Welcome to Liberia!
Liberia is the capital and largest city in the province of Guanacaste, in northwestern Costa Rica. It's located 134 miles from San Jose, on the PanAmerican Highway as it makes its way to Nicaragua. The city is home to the Guanacaste International Airport, Costa Rica's second major airport. With over 35,000 inhabitants, Liberia is one of Costa Rica's most important cities. It's located on the PanAmerican Highway and is a connecting point between Costa Rica and Central America. It's also a city with easy access to the famous beaches of Guanacaste, including Playas del Coco, Flamingo, Tamarindo, and more.
The city itself is very walkable and easy to get around. It's a quiet city where people sit in the park in front of the cathedral watching parrots fly as the sun goes down, taking the intense heat off the day.
There's a rural feel to Liberia, with the city being the center of Guanacaste's cowboy culture that still shines through even today.
Liberia was founded in 1769 and became part of Costa Rica in 1826, after spending a few years as part of Nicaragua before a congressional dispute annexed Guanacaste province. Since those early days, Liberia has grown. Even if it’s not a tourist destination per se, it’s become a place worth travelers stopping for a day or two before heading to the beaches of Nicaragua.
Best Time To Travel to Liberia
The best time to visit Liberia is undoubtedly during one of the two main festivals it hosts each year. The Tope de Toros, held in early March, celebrates the city's cowboy culture and features horse parades, bulls, and lots of partying and merriment in the streets.
In July, the Annexation of Guanacaste celebration marked the city and the province's move from being part of Nicaragua to being part of Costa Rica. Expect the same kind of street party as in March.
Outside of these two cultural events, Liberia is a quiet town, and any other time of the year is an excellent time to come and soak in the charm. Weather-wise, we think the best months of the year to visit Liberia are May and November, the cusp months of the calendar, when the seasons are changing from dry to wet and vice versa.
Weather in Liberia
Liberia is a hot, dry city where temperatures rarely drop below 80 F any time of the year. However, like most Guanacaste Province, the city is far less humid than elsewhere in Costa Rica.
It does rain in Liberia, but not like in other parts of the country. The wettest months are September and October, with March and April being the driest.
Is Liberia Safe?
Liberia is as safe as any town of its size in Costa Rica - meaning pretty safe. Don't walk around with valuables and leave nothing in your car. The most dangerous thing in Liberia is the heat, so wear a hat and make sure you have water while walking around.
Top Restaurants in Liberia
Masala Indian Restaurant: There aren't many excellent Indian restaurants in Costa Rica, let alone Guanacaste, but Masala ticks the boxes.
Liberia Social: A hidden gem in the city with a tremendous international menu.
Sabor Porteno: Looking for great seafood and ceviche in Liberia? You'll find it right here.
Tierra Mar Liberia: Another great ceviche specialist with a Peruvian twist.
How To Get to Liberia
Guanacaste International Airport (Airport Code LIR) is the closest international airport to Liberia.
Distance and Driving Time to Liberia
From LIR Airport: 8 miles (13 kilometers), about 10 minutes
All Costa Rican Vacations packages include an airport "meet and greet" service and private transfers with English-speaking drivers. This means you're all set when you arrive in-country - just sit back, relax, and our driver will get you to your destination.
If you're driving from Guanacaste Airport to Liberia, it takes about 10 minutes. If you're renting a car at the airport, allow yourself an hour to sort that out.
Head out of the airport onto the main road, and turn left towards the city. You'll hit a major junction at the edge of town with the PanAmerican Highway. Wait for the lights to turn green, head straight over the intersection, and be there in town.
