5 Epic Waterfalls in Sri Lanka You Must Visit

5 Epic Waterfalls in Sri Lanka You Must Visit

Are you looking for the best waterfalls in Sri Lanka? Sri Lanka has more than 30 waterfalls over ten meters high. Ella and Nuwara Eliya are perfect bases for chasing stunning waterfalls.

All the waterfall is beautiful and unique, so whichever one you visit, you won’t be disappointed. You can join a guided tour or explore them independently and combine your visit with the impressive tea plantations.

We’ve put together a list of the most epic waterfalls to visit in Sri Lanka. Use the map at the bottom of this post to find the best waterfalls in Sri Lanka.

Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through our link. This is a free way to support us and allow us to continue to create inspiring travel guides.

When is the Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka Waterfalls?

Sri Lanka is a popular destination all year round! But the best time to visit Sri Lanka waterfalls is between February to April.

Sri Lanka has two monsoon seasons: the northeast monsoon season, which runs from December to January, and the southwest monsoon season, which runs from May to September.

During the rainy season or after heavy rain, the waterfalls are the most beautiful because they are so powerful and intense.

Sri Lanka Waterfalls by tuk tuk

The best way to reach the waterfalls in Sri Lanka is to drive yourself a tuk tuk, hire a driver, or join an organized tour that includes transport. We did our Sri Lanka Itinerary by a tuk tuk and enjoyed exploring the sights at our own pace.

We rented a tuk tuk for 2 weeks in Sri Lanka for only 22 USD/day.

Read the full post → Tuk Tuk Rental in Sri Lanka

Best Waterfalls in Sri Lanka

1. Kadiyanlena Falls

If you’re looking for the best waterfalls in Sri Lanka, don’t miss a visit to Kadiyanlena Falls. The waterfall cascades in three stages and stands at a height of 25 meters. It is a hidden gem, which provides the perfect backdrop for photography as the road passes over a three-arch bridge alongside the falls.

Kadiyanlena Falls is located about 45 km from Kandy, and the journey time is 2 hours by tuk tuk and is well worth a visit.

We decided to skip the long train journey from Kandy to Ella and travel by tuk tuk instead. It’s a great way to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the tea plantations and see the impressive waterfalls along the way. Our journey started from Kandy, then we made a short detour at Ambuluwawa Tower and drove through Nuwara Eliya to Ella.

Parking around the falls is free, but don’t leave anything valuable in the tuk tuk. Kadiyanlena Falls is popular with locals, but most tourists have never heard of it.

It is free to visit. After arriving, you can enjoy a refreshing dip. But be extremely careful when swimming, as the currents are strong and unpredictable!

See also → What to Do in Ella

2. Devon Falls & St. Clair’s Falls

Are you looking for the best waterfalls near Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka? The Devon Falls is located about 30 km from Nuwara Eliya, and the journey takes 50 minutes. You can combine your visit with St Clair’s Falls, just a 5-minute drive away.

Devon Falls, also known as the “Veil of the Valley”, is named after the British coffee planter Devon. The waterfall is 97 meters high and situated at 1140 meters above sea level. Devon Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls and the 19th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka.

If you have more time than a quick stop, a footpath will take you to the base of the falls. But the top of the waterfall itself is not accessible. There are two magnificent viewpoints from where you can enjoy the stunning views, and parking is free.

Read our → Sri Lanka Itinerary

St. Clair’s Falls, called ‘Little Niagara of Sri Lanka’, is one of the widest waterfalls in the country. The 80-meter-high waterfall consists of two falls, the Maha Ella and the Kuda Ella, which cascade down three rocky outcrops into a large pool.

The falls are visible from the main road but can be reached by a short walk through the tea plantations. Therefore, we recommend spending 1-2 hours exploring the area and taking a dip in the streams.

3. Ramboda Falls

The Ramboda Falls is one of the best waterfalls in Sri Lanka, located between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. The waterfall is situated at 945 meters above sea level, 109 meters high, and offers spectacular views.

Book a day trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya.

The Ramboda Falls consists of 3 parts: lower, middle, and upper falls. It is about a 1-hour drive from Nuwara Eilya.

The falls can be accessed through Ramboda Falls Hotel, a steep 5-minute walk from the parking lot. The lift costs 200 LKR (0.60 USD) per person and takes you down to the falls. Then, go to the waterfall, a 15-minute walk away.

If you want to enjoy a magnificent view of the Ramboda Falls, you should stay at the Ramboda Falls Hotel.

4. Ravana Falls

Ravana Falls is one of the widest waterfalls in Sri Lanka, located only 6 km from Ella. It is an impressive 25-meter-high, three-tiered waterfall that creates rock pools on the way down. You can reach Ravana Falls from Ella in 15 minutes by tuk tuk, so don’t miss it.

Ravana Falls is free to visit, and parking costs just 150 LKR (0.50 USD). 

Join an All-Inclusive Ella Day Tour.

The waterfall can become extremely powerful during the rainy season, so we don’t recommend swimming there.

You can climb over some rocks to get closer to the waterfall, but be careful as the rocks can be slippery. Climbing to the top of the falls is prohibited! Signs warn of the danger, and there were some guards at the falls at the time of our visit.

TIP
Take care of your valuables, as there are many monkeys here!

5. Diyaluma Falls

If you plan to visit Diyaluma Falls, take a short stop at Ravana Falls. The journey from Ella takes 1-1.5 hours by tuk tuk. Diyaluma Falls is the second-highest waterfall in Sri Lanka at 220 meters.

The Diyaluma Waterfall consists of two parts: Upper Diyaluma Falls and Lower Diyaluma Falls. You can reach the Lower Diyaluma Falls in a 10-15 minute walk from the parking lot, and the Upper Diyaluma Falls is a 2-hour hike from the bottom.

Alternatively, you can access it by tuk tuk on a different route. But it is not recommended if you are not an experienced driver. When arriving by tuk tuk, you can reach the upper waterfall in a 30-minute walk. After reaching the top, you can enjoy the epic views and take a dip in the natural infinity pools.

Make the most of your visit and book an Ella tour, which includes visits to Diyaluma Falls, Ella Rock, Nine Arch Bridge, and Lipton’s Seat.

Diyaluma Falls is free to visit. A local guide is not mandatory but is recommended for a safer hike.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t visit due to the weather, but if you have time, you should add it to your list of the best things to do in Ella.

Map of the Best Waterfalls in Sri Lanka

What to Pack for Visiting

• Osprey Small Backpack: A very lightweight, versatile, and durable backpack, perfect for day hikes.
• Light Raincoat: Packable, lightweight, and waterproof raincoat with hood perfect for travel and hiking.
• Sunscreen: You don’t have to worry about sun damage with this reef-friendly UVA/UVB sunscreen.
• Quick-dry towel: This microfibre quick-drying towel is ideal for traveling, hiking, swimming, bathing, and sports.
• Power bank: An essential accessory for anyone who needs reliable power on the go.
• Grayl Filtered Water Bottle: The Grayl filter removes viruses and bacteria and filters microplastics, chemicals, and heavy metals. Fill up your filtered water bottle anywhere and drink crystal-clear water wherever you go.
• Swimsuit
• Water shoes
• Dry bag
• Camera gear
• Plenty of Water
• Snacks
• Local money

Tips for Visiting the Best Waterfalls in Sri Lanka

• Wear hiking shoes or sandals and lightweight, quick-dry clothes, as the weather is always warm and humid.
• Take plenty of water and snacks.
• If you drive a tuk tuk, always set off with a full tank.
• As unexpected rain can happen at any time, bring a light raincoat.
• Take care of your valuables, as there are monkeys around the waterfalls.
• Allow enough time to visit the waterfalls, as muddy and slippery roads can make the hike take longer.
• Bring water shoes and be careful, as the rocks can be slippery!
• A local guide is not mandatory. Because you can visit the waterfalls on your own.
• Be careful, and don’t underestimate the strong current of the waterfall.
• Due to the cooler climate in Nuwara Eliya, pack warmer clothes.
• Sri Lanka still has some beautiful waterfalls, such as Bambarakanda Falls (the highest waterfall in Sri Lanka), Lover’s Leap Waterfall, Laxapana Falls, Dunhinda Waterfall, and Baker’s Falls.

Where to Stay Near Sri Lanka Waterfalls

Most people take a day trip to the waterfalls from Ella. But for the best experience, stay in Nuwara Eliya, a perfect base for visiting the beautiful waterfalls and tea plantations. These are our accommodation recommendations.

Best hotels in Ella

• Luxury: EKHO Ella
• Mid-Range: Mountain Heavens or 98 Acres Resort & Spa
• Budget: Ella Mount View Guest Inn

Best hotels in Nuwara Eliya

• Luxury: Heritance Tea Factory
• Mid-Range: Galway Heights Hotel or Hilldale Retreat
• Budget: Misthill Rest – Lavish Villa

We hope you found our guide to the best waterfalls in Sri Lanka useful and will inspire you to visit some beautiful waterfalls. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway

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