Liberia International Airport is the second most important airport in the country. It is the main entrance for those traveling to the Guanacaste province. The Daniel Oduber is the name of this airport and honors the former president who donated the land where it is located.
The Daniel Oduber Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste is one of the best terminals in Latin America and the Caribbean in quality of services to travelers according to the Airport Service Quality Awards. The Liberia International Airport received the award in the category of terminals with under 2 million passengers a year. In the past, the airport was very basic, but the airport opened in 2012 with amazing buildings and services for all visitors.
Distance to the beaches:
Only 25 minutes from the Liberia International Airport you can find heavenly destinations such as Playa Hermosa, Playas del Coco (Coco Beach), Ocotal, and Playa Panama. Here you will find the Occidental Papagayo, Secrets Papagayo, Bosque del Mar, and El Mangroove Resort hotels, among others. Also, 30 minutes from the airport are the hotels of the Papagayo Peninsula, Andaz Papagayo, Planet Hollywood Guanacaste, and the Four Seasons Costa Rica.
60 minutes from Liberia International Airport have located beaches like Tamarindo Beach, famous for its nightlife and surfing. Playa Flamingo and Playa Conchal famous for their white sands. And there is also Potrero Beach and Las Catalinas complex. A little further away are the beaches of Samara, Nosara, Avellanas, Carrillo, among others.
Why fly to Guanacaste:
Without a doubt, if your vacation is going to be taken only on a beach in Guanacaste, your best option is to take your flight to Guanacaste. You will save the traffic and about 4 to 5 hours on the way from San Jose where the main airport of Costa Rica is located, the Juan Santamaria International Airport.
This way you will be only minutes from your place after the landing. Although the air ticket can be cheaper when you fly to San Jose you have to take into account the distance and time in addition to the money you could spend on transport to the Guanacaste area. As well as places as Monteverde and Arenal have the same distance and driving time from Guanacaste and San Jose.
Now if Guanacaste is not your destination and you are going to visit other places it is best to take your flight to the Juan Santamaria airport located in San Jose and closer to places like Manuel Antonio, Santa Teresa, San Jose, and the Caribbean.
Airlines:
The following airlines fly to Liberia International Airport:
- AeroMexico
- Alaska Airlines
- United Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- American Airlines
- Delta Airlines
- Jet Blue Airway
- KLM
- Westjet
- Sunwing
- Air France
- Sun Country Airlines
- Air Canada
These in addition to the local lines that fly between secondary airports.
Transportation from the Liberia International Airport :
Our recommendation is to have your transport booked from the Liberia International Airport before you arrived in the country. You can book your transfer with us to the following email info@papagayotours.com. Now if you come with nothing booked at the exit gates you will find many types of transport offering their services, mostly in minivans, who all operate with their respective permits.
You will also find a Taxi service (Red or Orange Cabs), they are the only legal persons that can work inside the airport. However, this option may not be correct. Since they could raise the rate and charge you exaggerated prices.
Buses from the airport are simply not an option. Regular buses start from 5.00 am until 9.00 pm each hour but you would have to take the bus that takes you to the city of Liberia and from there return to take another or more buses depending on your destination.
Most Rent A Car agency is very close to the airport. If you booked a rental car you will likely find your representative in the luggage room or at the airport exit. They will take you to their offices where you can finish the paperwork. If you need help to reserve a car for your vacation write to us and we will gladly help you.
Tours From Guanacaste
Guanacaste Beaches

Playas del Coco, Guanacaste
Read More

Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste
Read More

Ocotal Beach, Guanacaste
Read More

Playa Panama, Guanacaste
Read More

Papagayo Gulf Guanacaste
Read More

Tamarindo Beach, Guanacaste
Read More