Ravana Falls near Ella: access and visit planning
Contents
Stop at Ravana Falls for the view of a 40 m waterfall tumbling through green hillside beside the road, not for a swim or a scramble up the rocks. It is an easy roadside stop on the way between Ella and Wellawaya, and it works best as a short break in a longer day.[1] Decide first whether you only want the view or also the cave nearby, because the two involve different access.
| Your plan | What to arrange | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| A waterfall-viewing stop | A safe drop-off at the viewpoint and a return pickup | The main falls face the road |
| A cave visit | The exact cave entrance and a separate transfer if needed | The cave lies near the upper falls, not at the roadside |
| A stop within an Ella day trip | Realistic transfers and a buffer before your next booking | It fits easily between other sights on the road |
Know which waterfall you are visiting
Ravana Ella, also called Bambaragama Ella, drops about 40 m and flows into the Ho Oya. It faces the main Ella to Wellawaya road, and the setting is green and wooded.[1] Ravana Falls itself sits above Ravana Ella, so you cannot see it from the main road.[1] Ask your driver or guesthouse to name the viewing point you are heading for before you set off.
A similarly named Ravan Ella, which the local authority says should not be confused with Ravana Ella, lies about 4 km from Bomburu Ella, far from Ella town.[2] Check the destination in your map app before you follow it or book a driver.
Things to Do
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GetYourGuide partner offers. GoAsia may earn a commission if you book through these offers. Check whether tickets or transfers are included, and follow the attraction's official booking and admission rules.
Arrange the transport and return
For a driver or tuk-tuk, agree the price for your accommodation, the viewpoint, the waiting time and the return. Say whether you also want the cave, and ask whether the price is for the whole vehicle or per person. If you take a bus, ask locally about the stop and the last return before you board. Do not walk along the main road without checking traffic and a safe place to stand and meet your vehicle again.
View the falls without climbing the cascades
In September 2021 a visitor was badly injured after slipping while climbing a rock at the top of the falls, and she lay in a coma for several days.[3] Admire the waterfall from the permitted viewing areas and stay out of the water and off the wet rocks above.
The best time for the falls is the last few days of the rainy season or just after, when the flow is strongest.[1] More water also means more danger, so a full cascade is a reason to keep your distance. Check the weather forecast and local notices before you go.
Treat the Ravana cave as a separate visit
The name comes from the Ramayana legend in which King Ravana hid Sita in a cave behind the waterfall.[1] Enjoy it as a story. A cave called Ravana Ella Cave lies near the upper falls, so ask on the spot about the exact entrance, whether it is open and what the route involves.[1]
Build a flexible Ella itinerary
If you also visit the Nine Arches Bridge or another Ella sight, give each stop its own travel time and agree the order and the return in advance. Skip a stop rather than rush it.
- Destination: agree the actual waterfall and viewing point, not just a similar name.
- Transport: fix pickup, drop-off, waiting and return before you set out.
- Access: follow local notices and stay behind barriers.
- Footwear and belongings: wear shoes with grip and keep valuables secure.
- Weather: shorten or postpone the visit when conditions are poor.
Bring drinking water and a few small notes for snacks or a tip. Use the Sri Lanka travel overview for the wider trip.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau: Rawana Ella and Ravana Falls: naming and setting. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- [2] Uva Paranagama Pradeshiya Sabha: Ravan Ella near Bomburu Ella: a different waterfall. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- [3] Ministry of Tourism, Sri Lanka: 29 September 2021 report of an injury while climbing at Ravana Falls. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, as a short roadside stop for a 40 m waterfall in green hills, ideally at the end of the rainy season when the flow is strongest. Agree the viewpoint, the drop-off and the return in advance.
Ask on the spot about any charges for parking or for the cave, and keep them separate from the cost of your driver, the waiting time and any guide.
Ask your accommodation for a driver or tuk-tuk quote that covers the viewpoint, waiting and the return, and whether it includes the cave. If you go by bus, ask about the stop and the last return.
No. View the falls from the permitted areas. In September 2021 a visitor was seriously injured after slipping on a rock at the top of the falls.
The best time is the last few days of the rainy season or just after, when the falls carry the most water. Check the weather forecast and local notices, and be ready to shorten the stop.
According to the Ramayana legend, King Ravana hid Sita in a cave behind the waterfall. A cave called Ravana Ella Cave lies near the upper falls. Ask on the spot about the exact entrance and whether it is open.
Yes. Both are easy to fit into an Ella day. Give each stop its own travel time, agree the order and the return with your driver, and drop a stop if you are running late.
