Datanla alpine coasters in Da Lat
Datanla Waterfall, just outside Da Lat, has two alpine coasters: sleds for one or two people that run on a steel track down the forested slope and are pulled back up by cable. The rider controls the speed with a brake lever.
The two coasters go to different falls. Alpine Coaster 1, the older one, takes you to Waterfall 1, the main falls; Alpine Coaster 3, the newer and longer one, runs further down the gorge to Waterfall 3.
Which coaster to choose
Alpine Coaster 1: about 1,200 m from its own gate down to Waterfall 1, a ride of a couple of minutes instead of a 1 km walk with 200 steps. It is sold one way or return; one-way riders walk back up the forest path. The entrance ticket is needed on top. It was already running in 2009.
Alpine Coaster 3: about 2,400 m by the operator's count, billed as the longest in Southeast Asia, down to Waterfall 3 and back up on a different route. It is sold as a return only, and the online ticket includes admission. Sensor brakes cap its top speed at about 40 km/h.
Pick Coaster 1 if you mainly want to see the main falls without the climb, Coaster 3 if the ride itself is the point.
Datanla alpine coaster prices
Adult prices; children from 100 cm to under 140 cm pay a child fare at the gate. Only Coaster 3 is sold online.
| Ticket | Online | At the gate |
|---|---|---|
| Coaster 1, one way Down to Waterfall 1, walk back; plus entrance | Not sold this way | 110,000 VND |
| Coaster 1, return Plus entrance | Not sold this way | 130,000 VND |
| Coaster 3, return Admission included | 240,100 VND | 250,000 VND |
Coaster 3 tickets online
Online tickets cancel free up to 24 hours ahead; show the voucher at the ticket counter to collect a paper ticket.
Adult
- Ride down to Waterfall 3 and back up
- Admission included
240,100 VND
Child
- 90–130 cm tall, riding with an adult
142,100 VND
Rules for both coasters
Who can ride: from 90 cm tall; children from 3 years old ride with an adult. A sled takes two people at most, the weight limit is 120 kg, and riders must have a waist under 90 cm.
Rain: both coasters at Datanla Waterfall stop whenever it rains, which is frequent from May to October.
Hours: the coasters take riders from 07:15 to 16:30.
Photos: filming while riding is discouraged, but cameras by the track take your picture, sold at the finish.
Questions before you ride
How much are the alpine coasters at Datanla Waterfall?
Coaster 3 costs 240,100 VND return online, or 250,000 VND at the gate, admission included. Coaster 1 costs 130,000 VND return or 110,000 VND one way at the gate, plus the 80,000 VND entrance ticket.
Which coaster goes to the main waterfall?
Alpine Coaster 1. It ends at Waterfall 1, the falls most photos show; Coaster 3 goes further down to Waterfall 3.
Is the coaster fast?
Only as fast as you let it be: the brake lever is yours. On Coaster 3 sensor brakes keep the top speed to about 40 km/h, and a slow rider ahead slows you down too.
Does the zipline ticket include a coaster ride?
Yes. The zipline ends near the falls, and its online ticket includes a one-way alpine coaster ride back up.