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Everything You Need to Know about Mae Sa Waterfall

| Last Updated: November 2024

Mae Sa Waterfall is a hiking and picnicking paradise, another must-see in Chiang Mai. It’s an impressive cascade boasting 10 distinctive levels and a sprawling nature trail with concrete paths, steep stairs, and wooden bridges.

Given its multi-tier cascade, Mae Sa Waterfall offers plenty of opportunities for swimming and foot-dipping action. And being under an hour away from Chiang Mai’s city center makes it an accessible day trip for tourists.

It’s certainly a must-visit attraction for those looking for a splash-tastic nature adventure up North! Read on. 

Where is Mae Sa Waterfall?

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Image Source: Google Maps

Mae Sa Waterfall is in the heart of Mae Raem Subdistrict. It’s south of Highway 1096 west of Mae Raem Village, and east of Thai Elephant Care Center.

Things to Know

Location: Soi Namtok Mae Sa 4, Mae Raem, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai 
Phone: +66 53 210 244
Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Admission Costs: Free

How to Get to Mae Sa Waterfall

Songthaew or Tuk-tuk: Tourists can charter songthaews and tuk-tuks in the streets of Chiang Mai to get to Mae Sa Waterfall. You must negotiate with the driver for the fare so pricing can vary.

Aside from Mae Sa Waterfall, chartering lets you include other famous attractions in Chiang Mai like Mae Sa Elephant Camp, King Cobra Show, Tiger Kingdom, and more.

Taxi: A more convenient option is to book a taxi using the Grab or Bolt app for Android and iOS phones. With this, your designated driver can pick you up anywhere in Chiang Mai and take you directly to Mae Sa Waterfall.

Rental Car: You can also rent and drive a car from Chiang Mai to get to Mae Sa Waterfall. From the city center, drive north via Highway 107 and turn left at Highway 1096.

Continue along this highway until you see a small road with a brown road sign for Mae Sa Waterfall on your left-hand side. Follow this road to reach the waterfall’s entrance.

What to See and Do in Mae Sa Waterfall

Hike your way through Mae Sa Waterfall’s 10 cascades

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Mae Sa Waterfall is best known for its impressive 10-tier cascades which makes it a fan favorite among hikers who frequent Chiang Mai. You can check these cascades out by hiking this 1.5-kilometer waterfall’s lush nature trail.

This trail has rocky terrains, numerous water streams, wooden bridges, photo spots, and more. The waterfall’s first 6 cascades are the most accessible, so expect to see most of the visitors staying around these parts.

After all, the nature trail from the 7th to the 10th cascade is steeper so it’s more popular for skilled hikers who like the challenge. Just know that you can only stay at the higher levels until 4:30 p.m. because all visitors need to be back at the base by 5 p.m.

Enjoy swimming at the waterfall’s natural pools

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A trip to Mae Sa Waterfall won’t be complete without enjoying its refreshing and cool waters. The waterfall’s 4th and 5th cascades, in particular, are solid options because of their deeper and wider pools which are ideal for swimming.

Its 5th cascade also has bathroom facilities which is convenient when you need a private place to change clothes. Moreover, be sure to avoid the rainy season if you plan to swim during your visit because of the muddy water and intense water stream.

Admire the waterfall’s breathtaking cascades

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Mae Sa Waterfall is one of the more stunning and unique waterfalls in Chiang Mai. Going there gives you the best chance to admire up to 10 cascades with varying width, height, and water intensity so seeing them all is definitely worth it.

Just avoid visiting after it has rained so you can capture postcard-perfect photos of the cascades without murky waters.

Set up a picnic in Mae Sa Waterfall

Picnicking is one of the more popular activities in Mae Sa Waterfall so expect to see numerous local families hanging out during the weekends. Visitors can also set up their picnic blankets near the cascades to make the most of their natural pools.

Just be sure to avoid littering because this waterfall is within a protected area in Chiang Mai. Its best picnic spots are in the first 6 cascades because bathroom facilities and outdoor sitting areas are readily available.

Observe the diverse wildlife along the waterfall’s streams and nature trails

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Mae Sa Waterfall is known for its diverse wildlife. Exploring its water streams and nature trails gives you a chance to spot a wide range of tropical plants, butterflies, birds, and more.

In fact, this place is a popular bird watching spot with over 200 recorded bird species like spotted doves, Burmese shrikes, and more.

Where to Eat and Drink in and Near Mae Sa Waterfall

Mae Sa Waterfall Food and Drink

Address: Mae Raem, Mae Rim District
Phone: +66 61 892 3655
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Tuesday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for Thai food

Mae Sa Waterfall Food and Drink is a local restaurant near Mae Sa Waterfall’s parking area, so it’s an accessible option for Thai food during your visit. 

They serve large portions for reasonable prices so it’s ideal for tourists looking for a value-for-your-money meal.

Fleur Cafe & Eatery

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Address: Tung Lung Soi 4, Mae Raem, Mae Rim District
Phone: +66 91 078 7104
Pricing: ฿฿฿
Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for Thai and Western food
Website

Fleur Cafe & Eatery is an upscale restaurant known for its chic garden dining area filled with pine trees, colorful flowers, artificial ponds, photo spots, and more. It also serves fancy versions of classic Thai dishes and Western-style food.

Think khao soi, nam ngiao, fusilli di pesto with smoked salmon, BBQ pork chop, etc. They also have a separate breakfast and brunch menu consisting of Western-style breakfast sets, salads, and sandwiches.

Don’t forget to try their unique selection of fruit juices, smoothies, and yogurt drinks. Also, this place is only a 4-minute drive from Mae Sa Waterfall so you don’t have to travel far to reach it.

Per-La-Mer Cafe

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Address: 194, 2, Mae Raem, Mae Rim District
Phone: +66 64 269 9795
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 

  • 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Monday – Friday)
  • 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Saturday – Sunday)

Good to know: Good for coffee, cakes
Website

Per-La-Mer Cafe is a charming and accessible food place you can reach after a short 6-minute drive from Mae Sa Waterfall. It boasts a relaxing alfresco dining area with a lush tropical garden and a pondside wooden deck with cozy outdoor lounge cushions.

This place specializes in a variety of refreshing drinks, from hot and iced coffees to fresh milk teas, fruit smoothies, Italian sodas, and more. Plus, these drinks pair nicely with their signature cake rolls.

Its nice selection of reasonably priced Thai dishes is also a plus.

Where to Shop in and Near Mae Sa Waterfall

Mae Sa Waterfall Parking Area Stalls

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Address: Soi Namtok Mae Sa 4, Mae Raem, Mae Rim District
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for souvenirs, street food

Mae Sa Waterfall’s parking area is filled with local vendors, so it’s a convenient place to shop for souvenirs, snacks, and drinks. There, you can find stalls offering affordable clothes, bags, hats, patterned ethnic fabrics, and more.

You can also buy fresh fruits, wooden sculptures, chips, and bottled sodas.

7-Eleven

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Address: Mae Raem, Mae Rim District
Phone: +66 2 826 7744
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 24 Hours (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for travel essentials
Website

This 7-Eleven store is only a 6-minute drive from Mae Sa Waterfall so it’s ideal for a quick run for some essential items, snacks, drinks, and more. It also has a designated rack for travel essentials, which is convenient for visiting tourists.

Mae Rim Market

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Address: 107, Rim Tai, Mae Rim District
Phone: +66 2 267 0412
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 2 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for all-around shopping

Mae Rim Market is the closest traditional Thai market to Mae Sa Waterfall, so it’s the best choice if you need to shop for a wide range of items. This includes fresh produce, clothes, accessories, processed meat products, and more.

You can also find local stalls selling packed meals and traditional Thai desserts which is great when you don’t have time to prepare picnic food. 

Where to Stay in and Near Mae Sa Waterfall

Mae Sa Waterfall Campsite

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Address: Soi Namtok Mae Sa 4, Mae Raem, Mae Rim District
Phone: +66 53 210 244
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for nature lovers

The natural camping spots around Mae Sa Waterfall are a convenient option for backpackers and nature lovers. It’s best to bring your own camping gear but affordable rental tents are also available at the visitor’s center near the entrance.

Keep in mind that camping at the waterfall’s higher levels is not allowed so you’re only limited to the spots near the base. Levels 1 and 2 are the best options because you have quick access to the on-site restaurants, shops, and bathroom facilities.

Mae Sa Greenery Hill

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Address: 1/1 Moo 1, Mae Ram Subdistrict
Phone: +66 88 252 5379
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for families
Website

Mae Sa Greenery Hill is a budget-friendly guesthouse that’s only a 12-minute walk from Mae Sa Waterfall. This place has 5 comfy bedrooms, 2 communal bathrooms, a living room, and a fully equipped kitchen.

Guests can also enjoy strolling and cycling around the guesthouse’s lush estate. There’s also a rope bridge with forest views and an on-site cafe next to an artificial water stream.

At Nata Chiang Mai Chic Jungle

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Address: 32, 3 Mae Raem, Mae Rim District
Phone: +66 91 735 1174
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 12 a.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples, families
Website

At Nata Chiang Mai Chic Jungle is a charming hotel near Mae Sa Waterfall. It offers chic rooms and family suites with vibrant artsy interiors and modern amenities.

There’s also a gothic-style courtyard with a lush garden, outdoor sitting areas, an outdoor pool, and more.

FAQs about Mae Sa Waterfall

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