Ayurveda, Sri Lanka's traditional medicine, make useful gifts. Buy from pharmacies or reputable Ayurveda shops, and check ingredients if you have allergies. See Ayurveda in Sri Lanka.

11. Coconut arrack

Arrack is a spirit distilled from the sap of coconut flowers. It's smooth and often used in cocktails. Buy it from licensed shops or duty-free, and check your home country's alcohol allowance.

12. Coconut and kithul treats

Kithul treacle (a syrup made from palm sap), jaggery (palm sugar) and coconut products are delicious, but check your country's food import rules. Choose sealed, labelled products.

13. Art and photography

Sri Lankan artists paint vibrant scenes of village life, temples and wildlife. Galle Fort and Colombo have galleries and artist studios. See Ceylon art experiences.

14. Clothing and sarongs

Light cotton shirts, sarongs and dresses are useful during your trip and great to take home. Tailors in Colombo and some towns can make clothing quickly.

15. Elephant-themed gifts

Elephants appear on everything from cushion covers to carved wood. Choose gifts made from wood or fabric, and never buy anything made from ivory.

Where to shop

Laksala Laksala is the state-run handicraft shop, with branches in Colombo, Kandy, Galle and other towns. Prices are fixed and quality is reliable, which makes it a good place to start.

Craft villages and workshops Buying directly from makers in craft villages and workshops gives you the best stories and helps artisans directly. See craft villages.

Galle Fort The fort's streets are full of boutiques selling jewellery, clothing, homeware and art. See things to do in Galle.

Colombo Colombo has design boutiques, handloom shops, malls and markets. The Pettah market is busy and colourful, good for spices and everyday items. See one day in Colombo.

Kandy Kandy has craft shops, the market and nearby craft villages for brass, silver and woodwork. See things to do in Kandy.

The airport Duty-free shops at the airport sell tea, arrack and some crafts, useful for last-minute gifts.

What not to buy

• Antiques over a certain age without an export permit from the authorities.
• Coral, shells and sea turtle products.
• Ivory and other animal products.
• Protected plants and seeds.
• Gems from street sellers or "friends" who approach you.
• Buddha images used as decoration; buying Buddha statues as souvenirs is discouraged, and treating them disrespectfully is a serious matter. Ask the shop about any export restrictions.

Bargaining tips

• Fixed-price shops such as Laksala don't bargain.
• At markets and small stalls, polite bargaining is normal.
• Start lower, but stay friendly and fair.
• Buy directly from artisans when possible; the price goes to the maker.

Paying and money

Cash in Sri Lankan rupees is best at markets and small shops. Larger shops accept cards. See money in Sri Lanka.

Packing your souvenirs

• Tea and spices: keep in sealed packs and pack in your hold luggage.
• Masks and wooden items: wrap in clothes to protect corners.
• Arrack: wrap well and check your airline and home country rules.
• Gems: carry in your hand luggage with the certificate and receipt.
• Leave space in your bag for gifts. See our Sri Lanka packing list.

Souvenir shopping on your tour

With a private driver, you can stop at a tea factory in the hills, a spice garden near Matale, a mask workshop in Ambalangoda and a batik workshop on the way, without carrying bags around all day. Tell your driver if you'd prefer to skip shop visits. See our private driver page and our Sri Lanka itinerary.

Souvenirs by budget

Responsible shopping

• Buy from local makers and fair-trade shops.
• Avoid animal products.
• Choose quality over quantity.
• Don't haggle too hard with small artisans.

See our responsible travel guide.

Souvenirs by region

Plan your shopping along your route instead of carrying everything from the first day. See our Sri Lanka itinerary.

Meeting the makers

Many travellers say their favourite souvenir is one they watched being made: a mask carved in Ambalangoda, batik dyed in a village workshop, or a brass lamp polished in a craft village near Kandy. Ask us to include a craft visit on your tour. See craft villages and our village tour.

Tea as a gift: what to choose

Spices as a gift: what to choose

Ceylon cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, cloves, black pepper and roasted curry powder are the classic choices. Buy whole spices for freshness and grind them at home. Small sealed packs make light, practical presents.

Shopping on your last day

If you're flying from Colombo, spend your last afternoon shopping in the city, then head to the airport. Leave plenty of time for traffic. See Sri Lanka airport transfers.

Gems: a few simple rules

• Buy from licensed jewellers with a fixed address.
• Ask for a certificate from a recognised gem laboratory.
• Keep your receipt for customs and insurance.
• Never buy from someone who approaches you on the street, at a temple or on a beach, however friendly.
• Take your time: a good jeweller won't pressure you.

Sending souvenirs home

Large items like furniture, big masks or artworks can be shipped home. Ask the shop about packing and shipping, get a written receipt and keep tracking details.

Souvenirs for children

Children love small wooden elephants, colourful masks, kites, batik T-shirts and handmade puppets. They're light, cheap and fun to choose. Avoid anything made from shells or coral.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Buying gems from people who approach you on the street.
• Paying high prices at spice garden shops without comparing.
• Buying coral, shells or ivory.
• Forgetting to check alcohol and food allowances for your country.
• Leaving all your shopping to the airport, where choice is limited.