Top 10 Waterfall Rappelling Spots in the World, Ranked!

Top 10 Waterfall Rappelling Spots in the World, Ranked!

I’m a rock climbing and bouldering guy – loved the thrill since my first outdoor climb and always will. In fact, rock climbing is what got me into waterfall rappelling in the first place. 

What is more exciting than climbing gigantic cliffs under beautiful panoramic views and sometimes over the ocean (like in DWS)? Waterfall Rappelling.

You are rappelling down those massive cliffs above the lake with a fast stream of whitewater pounding on you. At the same time, you try to maintain balance on the slippery moss-covered rocks. It’s an experience that you’ll never forget.

Here are 10 of my favorite waterfall rappelling (and canyoning) spots in the world:

1. Victoria Falls, Costa Rica

Popular WaterfallsJaco Falls, Indian Falls, Arenal Volcano, and its secluded canyon
Best Time of the YearMid-November to Late-April
Other ActivitiesCanyoning, Surfing, Mountain Biking, Skydiving, Climbing, Ziplining
Best Waterfall Rappelling Spots in the World
Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls, in Costa Rica, is the best waterfall rappelling location in the world. The country of Costa Rica itself is popularly known as the “waterfall rappelling capital of the world,” thanks to Victoria, Jaco, and Indian Falls.

The best waterfall rappelling experience for me was definitely the Victoria Falls at Guanacaste and the North Pacific a couple of years ago. We went on a 45-minute-long horseback ride to reach the top of the cliff before the downclimb, and it was beautiful.

Indian Falls take the thrill one step further with its 90-foot monkey drop into the water. You should visit Arenal Falls if you’re canyoning for its 150-foot and 210-foot options for waterfall rappelling.

Cost Breakdown:

Flight from the US$195 – $438
Hotel Cost$36 – $402

2. Almanchares Canyon, Spain

Popular WaterfallsSierra Tejeda National Park, Barranco Moreno
Best Time of the YearMay to Mid-July
Other ActivitiesSnowboarding, Caving, Rock Climbing, Dirt Biking, Kiteboarding, Canyoning
Best Waterfall Rappelling Spots in the World
Almanchares Canyon | Source: Malagaa Activa Tours

While Spain doesn’t have any particular waterfalls that stand out, its Almanchares Canyon offers a richer and more versatile experience than other sites on this list.

The Sierra Tejeda National Park, located approximately two hours north of Malaga Province, is known worldwide for its fourteen rappelling courses for both beginners and experts.

While Almanchares and the nearby Las Buitreras are popular among tourists for the beautiful canyons – you can visit the high waterfalls in Barranco Moreno after you’re done with Sierra Tejeda.

Cost Breakdown:

Flight from the US$506 – $605
Hotel Cost$22 – $215

3. Vallée Bras-du-Nord, Québec, Canada

Popular WaterfallsEaster Island Waterfall
Best Time of the YearSeptember to November
Other ActivitiesCanyoning, Whitewater Rafting, Hiking, Snowboarding, Rock Climbing
Best Waterfall Rappelling Spots in the World
Vallée Bras-du-Nord

Canada’s Vallée Bras-du-Nord is located 37 miles north of Quebec City. From there on, you’ll go on a 45-minute hike through the almost magical forest to reach the Easter Island Waterfall.

The drop is only 49-feet, so go crazy! The course is organized by Canyoning Québec, so you’ll have to contact them beforehand. While the waterfall doesn’t compare to Spain or Costa Rica – the Vallée Bras-du-Nord itself is a wonderful experience, and I recommend you try it out at least once.

Ps…the course is quite complex, so don’t go to Quebec City if you just started rappelling.

Cost Breakdown:

Flight from the US$331 – $550
Hotel Cost$53 – $433
Quebec Rappelling Tour Cost$90 per person

4. Jogini Waterfall, India

Other Popular WaterfallsDodhani Waterfall, Kundalika Waterfalls
Best Time of the YearMonsoon Season (June to September)
Other ActivitiesWhitewater Rafting, Parasailing, Trekking, Rock Climbing, Bungee Jumping
Best Waterfall Rappelling Spots in the World
Jogini Falls

Frankly speaking, you can’t go wrong with India when it comes to extreme water sports. The Land of Diversity and Festivals has three of the best waterfall rappelling spots in the World.

The Jogini Waterfall in Manali (Himachal Pradesh) is the most dangerous and challenging rappelling spot in the country. The hiking starts from the Vashista Temple at Mall Road and goes through apple orchards and pine forests to the 200-feet high Jogini Falls.

Kundalika Falls in Bihar go as high as 150-feet and are an excellent choice if you’re a fan of water sports. You must try whitewater rafting and psicobloc-ing if you’re ever there. And, the third location is Dodhani Falls in Maharashtra.

Cost Breakdown:

Flight from the US$830 – $1,022
Hotel Cost$5 – $181

5. The USA

Popular WaterfallsMaui Waterfalls, Ripley Falls
Best Time of the YearSpring Season
Other ActivitiesRock Climbing, DWS, Bouldering, Canyoning, Whitewater Rafting 
Best Waterfall Rappelling Spots in the World
Maui Waterfall

The Island of Hawaii comes at least once in literally every list I make for extreme sports locations in the world. Although, this time, it’s for experts only.

The Maui Waterfall in Hawaii is the best waterfall rappelling location in the United States. The downclimb is incredible, but the tour itself is not for beginners. Only advanced rappellers can do it because it demands a lot of canyoneering.

The Maui waterfall has three different routes: 60-foot practice run, 50-foot, and 30-foot waterfalls. The Ripley Falls in New Hampshire has a single route of about 100 feet.

Cost Breakdown:

Maui Waterfall Tour (Rappeler)$219
Maui Waterfall Tour (Observer)$150
Ripley Falls Tour (Individual)$200
Ripley Falls Tour (Group of Four)$125 per person

6. Santa Rosa Waterfall, Guatemala

Popular WaterfallsSanta Rosa Waterfall
Best Time of the YearMay to October
Other ActivitiesRiver Rafting, Hiking, Biking, Diving, Sports Fishing
Best Waterfall Rappelling Spots in the World
Santa Rosa Waterfall

While there are many other waterfalls in Guatemala, Santa Rosa Waterfall is different and the most beautiful of all. Unlike other thin and tall waterfalls in Central America, Santa Rosa is quite wide and a significant landmark of Guatemala.

There is a small pool at the foot of the falls that is excellent for rappelling and cooling off. Ensure your tour guide knows about it because days can get quite hot in Central America.

Cost Breakdown:

Flight from the US$227 – $447
Hotel Cost$21 – $242

7. Cascada de Juan Curi, Colombia

Popular WaterfallsColombian Waterfall
Best Time of the YearDecember to February and July to August
Other ActivitiesParagliding, Rafting, Kayaking, Diving, Mountain Biking, Caving, Canyoning
Best Waterfall Rappelling Spots in the World
Juan Curi Waterfall

Colombia houses some of the best waterfall rappelling spots in South America. The Cascada de Juan Curi at the Juan Curi Park is flooded with tourists during peak seasons. So you’ll have to time your adventure to avoid waiting in queues. The good thing about Juan Curi is that it has the Colombian Waterfall, and the entry is pretty cheap.

After a quick 25-minute trail / hike at the Park, you’ll reach the 195-foot waterfall, where you can downclimb to your heart’s content.

Cost Breakdown:

Flight from the US$184 – $462
Hotel Cost$13 – $239
Juan Curi Park Entrance Fee$4 per person

8. Mount Olympus, Greece

Popular WaterfallsKalypso canyon, Kakoskala canyon
Best Time of the YearAugust to September
Other ActivitiesSkydiving, Freediving, Bungee Jumping, Paragliding, River Rafting, DWS
Best Waterfall Rappelling Spots in the World
Mount Olympus

Mount Olympus in Greece is one of my favorite holiday destinations because it’s a premium location for waterfall rappelling, rock climbing, and deep water soloing.

Olympus and Kissavos have the popular Kakoskala and Kalypso canyons which are suitable for both rappelling and canyoning.

While the Kalypso canyon has a long but easy waterfall for rappelling, Kakoskala has so many waterfalls that they had to be divided into five different sections. The whole tour should be spread over several days to avoid mishaps.

Cost Breakdown:

Flight from the US$684 – $851
Hotel Cost$10 – $434

9. Banos, Ecuador

Popular Waterfalls60 Waterfalls of Banos
Best Time of the YearJune to August
Other ActivitiesRafting, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Rappelling, Mountain Biking, Surfing
Best Waterfall Rappelling Spots in the World
Banos | Source: Polarsteps

What can top the fourteen waterfalls of Amancharesn Canyon (Spain)? The sixty waterfalls of Baños de Agua Santa in Central Ecuador. Banos is probably the second most popular location after Costa Rica for waterfall rappelling.

Though some of the credit for that goes to the “Swing at the End of the World of Banos,” where you literally dangle on a ledge at the edge of a cliff overlooking the beautiful and lush canyon.

All you need is a local tourist with good enough English (unless you know Spanish), and you’re good to go.

Cost Breakdown:

Flight from the US$308 – $530
Hotel Cost$7 – $1002

10. Bali, Indonesia

Popular WaterfallsGitGit Waterfall, Niagara Munduk, Banyumala Twin Waterfall
Best Time of the YearAugust to September
Other ActivitiesParagliding, Surfing, Flyboarding, Rock Climbing, Body Rafting, Paddleboarding
Best Waterfall Rappelling Spots in the World
Bali

Have you ever noticed that place in your Instagram feed where people are constantly jumping off these beautiful waterfalls and cliffs? That’s Bali.

Bali is one of the most popular tourist spots globally, with beautiful waterfalls and beaches in all four directions. 

I suggest trying out the GitGit Waterfall and Niagara Munduk, even though you can go whitewater rappelling just about anywhere in Bali. And don’t forget to check out the majestic NungNung Waterfall if you’re ever in Bali, but it’s not suitable for rappelling.

Cost Breakdown:

Flight from the US$851 – $1,383
Hotel Cost$2 – $16

Difference Between Waterfall Rappelling and Canyoning

Here’s a quick difference to help you plan your next adventure:

In Waterfall Rappelling, we usually hike to the top of the waterfall and then downclimb. To downclimb the same waterfall again, you’d hike back to the top using the same route.

Canyoning is when you don’t follow the same route twice. Instead, you’d do hiking, down climbing, rappelling, river crossing, and even zip-lining and experience the “entire canyon” to reach the top of the waterfall.

Jonathan Spaeth

I got into extreme sports about 20 years ago and am a die-hard adrenaline junkie. Just like in business, I choose my outdoor adventures based on how much they scare me. My goal is to share the lessons I've learned over the past couple of decades braving the unknown to encourage you to do the same.