6 waterfalls worldwide
Abseiling at waterfalls
Going over the lip on a rope, face-first or otherwise, with the water beside you.
Rappelling, or abseiling, beside a waterfall puts you on a rope on the cliff next to the falling water. Most commercial descents are short and guided, and need no experience.
Worth knowing before you book
- Guides control the rope from below, so beginners are rarely out of control.
- Expect to get soaked by spray on the way down.
- Descents are often packaged with ziplines or canyoning.
Safety
Check that the operator uses independent backup ropes and certified guides.
From our full guides
What it costs, and who runs it
Advertised 2026 prices at the destinations we cover in depth, converted to US dollars. Open a guide for the season, what's included and how to book.
Where it runs
Waterfalls with abseiling
Every destination in our index where abseiling genuinely operates at or immediately around the falls. If an operator has closed, we take the entry down rather than leave a dead booking link.
Full guide Victoria Falls
Largest sheet of falling water on Earth
Full guide La Fortuna Waterfall
Signature waterfall of Costa Rica's Arenal region
UNESCO Carrabeanga Falls
A two-day, 20-abseil canyon descent in Kanangra-Boyd
Maletsunyane Falls
Longest single-drop abseil (204m) in the world
Sipi Falls
Uganda's most scenic coffee-country waterfall trio
Salto del Penitente
Uruguay's best-known waterfall, more than 60 m high
Questions people ask
Where can you go abseiling at a waterfall?
Our index lists 6 waterfalls where abseiling operates at or right beside the falls, including Victoria Falls, La Fortuna Waterfall, Carrabeanga Falls, Maletsunyane Falls, Sipi Falls and Salto del Penitente.
How much does abseiling at a waterfall cost?
At the destinations we cover in full, advertised 2026 prices run roughly US$109 to US$242 per person, depending on the operator and what's included. Prices are converted to US dollars from local currencies and change without notice, so check the operator before you book.
When is the best time of year for abseiling at waterfalls?
Across the waterfalls in our index, the most are at their best January to March and December. But each activity has its own window — rafting often stops at peak flood, and ice climbing needs a hard freeze — so check the season on each destination page.
Is abseiling at a waterfall safe?
Check that the operator uses independent backup ropes and certified guides.
Other ways in
