We almost skipped Diyaluma Falls—and honestly, that would’ve been a huge mistake. We hadn’t planned ahead, hadn’t looked up much about it, and the morning we’d penciled in started with heavy rain. Not exactly the kind of start that screams “waterfall day.”
Then our guesthouse owner shared some insider news: a friend at the falls said it was hot and sunny there. Ten minutes later, our driver was on the way—and we were off.
And wow—this quickly became one of our favorite spots in Sri Lanka. The first natural pool stopped us in our tracks, and by the time we swam in the infinity pool at the edge of a 220-meter cliff, we were completely hooked.
You could easily spend a whole day here, swimming between pools and soaking up the views—it’s like nature’s own playground.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know—from how to get there and what the hike is really like, to entrance fees, the best things to do nearby, and a few extra tips to make the most of your visit.
Key Highlights
📍Location: 40km from Ella
⭐️ Best time to visit: dry season, start in the morning
💰 Entrance fee: free
🕥 Opening hours: no official hours
🚗 How to get there: hire a car or tuktuk
🥾Accessibility: two hiking trails available
At a Glance
Diyaluma Falls is Sri Lanka’s second-tallest waterfall—but it’s not just a “stop, snap, and leave” kind of place. Think lush green hills, rock pools stacked like nature’s infinity baths, and a cliff edge that makes your stomach do little flips.
Getting here isn’t exactly straightforward (I’ll explain the different routes later), which means you won’t be fighting massive tour-bus crowds. You might bump into a few other travellers, but it still feels wild and untouched compared to other Sri Lankan hot spots.
Why make the trip? Multiple natural swimming pools (yes, you can actually swim here), a 220-meter cliffside infinity pool you’ll never forget, and views that make you want to stay all afternoon.
Why I think it’s worth it
If you’ve only got a few days in Ella and you’re wondering, “Is this worth carving out a whole day for?”—my answer is a big yes.
Sure, there are plenty of incredible things to do in Ella, but Diyaluma Falls has something the others don’t.
It’s not the easiest spot to reach, and that’s part of the charm. There’s a sense of adventure in just getting here, and when you do, it feels like you’ve earned the experience.
For me, that’s what sets it apart from other nearby attractions: it’s not just a quick stop, it’s a whole little journey.
Where is Diyaluma Falls?
Diyaluma Falls are located 40km from Ella, Sri Lanka, in the Badulla District. The nearest town is Koslanda, approximately 6km away.
Ella can be reached easily from Colombo, Kandy, or Nuwara Eliya via a scenic train ride.
You can also save the location of Diyaluma Falls to your Google Maps app.
How to get there
Most people visit the waterfalls from the nearby town of Ella. No public transport is available to take you here. You can either get a car with a private driver, hire a tuk-tuk driver, join a tour, or rent a car for your Sri Lanka trip.
Hire a private car with a driver
If you’re traveling with friends or family, this is the most comfortable way to go. Cars are usually spacious and air-conditioned, making the 1.5–2-hour drive much easier—especially in the midday heat.
Expect to pay around 5,000–7,000 LKR (~ €15–22) for the round trip. Most drivers in Ella already know exactly where to take you, so there’s no need to explain the route.
Hire a Tuk-Tuk
We decided to take a tuk-tuk—and it ended up being one of the highlights of the day.
Sure, it’s not as smooth or quiet as a car, but there’s something about rumbling along with the wind in your face, passing green hills and tea plantations, that makes the journey part of the experience.
Our driver knew the route like the back of his hand and even stopped at a small roadside shop so we could grab some snacks.
The ride from Ella to the base of the falls took just under two hours, and we paid 4,000 LKR (~ €12) for the round trip, which felt fair. Finding a driver is easy—just ask at your accommodation or in town.
Guided tour
If you want to visit Diyaluma Falls without worrying about transport, directions, or where to swim safely, this guided tour from Ella is a great choice.
It includes hotel pick-up, a local guide who knows all the best spots, 24-hour free cancellation, time to swim in the natural pools, and even lunch. It’s a full-day trip that lets you just relax and enjoy.
If you’re short on time or want everything planned, this is the easiest way.
Parking & Entrance fees
Entrance Fee: free
Parking fee: 100LKR
One of the nice surprises about Diyaluma Falls is that there’s no official entrance fee—you can visit for free whether you start at the top and hike down or begin near the bridge and hike up.
The only thing we paid for was parking, which cost 100 LKR (about €0.30). Not bad for a full day at one of the most spectacular spots on our Sri Lanka itinerary.
Diyaluma Falls hike
You’ve got two main ways to hike to Diyaluma Falls:
- Short hike down from Poonagala (top to bottom)
- Longer hike up from the bottom (bridge to top)
Both have their charm, but the experience is very different—here’s what to expect.
Do I need a guide?
If you start from the bottom, you’ll almost certainly be approached by local guides. Some will warn you about dangerous tigers or elephants to convince you it’s unsafe to go alone.
The tiger part is a myth, but there are a couple of wild elephants in the area. They’re usually only active early morning, late evening, and at night, so the chances of meeting one in the middle of the day are small.
TIP: Want to see elephants in their natural habitat? Head to Udawalawe National Park!
We decided to hire a guide anyway—partly for safety, partly because we weren’t sure about the route. For about 3,000 LKR (~ €9), it felt like money well spent.
Our guide spoke great English, told us about local life, showed us safe spots to jump into the pools, and even picked fruit for us along the way (though one was so sour we had to spit it out—he found our faces hilarious).
Plus, hiring a guide supports the local economy, which matters a lot after the tough years Sri Lanka has been through.
If you start from the top, there are usually no guides, and the path is easy to follow.
Hike down from Poonagala
Starting from the top is the quickest way to reach the upper pools—it’s only about 20 minutes and not physically demanding. This route is popular with those short on time or not up for a steep climb.
You’ll avoid most of the elephant territory and skip the steep inclines, but you also miss the valley views and local encounters you get from hiking up.
Just note: some drivers might claim the road to the top is “damaged” so you have to start from the bottom—often just a tactic to secure a guiding fee. If you really want the top route, insist on it.
Hike up from the bottom
Guides usually charge around 2,000 LKR to 3,500 LKR. The amount of people doesn’t change the price.
We started at the bottom, near the small bridge with waterfall views.
Within minutes, local guides waved us into the parking area, and we agreed to hire one after a quick chat. We hiked past rubber plantations, simple processing huts, and small villages with massive jackfruit trees.
We met farmers, heard stories about elephants damaging crops, and even saw some of the evidence for ourselves. It’s a gradual incline at first, then gets steeper as you climb—nothing extreme, but you’ll feel it in the heat.
As we got closer, we could hear the roar of water. That first glimpse of the upper pool made the sweat worth it. Along the way, we did have to check for leeches—there are quite a few—so keep an eye out when you stop to rest.
We’ve done the Little Adam’s Peak hike before, but this one was more difficult.
What to Expect at Diyaluma Falls
We hiked to Diyaluma Falls from the bottom and decided to start with the Upper Falls. However you get here, you can choose to start from the top and hike down, or the other way around.
Tip: We recommend starting at the top, where the pools are beautiful but not the most dramatic. That way, each stop gets more impressive, and you finish with the jaw-dropping infinity pool at the cliff’s edge.
The first lagoon & waterslide
The first natural pool we reached was a perfect warm-up. The water was crystal-clear, we could see our feet the whole time, and deep enough for a proper swim.
There are actually two levels here, just about 1.5 m apart, so we climbed up to the higher one for a different angle on the view. On the right side, there was a short natural waterslide, which we used to get back down.
The first infinity pool
Only a few minutes further, we found ourselves at the top of a multi-level waterfall, with several natural infinity pools spilling over the rocks.
We stopped at the highest section first—a smaller pool where we could sit right at the edge. If you zoom in on the photo below, you can see me sitting there. It was not possible to get to all the levels.
Cliff Jump
From the top, it’s also possible to jump to the lower pool. The water below is deep enough in a few parts for a safe landing. I think it’s approximately a 5-meter jump.
Our guide told Juraj exactly where it’s gonna be safe and helped him navigate the area. If you’re on your own, check the depth first or ask locals for advice. Water levels can change with the seasons, and rocks can be hidden just under the surface.
After the first jump, Juraj also decided to jump to the other pool, which was right underneath. In the photo above, it’s the third level from the top.
Getting back up was a little bit difficult due to the steep terrain, but manageable.
The cascading waterfall from below
Moving on to the next waterfall. We walked down to the bottom of the cascades. You can see the spot in the drone photo above – it’s at the very bottom. A cascading waterfall ends in another natural pool.
But during dry months, there’s not enough water to swim in it. The waterfall is also not that impressive, but it’s still nice. You can certainly take a dip here if you wish. We decided to only take a few photos and move on to the best part of this whole trip.
The last infinity pool
This is the part you’ll remember forever—three smaller pools perched at the very top of a 220 m cliff. The views over the surrounding valley are incredible, and you can hop between the pools to find your favourite.
This was also the busiest section of the whole place, with many locals enjoying swimming here, too.
The most interesting pool is the last one, which is at the very edge of the cliff. From there, the water keeps falling for 220 meters. What I found most fascinating was the fact that you can sit at the edge “safely”.
To be honest, I was a bit too scared to get close to the edge. You feel the water stream pulling you forward slightly, and it’s not for everyone. If you’re really scared of heights you’ll probably not want to get in that last pool.
In addition, it’s also possible to stand at the edge of the cliff. Once again, be extremely careful here. One slip can be fatal.
Swimming at Diyaluma Falls
The magic of Diyaluma Falls is how many ways there are to enjoy the water—natural pools, infinity pools, smooth rock slides, and even cliff jumps. It honestly feels like nature built its own water park. You could spend hours here without getting bored.
The water is refreshingly cool without being freezing, so you’ll be glad you brought a swimsuit. On our visit, it was crystal-clear—I could see my feet the whole time.
That said, the clarity depends a lot on the weather. After heavy rain or during the wet season, the pools can take on a brown tint, and the current gets stronger.
Safety at Diyaluma Falls
If you’re visiting in the rainy season, check with locals before you swim. Water levels can rise quickly, and the flow can become too powerful to be safe.
And then there’s the famous last infinity pool at the edge of the 220 m cliff. The views are unforgettable, but there are no barriers or safety measures here. If you’re going in, stay well back from the edge and be aware of the current.
If you’re heading toward Ella after visiting Diyaluma, don’t miss the iconic Nine Arch Bridge.
What to pack
Here is a list of a few useful items you should not forget before coming here:
- Sunscreen – the most important item to have with you all the time
- Quick drying towel – you’re gonna spend a lot of time in the water, so having a towel that can dry quickly is much appreciated
- Swimsuit – an obvious one, do not come here without a swimsuit
- Cash – there’s a snack bar at the last pool
- Enough water and snacks
- Extra T-shirt – to change for the ride back, since yours is likely gonna be sweaty after this hike
- Waterproof camera
Facilities
Don’t come to Diyaluma Falls expecting much in the way of facilities—this place is all about the natural setting.
The only real amenities are a small restaurant with toilets at the parking area. It’s a good spot to grab a bite or use the bathroom before (or after) your hike.
At the last infinity pool, we were surprised to find a local selling a few snacks and cold drinks from a basket. Don’t count on it being there every day, but if you’re lucky, it’s a nice little treat with a view.
Best time to visit Diyaluma Falls
Dry season: December – March
Rainy season: May – August
There’s no single “perfect” time of day for Diyaluma Falls—it’s a proper day trip, and you’ll want to spend a few hours exploring.
Since it’s about a 2-hour drive from Ella plus another hike (20 minutes from the top, about an hour from the bottom), the earlier you start, the more time you’ll have to enjoy the pools without rushing.
You can visit year-round, but the dry season (December–March) is ideal. The water is calmer, clearer, and perfect for everything from cliff jumps to long, lazy swims.
In the rainy season (May–August), the falls are still spectacular, but swimming can be risky. Heavy rain can make the current dangerously strong and the water murky. Always check with locals before getting in—conditions can change fast.
Best hotels in Ella
Check availability
Best activities in Ella
- Yala National Park Golden Hour Safari – Spot leopards, elephants, sloth bears, and other wildlife when they’re most active. Golden Hour makes for incredible views and encounters!
- Udawalawe National Park Jeep Safari – The best place to watch elephants on a private 4WD Jeep tour.
- Diyaluma Falls day tour – A guided tour to Diyaluma Falls, full of natural infinity pools. It includes transport and a guide.
Final Thoughts on Diyaluma Falls
If you’re looking for a day trip from Ella that mixes adventure, jaw-dropping views, and a good dose of wild beauty, Diyaluma Falls should be near the top of your list.
The hike, the crystal-clear pools, the infinity edges, and even the tuk-tuk ride to get there all add up to an experience that feels uniquely Sri Lankan. It’s not the most accessible spot and it does require some effort—but that’s part of what makes it special.
Whether you’re cliff-jumping, floating in a pool with the valley spread out below you, or just sitting on a warm rock listening to the water, it’s one of those places that makes the journey 100% worth it.
