Liberia is located in the northwest of Costa Rica. Liberia is the capital of the province of Guanacaste. Locals refer to it as “La Ciudad Blanca,” or the White City. This nickname stems from the white gravel that paved its streets centuries ago and the whitewashed colonial-era houses.
Liberia isn’t a major tourist destination in its own right. But everything surrounding it is exciting. This city boasts active volcanoes, cascading waterfalls with turquoise waters, the Pacific coast’s most beautiful beaches, and untouched rainforests.
Parque Central is located in the heart of the city. Two blocks away stands the city’s oldest structure, the Iglesia de la Agonia. The white facade and Baroque-arched entrance of this small Ermita church are a legacy of Spanish colonial architecture. If you’re a museum enthusiast, visit the Museo de Sabaneros. This museum documents Guanacaste’s deeply rooted cowboy culture.
When you’re here, don’t forget to order a casado dish at one of the small family-run restaurants. Rice, beans, plantains, salad, and your choice of protein are all served on the same plate. Liberia also serves as the gateway to Guanacaste’s Rincón de la Vieja National Park and the Rio Celeste.
Guanacaste International Airport Map
Guanacaste Airport, also known as Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, is located 12 km from the center of Liberia. This airport is situated along Route 21. The journey from the airport to the city center takes between 15 and 25 minutes. Guanacaste Airport is Costa Rica’s second-busiest airport.
There are flights from Guanacaste Airport to the USA, Canada, and Europe. This airport offers flights to destinations such as Miami, New York JFK, Houston, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, Toronto, Montreal, and London. American Airlines, Delta, United, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, Southwest, and Copa Airlines operate out of this airport. Approximately one million passengers use this airport each year.
You can reach the city center from Guanacaste Airport by bus. Pulmitan’s Liberia-Aeropuerto route operates between the city center and the airport. To reach the bus stop, simply exit the terminal, walk straight ahead, and follow the signs. The bus stop is located just outside the terminal exit. For taxi stands, exit the terminal at the arrivals exit and turn right.
Interactive Guanacaste Airport Map
Guanacaste Airport Terminal
Guanacaste Airport has a single terminal. Upon entering the terminal, you will find the check-in counters on the ground floor. The counters are divided into sections A and B. The baggage claim carousels are located on the ground floor. After disembarking the plane, you will go through passport control. Following passport control, you will proceed to the customs area. After customs, you will proceed to the arrivals hall. On the left side of this hall are the car rental counters, and on the right are duty-free shops and a liquor store. On the ground floor of the terminal, there is a small café and fast-food restaurants.
After passing through security, take the escalator or elevator to the upper level. This level features boarding gates numbered 1 through 10. On both sides of the gate corridor, you’ll find duty-free shops, souvenir stores, and the Morpho Travel Experience.
Guanacaste Airport Car Rental
There are no car rental company offices inside the terminal at Guanacaste Airport. To rent a car, you must exit the terminal. Once outside the terminal, dozens of company representatives will greet you directly in front of you and to your left. Outside the terminal, offices for Budget, Enterprise, Ace, Alamo, Avis, Diekcant, Solid, Sixt, Hertz, Payless, and MyCar are located near the terminal. These car rental companies offer shuttle services.
Exit the Arrivals hall, where a company representative will meet you. The representative will direct you to the shuttle. The shuttle waits just outside the terminal exit. You can rent your car at the car rental office. You can also rent your car online before your trip.
Bus services in Guanacaste are quite limited. After exiting the airport, head toward Route 21. You can reach Playa Hermosa and Playas del Coco by turning left and Tamarindo by turning right. You can also reach Rincón de la Vieja National Park via the same route in approximately 45 minutes.
Hotels near Guanacaste Airport
Hilton Garden Inn Guanacaste Airport is approximately 2-3 minutes from the terminal. This hotel is directly across from Guanacaste Airport. A free, 24-hour airport shuttle service is available. The hotel features 169 rooms, an outdoor pool, The Garden Restaurant & Bar, a fitness center, and a business center. Car rental services are available at the hotel. Enterprise has a counter at this hotel.
Hampton by Hilton Guanacaste Airport is within walking distance of Guanacaste Airport. This hotel offers a free shuttle service. A complimentary breakfast is served every morning. The hotel features a pool, bar, and restaurant. Be sure to call the front desk one night in advance to reserve the shuttle.
Guanacaste Airport Location
Guanacaste Airport Address: S/N, Blvd. Aeropuerto, Province of Guanacaste, Liberia, 50101, Costa Rica.
Guanacaste Airport IATA: LIR.
Guanacaste Airport ICAO: MRLB.
Satellite view of Guanacaste Airport. Click to enlarge
Guanacaste Airport destination map (March 2026). Click to enlarge