Liberia Costa Rica, gateway to Costa Rica's Northwest.

LIBERIA, COSTA RICA is the capital of sunny Guanacaste province in northwest Costa Rica and gateway to some of the most beautiful beaches and National Parks of Costa Rica. Currently most travelers use Liberia as a base to visit areas such as the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and Santa Rosa National Park, or as an overnight stop to or from the beaches of Guanacaste and on the way to Nicaragua. Travelers also frequently spend a night in the city before or after their flight to Liberia International Airport (LIR).

The City of Liberia

Liberia is a friendly and open city compared to other Costa Rican cities of the same size. Locally, the town is often referred to as "la ciudad blanca" (the white city). An appropriate name due to its whitewashed, colonial houses, built with “bahareque” (similar to adobe houses), a type of clay found all around the city with a particularly white color. Liberia is the only town in Costa Rica to which the term "colonial" could be applied.

Local fiestas, the biggest being July 25, "El Día de la Anexion", celebrating Guanacaste's Province annexation to Costa Rica, give color to Liberia with parades, horseshows, cattle auctions, rodeos, fiestas and roving marimba bands. There's also the "Fiestas Civicas de Liberia" in the last week of February and first week of March with Tico style bullfights (1 bull, 300 people and one small bullfighting ring). If you want to attend, make sure you make your hotel reservations as far in advance as possible.

Liberia International Airport

Liberia’s Airport (officially named Daniel Oduber International, three letter code LIR) has become Costa Rica's second most important international airport and the starting point for those wishing to take advantage of the spectacular beaches of northwestern Costa Rica. It is also becoming a gateway to all of Costa Rica with connecting local flights and ground transportation to the entire country

Liberia airport's rapid growth is not only attracting tourists but also international companies. The Ad Astra Rocket Company has already begun operations of its plasma rocket laboratory which they hope will revolutionize space travel, cutting distances and thrusting spaceships faster and farther than even before.

Liberia Costa Rica

The bustling colonial city of Liberia is the provincial capital of the Guanacaste Region. Liberia being one of the older cities in Costa Rica and a long time trading hub remains the economic center of the Guanacaste Province.

Guanacaste is home to the largest cattle farms in Costa Rica and Liberia has remained the cultural capitals of northern Costa Rica. The Guanacaste Day festival is on the 25th of July and is a can’t miss event if you want to witness a true Costa Rican Fiesta.

Things to do in while in Liberia Costa Rica

The popular tourist destinations Costa Rica has become famous for, such as cloud forests, volcanos, and beaches are not in the immediate Liberia area. However, the city itself is quite enjoyable and safe compared to the metropolis of San Jose and transportation from the airport or your hotel can easily be accommodated.

With local treats such as Juego de Cana (Sugar cane Juice), Copez Ricos (Sno Cones Costa Rica style) , local ice cream shops and lots of fresh seafood from the nearby coastline it is a charming place to enjoy a sunset walk around the central park or just take in the sights of mid-sized Costa Rican city.

An outstanding and reasonable priced resturant in the center of town is the Paso Real resturant. If you have the opportunity to spend the night, the atomosphere and food quality is outstanding.

Liberia is Your Gateway to all Costa Rica

The infrastructure of Liberia is expanding and more and more visitors each year use the Liberia International Airport as their gateway to Costa Rica. Hopefully more visitors will take the time to spend an afternoon or an evening in the authentic Costa Rican city before or after their flight and exploration of other nearby activities and attractions.

Liberia is an ideal location to begin your vacation in Costa Rica. Less than an hour from Tamarindo and Papagayo and only 3 hours to Volcano Arenal and about 3.5 hours to the cloud forest of Monteverde Cloud Forest.

All the major car rental companies have vehicles available just a couple minutes outside the terminal area. There are also many professional drivers available to pick you and your family up and take you to your next destination. Please visit the Liberia Transportation page to find a safe and convenient travel option