Ravana Falls
One of Sri Lanka's widest waterfalls, tumbling around 25 metres right beside the Ella to Wellawaya road. Named after the legend of King Ravana, it makes an easy roadside stop.
Ravana Falls is one of those sights you barely have to leave the car for, which is both its charm and its catch. It tumbles about 25 metres down the rock right beside the main road between Ella and Wellawaya, one of the widest waterfalls in the country, and it is tied to the old Ramayana legend of King Ravana, who is said to have hidden the princess Sita in a cave near here.
Because it sits right on the road, it is an easy stop and it gets busy, especially at weekends and in the middle of the day. There are stalls selling fruit and drinks, monkeys working the crowd, and a set of rocks below the falls that people clamber over to get closer to the water. It is worth the ten minutes, but keep your expectations in proportion. This is a roadside waterfall, not a wilderness hike.
The falls are at their most dramatic after rain, when the flow is heavy and the spray drifts across the road. In the dry months they thin out considerably. Go early in the morning if you can, before the tour vans and the crowds arrive, and take real care on the rocks near the water, which get slippery and have caught plenty of people out.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Free
- Opening hours: Open all day
- Time needed: 30 to 45 minutes
- Best time: After rain, when the flow is at its fullest
Getting there
About 6km south of Ella on the A23 road. Any Wellawaya-bound bus or a short tuk-tuk ride drops you at the base.
Before you go
- Go after rain for the fullest flow. In the dry season the falls shrink to a trickle by comparison.
- Early morning is far quieter. By midday the roadside fills with vans and the rocks get crowded.
- The rocks below the falls are slippery and the current is stronger than it looks. Do not climb where you cannot keep your footing.
- Watch your belongings around the monkeys, and pair it with the Ravana Cave a little further up the hill.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Ravana Falls worth stopping for?
- For a ten minute roadside stop, yes, especially after rain when it is at full force. Just go in knowing it is an easy pull-over on a busy road rather than a remote natural wonder.
- How much does it cost?
- The falls are free to view from the roadside. You only spend on snacks from the stalls or parking.
- When is the best time to visit?
- Early morning to beat the crowds, and ideally after a spell of rain when the water is heaviest.
- Is it safe to swim?
- People do paddle in the pools at the base, but the rocks are slippery and the current can be strong, so take real care and stay out after heavy rain.