Ratnapura is a beautiful city in Sri Lanka known for its Gem Mines, natural Beauty and rich cultural heritage. During your stay in the hotel there are ample no of places to visit as per your choices. It varies from nature attractions to religious places and many more attractions such as wild life, and places related to Gem industry which is very popular in the area. As the hotel is located at the centre of all attractions you may reach all destinations with much convenience and if tours are well planned you may cover many attractions within s single tour. Most attractive locations in the area are ,

1. Gem Museums in Ratnapura

Ratnapura is the City world famous for its Gem verities varying from very expensive to cheaper qulaities. Some of the most popular Gem verties found in Ratnapura includes, Blue Sapphire, Ruby, Yellow Sapphire, Alexandrite, Cats Eye’s, Garnet, Tourmaline, Aquamarine etc. There are many gem meuseaums are located in the area and during your visit to these meusims you can see various rare specious of Gems, rare minerals found in Gem pits, evolvement of Gem industry in Sri Lanka. Few of the Gem meuseums you can visis is,

• Ratnapura Gem Bureau Museum: This museum is run by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority of Sri Lanka and is located in Ratnapura town. The museum showcases a wide variety of precious and semi-precious gemstones found in Sri Lanka, including sapphires, rubies, and tourmalines.
• Gem Museum and Lapidary: This private museum is located in Ratnapura and is dedicated to showcasing the history and culture of gem mining in Sri Lanka. The museum has a large collection of gemstones and also offers a lapidary service, where visitors can watch the gem cutting process.
• Gem Land: This gem museum is located in Ratnapura and offers visitors a chance to learn about the gemstone industry in Sri Lanka. The museum has a large collection of gemstones, including sapphires, rubies, and emeralds, as well as a workshop where visitors can watch gem cutting and polishing.

2. Gem Shops and Gem Mines

Many gem shops are located closer to the hotel location and you can visit these shops as a self traveler or as a guided traveler. In these shops many Gem verities are sold as an end products, which is cut and polished to give a smooth and elegant finish. Mostly , gems which are sold in shops are not the expensive ones and you can obtain real gems for a cheaper prices.

3. Kuragala Temple

Kuragala Buddhist Monastery, is an ancient rock temple located in the Balangoda area of Sri Lanka, about 50 km drive from the hotel location. The Kuragala temple is believed to have been built in the 2nd century BCE and has a long history of serving as a meditation center for Buddhist monks.

The Kuragala temple is situated on top of a large rock outcrop and consists of several caves and rock formations that have been carved into Buddhist shrines and meditation rooms. The site also features several ancient inscriptions in Brahmi script, which provide valuable insights into the history of the region.

One of the unique features of Kuragala Temple is the presence of several natural caves that have been converted into meditation chambers. These caves are believed to have been used by Buddhist monks for meditation and spiritual practices for centuries.

Kuragala Temple is also known for its stunning views of the surrounding countryside, which can be enjoyed from the top of the rock outcrop. The temple is open to visitors and is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike who are interested in exploring the rich history and culture of Sri Lanka.

4. Maha Saman Devalaya

Maha Saman Devalaya is a prominent Buddhist temple located in the town of Ratnapura in Sri Lanka. The temple is dedicated to God Saman, a deity who is venerated in Sri Lankan Buddhism as a guardian of the island and its people.

The temple has a long history, with some sources suggesting that it dates back to the 3rd century BCE. However, the current temple complex was built during the Kandyan period in the 18th century and has since been renovated and expanded.

The temple is known for its unique architectural style, which blends elements of Indian, Sinhalese, and European designs. The main shrine room is adorned with intricate carvings and paintings depicting scenes from Buddhist mythology, while the outer walls of the temple are decorated with colorful murals and relief sculptures.

One of the most significant events held at Maha Saman Devalaya is the annual Esala Perahera festival, which takes place in July or August and attracts thousands of devotees from around the country. The festival features a colorful procession of traditional dancers, musicians, and elephants, as well as a variety of religious ceremonies and rituals.

Maha Saman Devalaya is considered to be one of the most important Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka and is a popular destination for tourists and pilgrims who are interested in exploring the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of the island.

The Thevava , the tribute to God Saman conduct everyday with plenty of worshippers and they carry pooja with many fruits and sandle wood to offer god Sumana Saman. Drum beats unique to Sabaragamuwa are played during the Thevava and Guests can visit the temple to observe this religious event everyday in the evening.

5. Non Perial Estate and Bakers bend

Nagrak Bungalow is a historic colonial-era bungalow located in Non Perial estate Balangoda, Sri Lanka. It is situated on the banks of the Belihul Oya river and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The bungalow was built during the British colonial period and was once used as a rest house for British officials. Nagrak Bungalow is a popular destination for travelers who are interested in exploring the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka, as well as those who are looking for a peaceful retreat in a tranquil setting.

During you stay in the hotel you may do single day visit to Non Perial estate passing Bakers bend which is an most attractive location in the country for its stunning view of the wider range of down south of the country. From the hotel you may reach the non perial estate by passing 57 km but the journey would take 2 ½ hrs due to difficult terrain.

6. Ratnapura Old Dutch Fort and Open Gem Meuseum

Ratnapura Dutch fort, (Sinhala: රත්නපුර ලන්දේසි බලකොටුව Rathnapura Landesi Balakotuwa), was built by the Dutch in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka. The Portuguese had originally constructed a fort at Ratnapura in 1620 however was later captured and destroyed by Kirti Sri Raja Singha (the second Nayaka king of Kandy). By 1658 the Dutch had taken control over all the areas previously controlled by the Portuguese. The Dutch initially used the site of the Portuguese fort but subsequently built a new fort on a hill in the middle of the town. The design of the fort is similar to the fort at Kalutara, in that it had two bastions. The fort was large enough to accommodate the governor's office and residence, court building, hospital, chapel and barracks for 40 men. It was captured by the British in 1817.[1]

It was declared as an archaeological monument in 2002 and 2005. It was however partially demolished by the local government, who constructed a number of buildings on the site. The fort is currently being used as the offices for the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, together with a number of private offices.

There are two main locations in the City as open Gem markets where many gem merchants bring there gems found in the suburbs to sell in the open market. It’s a reliable location to purchase Gems as he quality of Gems are self controlled by Gem traders and avoid selling of any synthetic materials. But there are very rare cases where synthetic materials invaded the market as it is very hard to differentite. But Generally reliable place to buy good quality gems for a cheaper price. As Dutch fort and Gem Markets are located within the same area , tourists can easly visits both locations together.

7. Singharaja Forest Reserve

Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a national park and a biodiversity hotspot in Sri Lanka. It is of international significance and has been designated a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO. According to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Sinharaja is the country's last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare. The hilly virgin rainforest, part of the Sri Lanka lowland rain forests ecoregion, was saved from the worst of commercial logging by its inaccessibility, and was designated a World Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and a World Heritage Site in 1988. The reserve's name translates as Lion Kingdom.

The reserve is only 21 km (13 mi) from east to west, and a maximum of 7 km (4.3 mi) from north to south, but it is a treasure trove of endemic species, including trees, insects, amphibians,

reptiles, birds, and mammals. The Kadamuduna entrance of the forest reserve can be reached within 1 ½ hrs drive from the hotel location.

8. Udawalawa Elephant Transit Home

Department of Wildlife Conservation set up the Elephant Transit Home within Udawalawe National Park with help from the Born Free Foundation.[3] The main objective of this facility is rehabilitation of orphaned baby elephants to ultimately release them back into their natural habitat. Up to three elephants per week are killed in Sri Lanka due to conflicts with humans, often leaving behind orphan calves.[1] The elephants are kept at part of the Udawalawe National Park to maintain familiarity with their habitat, but have access to both food and medical care.

All care at the facility is by trained staff, and efforts are made to minimize contact between elephants and humans to keep the elephants from becoming acclimated to humans. Although visitors can watch the elephants being fed, they are not allowed to touch or otherwise interact with them. There is also an Information Centre set up and maintained by Dilmah Conservation at the facility. The centre houses an extensive collection of information on elephants, from their origins and evolution to their social behavior and threats. It was established to give visitors a better understanding of elephants and their plight. Additionally, a solar heater was set up at the facility by Dilmah Conservation to heat the water used to make the milk fed to the orphaned elephants. The transit centre can be reached after 1hr drive from the hotel location.

8. Udawalawa National Park

Udawalawa National Park is a protected area located in the southern part of Sri Lanka, in the Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces. It was established in 1972 to provide sanctuary to the wildlife displaced by the construction of the Udawalawa Reservoir on the Walawe River. The park spans an area of approximately 308 square kilometers and is one of the most popular national parks in Sri Lanka.

Udawalawa National Park is home to a variety of wildlife, including Sri Lankan elephants, sambar deer, wild boars, water buffalo, and several species of primates, including the endemic toque macaque and purple-faced langur. The Udawalawa National park is also home to a range of bird species, including eagles, hornbills, and peafowl.

The Udawalawa national Park offers visitors a range of activities, including guided jeep safaris, bird watching, and nature walks. The best time to visit the park is during the dry season, which runs from May to September, when wildlife sightings are more common due to the animals gathering around the park's watering holes.

Udawalawa National Park is easily accessible from the hotel location after 1 hr drive and it is 50km away from the hotel location. Udawalawa national park is a popular destination for both local and international visitors who are interested in experiencing Sri Lanka's natural beauty and wildlife.