Ella

The climate throughout most of the year is typical of high Hill Country, with a hot sun by midday but moderate air temperature. Afternoon rain is common, usually lasting about an hour. A sweatshirt or light jacket is needed at night. December can bring heavy rainfall, which suspends tea harvesting, turns dirt trails to mud, and causes leeches to emerge on vegetation including along hiking paths and in tea plantations. The best time for hiking is during drier months.

Ella is accessible by train via the Ella Railway Station, which is part of the scenic rail line running to Badulla. The train journey through the Hill Country is famous for its beautiful views. Bus services also connect Ella to destinations including Galle, Matara, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Kataragama, and other regional towns.

Tuk-tuks are readily available around town. The best way to explore the surrounding area is to rent a scooter from most guesthouses. Online car hire services like Ella Taxi Service also operate in the area for those preferring arranged transport.

The Newburgh Green Tea Factory is about 30 minutes from the town centre along Passara Road, offering quick visits including green tea tasting at the end for Rs 500/person. The Ella Organic Tea Garden, 5 km south on Kithalella road, offers plantation tours, spice and fruit introductions, tea-making demonstrations, and tastings for Rs 3,000 per person at 09:00, 11:00, and 13:00.

The home cooking in guesthouses and hotels is probably the best food in town. Many tourist-oriented bars, cafes, and restaurants line the main street. Down Town Rotti Hut in the town centre serves nice cold beers and good quality Kotthu Roti, with beef recommended. Rawana Holiday Resort on a hilltop requires advance booking before 15:00 and serves about 8 small dishes for Rs 400-500/person. Matey Hut near the railway overpass tunnel serves terrific food including pumpkin curry and green mango curry for Rs 1000-1500 per person. Cafe Eden on Ella-Passara Road near the Nine Arch Bridge walking trail is the place for lampreis in Ella. Ella Holiday Inn at the Wellawaya Road junction is good for meals, snacks, and drinks on the verandah. Most cafes on the main street also serve alcoholic drinks.

Ella has a range of accommodation from budget guesthouses to mid-range resorts. Hill Top Guest House on a steep little street off the main street has rooms with balconies, wonderful views through Ella Gap, hot water showers, home-cooked meals, and internet access for Rs 5,500 with breakfast. Sunnyside Holiday Bungalow (Rs 3,000/3,500) is peaceful, surrounded by a tea plantation with three clean rooms, attached toilets, hot water showers, and home-cooked meals. Zion View Guest House in the middle of Ella Gap has expansive valley views, seven rooms with balconies, comfy slat beds, and spring water for US$50. Anasa Wellness Resort offers another option in town.

Don't walk in the countryside in shorts, sandals, or flip-flops, especially after rain, due to many leeches hanging on vegetation waiting for mammals. Carry Dettol and spray it on leeches to make them drop off—do not scrape or pull them off as you may leave teeth inside the bite, causing weeks of itching until removed with a needle or tweezers.

Take the train to Badulla, Haputale, Nuwara Eliya (Nanu Oya railway station), or Kandy. From the bus station, services include: Galle (4 departures/day, also stops at Mirissa), Matara (7/day), Kataragama (4/day), Kandy (3/day, night buses only), Nuwara Eliya (5/day), Ambillipitiya (2/day), Thanamalwila (3/day), Maligawila (3/day), Monaragala (3/day), and Ampara (4/day). Travellers to Yala National Park should take the bus to Matara or Galle and change at Pannegamuwa. Those headed to Arugam Bay can connect to a Pottuvil-bound bus in Monaragala.