Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a biodiversity hotspot in the Ratnapura region. It is a National Park, which is considered as a world heritage site by UNESCO. It is a great part of eco-tourism in Sri Lanka. Sinharaja Forest Reserve has one of the few virgin forests that are left in the world and this site is one of the rarest places comprising of virgin rainforests left till date. With the staggering number of flora and fauna blooming in this place, it can be rightly considered as an ecological treasure trove. You can spot over 130 species of birds and mammals including purple faced langur monkey and giant squirrel etc. there is also a wide array of reptile population and insect species. This place offers the best jungle experience to the visitors and to enjoy the experience to the fullest, you should explore the reserve on your foot.

Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe National Park, characterized by soaring highlands is one of the worlds best wild elephant habitat. Covered with grasslands and bush forests, this is the best place in Sri Lanka to spot wild elephants. This another major destination for eco-tourism in Sri Lanka. When you visit the park, dont be surprised to a herd of elephants playing, bathing or feeding their young ones. Apart from the elephants you might also spot water buffaloes, monkeys, sambar deers, water monitor lizards as well as leopards. It is also home to many exotic birds. There is a safari, which takes you through the all-round tour of this beautiful, protected wildlife reserve.

Boptah Ella Falls

When you are visiting the Ratnapura district, this waterfalls is a must visit. This major Sri Lankan waterfall is shaped in the form of a Bo tree and thus it derives the Boptah. The falls originates from Kuru Ganga and cascades down a stepped hill. The cascading water is a beautiful sight to see. The forest around the waterfall is rich in biodiversity. Not only this, there is also a folklore running about the place. The locals consider the place to be haunted and also believe that a treasure trove lies hidden within the waterfall.

Adams Peak

Adams peak is a 7358 feet tall conical mountain, located in Central Sri Lankan region. Though the hike to the summit is quite a long one. It nearly takes two hours of hiking to reach the top of the mountain, but the breathtaking view that greets on the mountain top, is definitely worth the hike. The view of sunrise is astonishingly beautiful from the top of the peak. If you want to catch the sunrise, start early so that you can be at the top when the sun rises. The stairs that lead to the summit are in a fairly good condition, but it becomes steeper gradually as you go through the steep zones of the mountain.

Kitulgala

If you are looking for places to visit near Ratnapura, Kitulgala is the place that you should go. This town in Sri Lanka lies in the wet zone rainforest and experiences two monsoons throughout the year, making it one of the wettest places in Sri Lanka. The place is perfect for those who enjoy adventure sports. Inside the rainforests of Kitulgala, there are many adventure sports opportunities that you can indulge in. Bird watching, white water rafting, stream slides and jungle walks, Kitulgala has all the adventures that you seek.

Bambarakanda Waterfalls

Bambarakanda Waterfall is one of the must visit places, if you are on a tour of Ratnapura district. It is the tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka, standing at an impressive height of 790 feet. To reach the Bambarakanda waterfall, you have to take small hike up the mountains. The waterfall is surrounded by pine forests and the top of the cliff is surrounded by mist of the times, creating a breathtaking view. The best part is, once you reach the base of the waterfall, you enjoy a nice shower under the tallest waterfall of Sri Lanka.

Gem Mines

Sri Lanka, especially Ratnapura is famous for sapphires and rubies. All the traditional mining areas in Sri Lanka are located around the vicinity of Ratnapura district. The sapphires obtained from the Sri Lankan gem mines, comes in many different hues from cornflower blue to purple, green, orange and yellow etc. The Gueda-Sapphire obtained from the Sri Lankan gem mines, can be heated to obtain a deep blue color, typical to sapphire gemstones. If you are visiting the gem trading town Ratnapura, then you should definitely take a look at the gem stones in the region.

If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Ratnapura, the hottest months are May, March, and then June. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally mid May where highs are regularly around 93.6°F (34.2°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 75.4°F (24.1°C) at night. If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Ratnapura are January, February, and then March. Wind in Ratnapura is usually extremely calm. The windiest month is July, followed by June and August. The busiest month for tourism in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka is December, followed by October and August. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Ratnapura in June. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.

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