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Raju Herbal & Spice Garden

1.3(10 reviews)  Godallawaththa, Heenatigala Rd, Unawatuna 80600

About Raju Herbal & Spice Garden

Raju Herbal & Spice Garden is a beauty & spa venue in Unawatuna. Address:  Godallawaththa, Heenatigala Rd, Unawatuna 80600. Phone:  077 576 2841. Average rating: 1.3 out of 5 from 10 customer reviews on Review Guru. Read what customers say about Raju Herbal & Spice Garden, find directions, and compare with other beauty & spa in Unawatuna below.

See the full ranking: Best Beauty & Spa in Unawatuna

1.3

Based on 10 reviews

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  • Ryley S.

    Deceptive experience in Sri Lanka

    I feel scammed! If it were possible to rate them lower than one star, I absolutely would. The information we received about herbs, spices, and plants was inconsistent, with each person providing different details. They then pressured us into a store to buy products that had no price tags. The whole situation felt rushed and forced, leaving us no chance to process what was happening. We were also pushed into getting a massage, which we initially thought would be a nice addition to our group tour. However, they took several of us women into a separate room, and before we even had time to put our tops back on, they were demanding payment. When we offered the only cash we had, they claimed it wasn't enough and said, "more money is nothing to us in Australian dollars," while cornering us in that space. Eventually, we managed to leave, but it was such a disappointing end to what we expected to be an informative tour about Sri Lanka's herbs.

    Service
    1
    Value
    1
  • aashi S.

    Avoid this tourist trap

    This place feels like a scam! Our cab driver brought us here, claiming it was government-operated. After a brief tour, they push products on you at outrageously high prices—definitely something to skip.

    Value
    1
  • Alice P.

    Overpriced and Dishonest Experience

    I feel completely ripped off! They charged me ten times the price they initially quoted. I didn’t double-check because everyone else has been so honest! I definitely do not recommend going there!

    Service
    1
    Value
    1
  • Karolina K.

    Tourist Trap Experience

    This was a frustrating experience. They seem to target tourists by promoting dubious cosmetics and 'medicines.' They even insisted on a tip for a tour we didn’t ask for. The tuk-tuk driver took us there under the guise of showing us a lovely rice garden, but it was just a setup to sell overpriced items. We felt really uncomfortable throughout our visit. It all feels like a well-orchestrated scam. Steer clear of this place. Terrible.

    Service
    1
    Value
    1
    Ambiance
    1
  • Asha S.

    Tour was interesting but a scam

    ⚠️ scam ⚠️ Our tuktuk driver brought us here without our request. The tour itself was great, but we were pressured to pay the volunteers who gave us a massage, despite me declining. The guy who led the herb garden tour took us into the shop, where everything was marked up to four times the prices in Galle Fort. When we didn’t buy anything, he became quite unfriendly. He claimed he was a volunteer and that it was a government herb garden, but suggested that tips were necessary to support his family. In the end, we ended up tipping numerous people against our wishes. This experience left us really frustrated and disappointed, as it was the only negative part of our time in Sri Lanka. On a positive note, the tour was interesting - just be cautious about being pressured into tipping!!

    Service
    1
    Value
    1
  • A. S.

    Avoid this tourist trap

    This place is a dangerous scam and should be avoided by tourists. The prices are exorbitantly high, and the setup felt strange, making me uncomfortable and pressured to make a purchase. I would never return. We ended up buying a bottle of cinnamon because it felt like we had to buy something. Once we opened it at home and took a whiff and a taste, I was shocked; it seemed like sawdust with just a hint of cinnamon! In comparison to some premium cinnamon I’ve bought at upscale grocery stores, this was dreadful. I really have no idea what’s in it. I strongly advise against consuming or using any products you buy from here.

    Food
    1
    Service
    1
    Value
    1
    Ambiance
    1
  • Sophia

    Avoid for an authentic experience

    This place seems highly questionable (definitely a scam). If you're after a true Sri Lankan tour experience, steer clear! While the tour guide is entertaining, the information he shares is wildly inaccurate, and who knows if he’s really a herbal doctor as he claims. My friends and I participated in two separate groups (they divided us and showed us different parts of the garden), and we received conflicting stories about everything. They pressure you into getting a massage, which feels quite intrusive, and they also push you to give them money for it. Then, they take you to a shop that gives off suspicious vibes, with no prices listed and items labeled with odd names. They also try to coerce you into making purchases. If you're looking for a laugh, this might be a spot for you, but if you're easily influenced, it's best to skip it.

    Service
    1
    Value
    1
    Ambiance
    1
  • Lara G.

    Authentic experience but pricey products

    Overall, the venue and the experience were quite lovely and genuine. I would strongly recommend this place, although I found their shop prices to be extremely high! I did purchase some products at a significant discount, but they still felt quite pricey. Nonetheless, I believe it's worth a visit, and I really appreciate the authenticity of the place.

    Value
    3
    Ambiance
    4
  • Laurie C.

    Beware of aggressive upselling

    We stumbled upon this place thanks to our Tuk Tuk driver’s recommendation. The garden has its charm, but be cautious of the staff who seem more focused on getting your money. Avoid letting them pour you drinks or engage with you in any way. If you decide to purchase anything, stick to cash—don’t use a credit card—and know exactly what you’re buying and its actual value. We were told to tip our tour guide well because it was supposedly his birthday the day before, which felt quite manipulative. Overall, it’s a very unscrupulous environment.

    Service
    1
    Value
    1
    Ambiance
    3
  • SJ L.

    Overpriced and misleading experience

    This place feels like a scam, but it might be worth a visit for the experience alone. The prices here are marked up more than ten times compared to what you'd normally pay. When you first arrive, the staff are very welcoming and eager to show you around the garden while explaining their products. It's worth noting that many tourists arrive via tuk-tuk or taxi drivers, which raises some red flags. To their credit, they don’t aggressively push you to buy anything, so you can walk away without making a purchase. However, the entire setup seems geared towards pressuring unsuspecting visitors into paying too much. In my case, they offered a free product trial, which I appreciated, and I gave a 100 rupee tip as a thank you. Surprisingly, they then insisted on a tip of 1,000 rupees instead. I made it clear that I run a trading company and that their prices are outrageous. I explained that I couldn’t justify giving more under the circumstances, and then I left. If you're knowledgeable about sourcing, trade, or local prices, you'll see how unrealistic their prices are. I strongly advise travelers to do their homework and avoid making purchases here unless they know the actual market value. As shown in my photos, the product packaging isn't suitable for gifts. Just don’t buy!

    Service
    1
    Value
    1

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Frequently asked about Raju Herbal & Spice Garden

What is Raju Herbal & Spice Garden's phone number?
You can contact Raju Herbal & Spice Garden on  077 576 2841. The number is also shown on this page along with directions and reviews.
Where is Raju Herbal & Spice Garden located?
Raju Herbal & Spice Garden is located at  Godallawaththa, Heenatigala Rd, Unawatuna 80600, Unawatuna. Tap "Get directions" on this page to open it in Google Maps.
Is Raju Herbal & Spice Garden any good?
Raju Herbal & Spice Garden has an average rating of 1.3 out of 5 from 10 reviews on Review Guru. Read them on this page to see what customers say.

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