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📍 waterfall · da lat

Datanla Waterfall

Datanla Waterfall is Đà Lạt's most accessible cascade - a series of falls dropping through pine and rainforest 5km from the city centre, reached by a forest path or an alpine coaster that winds through the trees above the gorge.

💧 Multi-Tier Waterfall🎢 Alpine Coaster📸 Photography🌿 Forest Walk
🧭 Get Directions

Overview

Best Time to Visit
📅 Jun – Oct (rainy season - maximum water flow and most dramatic falls)
Entry Fee
🎟️ ~50,000 VND; alpine coaster: ~70,000 VND one way
Opening Hours
🕐 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address
📌 Đường 3 Tháng 4, Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng

Things to Know

👥Crowds
Peak crowds during midday and weekends; visit before 9am or after 2pm for shorter queues. Larger coaster gets very busy.
🥾Difficulty
Alpine coaster suitable for elderly. Some walking paths slippery during rainy season requiring extra caution. Walking alternative available to one waterfall.
⚠️Safety
Weight restrictions: 120kg for zipline, 125-150kg for alpine carts. Staff may not always communicate safety requirements clearly. Coaster slower in rain for safety.
🚶Accessibility
Clean bathrooms on site. Well-maintained paths with steps and lush greenery. Easy parking for scooters (3,000 VND). Some staff speak English.
🌤️Seasonal
Visit February-March after rainy season for powerful waterfall views. Avoid dry season if wanting to see waterfalls at full capacity. Still operates in light rain.
ABOUT THIS PLACE

What Makes Datanla Waterfall Special

Datanla Waterfall sits 5km south of Đà Lạt city centre in a forested gorge carved by a tributary of the Cam Ly River. The name comes from the K'ho language - 'Da Tam Nhala,' meaning 'water under the leaves' - reflecting the dense canopy that covers the gorge and filters the light reaching the falls. The waterfall drops in several tiers through a series of rocky channels before reaching the main viewing platform, and continues further downstream through increasingly remote forest. The site is one of the most-visited natural attractions near Đà Lạt, partly for the falls themselves and partly for the alpine coaster - a small gravity-powered cart that winds on rails through the pine forest above the gorge, delivering visitors to the lower falls area and back. The coaster is one of the more unusual ways to approach a Vietnamese waterfall.

How to Get There

🚗 Getting There

Datanla Waterfall is 5km south of Đà Lạt city centre on Highway 20, the main road toward Ho Chi Minh City. By motorbike, the entrance is about 10 minutes from central Đà Lạt. The entrance gate is on the left side of the highway - clearly signposted. From the gate, a path leads down into the gorge (about 15 minutes on foot) or the alpine coaster provides an alternative descent. Grab rides from Đà Lạt cost approximately 40,000–60,000 VND one way.

What to Expect

👀 On the Ground

The main path from the entrance descends through pine and mixed forest to the primary viewing platform, where the main cascade drops into a rocky pool. The alpine coaster runs parallel to the path - riders sit in small individual carts and control their own speed via a hand brake as the cart winds downhill through the trees. The falls are at their most impressive from June to October when the wet season feeds the stream at full volume. Beyond the main platform, a rougher trail continues downstream past secondary falls and through less-visited forest. The gorge bottom is noticeably cooler than Đà Lạt town and the sound of the falls carries through the trees well before the water is visible.

Travel Tips

🧳 Tips

Datanla is worth a half-morning rather than a full day - the main falls, the coaster, and the lower trail fit comfortably into 2–3 hours. The alpine coaster is the highlight for most visitors and worth the extra fee. The lower falls downstream from the main platform are consistently more photogenic than the main cascade and almost never crowded. Datanla pairs naturally with Tuyền Lâm Lake - both are on the same road south of the city, 10 minutes apart, and together make a full morning out of Đà Lạt.

Insider Tips

Based on real traveler experiences and commonly mentioned advice from multiple visitors.

Book tickets online in advance for hassle-free entry. Alpine Coaster 3 is newer with longer track and better scenery.
Arrive around 3pm or early morning to avoid peak crowds and long queues at coasters.
Purchase combo packages (zipline + coaster + entry) for better value than separate tickets; round-trip coaster included.
Take the alpine coaster down rather than walking - it's 70,000 VND and winds through the forest above the gorge at a genuinely enjoyable pace
Visit after heavy rain for the most dramatic water volume - the dry season falls are pretty but the wet season falls are powerful
The lower falls (accessible by continuing past the main viewing platform) are less visited and more scenic - follow the path downstream for 10–15 minutes
The walk back up from the lower falls is steep - wear shoes with grip, not sandals
Combine with Tuyền Lâm Lake on the same afternoon - both are on the same road south of Đà Lạt and 10 minutes apart by motorbike

FAQ

Common questions from travelers who've visited this place.

How much does it cost and what's included?›
Alpine coaster alone: 240,000-250,000 VND per person including return trip. Combo packages: 1,000,050-1,000,000 VND for zipline (1.5km) plus coaster plus waterfall access. Entry to view waterfalls requires coaster ticket.
What are the weight restrictions?›
Zipline: maximum 120kg. Alpine carts: 125-150kg limit. Combined weight may require separate carts. Weight restrictions not always clearly communicated by staff.
Can I visit all three waterfalls?›
Waterfall 3 accessed via coaster. Waterfalls 1 and 2 accessible by hiking uphill or walking (some paths shown on maps are closed). Separate tickets required to access different waterfall areas.

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