A 30m waterfall near Ratnapura known for its heart shape when viewed from above — easily accessible by road and a popular swimming spot for local families.
Duration
2 hours
Entry Fee
$1 USD
Difficulty
easy
Budget
budget
Bopath Ella (Bo-Leaf Falls) is one of Sri Lanka's most distinctive waterfalls, dropping 30m through a cleft in the rock that produces a recognisable heart-shaped spread of water when viewed from the air or from the viewing platform above. The name comes from the resemblance of the water's spread to a sacred Bo leaf (Ficus religiosa). Located just 8km from Ratnapura on the Kuruvita road, the falls are one of the most accessible in Sri Lanka, with a short 10-minute walk from the car park to the base pool. The large natural pool at the base is a favourite swimming spot for local families, and the surrounding forest adds to the atmosphere. The falls are at their most impressive from May to September after the south-west monsoon when water volume is highest.
Visit in the morning before the day-tripper crowds arrive from Colombo on weekends.
The upper viewing platform gives the best view of the heart shape — ask the ticket collector for directions.
Bring a change of clothes if you plan to swim in the base pool.
Best time of day: May to September (highest water volume)
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ALSO IN THE AREA
Ratnapura Gem Museum and Mines
Sri Lanka is the world's third largest gem producer, and Ratnapura is its gem capital — visit working sapphire mines, watch gem cutting, and see one of Asia's finest gem collections.
Explore →Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Sri Lanka's last viable primary rainforest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to 19 of the island's 26 endemic bird species and endemic mammals found nowhere else.
Explore →PLAN YOUR VISIT
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