Why Is Puttalam Sri Lanka Famous? What Are The Things To Do In Puttalam?

BY  Sibashree Aug 27, 2026

My shoes were soaked when I reached the viewing platform at Dunhinda Falls.   The trail was dry, but the fine spray drifting off the waterfall made my clothes and shoes wet.   So, no wonder the waterfall got its name from this mist.   Also, enjoying a view of this waterfall will be more delightful with the construction of the viewing center at Dunhinda Falls getting started.   This platform will be a replacement for the 50-year-old existing viewing platform, which has been in a deteriorated condition for a long time.   So, as Dunhinda Falls gets decked out with a new platform, I want to share my story and practical details about a visit to it.   What Is The Meaning Of Dunhinda?   The name Dunhinda comes from Sinhala words for mist or smoke. So, the name is a direct reference to the spray that surrounds the base of the falls.  Dunhinda also has another name, “Bridal Falls.” This name comes from the shape of the cascading water, which looks similar to a bridal veil.   The local traditions suggest that the indigenous Veddha people once inhabited the area.   There is also a story about a giant fern becoming lodged at the top of the falls during the reign of King Rajasinghe, damming the water and flooding Badulla town.  Then, a local hero cleared it to protect the town.   Where Is Dunhinda Falls? Dunhinda Falls is at a distance of around 5 Km from Badulla town in the lower central hills of Sri Lanka's Uva Province.  Badulu Oya, running through Badulla itself, has formed this beautiful waterfall. The height of the waterfall is around 64 meters.   Despite not being among the tallest waterfalls in the country, it is one of the most beautiful in the country.   It stands out with its sheer volume and the dramatic mist that it throws up as it crashes into the pool below.   Overall, this waterfall, at a distance of around 243 km from Colombo and 110 km from Kandy. So, it is a natural stop if heading toward or through Badulla on a hill-country route.   How To Reach Dunhinda Falls  From Badulla Town, you can take a tuk-tuk, taxi, or self-driven car to Dunhinda Falls. I took a tuk-tuk, and it took around 15 minutes to complete the journey.   The tuk-tuk cost me around LKR 400, and the route followed the Bandarawela–Badulla road before turning onto the Mahiyangana road toward "Dunhinda Junction," roughly 5 km from Badulla.   If you are coming from Ella, expect the drive to take under an hour. Also, from Colombo, the Southern Expressway offers the fastest approach before joining the hill-country roads.   Public transport such as buses and tuk-tuks run from Badulla town. However, you will have to wait for a while.   There is a parking area near the trail entrance for those driving themselves.  The Trek To The Falls  The beautiful trek route to the Dunhinda Falls makes it a delightful experience and something beyond a quick photo stop.   From the entrance gate, a forest path of roughly 1 to 1.5 km led to the falls, passing through genuinely lush terrain with birds and butterflies.  Also, I met a few curious monkeys along the way.   The trail was safe, though sections can turn muddy after rain.  So proper footwear matters more here than at some of Sri Lanka's roadside waterfalls.   Along the way, look out for Kuda Dunhinda, or "Small Dunhinda." It is a secondary waterfall visible from a viewpoint on the same path.  What I Found At The Falls? I found an observation platform above the natural pool at the base of the Dunhinda Waterfalls.   Located at the end of the trail, the platform offered a full view of the water dropping through a narrow gap in the rock face before crashing down.  I did not attempt to swim in the pool. The pool has submerged rocks and strong currents in the water.   Also, if you want to have some refreshments, you will find small stalls of snacks, herbal drinks, and simple souvenirs.   Best Photo Spots  The observation platform gives the classic, full-height view of the falls. It is by far the easiest spot to shoot from without getting drenched.   For a slightly different angle, the viewpoint overlooking Kuda Dunhinda partway along the trail offers a quieter composition. Here, you have less spray to contend with.  Overcast mornings tend to produce the most even light for photographing the mist itself.  Harsh sun can blow out the brightest parts of the spray and lose the detail that makes this waterfall distinctive in the first place.  Nearby Attractions Badulla town itself is worth a short visit for its colonial-era architecture and the Muthiyangana Temple, one of the island's older Buddhist sites.   Also, Ella is under an hour away and opens up the wider hill-country circuit, including the Nine Arch Bridge, Ravana Falls, and Little Adam's Peak.   For wildlife-focused travelers, Udawalawe National Park is a feasible day trip from Badulla.  Where To Stay Near Dunhinda Falls  Badulla town has a reasonable spread of guesthouses and small hotels.  The options are enough to make it a comfortable overnight base without needing to push on to Ella the same day.   Staying in Badulla also means an early start on the trail before the mid-morning heat and any afternoon rain sets in. It makes for a more pleasant walk through the forest.   Do you want to stay somewhere with more restaurants and traveler infrastructure? Ella is close enough to use as a base instead.  It is ideal for a half-day excursion rather than an overnight stop.  Safety And Practical Notes  The trail, while generally safe and heavily used, does involve some uneven and occasionally muddy footing.  So trainers or light hiking shoes are a better choice than sandals.   Resist the urge to swim in the main pool at the base.  The currents are stronger than they look. There have been drownings here in the past.  That is why the observation platform is the recommended vantage point.   Bring small notes for the entrance fee and any snacks along the trail.  Entrance Fee And Facilities There is an entry fee of LKR 200 payable at the gate before the trail begins. Also, there are basic toilet facilities and a parking area for those arriving by vehicle.   The fee structure is modest. It goes toward maintaining the path and the observation platform at the base.   There is no formal visitor center.  Best Time To Visit The Dunhinda Falls   The waterfall changes its character with the seasons.   June and July are the safest months, when trail conditions are dry.   However, in the wetter months, particularly from around November to March, the falls are at their most dramatic and full.  The trek itself gets muddier.   If your priority is photography and volume, aim for right after the rain. However, if it is a comfortable walk, the mid-year months are the best.  Also, early mornings from 7 AM to 8:30 AM and late afternoons from 4 PM to 5:30 PM are the best.

BY  Sibashree Aug 22, 2026

I met Ravana Falls on the way from Ella to Wellaway.  I pulled up on a tuk-tuk and found a wide and tiered curtain of water falling down on an oval rock face.  Ravana Falls is not the tallest or most powerful waterfall you will see in Sri Lanka. However, the mythological significance and its easy accessibility from Ella make it a must-visit.  Some Quick Facts About Ravana Falls, Ella FactsDetailsOfficial NameRavana Falls (Ravana Ella)LocationElla, Badulla District, Central Highlands, Sri LankaHeight25 MetersWaterfall TypeA Three-Tier CascadeWater SourceKirindi Oya (River System)Mythological LinkThe RamayanaAccessibilityRoadside Viewpoint with No Trekking RequiredBest Time to VisitOctober to January for Maximum Water VolumeEntry FeeFree Where Is Ravana Falls Located?  The Ravana Falls shows its prowess along the Ella–Wellawaya road (the A23). It is around 6 to 8 km south of the beautiful Ella Town.  Also, it is close to the 12th–13th mile markers in the Badulla District. At an elevation of around 1050 meters, this waterfall drops around 25 meters, and it is one of the widest in Sri Lanka.  Furthermore, this waterfall within the compact Ella Wildlife Sanctuary is at the epicenter of an ecosystem with birds and small mammals. Overall, it is amidst a landscape typical of the mid-elevation forests of Sri Lanka.  How To Reach Ravana Falls A tuk-tuk ride from central Ella to Ravana Falls takes around 10-15 minutes. You can also take a taxi ride.  As you proceed toward Wellawaya along A23, you will see this waterfall from the roadside.  Public buses also run along this route, and drivers are used to being asked for a drop-off here. Moreover, you can reach the Ravana Falls from Bandarawela. You can reach the waterfall by traveling around 10 km toward Wellawaya from Kubalwela Junction on the Badulla–Bandarawela road. Ravana Falls And The Legend Of King Ravana  The most intriguing thing about the legend of Ravana Falls is that every guide will give you a different version.  However, the most popular is that King Ravana, the demon king from the Ramayana, hid Goddess Sita in a cave behind this waterfall. She was kept here after Ravana abducted her and brought her back to Lanka.  The waterfall is also close to the Ravana Ella Cave, which is perched on a cliff face about 11 km from Bandarawela. The archaeological evidence in the area has proven the presence of older human habitation. So, myth aside, it has been an important location for human habitation for a long time.  What To Do At Ravana Falls? The best vantage point for this waterfall is the road and the small bridge nearby. If you want to go closer to the base, you will have to walk down a little.  As you reach the base, you can climb over some of the rocks.  Here, you have to be very careful as these rocks are very slippery irrespective of the season.  Furthermore, for a proper look at the multi-tier cascade, I waded in the lower pools.  However, I could not climb higher up the falls toward the upper cascades as that route is now restricted due to past accidents.  So, I had to stick to the lower areas.  Moreover, I spotted many troops of wild monkeys near the waterfall. So, be careful about what you carry and be respectful to them.  Other Nearby Places You Can Visit With Ravana Falls  After exploring Ravana Falls, you can come back to Ella and find some of the photographed attractions in Sri Lanka. Visit the Nine Arch Bridge, Ella Rock, and Little Adam's Peak. Once again, due to the proximity to Ella, Ravana Falls fits naturally into a half-day loop rather than requiring a dedicated trip. Moreover, just two hours away, the Horton Plains National Park awaits with a completely different high-altitude landscape.  Practical Travel Tips For Visiting Ravana Falls Ravana Falls is one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka for budget travelers as it offers free entry.  You must wear shoes with good grip if you have plans of climbing over the rocks near the base. Once again, avoid the temptation to go beyond the marked and accessible sections.  A Quick Note On Safety Follow the restrictions seriously, and there is no need to push barriers for a better photo, risking your safety.  Like the other waterfalls in Sri Lanka, Ravana Falls should also be visited with prior local advice.  Only a local guide will be able to help you find out the safer pool.  Where To Stay Near Ravana Falls? Ella town is the obvious base, and it is small enough that nowhere is more than a short tuk-tuk ride from the falls.  Guesthouses and small boutique hotels line the roads toward Passara and Wellawaya. Many of these guesthouses offer valley or mountain views. Also, the range of options runs from simple backpacker stays to higher-end villas overlooking the tea country.  Photography Tips The falls face a direction that catches strong midday light.  That light tends to wash out the detail in the water and flatten the surrounding greenery. So early morning or late afternoon visits give noticeably better results.  A polarizing filter helps cut glare off the wet rock if you are shooting with a proper camera. A slower shutter speed, even just a fraction of a second, brings out the silky texture the falls are known for during wetter months.  The waterfall is visible and photographable straight from the road. So, it is also one of the easier hill-country shots to get without carrying gear down a long trail. Best Time To Visit Ravana Falls Ravana Falls changes character dramatically with the seasons.  During the wetter months, the water is said to resemble an areca flower with drooping petals as it spreads across the rock face. It is genuinely one of the more striking waterfall shapes I have seen in Sri Lanka.  In the dry season, the flow drops off considerably, and the falls can look thin by comparison.  December to April tends to bring more reliable water levels alongside decent weather for the rest of an Ella itinerary. So it is a reasonable window if you want to see the falls at something close to their best.

BY  Sibashree Mar 31, 2026

The thing is, everyone said "Do 'The Loop'" when I told them about Hakone.  You know the train, cable car, ropeway, and pirate ship circuit.  However, after a few days wandering those forested, winding trails through the volcanic hills, I saw what the crowd missed.  The real magic isn't in the itinerary.  It's in the quiet moments like washing cash in a waterfall, or soaking feet by a Shiba Inu.  It is hard to ignore how deeply those small things connect to the place.  If you've got more than a day or just want to break free from tourist traffic, step off the path. That's where Hakone lives. And here are the things to do in Hakone. What Are The Things To Do In Hakone?  Hakone is the place that defines TheLowDownUnder Travel philosophy. Rush the day, and you miss the magic.  So, without going for ticking a bucket list, here are the things to do in Hakone that offer an immersive experience. 1. Visiting The Open Air Art Museum: A Playground For The Soul This was the one event I'd been hoping for, and it didn't fall short.  Picture 70,000 square meters of green space packed with over 100 huge sculptures. Some of them are traditional Henry Moore bronzes, and others are wild, experimental setups like a giant head with "living hair" grown from plants.  I found a figure lying on its back in the grass at one point.  After weeks in Tokyo's busy streets, that moment felt like a personal hit.  The museum includes a Picasso Pavilion holding 300 pieces.  I don't really dig Picasso much and only skimmed it, but if you're into cubism, you'll be thrilled.  It is open every day of the year, and there is no schedule to worry about.  Try it if you want to walk around without carrying anything heavy. 2. Playing Football With A Furry Friend Soaking feet in mineral water, quiet, simple, real.  The Hakonenomori Footbath isn't on the map like most spots.  It's tucked into a private garden behind a house, hidden from sight.  Google Maps calls it a footbath, but that's not what it really is.  You pay a small amount and get to dip your feet in spring water with a clean towel provided.  Dogs are welcome with no rules, no fuss.  I showed up just as Monaka, a shiba Inu, hesitated over the edge.  Her owners nudged her gently with their hands and voices.  She stayed still, paws raised, like she didn't know where to go.  That moment stopped me in my tracks. If you don't like being naked at an onsen, this feels safe and low-key. 3. The Art of "Ma": Finding The Perfect Onsen But Ma, the pause, is central in Japan. Hakone is where you feel it most.  The Loop can be done in a day from Tokyo, but you miss the real soak.  I stayed at Mount View Hakone. It was cheap but had great facilities.  Public baths were indoors and out.  The highlight was booking a private onsen for solo use.  Tattoos still draw caution in Japan. If you've got ink, go private.  Tenzan Onsen in Hakone-Yumoto is known for being tattoo-friendly, though rules are tight, usually just one inked person per group. 4. Washing Away Your Financial Woes Who doesn't crave wealth on a break?  I stepped off the train at Tonosawa Station and spotted the Fukazawa Zeniaria Benzaiten Shrine right there on the platform.  It's small, tiny even, so glance, and you'll miss it.  The thing is, locals follow a real tradition. They bring a ladle, drop yen in, then rinse it in the mini waterfall.  The legend goes that whatever money you wash and spend later comes back to you, bigger.  I haven't seen my account blow up yet. Still, the ritual feels oddly peaceful. Hard to ignore how quiet everything is. 5. My Absolute Favorite: The Hundreds Of Faces At Choan-ji I really don't know what the rest of the world is doing. This place should be in every guide, as Choan-ji Shrine is just amazing.  The area comprises hundreds of small stone statues of monks, and each one of them has a unique facial expression, laughing, angry, or even a surprised one.  Wandering through the moss-covered statues, I got lost in the silence for a whole hour.  By 5 PM, there were only two more visitors around. It was like a really peaceful place.  Pro Tip: Use insect repellent! The mosquitoes here are as loyal to the shrine as the monks are. 6.  Enjoy The Magic Of The Local Bus This may sound strange, but amongst my top three experiences, one was just traveling by bus.  Though the Hakone Tozan train is famous, it is usually crowded beyond capacity.  I chose to take a bus from Hakone-Yumoto to the ropeway.  For half an hour, the bus ride gave me dozens of gorgeous, twisting mountain scenes which I wouldn't have been able to see from the train.  It was in this bus trip that something glittering blinked at me through the windows. A group of trees glistened like they were covered in thousands of small diamonds.  Then, I signaled to the driver and got out at the stop door without hesitation. Also, to my great surprise, I was standing in front of the Venetian Glass Museum. 7.  Visit The Glass Trees And Blue Beer The Venetian Glass Museum (or Hakone Glass-no-Mori) looks like something Disney would have created if they relocated to Italy.  There are bushes with glass flowers and "Crystal Trees" that sparkle brightly in the sunlight.  It is enchanting, glamorous, and exceedingly informative at the same time.  In case you have extra time, I also suggest the Pola Museum of Art. If you do make it to the Pola Museum, don't just stay inside looking at the Impressionist canvases.   Step out the back door onto their Nature Trail.  It is a quiet wooden boardwalk woven through a dense, silent beech forest, dotted with subtle sculptures hidden among the moss and leaves.   It beautifully mirrors the Open-Air Museum but without the crowds. It's just you, the birds, and art melting into the wild.  You must also visit the Narukawa Art Museum. Moreover, the cafe here features a wonderful "Mount Fuji" view, and their famous blue beer comes in a Fuji-shaped glass. 8. Live The Dreams Of Anime Fans And The Wine-Bathers If you're into Evangelion, Hakone is your Mecca (after all, it's the location for Tokyo-3).  At the station, you can spot the themed vending machines as well as the EVA-Ya store.  Also, if you are with your friends, don't do what I did and miss out on Yunessun.  It's an Onsen theme park where you can wear a swimsuit and even take a bath in red wine or coffee.  This time, I was alone and felt a little shy about wine-bathing solo, but next time it is definitely at the top of my list. 9. The 400-Year-Old Time Capsule: Amazake Chaya  While everyone else is hunting down modern, neon-lit cafes, do yourself a huge favor and head to the old Tokaido highway.   There sits a thatch-roofed tea house that has been run by the exact same family for 13 generations.  They serve warm, naturally sweet, non-alcoholic fermented rice wine (amazake) and pounded mochi toasted over glowing charcoal.   The air smells heavily of woodsmoke, centuries of history, and absolute stillness. It is the absolute definition of hitting the brakes on a hectic itinerary.  Getting To Hakone From Tokyo And What These Experiences Cost  Having discussed the top attractions in Hakone, it is now important to find out how you can reach Hakone from Tokyo.   Reaching Hakone  The Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku Station is the most direct option, reaching Hakone-Yumoto in about 85 minutes.   The Hakone Freepass, sold by Odakyu, covers the round trip plus unlimited use of the local train, cable car, ropeway, and pirate ship that make up "The Loo.”  It is worth buying even if, as this guide suggests, you spend more time off the Loop than on it.  What These Stops Actually Cost  Experience  Approximate Cost  Hakone Open-Air Art Museum entry   1,600 JPY (adult)  Hakone-nomori Footbath   Small fee, typically under 500 JPY  Private onsen at a ryokan (per session)   2,000-4,000 JPY  Hakone Glass-no-Mori (Venetian Glass Museum)  1,800 JPY (Adult)   Yunessun Onsen theme park (wine/coffee baths)   2,500-3,500 JPY  Hakone Freepass (2-day, from Shinjuku)  Around 6,100 JPY   None of these need to be booked ahead outside of peak autumn-foliage weekends, which makes Hakone an easy place to wander into rather than plan around, exactly the spirit this guide is going for. 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