Bomburu Ella Waterfall is one of our favorite waterfalls in Sri Lanka, and that’s saying a lot because we visited 20+ during two months in the country!
While it is only 50m high, it is the widest waterfall in the country and is truly MASSIVE when you see it in person. Bomburu Ella is also just 30 minutes outside Nuwara Eliya, so it’s really easy to get here from most places in the Sri Lankan hill country.
But there are a few things you should know beforehand.
So, we’ve put together this guide to be your one-stop shop for visiting Bomburu Ella. It includes what to expect, how to get there, the best time to visit, and more essential travel info!
Essential Travel Info
Bomburu Ella is an incredible waterfall, and we would add it to any itinerary that’s spending a few days in the hill country around Nuwara Eliya and Ella.
Here’s the most helpful information to know before you actually arrive!
Where is Bomburu Ella?
Bomburu Ella is about 30 minutes from Nuwara Eliya between two smaller towns, Hakgala and Uduhawara.
While the waterfall is most accessible from Nuwara Eliya, it’s less than 2 hours from Ella and Badulla.
Entrance fee
The entry fee for the falls is 700 Rupees ($2.50) for foreign adults and just 100 Rupees (0.30) for locals. You can also expect to pay about 100 rupees ($0.30) for parking at the start of the hike.
Opening Hours
Bomburu Ella Waterfall is open to travelers 24/7, but you’ll probably want to visit during daylight hours to see the falls! Sunrise in Sri Lanka is around 6:00 AM year-round, and the sun is usually out of sight by 6-7 PM.
When To Visit Bomburu Ella
Bomburu Ella is not accessible if there have been heavy rains over recent days, so try to visit during the dry season (January – March). This gives you the best chance for sunny, dry weather.
However, the waterfall flows the strongest during the rainy season, so as long as the river crossing is safe, you could also visit during the off-season (especially November-December) to see Bomburu Ella at the peak of its power! Just ask the locals at the entrance if it’s safe to hike, and bring a raincoat along with you!
Hiking To Bomburu Ella Waterfall
While some waterfalls in Sri Lanka are just off the road and easy to access, Bomburu Ella Waterfall requires a little more effort.
But after a short 2-mile hike, you’ll be greeted by a powerful waterfall cascading down into a large pool below. The waterfall is incredible, with lush vegetation surrounding the boulders at the foot of the falls.
The trail begins with 100-200 stairs ascending a large rock wall. Multiple signs and a huge “Bomburu Ella Waterfall” painted on the side of the rock face make it impossible to miss.
Make a left at the top of the staircase; that’s when you’ll see the ticket booth. The ticket costs 700 LKR ($2.50) for foreigners and 100 LKR ($0.30) for locals.
The trail is relatively flat for the next kilometer (0.6 miles) of the hike, which is pretty flat and easy to navigate. You’ll pass a few vendors with snacks, drinks, and other souvenirs.
The final 600 meters (0.5 miles) start to climb upwards slightly. It’s not a ton of elevation, but it’s enough to get your heart pumping. Before you know it, the waterfall will start peeking through the trees, and it’s self-explanatory from there!
Exploring Bomburu Ella
The base of the Bomburu Ella is very rocky. Below the base of the falls, there’s a small pool with calm water and large boulders in which to relax and even take a dip.
If you want to get a closer look at the base of Bomburu Ella, you can cross the river at a few different points. The boulders to the right-hand side of the waterfall lead up to a flat green space that gives you a unique perspective of the waterfall!
Best Photo Spots
The initial viewpoint is also the best place to photograph the waterfall. This is where you can really see its grandness and capture the whole waterfall in the photo.
I actually climbed up the left-hand side of the waterfall. There’s a path that requires a little rock scrambling (but with roots and vines), and if you follow this to the top, you can carefully scoot down the grassy outcropping below the waterfall.
You’ll get a little wet, but it’s a sick photo opportunity and gives perspective on how large the falls are.
Swimming
You can swim in the pools below the waterfall, but we do not recommend it. The pool at the base of the falls is rocky at the bottom, and the falls are way too powerful to be safe (even during the dry season).
There are other waterfalls in Sri Lanka that are far better for swimming. Consider visiting Aberdeen Falls or Diyaluma Falls for a better swimming experience!
Camping
Camping in the green grassy areas near the waterfall used to be one of the best things to do in Nuwara Eliya. However, the Sri Lankan government prohibited overnight camping at Bomburu Ella in 2018, and there are no plans to give permits anytime soon.
Nuwara Eliya to Bomburu Ella
The best way to visit Bomburu Ella is starting from Nuwara Eliya. This town is known as “Little England,” and in addition to this waterfall, there are quite a few other awesome places to visit around the city.
So, if you’re staying in Nuwara Eliya for a few days, here’s how to get to Bomburu Ella Waterfall
Rent a Motorbike
We stayed in Nuwara Eliya for about a week and rented a motorbike to explore the area. This was our favorite way to get around the hill country in Sri Lanka. While it can be tricky to navigate through the mountains on your own, the freedom and flexibility were worth it!
We rented our motorbike with Nuwara Eliya Rent a Bike and had a great experience. Our motorbike was a manual 160cc, and we rented it for 2200 LKR ($7) per day.
It was cheaper (1500-2000 LKR) for a smaller engine, but you really need something 150cc or more in Nuwara Eliya. Otherwise, the bike really struggles to get two people up the steep mountain roads.
Also, be careful while riding in the rain. You can purchase a poncho at a local shop and always put it on if the rain gets really heavy!
Hire a Tuk-tuk
A tuk-tuk from Nuwara Eliya to Bomburu Ella should only cost 2000-2500 LKR ($6-8).
If you visit during high season, there will likely be some tuk-tuk drivers around the waterfall entrance who can take you back to town. However, if you’d like your driver to wait for you, expect to pay about 6,000-7,000 LKR ($20-23) round-trip.
You can also rent a tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka, which is something we did for a couple of weeks in Northern Sri Lanka. It was such a fun experience. A tuk-tuk gives you the same freedom as a motorbike, but with better rain cover and a bit more room to pack your things!
We rented our tuk-tuk with tuktukrental.com
Nuwara Eliya to Bomburu Ella bus
You can take the bus from Nuwara Eliya to Bomburu Ella (via Hakgala), but we don’t recommend it, and there is very limited information on how to get there.
Supposedly, there are a few buses heading toward Hakgala from the Nuwara Eliya Bus Stand.
From there, you can take a bus that will take you to the Bomburu Ella Bus Stop.
However, we cannot find any bus schedules and cannot imagine them as reliable. So, for a few extra dollars, it’s worth it to rent a motorbike or hire a tuk-tuk from town.
Closing Thoughts
Bomburu Ella was our favorite waterfall near Nuwara Eliya and one of the most beautiful on the entire island of Sti Lanka.
But like we said before, we visited over 20, and there are a ton more worth visiting.
If you’re looking for a couple more to add to your Sri Lanka itinerary, here are some more that we loved in the Kandy/Nuwara Eliya region!
- Laxapana Falls
- Aberdeen Falls
- St. Clair’s Falls
Let us know if you have any questions (here’s our contact info), and we’d love to continue helping you plan your trip to Sri Lanka!
