Datanla Alpine Coaster Dalat: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

When I first heard about the Datanla Alpine Coaster, I wasn’t really sure what to expect.

First of all, I didn’t even know we had anything “alpine” in Southeast Asia. And an alpine coaster? That sounded more like something I’d find in Switzerland than in Vietnam.

But curiosity got the better of me again, so I went to check it out.

Just 6 kilometers south of Dalat city center sits Datanla Waterfall, an adrenaline junkie’s playground built around a multi-tiered waterfall.

And one of the most popular activities there is the Datanla Alpine Coaster, that is suitable for all ages and fear tolerance.

Whether you’re a thrill seeker or simply a nature lover wanting to coast along at a comfortable speed, the ride lets you experience Datanla’s natural beauty at your own pace, with your hands controlling the brakes.

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Best time to go to Datanla

Datanla is open year-round, but if you want the smoothest experience, aim for the dry season (November to March).

During the rainy months (April to October), things get slippery, especially around the waterfall area. Safety aside, it can also affect your overall experience.

I went in July, and right on cue, it rained while I was waiting for my turn on the coaster.

Some carts have plastic awnings, but they’re limited. And when the rain gets serious, those awnings feel more decorative than functional. Translation: you will get wet.

How to get to the Datanla Alpine Coaster

Datanla is about 6 km south of Dalat city centre.

There’s no public transport that goes directly here, so your options are:

Motorbike / self-drive: Follow Highway N20. The entrance is about 400 meters off the main road, and there’s a large sign you won’t miss.
Grab (car or bike): My go-to in Vietnam. Cheap, easy, and no mental energy required. If you’re comfortable on a bike, Grab Bike is honestly the most efficient way to zip around Dalat.
Taxi: Widely available, just slightly pricier.
Day tours: Many Dalat tours include Datanla as a stop.

How to book the Datanla Alpine Coaster

The alpine coaster ride is currently priced at VND 250,000 (USD 9.50) per adult for round-trip tickets.

You can either purchase it at the counter or pre-book on online booking apps, such as Klook, which frequently offers discounts.

What to expect on the Datanla Alpine Coaster

I booked through Klook, so upon arrival, the first thing I did was redeem my ticket at the counter.

It was low season and quite late in the day, so there weren’t too many people.

Still, I had to join the queue for my turn, as we had to wait for the previous riders to return before taking over their carts.

Each cart fits two people—either one adult and one child, or two adults if you’re both on the smaller side.

The cart is equipped with an electromagnetic handbrake, so you can control your speed as you slide down the tracks.

You can go as fast as 40 km/h, but keep an eye on the person in front of you—they might be moving slower or stopping whenever they feel like it.

At the same time, you don’t want to go too slowly either, or you’ll end up holding up the people behind you.

It reminded me of the Frakigaudi Summer Toboggan on Mount Pilatus, which uses the same concept. Unlike in Switzerland, though, photography is allowed here in Datanla, so I managed to record a few videos during the ride.

The Datanla Alpine Coaster doubles as both an attraction and a transport system, taking passengers down to Datanla Waterfall at the end of the ride.

The 2,400-metre winding track starts at the top of the hill, carries you down the slope, and ends at the waterfall below. Once you’re done exploring, you can hop on another cart to head back up.

I, however, came to Datanla mainly for the coaster rather than the waterfall. Plus, it had already started raining by then, so after a quick photo, I joined the queue again for my ride back.

Other things to do at Datanla Waterfall

If you want to make the most of your visit, there’s more here than just the coaster:

Cable car

A gentler option to enjoy the views of the waterfall and surrounding hills.

High rope park

If you’ve got a bunch of restless kids on your hands, or just some chaotic energy yourself, there’s no better choice than the High Rope Park. Think obstacle courses, but in the trees.

Perfect for all ages, this 2-hour adventure takes you through the forests of Dalat as you make your way across courses of varying difficulty levels.

Abseiling and canyoneering

For those with a real sense of adventure, Datanla Waterfall is also known for its canyoning experiences.

Canyoning, sometimes called canyoneering, involves exploring a canyon using a mix of techniques such as hiking, scrambling, sliding down natural rock formations, abseiling (rappelling), swimming, and even cliff jumping.

At Datanla, the experience combines all of these elements. Highlights include abseiling down a 25-metre waterfall, followed by a 13-metre cliff jump.

Final thoughts

The Datanla Alpine Coaster may not be a life-changing, bucket-list defining activity, but for its price, it’s an easy yes in Dalat and it did live up to the hype.

It’s fun without being intimidating, and flexible enough that you can experience it your own way, at your own speed.

And if it rains? You’ll just leave with better stories.

Check out the rest of my blog for more things to do across Vietnam, and don’t miss my travel bucket list for more unexpectedly fun experiences around the world.

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