Operating since 2009, the Dragon’s Tail Coaster in Labadee, Haiti is an exclusive mountain coaster only open to passengers cruising on Royal Caribbean (or Celebrity Cruises) ship.
If you’re interested in finding out more about this ride, then you have come to the right place!
This guide features everything you need to know about riding the Dragon’s Tail Coaster, including insider tips and advice, so keep reading to find out more.
Where is the Dragon’s Tail Coaster?
The Dragon’s Tail Coaster is located on the private island of Labadee, Haiti.
Labadee is a port located on the northern coast of Haiti.
This exclusive resort, leased by Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited, is only available to passengers on its three cruise lines: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises.
There are a number of activities that you can take part in with the Dragon’s Trail Coaster being one of them.
How to book your ride on the Dragon’s Trail Coaster
The Dragon’s Trail Coaster falls into the category of a shore excursion. This means that you can book a ticket online using the online Cruise Planner up to 2 days prior to your sail date.
If you are within 2 days of your sale date then you will need to purchase the tickets onboard.
If you are unsure about taking part in this attraction you can always wait until you arrive at Labadee to purchase tickets for the ride.
The only downside to this approach, given the popularity of this ride, is that there might not be availability.
How long is the Dragon’s Tail Coaster in Labadee Haiti?
Reaching a speed of up to 30mp/h (48 km/h), the Dragon’s Tail Coaster is 2,230 ft (680m) long and offers riders an exhilarating ride with a 360-degree loop, drops and turns.
The total ride time is between 3 and 5 minutes.
The ride starts with a cable-pulled ascent to the top. It’s a slow journey but it’s definitely worth the wait.
Once you’re at the top the cart takes a turn to the right, gravity takes over and the coaster makes its way down the mountain.
The downhill section lasts about 1:40 depending on your speed.
Do not underestimate this ride. Initially, it might seem tame compared to a standard rollercoaster but the cart picks up a lot of speed.
Combine that with the sharp twists and turns along the mountainside and you’re in for a great ride.
What is a Mountain Coaster?
If you’re unfamiliar with mountain coasters (also known as alpine coasters), check out the post we wrote.
Mountain or alpine coasters are essentially gravity-powered roller coasters that use the natural contours of a mountain to provide riders with a thrilling downhill ride experience.
Mountain coasters are a fantastic activity that the whole family can enjoy. However, given the nature of this ride, there are age and height restrictions that apply, these have been detailed below.
A great feature of mountain coasters is that they offer the option of two seats. This is great for parents with children that are too young to go on the ride alone.
In addition, mountain coasters are equipped with a manual brake, enabling riders to adjust their descent speed. This unique feature allows riders to have greater control of their experience.
If things get a bit too fast for your liking you can apply the brake, if you’re more of the daredevil type then you can leave the brake untouched for maximum speed.
Another great feature of alpine coasters is that no prior experience or training is necessary. You can jump in and enjoy the ride.
Dragon’s Tail Coaster Video
One of the great things about mountain and alpine coasters is that a lot of people have filmed their experiences.
These videos give you a good sense of what you can expect when you go on one of these rides.
In the video below Danny from Harr Travel gives a comprehensive review of the coaster – it’s definitely worth taking a look.
The video below has some excellent footage from the mountain coaster and the Dragon’s Breath Zipline (another exciting excursion to take part in on the island).
How much is the mountain coaster in Labadee Haiti?
The cost to ride this coaster does vary depending on the time of year and the cruise ship. We recommend checking the official cruise website for the latest price information.
At the time of writing the cost to ride the Dragon’s Trail Coaster was as follows:
| Ticket | Price (US$) |
|---|---|
| Single ride | $26.00 |
| All-day pass | $35.75 |
The all-day pass lets you enjoy the ride as many times as you want, depending on capacity.
If there are two people riding in the cart, only one person needs to purchase a ticket. If you have children between the ages of 5 and 11 this works really well as you’ll only need to purchase one ticket.
Please be aware that there is a maximum combined weight limit for each cart of 360 lbs (150 kg). The carts are also fairly small so two adults would be better off riding alone.
Based on the experience of many cruisers we would strongly recommend buying the all-day pass and making the coaster one of the first things you do on the island.
Getting there early means you have a higher chance of riding the coaster multiple times without waiting in line. The afternoon waiting times can be almost an hour long so it makes sense to go early.
It’s the sort of ride that you’ll want to do more than once, especially if it is your first time on a mountain coaster. The first ride is usually a bit overwhelming so riding it a second time gives you a chance to enjoy the experience and appreciate the incredible views.
If you have children there is no doubt they’ll want to ride it more than once.
Height, Age and Other Details
There are height, age and other restrictions to be aware of before going on this ride. These are summarized below:
- The minimum age to ride alone is 12 years old.
- The minimum age to be a passenger is 5 years old.
- Children between the age of 5 and 11 must ride with their parents or guardian.
- The minimum height to ride alone is 54 inches (137cm)
- The minimum height to be a passenger is 38 inches (97cm)
- The maximum combined weight (driver and passenger) of the cart of 360 lbs (150 kgs)
- All riders must keep their feet inside the cart at all times.
- Suitable clothing and footwear must be worn. No bare feet allowed.
- Loose articles/clothing/hair are not permitted on the ride.
- It is recommended that pregnant women not ride this mountain coaster.
All guests are also required to sign a waiver before participating in this ride.
Is the Dragon’s Tail Coaster worth it?
The Dragon’s Trail Coaster is a safe, well-priced ride that can be enjoyed by the whole family. This alone makes it a worthwhile excursion.
In order to get the best experience, we recommend going as soon as you arrive on the island to avoid potentially long wait times.
The whole experience, including checking in and the safety briefing, takes about 30 minutes so there is still plenty of time to enjoy other activities on the island.
