Liberia
Liberia is the capital city of the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica. It is located about 220 km (138 mi) Northwest San Jose.
Get in
By plane
- 1 Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (is called Liberia Costa Rica Airport LIR IATA) (13 km west of the city). Daily flights arrive in Liberia on several US airlines. Aerobell Airlines, Skyway Airlines and Sansa Air, the domestic airlines also land here. A bus travels between the airport and city center between 06:00-18:00.
There is an exit tax that must be paid on international departures. You can pay by credit card, but it will be recorded as a cash advance with higher fees.
By bus
A large public bus network services Liberia and connects it with San Jose, the beaches and the Nicaraguan border. From the only stop light in town along the Pan American Highway, go 300 meters north and turn right. There is the Pulmitan de Liberia bus stop with buses going to San José (US$5), and the Terminal Municipal 2 blocks away that will take you to Guanacaste beaches and the Nicaragua border.
Centrocoasting.com is a very useful website for navigating the region by bus. Here you can check the bus schedules from the Municipal Terminal and from Pulmitan Station
By car
Liberia is at the cross section of the Interamericana that stretches throughout Central America and the Route 21 that heads to famous beaches such as Tamarindo.
Get around
Public bus or on foot. Liberia is a small city where everything you are likely to wish to see is within walking distance.
See
- 1 Mario Cañas Ruiz Park. Town square in front of the Central Church of Liberia.
- 2 Museum Guanacaste, Av 1, Provincia de Guanacaste, ☏ +506 2665 7114. M-F 08ː00-16ː00. Housed in old city barracks, this museum is designed to relate information and history about the area. Kind of modest.
Do
- Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Curubande, Liberia, Guanacaste (Liberia, head 5 km north (La Cruz) and turn right for 17 km). 07:00-15:00 (Sector Las Pailas); 07:00-16:00 (Sector Santa Maria). Lots of volcanic activity, trails, waterfalls, plenty of wildlife to see. Entrance at Sector Las Pailas is closed on Mondays; the one at Sector Santa Maria is opened every day (including Christmas Day). US$15.
- Volcanic Mud Springs with Spa, Rincon de la Vieja. Pools with volcanic mud water for bathing, mud springs for mud treatment. At Rio Negro Hot Springs pools with spring water beside Rio Negro are used for bathing. The temperature of the water ranges from 36ºC to 40ºC. Massage service is offered. Admission to the Hot Springs and Mud Springs is US$25.
- Water Slide at Buena Vista Del Rincon (Rincon de La vieja), Rincon de la Vieja National Park (In Liberia, from Burger King 13 km on the Interamericana road, towards Peñas Blancas, until you get to the entrance of Cañas Dulces), ☏ +506 2690-1414. 08:00-17:00. Longest mountain water slide -- 400 m -- in the middle of the tropical forest. This is done with all the necessary security equipment. US$15.
- 1 Africa Safari Adventure Park (Ponderosa Adventure Park) (few km south of Liberia), ☏ +506 2288 1000. Daily 09ː00-17ː00. Safari with African species, kayaking, waterfalls, zip-lines.
- 2 Estadio Edgardo Baltodano Briceño. Home of first division soccer team A.D. Municipal Liberia.
Buy
Eat
There are several different options of restaurants in the area. From American food such as Burger King, McDonald's, Papa John's, Subway, Pizza Hut, KFC and Taco Bell and to local food restaurants like Guanaburger. There are lots of "sodas" (small local restaurants) around Liberia Downtown that serve Costa Rican food. Also, several bakeries like Musmanni, Panaderia Alemana (German Barkery) among others.
Drink
- LIB is a second story bar in the Plaza Santa Rosa. Modern design and sometimes modern music.
Sleep
- Hilton Garden Inn Liberia Airport, Ruta # 21 across from the airport, ☏ +506 2690-8888. Built in 2008, the property is in front of Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR), it has 169 rooms & suites, signature bedding, LCD TVs, swimingpool, modern fitness room, car rental desk, a restaurant and bar. US$60-129.
- Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica, Gulf of Papagayo 20 minutes from Liberia Airport, ☏ +506 2672 0000. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Junior suites with private plunge pool. Amazing views US$99-459.
- Four Seasons Costa Rica, Pagapayo Peninsula, Guanacaste (40 minutes from Liberia Airport). Golf course that was named in the top 50 in the world. Check out the impressive ocean views from the back nine.
- 1 Best Western El Sitio, Hwy 21 (just west of intersection with Hwy 1) (next to Santa Rosa Plaza), ☏ +506 2666-1211. Simple rooms with air conditioning. Gym, casino and pool on site with large area for sun lounging. Double costs US$76 and includes breakfast. 45875 colones.
- 2 Las Espuelas, Hwy 1 about 2 miles south of city center, ☏ +506 2666 0144. A spacious, tranquil hotel. Pool and all the usual amenities. 40442 colones.
- Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin, Rincon de la Vieja National Park (Curubande, Liberia, Guanacaste, at the entrance of Rincon de la Vieja National Park), ☏ +506 2666-8075. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. The hotel is in a traditional Guanacaste cattle hacienda that dates back to 1800. The national park, with all its beauty and activities, is in its back yard. US$50 per person.
- Hotel Guanacaste, Calle 12, between 1st and 3rd avenues. (25 m west of the Pulmitan Bus terminal), ☏ +506 666-0085, info@higuanacaste.com. Member of Hostelling International. Close to all bus terminals, clean, nice patio, Internet and Wifi, restaurant, tourism information available. Shared simple from US$8, private small simple from $11.
- Buena Vista Del Rincon Eco Adventure Park, Hotel & Spa (formerly Buena Vista Lodge), Rincon de La Vieja (Guanacaste), ☏ +506 2690-1414. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. This eco-lodge in a hacienda offers spectacular sunsets and a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean, volcanoes, plains and forests. US$78 double incl. breakfast/taxes.
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