With our time in Monteverde coming to an end, we woke early to enjoy one last morning in the mountains. As the sun began to rise over the surrounding hills, the familiar layers of clouds drifted through the valleys below. For several days, these views had been the backdrop to our adventures through the cloud forest, and it was hard to imagine leaving them behind.
- Leaving Monteverde
- Exploring Ponderosa Adventure Park
- Trading the Mountains for the Beach
- Our Costa Rica Highlights
Leaving Monteverde
During our stay, we called Camino Verde Bed & Breakfast home. Located just a short walk from the center of town, it proved to be the perfect base for exploring the Monteverde area. We loved the welcoming atmosphere, the comfortable rooms, and the spacious common areas where travelers from around the world gathered each morning.
Our favorite spot was the large outdoor deck. Whether we were enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning or relaxing in the afternoon as the clouds rolled in, it became one of those places that felt easy to settle into and difficult to leave.
What made our stay especially memorable, however, were the people. Each morning we were greeted by friendly staff who were always eager to share recommendations, answer questions, or simply chat about life in Costa Rica. Before leaving, we hugged the wonderful women who had prepared breakfast for us each day and thanked the staff who had helped make our stay so special. We promised we would return someday, hoping that promise would be fulfilled sooner rather than later.
Eventually, it was time to pack the car and begin the drive down from the mountains. As we wound our way through the curves of the road, we found ourselves looking back at the green hillsides, trying to memorize the views one last time. Monteverde had given us incredible hikes, unforgettable wildlife encounters, meaningful cultural experiences, and a deeper appreciation for the people and landscapes of Costa Rica.
Leaving the mountains was bittersweet, but our Costa Rican adventure wasn’t over yet. We still had a couple of days to spend along the Pacific coast. Before heading to the beach, however, we had one more stop planned: a family adventure park that promised a few surprises of its own.
Exploring Ponderosa Adventure Park
Before heading to the Pacific coast, we made one final stop at Ponderosa Adventure Park. As soon as we turned off the highway and began driving through the trees toward the entrance, it became clear that this was a much larger property than we had expected.
The park offers a wide variety of activities, allowing visitors to build their day around the experiences that interest them most. Depending on the ticket selected, visitors can enjoy ziplining, horseback riding, tubing, waterfalls, wildlife encounters, and more. Although several activities caught our attention, there was one experience that had convinced us to make the stop in the first place: the animal safari.
The Animal Safari
Before boarding the safari train, we purchased bundles of carrots to feed the animals and opted to have a park photographer join the tour. Looking back, we probably would have purchased even more carrots. The animals quickly taught us that there is no such thing as too many carrots.
The open-air train carried us through a series of wildlife enclosures where we had the opportunity to interact with animals from surprisingly close range.
Our first stop introduced us to Ethiopian cattle with enormous spiral horns. They seemed completely unimpressed by our carrots and preferred to continue grazing in the grass.
The zebras, however, were a different story…
The moment the train entered their enclosure, they surrounded us, eagerly stretching their noses toward every carrot in sight. A few young zebras wandered among the adults, and we found ourselves tossing carrots down to them whenever we could sneak one past the larger animals. Being surrounded by so many zebras at once was an experience we never expected to have.
The giraffes were equally impressive. They approached the train with practiced confidence and quickly discovered that they could simply reach inside and help themselves to any unattended carrots. Their long eyelashes, gentle faces, and curious personalities made them an instant favorite. We loved being able to feed and pet them while they calmly enjoyed their snacks.
Other encounters included massive-horned bulls, an ostrich that enthusiastically demanded carrots, rescued camels, playful goats, sheep, and a pond where alligators lurked just beneath the surface. Every enclosure seemed to offer something unexpected.
By the end of the safari, it was easy to understand why this attraction is one of the park’s most popular experiences.
Lunch and Monkeys in the Trees
After the safari, we headed to the café for lunch, which was included with our tickets. We were pleasantly surprised to find a large buffet-style spread with plenty of options to choose from.
As we ate, we noticed movement in the trees above us.
Several monkeys had gathered in the branches, carefully watching the diners below. They seemed perfectly aware that food was nearby and spent much of their time chattering to one another while keeping an eye on the tables. It was one of those moments that reminded us we were still very much in Costa Rica.
Waterfalls, Horses, and One Very Suspicious Alligator
With lunch finished, we spent some time exploring the rest of the property. A path lined with colorful animal and character statues led us toward a small but picturesque waterfall. Above the falls we could see the final stretch of the zipline course, while below, the water flowed into a river used for kayaking and tubing.
Tubing was included with our tickets, and we briefly considered giving it a try.
Then we spotted a small alligator in the water.
That discovery quickly helped us make our decision.
Instead, we continued exploring and watched other visitors enjoy the river activities from a comfortable distance.
Although we hadn’t booked a horseback riding experience, one of the staff members kindly offered to let Tessa take a short ride. He led her around the pond and back several times, and her excitement made it clear that the experience had become one of her favorite moments of the day.
As afternoon rain clouds began gathering overhead, we decided it was time to continue our journey toward the coast. Ponderosa Adventure Park had given us a day full of unexpected animal encounters, family fun, and memorable experiences—making it a worthwhile stop between Monteverde and the beaches of Costa Rica.
Why We Stopped at Ponderosa Adventure Park
One of the things we enjoyed most about visiting Ponderosa Adventure Park was that it provided a fun break between the mountains of Monteverde and the beaches of the Pacific coast. Rather than spending the entire day driving, we were able to add another memorable experience to our trip while giving everyone a chance to stretch their legs and have some fun.
The animal safari was easily the highlight of our visit, but the variety of activities available means families can customize the experience to fit their interests. Whether you’re looking for wildlife encounters, horseback riding, tubing, or simply a place to relax for a few hours, Ponderosa makes for an enjoyable stop while exploring the Guanacaste region.
Trading the Mountains for the Beach
By late afternoon, we had left the cloud forests behind and arrived on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast at Playa Hermosa. After days spent winding through mountain roads and hiking rainforest trails, the slower pace of the beach felt like the perfect way to end our trip.
We checked into Playa Hermosa Bosque del Mar and immediately knew we had chosen well. As we arrived, we were greeted with tall glasses of refreshing passionfruit smoothies—a welcome treat after a day of driving and exploring.
The hotel felt less like a traditional resort and more like a collection of treehouses tucked into the surrounding tropical greenery. Everywhere we looked, plants and trees seemed to blend seamlessly into the property, creating a peaceful atmosphere that felt connected to the natural beauty of the coast.
The real highlight, however, was the location.
Just steps from the hotel, Playa Hermosa stretched out before us. We headed straight to the beach and spent the evening walking along the shoreline. The dark volcanic sand was a striking contrast to the beaches we were used to, and the waves rolled steadily onto the shore as we wandered along the water’s edge.
The beach felt wonderfully relaxed. Trees lined the edge of the sand, and the warm Pacific Ocean stretched endlessly toward the horizon. After several days of adventure in Monteverde, it was exactly the kind of place where it felt easy to slow down and simply enjoy being there.
Before dinner, we spent some time cooling off in the pool while listening to one of Costa Rica’s most unforgettable sounds. Hidden in the trees above us, howler monkeys called back and forth across the property. Their deep, echoing cries seemed almost prehistoric and provided a fitting reminder that even here at the beach, Costa Rica’s incredible wildlife was never very far away.
Our Costa Rica Highlights
As we prepared to head home, we found ourselves talking about all the moments that had made this trip so memorable.
Favorite Hike: Children’s Eternal Rainforest
Favorite Wildlife Encounter: Feeding giraffes and zebras at Ponderosa Adventure Park
Favorite View: Looking out across the cloud forest canopy from the hanging bridges at Selvatura
Favorite Cultural Experience: Visiting the Don Juan Plantation and unexpectedly finding ourselves in a local cultural celebration
Favorite Place to Stay: Camino Verde Bed & Breakfast in Monteverde
More than any single attraction, though, what we will remember most is the feeling of Costa Rica itself—the incredible natural beauty, the welcoming people, and the sense of appreciation for life that seemed woven into every experience.
As our week in Costa Rica came to an end, we found ourselves reflecting on everything we had experienced. We had walked through cloud forests, crossed hanging bridges, learned how coffee and chocolate are made, hiked through a rainforest protected by children, fed giraffes, and listened to howler monkeys from the edge of the Pacific Ocean.
What stayed with us most, however, was the feeling of Costa Rica itself. Everywhere we went we encountered people who were welcoming, proud of their country, and eager to share it with visitors.
The phrase Pura Vida had followed us throughout the trip. By the end, we understood that it was more than a greeting. It was a way of appreciating the beauty of everyday moments, slowing down enough to enjoy them, and finding joy in the world around you.
As we watched the waves roll onto Playa Hermosa one last time, we knew this would not be our only visit to Costa Rica.
Want to catch up on our other Costa Rica adventures? Then check out these:
Hanging Bridges, sloths, and butterflies
Hiking in Monteverde Cloud Forest
Thanks for coming along on this visit to Ponderosa Park and Playa Hermosa. May good things come to you like herds of hungry zebras.
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