Tucked into the lush lowlands of Retalhuleu, Guatemala, Avalancha is the ride that put Central America on the roller coaster map. The steel looper at Xetulul theme park throws riders through eight inversions — a figure that lands it among the roller coasters with the most inversions in the world. As of a 2018 count, it was one of only 15 coasters on the planet with eight or more inversions, and it remains the undisputed king of looping in Latin America.
Key Stats
| Park | Xetulul, San Martín Zapotitlán, Retalhuleu, Guatemala |
| Top speed | 54.7 mph (88 km/h) |
| Inversions | 8 |
| Manufacturer | Intamin |
| Model | Multi Inversion Coaster / 8 Inversion |
| Designer | Ing.-Büro Stengel GmbH |
| Trains | 7 cars, 28 riders per train |
Eight Inversions in the Jungle
Avalancha’s inversion list reads like a greatest-hits album of looping elements. After the chain lift, the train dives into a towering vertical loop, then gets wrung through a cobra roll (two inversions), a double corkscrew, and — the ride’s signature finale — a triple heartline roll that spins riders through three consecutive barrel rolls. That closing trio is what pushes the count to eight and gives Avalancha a flourish that few loopers anywhere can match.
The hardware comes from Swiss manufacturer Intamin, with the layout engineered by the legendary Ing.-Büro Stengel design office — the same firm behind the geometry of many of the world’s most celebrated coasters. Trains seat 28 riders across seven cars, and the ride hits a top speed of 54.7 mph (88 km/h).
The Crown Jewel of Xetulul
Xetulul itself is a story worth telling. Opened in 2002 by IRTRA — the Institute for the Recreation of Guatemalan Private Industry Workers — the park is the third-largest amusement park in Latin America, and in 2008 it won the prestigious Liseberg Applause Award, one of the theme park industry’s highest honors. Together with its neighboring water park Xocomil, Xetulul draws more than a million visitors a year, making the complex Guatemala’s most popular tourist attraction.
When Avalancha opened, it was Latin America’s largest roller coaster, a bold statement for a park better known for its beautifully detailed recreations of European plazas and Mayan architecture. The coaster’s loops rise above themed streetscapes modeled on Guatemalan and European landmarks — a surreal backdrop you won’t find at any Six Flags.
How It Stacks Up
Eight inversions puts Avalancha in rare company. Only a handful of coasters worldwide — headlined by the 14-inversion Smiler in England and the 10-inversion Colossus at Thorpe Park — flip riders more times per lap. In the Americas, it out-loops famous U.S. rides like Montu and Medusa, which each manage seven. See where it lands on our full ranking of the most inversions on a roller coaster.
FAQ
How many inversions does Avalancha have?
Avalancha has 8 inversions: a vertical loop, a cobra roll, a double corkscrew, and a triple heartline roll. That makes it the most-looping roller coaster in Latin America.
Where is Avalancha located?
Avalancha is at Xetulul theme park in San Martín Zapotitlán, Retalhuleu, Guatemala. The park is operated by IRTRA and sits beside the Xocomil water park.
How fast is Avalancha?
Avalancha reaches a top speed of 54.7 mph (88 km/h) after its chain lift hill.
Photo: Keryy13 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)