Discovering 7 Wonderful Places to Visit in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka

Ratnapura is a famous city in Sri Lanka. It is the capital of both Ratnapura District and Sabaragamuwa Province. The city is a hub for Sri Lanka's diamond industry and a popular tourist destination.

Known as the "City of Gems," Ratnapura is famous for its precious stone mining, including many types of sapphires and rubies. The city also grows rice, fruit, and low-country tea. This tea is a specialty grown in the plantations around the city. Ratnapura is also known for its jaggery palm tree sweets.

Here are the top most beautiful places to visit in Ratnapura on your next trip.

Explore the City of Gems in Ratnapura for travelers

Overview of “City of Gems” Ratnapura for international visitors

The city may be reached by the famed A4 highway, which connects Colombo to Kalmunai on the east side. The town is also linked to Panadura via the A8 Highway, which runs along Sri Lanka's west coast. Ratnapura is a historic destination that captivates visitors with its natural beauty and impressive collection of beautiful jewels.

1. The distance from Colombo to Ratnapura

Ratnapura is approximately 100 kilometers southeast of Colombo and is well-known as Sri Lanka's diamond trading center. The distance between Colombo and Ratnapura is 105 kilometers. The road distance is 90.4 km. The fastest method to go from Colombo to Ratnapura is via cab, which takes 1 hour and 28 minutes.

2. Why is Ratnapura famous?

Ratnapura is a great place to see gemstone 

Ratnapura, in Sri Lanka's Sabaragamuwa province, is known as the "City of Gems." Its reputation is largely due to its status as a key hub for gemstone mining and commerce. "Ratnapura" translates to "City of Gems" in Sinhalese, emphasizing its historical importance in the gemstone industry.

Ratnapura stands as Sri Lanka's primary origin of valuable gemstones, encompassing rubies, sapphires, and cat's eyes. These treasures are discovered in the surrounding valleys and expertly cut by Muslim gem artisans. The town proudly showcases exemplary specimens in its gem museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich gemstone heritage of the region.

3. What is the Ratnapura weather like?

Ratnapura has a tropical rainforest environment, with high humidity and ample rainfall throughout the year. The city experiences pleasant temperatures throughout the year, with little fluctuation between seasons.

Ratnapura receives most of its rain from the southwest monsoon season, which lasts from May to September. Heavy rain and thunderstorms are common at this time, adding to the lush foliage of the surrounding area. Rainfall is most abundant in June and July, with the danger of flooding in low-lying places.

So, the best time to visit Ratnapura is between January and March, when the average rainfall is at its lowest and you may tour the city's gem mines and waterfalls without worrying about the weather. Visit Ratnapura in September to experience the parade and the city's streets coming alive.

Ratnapura experiences slightly drier weather during the northeast monsoon season, which lasts from December to February. While rainfall is less common in this season, the city still gets sporadic showers and gloomy skies.

Ratnapura's weather is often warm and humid throughout the year, with typical temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius (77 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit). Travelers should be prepared for rain, especially during the monsoon season, and dress accordingly when visiting the city and its surrounding attractions.

Explore Top 7 the Best Places to Visit in Ratnapura for Travelers

Ratnapura is home to several attractive places, temples, and gemstone mines. There is a lot to do here. To make your vacation worthwhile, we've produced a list of the most Ratnapura travel places. Take a look at our list of visiting places in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka.

1. Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Sightseeing Sinharaja Forest Reserve is one of the best things to do in Ratnapura

The Sinharaja Forest Reserve, nestled in the Ratnapura region, stands as a crucial biodiversity hub. Recognized as a National Park and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it serves as a cornerstone of eco-tourism in Sri Lanka. This reserve boasts one of the last remaining virgin forests globally, making it an exceptionally rare treasure. With its rich diversity of flora and fauna, it emerges as an invaluable ecological sanctuary. Visitors can marvel at its abundance, from over 130 bird and mammal species, including the purple-faced langur monkey and giant squirrel, to its diverse reptile and insect populations. For the ultimate jungle immersion, exploring the reserve on foot promises an unparalleled experience.

2. Adam’s Peak

Adam’s Peak is a great place for trekking 

The peak rises to an elevation of 2243 meters above Ratnapura city, holding sacred significance for four religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Catholicism, and Islam. Known as Sri Pada, or the sacred footprint, it is revered by Buddhists as the imprint of the Buddha's foot. Hindus attribute it to Lord Shiva, while Muslims believe it marks the place where Adam first touched the earth after descending from heaven. For Catholics, it is associated with St. Thomas, who is said to have preached in parts of South India. Ratnapura serves as the starting point for the adventurous trek to Adams Peak, traversing Gilimale and Carney estate. This trekking route offers an exhilarating experience, making it a highlight for visitors and the best thing to do in Ratnapura.

3. Gem Mines

Explore the sapphire gemstones is a great thing to do in Ratnapura

Sri Lanka, particularly Ratnapura, is well-known for its sapphire and ruby deposits. All of Sri Lanka's historic mining regions are concentrated around the Ratnapura district. Sapphires mined in Sri Lanka come in a wide spectrum of colors, including cornflower blue, purple, green, orange, and yellow. Gueda-sapphire mined in Sri Lanka may be burned to produce the deep blue hue associated with sapphire gemstones. If you're visiting Ratnapura, the gem trading town, you should check out the local gemstones.

4. Udawalawe National Park

See the wildlife at Udawalawe National Park is a great experience for travelers

Udawalawe National Park, with its towering highlands, is one of the world's greatest habitats for wild elephants. This is the ideal area in Sri Lanka to see wild elephants since it is covered with grasslands and bushwood. This is another prominent eco-tourism site in Sri Lanka. When you visit the park, don't be surprised to see a herd of elephants playing, bathing, or feeding their young. Apart from elephants, you could see water buffaloes, monkeys, sambar deer, water monitor lizards, and leopards. It is also home to several exotic birds. There is a safari that takes you on an all-around tour of this stunning, protected wildlife area.

Plains dominate the geography, with occasional hilly places. The park's northern borders include the Kalthota Range and Diyawini Falls, as well as the outcrops of Bambaragala and Reminikotha. The park receives an annual rainfall of 1,500 millimeters (59 inches), the majority of which occurs between October and January and March and May. The average yearly temperature is around 27-28 °C (81-82 °F), with relative humidity ranging from 70% to 82%.

5. Bambarakanda Waterfalls

Bambarakanda Waterfalls is one of the best places to visit in Ratnapura

Bambarakanda Waterfall is a must-see attraction if you're visiting the Ratnapura area. It is Sri Lanka's highest waterfall, reaching an astounding 790 feet. To access the Bambarakanda waterfall, take a short climb into the slopes. The waterfall is bordered by pine trees, and the top of the cliff is enveloped by mist at all times, producing a spectacular vista. The greatest thing is that as you reach the foot of the waterfall, you may take a refreshing shower under Sri Lanka's highest waterfall.

6. Boptah Ella Falls

When visiting the Ratnapura district, this waterfall is a must-see. This huge Sri Lankan waterfall is formed like a Bo tree, thus the name Boptah. The falls originate in Kuru Ganga and drop down a tiered slope. The flowing water is a wonderful sight. The woodland surrounding the waterfall is rich in wildlife. Not only that, but the area is rich in legend. The locals say the location is haunted and that a treasure trove is concealed within the waterfall.

7. Kiribathgala

Among other things to do in Ratnapura, visiting significant offers several notable areas of interest for nature enthusiasts. It is a natural preserve with a diverse range of vegetation, wildlife, wild animals, and birds. It is a magnificent place located at 205 meters above Sabaragamuwa. The government has taken all necessary precautions to protect the area's natural beauty, making it an ideal destination for tourists. If you are planning a road trip or a relaxing picnic with your family or friends, the lush green hilltop area of Kiribathgala is a great location to do it.

If you want to relax throughout your tour and appreciate the flora and natural beauty of the road, you may easily book a cab from Pelmadulla to Kiribathgala. Enhance your vacation to Kiribathgala by visiting the adjacent Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, where you can spend quality time with local wildlife and explore the many benefits that nature has to offer.

Conclusion

Ratnapura is not only rich in historical buildings, but it also features a plethora of cultural attractions and beautiful waterfalls. Aside from some enjoyable sites to visit, Ratnapura offers a plethora of engaging activities. So, if you are planning a vacation with your friends or family, don't forget to apply for the Sri Lanka e-visa at Srilanka Immigration Service to have a perfect trip to visit the magnificent places of Ratnapura city in the nation, as they will make your entire trip wholesome and enjoyable. Book your vacation to Sri Lanka and enjoy the best places to visit in Ratnapura with your loved ones!