Duration: Full Day · Price: From $250 USD per group of 1–4 · Difficulty: Easy
About this tour
Ponderosa Adventure Park sits on 100 hectares of Guanacaste dry forest about 30 minutes from Liberia, and it is unlike anywhere else in Costa Rica. The animals are African — giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, Ankole-Watusi cattle with their enormous horns, ostriches, dromedaries, and oryx — and the safari is a slow open-air tractor ride through the grounds that places you close enough for children to genuinely interact with them. Kids who have only seen giraffes in picture books tend to go very quiet the first time one lowers its neck toward them.
The day builds in a natural order from wildlife to adventure. The canopy has nine zip lines of varying length and height, designed to be accessible for children starting at age six — not extreme, not beginner, exactly right for families. The most spectacular line finishes above La Perla waterfall, a 30-meter cascade into a natural pool with real swimming at the bottom. The lazy river tubing run follows, about 30 minutes of floating through lush vegetation that is gentle enough for 8-year-olds and fun enough for adults. Horseback riding through the forest rounds out the day if energy remains.
This tour works two ways. As a standalone day from San José, pickup is early — around 5:30 am — to cover the 3.5-hour drive to Liberia before the park opens, and the return puts you back at your San José hotel by early evening. As an extra day added to any of our Guanacaste tours (Beach Hopping, Ostional Turtles), the park is roughly 45 minutes from Tamarindo area hotels, and the schedule is far more relaxed. Either way, your group has a private vehicle, a bilingual guide for the day, and full flexibility on pace.
Park entry tickets are not included in the tour price and are purchased at the gate (approximately $85 per adult, $77 per child ages 4–12). The park has an on-site restaurant with a buffet lunch option, a convenience store, and fully accessible infrastructure.
What's included
- Private round-trip transportation from San José hotel or your Guanacaste hotel
- Bilingual guide for the full day
- Water and seasonal fresh fruit
- Canopy equipment (harness, helmet, gloves)
- Tubes for the lazy river
Not included
- Park entrance tickets (purchased at the gate — approx. $85/adult, $77/child)
- Meals and drinks (on-site restaurant and buffet available)
- Gratuities
- Personal travel insurance
- Photos (available for purchase inside the park)
Good to know
- From San José: early pickup around 5:30 am, return by early evening — a long but very full day
- As a Guanacaste add-on: book it as an extra day on our Beach Hopping or Ostional Turtle tour
- Minimum age 4 for park entry; age 6 for canopy and tubing
- Closed-toe shoes required — sandals and flip-flops not permitted for activities
- Bring a swimsuit, towel, and biodegradable sunscreen
- No outside food or coolers permitted inside the park
- Free cancellation 48 hours prior