San José, Costa Rica

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Description

Welcome to La Ponderosa, a one-of-a-kind jewel in the lush hills of Costa Rica’s Central Valley, a place where visionary design, unrivaled privacy, and world-class amenities converge in one of Costa Rica’s most exclusive estates. Hidden behind secure gates and nestled on nearly 7 acres (28,000 m2) of manicured grounds, this ultra-private compound is a place where architecture, nature, and innovation converge to create something truly irreplicable. It is at once a sanctuary of peace, a feat of engineering, and a celebration of craftsmanship.

Framed by mountain silhouettes and by the daily sunsets over the rolling valleys, the 9688 sq ft (900 m2) main residence stands as a testament to ultra-luxurious architecture and craftsmanship. Every corner of the home has been meticulously curated, blending handcrafted Almond and oak hardwood flooring with globally sourced finishes from Italy, Indonesia, India, Africa, and more. Custom cabinetry, hand-carved furniture, and natural stone detailing accent the home with warmth and sophistication, while cutting-edge technology ensures every experience is effortless.
Inside, the layout flows with grace. The first floor features three primary suites, each uniquely designed to feel like a private retreat. From garden patios with marble soaking tubs and glass ceilings to suites with direct access to a cedar sauna and flower-lined terraces, every room invites tranquility and privacy. Upstairs, a fourth master suite opens to panoramic views of the Central Valley and the estate’s breathtaking pool area. Adjacent to the primary suite, you wil find a one of a kind lounge and home office space, complete with its own private entrance and full bath, offering flexible use as an additional suite.
The heart of the home is a vaulted chef’s kitchen, crowned by skylights and anchored by a massive quartz island. This chef’s haven is equipped with a La Cornue Grand Palais 180 oven and range, Sub-Zero appliances, a walk-in Refrigerator and Freeze, and a hidden service window that connects to an outdoor kitchen fit for entertaining at scale, complete with twin wood-fired pizza ovens, an Argentinian grill, smoker, wok burner, and sink. Adjacent to the kitchen, the living room turns into a cinematic escape, with a 115-inch 4K TV, retractable 242-inch projector screen, and vapor fireplace.

Beyond the main residence, La Ponderosa becomes its own resort. At the heart lies a resort-style saltwater pool designed by world-renowned pool artist Joan Roca, with 80,000 gallons, swim-up bar, underwater speakers, and in-pool seating, this masterpiece also includes a 3,000-gallon Jacuzzi and a and a leaf-shaped elevated lounge that seems to float above the water with swing seating. A swim-up bar leads to a fully equipped pool rancho with a 4K weatherproof TV, full wet bar, and luxurious changing rooms with hot showers. From morning laps to sunset cocktails, the pool area is made to enjoy, entertain, and unwind.
The estate's spa-like experience continues with an outdoor cedar sauna, accessible from the pool and select suites. A private pet grooming station, outdoor fire pits, and manicured gardens offer touches of joy in every corner. For wine connoisseurs: a climate-controlled wine cellar with tasting table, Sub-Zero coolers, and wet bar.

As remarkable as the home itself are the systems and infrastructure that support it, often invisible, but essential for a lifestyle defined by ease, security, and independence. The estate is powered by two emergency generators, an inline UPS system, and an automatic transfer switch that ensures transitions are seamless in the event of a power outage. Fiber optic and CAT6 wiring, paired with dual internet providers including Luminet and Starlink, provide uninterrupted connectivity with automatic failover. Wi-Fi blankets the entire estate, both indoors and out.
Water comes from two private wells and municipal service, all double-filtered and supported by a 40,000-gallon storage system. An underground sprinkler system irrigates the entire property. Electronics and climate systems are routed through dedicated server and utility rooms, controlled from anywhere via a Crestron automation system that oversees lighting, music, video, and security.
And security is nothing short of fortress-grade. The reinforced concrete guardhouse at the entrance features bulletproof glass, restroom facilities, an alarm panel, and intercom systems. A half-million-dollar security network, including cameras, motion detectors, laser beams, and floodlights, provides 24/7 peace of mind, with live monitoring from any television within the residence.

Tucked away in its own corner of the estate, a fully independent guest house offers comfort and seclusion for visitors. With two bedrooms, a full kitchen, a spacious living room, and a private bathroom, it mirrors the main residence’s elegance on a smaller scale. Just beyond the guest house, a fully registered helipad allows for fast and discreet arrivals, making the home ideal for someone who owns a second home on the coast, or in the mountains, and enjoys the ease of air travel.
Across the grounds, additional structures extend the property's versatility. A large garage fits up to eight vehicles and features its own office, washroom, and hydraulic lift. Nearby, a dedicated workshop with a second lift serves mechanical needs with professional-grade equipment. Toward the back of the property, a greenhouse and hydroponic room support sustainable living, alongside a large BBQ pit and an orchard with more than 100 fruit and herb trees, from avocado and mango to clove, eucalyptus, and Costa Rican coffee.
Two koi ponds and a 100,000-gallon lake anchor the estate’s natural beauty, complete with waterfalls, two islands connected by bridges, and a Japanese-style rancho with a wet bar, restroom, and ambient audio controlled through the estate’s master system. The quiet elegance of the Kyoto garden with a gazebo is a scene that feels sculpted from a dream, transporting you far beyond Costa Rica, if only for a moment. It is a space where nature and architecture meet in balance.

La Ponderosa is not just a home, it is a self-contained ecosystem of luxury, security, and independence, meticulously designed for the world’s most discerning buyer. Ideal for those seeking a private compound, high-end family retreat, this estate stands as one of Costa Rica’s most prestigious real estate offerings.
Private website access and visits available upon verified request.

Specs List:

La Corneau chateau 180 with hood
All refrigerators and freezers and the wine coolers are Sub Zero
Main TV in living room is 115” TCL
Projector is top of the line JVC
240” screen is by Stewart
Carrico water filtration system
All amps for TV and music by Anthem
Crestron system throughout the house and grounds for lighting and TV and Music
Pool designed by Johan Roca
Custom wood Cabinets
Solid Allendro flooring
Hestian Grille and matching cabinetry in outdoor kitchen
Firemagic Grille in rancho
John Deere Gator
All tv and office TV Samsung Smart Sets
Kholer smart Toilets
All Ubiquity managed switching interconnected by fiber optic cabling between each other and the microtik router.
WiFi throughout entire property
CAT 6 cabling to access points
250KVA DIESEL GENERATOR
Inline sinewave UPS
2 car lifts
Separate Generator for pond area and guard house
2 wells and city water
Storage for nearly 40,000 gallons of water
Two safe rooms, one on each floor.
Samsung A/C throughout the house and in one of the Garages.
All LED Lighting throughout home and property
Pentair pool equipment
Water feature Crying wall at main entrance
Fully approved Helipad
Steel reinforced poured concrete construction. Wall thickness varies between 8” and 4 feet
A lot of the tile and stone were sourced from Europe, Indonesia, and India.
Most of the Almendro from Nicaragua and Panama
Wood Cabinetry in Master Closet from Africa
Custom handles from India
All Pella Windows and sliding Doors

Features

Amenities

Bar, Cable TV, Ceiling Fan, Club House, Courtyard, Garden, Hot Tub, Jogging/Biking Path, Kitchenware, Lake Privileges, Large Kitchen Island, Library, Media/Game Room, Pantry, Park, Playground, Pool, Rooftop Deck, Safe Room, Sauna, Smart Home Technology, Walk-In Closets, Whirlpool Tub, Wireless Internet.

Appliances

Air Cleaner, Automatic Pool Cleaner, Bar Refrigerator, Baseboard Heating, Blender, Built in Wine Cooler, Burglar Alarm, Ceiling Fans, Central Air Conditioning, Coffee Grinder, Coffee Maker, Cook Top Range, Dehumidifier, Dishwasher, Disposal, Double Oven, Dryer, Fixtures, Food Processor, Freezer, Gas Appliances, Grill, Hot Tub, Humidifier, Ice Machine, Ice Maker, Intercom, Juicer, Kitchen Island, Kitchen Pantry, Kitchen Sink, Microwave Oven, Oven, Range/Oven, Refrigerator, Satellite Dish/Antenna, Self Cleaning Oven, Stainless Steel, Toaster, Toaster Oven, Trash Compactor, Warming Drawer, Washer & Dryer, Wine Cooler.

General Features

Covered, Fax, Fireplace, Heat, Parking, Phone, Piano, Private, Shared, Uncovered.

Interior Features

Abundant Closet(s), Air Conditioning, Balcony, Bar, Bar-Dry, Bar-Wet, Beam Ceilings, Blinds/Shades, Book Shelving, Box Ceiling, Breakfast bar, Built-In Furniture, Built-in Bookcases/Shelves, Built-in Desk, Carbon Monoxide Detector, Cat/Dog Free House, Cedar Closet, Ceiling Fans, Chandelier, Common Security, Corridor Access, Crown Molding, Decorative Lighting, Decorative Molding, Drywall Ceiling, Entertainment Center, Exposed Beams, Fire Alarm, Floor to Ceiling Windows, French Doors, Furnace, Furnished, Granite Counter Tops, High Ceilings, His/Hers Closets, Home Theater Equipment, Hot Tub/Jacuzzi/Spa, In-Law Suite, Intercom, Keyless Entry, Kitchen Accomodates Catering, Kitchen Island, Large chest freezer, Loft, Marble Counter Tops, Network/Internet Wired, Paneled Doors, Quartz Counter Tops, Recessed Lighting, Sauna, Security System, Skylight, Sliding Door, Smoke Alarm, Solar Tubes, Solid Surface Counters, Solid Wood Cabinets, Solid Wood Doors, Spiral Stairs, Sprinkler, Stereo System, Stone Counters, Study, Surround Sound Wiring, Tile Counter Tops, Track Lighting, Trash Compactor, Two Story Ceilings, Walk-In Closet, Wall Mirrors, Wall Paneling, Washer and dryer, Water Purification System, Whirlpool, Wood Ceilings, Woodwork.

Rooms

Art Studio, Atrium, Basement, Central/Center Hall, Converted Bedroom, Dance Studio, Den, Dressing Area, Exercise Room, Family Room, Formal Dining Room, Foyer, Game Room, Great Room, Guest House Separate, Guest Room, Home Theatre, In-law, Inside Laundry, Jack and Jill, Kitchen/Dining Combo, Laundry Room, Library, Living Room, Living/Dining Combo, Loft, Media Room, Office, Patio Enclosed, Recreation Room, Sauna, Separate Family Room, Storage Room, Study, Sun Room, Theatre, Utility Room, Walk-In Pantry, Wine Cellar, Workshop.

Exterior Features

Balcony, Barbecue, Deck, Dock, Dog Run, Enclosed Porch(es), Exterior Lighting, Fencing, Fireplace/Fire Pit, Gated Entry, Gazebo, Hammock, Helipad, Hot Tub, Large Open Gathering Space, Lawn Sprinkler, Open Porch(es), Outbuilding(s), Outdoor Living Space, Outside Shower, Patio, Recreation Area, Security Gate, Shaded Area(s), Sprinkler, Storage Shed, Storm Door(s), Street Lights, Sunny Area(s), Swimming, Terrace, Under Ground Electric, Wood Fence.

Exterior Finish

Asphalt, Block, Brick, Cedar Siding, Concrete, Fiberglass, Glass, Hardboard, Masonite, Masonry, Metal, Metal Siding, Other, Stone, Stucco, Tile, Wood.

Roofing

Clay Tile, Concrete Tile, Copper, Masonite or Cement Shake, Other, Solar Panel, Tile, Wood Shingle.

Flooring

Bamboo, Brick, Carpet, Concrete, Concrete - Painted, Cork, Drainage, Glass, Granite, Hardwood, Laminate, Linoleum, Marble, Other, Slate, Soft Wood, Stone Tile, Tile, Wood.

Parking

Alley, Built-in, Carport, Covered, Driveway, Fenced, Garage, Gated, Guest, Open, Paved or Surfaced, Secured.

View

Garden View, Hills View, Lake View, Landscape, Mountain View, Panoramic, Park View, Pastoral View, Scenic View, Swimming Pool View, Trees, Valley, View, Water View.

Categories

Country Home, In-City, Lake, Mountain View, New Construction.

Additional Resources

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