Wellawaya: Off-the-Beaten Destination
The town of Wellawaya, Sri Lanka is often unheard of. Most of the tourists visiting the town are backpackers on a budget. It is one of those getaway destinations you will accidentally discover and you will be ecstatic that you did. From natural landscapes, wildlife, to archeological sites, Wellawaya deserves more recognition on the tourism sector of the country because it has a lot to offer.
Best Time to Visit
It rains most months of the year over at Wellawaya but you can still enjoy visiting the town most especially during the middle of the year, from June to September. You also do not have to worry about the crowd as the town is still a hidden gem for now. Wellawaya hotels are affordable too. You can celebrate the Paddy Farming and Harvesting Festivals with the local farmers that happen almost all year-round.
What to Do & Area Attractions
An ancient Buddhist temple built in the early 9th century is the Buduruwagala Temple. It is one of the places worth visiting in the area as you will a few statue carvings of historical and religious importance. You should also ready your shoes for hiking and discover the Diyaluma Falls or Ellewala Waterfalls where you can beat the heat by taking a cooling swim. Ella Jungle Inn and Ella Jungle Resort are a three-star hotels nestled in an actual jungle. To get to the accommodations, you have to trek upwards a mountain for at least 10-20 minutes. But guaranteed that once you reach them, the view will blow you away. But if you do not wish to tire yourself out, there is the Feelin' Good Resort just about 20 minutes away from the town proper.