Da Lat waterfalls: Pongour, Datanla and Elephant Falls
Da Lat sits at 1,500 metres, and the highland rivers around it spill off the plateau in dozens of waterfalls. Three earn a trip of their own: Datanla for a 2.4 km alpine coaster, Pongour for seven cascades 100 metres wide, and Elephant Falls for a 30-metre wall of water with a Buddhist pagoda next door.
Entry to Pongour is 10,000 VND (~$0.40) — less than a bottle of water. Datanla costs more (80,000 VND plus 250,000 VND for the coaster), but there is far more to do there. All three can be looped in a single day by motorbike, or for about $22 on an organised tour.
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Telegram managerWhich waterfalls to visit — an overview
- Datanla (Thác Datanla): 5 km from town. Alpine coaster 250,000 VND (~$10), zipline
- Pongour (Thác Pongour): 50 km from town. 7 cascades, entry 10,000 VND (~$0.40)
- Elephant Falls (Thác Voi): 28 km, 30 m high, Linh An pagoda next door
- Prenn (Thác Prenn): 10 km, walk behind the water, entry 40,000 VND (~$1.60)
| Waterfall | From Da Lat | Height | Entry | Highlight | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Datanla | 5 km | 20 m | 80,000 VND (~$3.20) | Alpine coaster, zipline | 1.5–2 h |
| Pongour | 50 km | 20–40 m | 10,000 VND (~$0.40) | 7 cascades, 100 m wide | 1–2 h |
| Elephant | 28 km | 30 m | 20,000 VND (~$0.80) | Powerful drop + pagoda | 1 h |
| Prenn | 10 km | 10 m | 40,000 VND (~$1.60) | Walk behind the falls | 40 min |
Want a thrill? Datanla. Nature and quiet? Pongour. Power and culture? Elephant Falls. Prenn works as a quick stop on the way in or out.
Datanla — the coaster and the adrenaline
Thác Datanla is the closest waterfall to Da Lat and the busiest. It is just 5 km from the centre; a Grab gets you to the gate for around 50,000 VND (~$2), and drivers who speak enough English are easy to find on the app.
The waterfall itself is 20 metres — pretty, but not why people come. The main draw is Alpine Coaster 3: a 2.4 km rail run, the longest in Southeast Asia. The car carries you down through the forest to the falls, then hauls you back up. You control the speed yourself — floor it, or crawl and take photos.
Datanla prices 2026
| Service | Price (VND) | Price (~USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | 80,000 | ~$3.20 |
| Alpine coaster (round trip) | 250,000 | ~$10 |
| Zipline | 50,000 | ~$2 |
| Canyoning | from 1,200,000 | ~$48 |
Canyoning is its own thing: abseiling down the rock face alongside the falls, three to four hours of soaking-wet adrenaline. It is best booked ahead through a licensed operator — and after several fatal accidents, only book with a properly certified one, never the cheapest guy on the street.
Pros: close to town, plenty of activities, easy to reach. Cons: crowds (especially at weekends), and it closes at 16:45 — plan the visit for the first half of the day.
Coordinates: 11.9250, 108.4500. Address: Đèo Prenn, Phường 3, Đà Lạt.
💬 "Datanla is the easiest waterfall to reach from Da Lat, and the alpine coaster is genuinely fun — go early to beat the tour groups." — Tripadvisor, 2025
Pongour — the prettiest waterfall in Vietnam
Thác Pongour is often called the prettiest waterfall in Indochina. The water spills over seven natural terraces up to 100 metres across. In the rainy season it is a wall of water from edge to edge; in the dry season there is less flow, but you can walk out onto the stone ledges.
It is a long way out — 50 km from Da Lat down Highway 20 toward Ho Chi Minh City. About an hour by motorbike, or 300,000–400,000 VND (~$12–16) one way by Grab or taxi. Few tours come this far, which is a plus: the crowds are thin.
The practical bits
- Entry: 10,000 VND (~$0.40), parking 5,000 VND (~$0.20)
- Best time: June–October (rainy season, full flow)
- Dry season (November–April): less water, but you can walk the cascades — a different but still lovely experience
- Time needed: 1–2 hours, including the walk down and back up
The path down is a forest trail, about 15 minutes. Grippy shoes are a must — the rocks are wet. There is a café and a few picnic gazebos on site.
Coordinates: 11.6873, 108.2655. District: Đức Trọng, Lâm Đồng.
💬 "Pongour is one of Vietnam's finest waterfalls, but it's a long way out. In the dry season the flow drops off — plan your trip for the summer months." — Vietnam Coracle, 2025
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Message the managerElephant Falls and Linh An Pagoda
Thác Voi stands 30 metres tall and 15 metres wide. The flow is strong all year, so it holds up even in the dry season. The name comes from the boulders at its base, said to look like elephants.
Next to it is Linh An Tự pagoda, home to a 49-metre Buddha statue. You can pair nature and culture in one stop, and from the pagoda grounds you get a view of the falls from above.
The practical bits
- Entry: 20,000 VND (~$0.80)
- Distance: 28 km from Da Lat, 40 minutes by motorbike
- Time needed: 1 hour (falls + pagoda)
The steps down to the falls (when open) are steep and slick. Non-slip shoes are essential, and it is not a descent to attempt with small children.
Coordinates: 11.8241, 108.3349. District: Nam Ban, Lâm Hà, Lâm Đồng.
When to go and what to pack
Best season
| Period | Waterfalls | Weather | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| June–October | Full and powerful | Rain, 18–22 °C | Best time for Pongour |
| November–April | Lower flow | Dry, 15–25 °C | Better for Datanla (coaster, no rain) |
Da Lat runs 10–15 degrees cooler than the coast — this is Vietnam's highland retreat, not tropical beach heat. More on the town itself in our Da Lat guide.
What to pack
- A jacket or windbreaker — Da Lat sits around 18 °C even in summer
- Non-slip shoes — the rocks near the falls are wet
- A rain jacket if you go in the rainy season
- A waterproof phone case
- A dry change of clothes — spray is guaranteed
How to loop all the waterfalls in a day
By motorbike (rental from 100,000 VND/day, ~$4): Datanla in the morning → Elephant Falls at midday → Pongour after lunch. The loop is about 130 km, 5–6 hours with stops. Note that renting legally requires an International Driving Permit — police checkpoints on the highway do stop foreigners.
Organised tour: $22–35 per person, transport and entry included. Handy if you would rather not tackle mountain roads yourself.
Prices current as of July 2026. Prices and conditions can change — confirm on official sources before you travel.
FAQ
Which waterfalls near Da Lat are worth visiting?
Three stand out: Datanla (5 km from town, alpine coaster), Pongour (50 km away but the prettiest — seven cascades 100 m wide) and Elephant Falls (28 km, a powerful drop with a pagoda beside it). If you only have time for one, make it Datanla: close and packed with activities.
How much does entry to the waterfalls cost?
Pongour is 10,000 VND (~$0.40), practically free. Elephant Falls is 20,000 VND (~$0.80). Datanla is 80,000 VND (~$3.20), plus the alpine coaster at 250,000 VND (~$10). Budgeting all three comes to roughly 360,000 VND (~$14.50), transport not included.
How do I get to Pongour Waterfall from Da Lat?
By motorbike down Highway 20 toward Ho Chi Minh City — 50 km, about an hour. A Grab or taxi runs 300,000–400,000 VND (~$12–16) one way. There is no public bus. The road is paved and in good shape.
Rainy season or dry season for the waterfalls?
For Pongour, go in the rainy season (June–October): all seven cascades run at full force. For Datanla and the coaster, the dry season (November–April) is more comfortable. Elephant Falls impresses year-round.
Can I see all the waterfalls in one day?
Yes. By motorbike the Datanla → Elephant → Pongour loop takes 5–6 hours. On an organised tour ($22–35) it is easier still — the driver runs the route and entry tickets are included.
The waterfalls are the main reason to get out of Da Lat and into the surrounding highlands. Grab a motorbike or hop on a tour, pack a jacket (it's 18 °C up here) and non-slip shoes. Then warm up afterwards with a coffee — Da Lat is Vietnam's coffee capital. More in the Da Lat guide.
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