Liberia Airport (LIR) Flights & Flight Status

Liberia (LIR) is the second most important airport in Costa Rica after the capital San Jose, but LIR is the primary gateway to the nation’s vacation paradise. The entire Guanacaste region is accessible from here: rainforest, Pacific Ocean beaches and mountains. A new terminal here has modernized the travel experience by leaps and bounds and allowed the destination to grow. More flights and larger aircraft have helped to fuel the tourism boom. Still, the small terminal is an easy-to-navigate space, but there are a few pointers to help travelers get through with ease. Here they are.

A modern, new terminal

Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (named for a local politician and author) has a new terminal that features an industrial look with soaring ceilings, tall glass windows with streaming natural light and an open-plan design. New jet bridges allow more planes to board directly from the terminal rather than sending passengers out to board on the flight apron.

Domestic flights still board by airstairs, and during the midday rush hour, many international flights also require walking to the plane. The sun can be harsh, and I recommend bringing a hat just in case your plane does not board by jet bridge.

The check-in area is spacious with all airline ticket counters easy to find next to each other. Passengers then queue for one central security control area. There is no dedicated lane for business class passengers, and lines can be long at times.

This airport is as “pura vida” as it gets (pura vida is a local greeting and means living a simple and pure life). Security is a breeze, literally, thanks to enormous fans that whirl overhead to cool the area. Two escalators take passengers from the security checkpoint to the airside part of the terminal.

Shops and restaurants at LIR

You can turn either left or right from the escalator, but I suggest walking straight ahead to the Britt Shop where you can sample free Costa Rican coffee and chocolate-covered coffee beans. Of course, you can buy these and many other jungle-themed souvenirs there, too.

The airport has a mix of fast-food and sit-down restaurants. An ice cream stand is popular with kids, once they spot it. If you want to steer clear of it, turn right at the top of the escalator. If you keep walking and turn right again, there is a small kids play area and space for them to run around.

Duty-free stores sell everything from candy and liquor to cigarettes and handicrafts. Unlike other airports, Liberia does not force travelers to pass through duty-free stores when going to the gates. If you want to buy tax-free items, you need to seek out these small stores in the terminal.

Lounge

There is only one lounge at the airport. At the top of the escalator turn left and walk all the way to the end of the terminal. It is not very large, and it is not included in the ticket for premium cabin passengers on most airlines although anyone can buy a day pass at the door.

Instead, most travelers are swiping their Priority Pass cards here. If you do not pay for an annual membership, check to see if your credit card comes with lounge access as part of its annual fee.

The hot buffet is small, and the menu rarely changes. It is usually pasta and steamed vegetables plus salad and pastries. A bar prepares mixed drinks, and local Imperial beer is on tap. Guests can serve themselves if they want wine or soft drinks.

Not all seats have easy-access power outlets. If you turn left behind the reception counter, there is a much quieter sitting area that few people notice with more places to work or plug in devices.

Where you can fly from Liberia

Most major U.S. and Canadian airlines fly to LIR. This includes Air Canada, Air Transat, Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Sunwing, United and WestJet. All U.S. and Canadian major hubs are accessible via nonstop flights, which then connect visitors to other destinations.

The new terminal has also helped Liberia attract long-haul flights, including KLM to Amsterdam (these include a stop in San Jose in one direction), TUI Airways to London Gatwick and Edelweiss to Zurich. Some of these flights only operate seasonally.

Where to stay near Liberia airport

With the opening of the new terminal, there is now a hotel just across the runway, the Hilton Garden Inn. I recommend this property if you have an early-morning flight as some resort destinations can be an hour’s drive or longer (especially, if coming from the mountains or rainforest).

The hotel offers a free shuttle to the airport and has a nice outdoor pool. If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing (rather than staying put at a resort), this could be a money-saving homebase. From here, you can visit the hot springs, national parks and other activities, all just a short drive away. Free Wi-Fi and parking are among the guest perks.

How to get to and from Liberia airport

The most reliable way to get where you are going is by organizing a shuttle from your hotel or through a transport service like Amstar. These companies offer both shared and private services for a fee.

A few taxis are also available, and they accept U.S. Dollars. They are safe although you may not get the best rate from them. Be sure to only use an official airport taxi. There are often local drivers that solicit riders, but it is best to avoid them.

Uber rideshare service is also an option, but keep in mind that taxi drivers are strongly opposed to their presence as they undercut their services. Uber drivers are not supposed to pick up or drop off at the airport.

If you do call an Uber, the driver will probably ask to meet you at a location near (but not at) the terminal itself. If traveling with luggage, it is very uncomfortable to drag it along the road in the heat. I would suggest using a local shuttle company instead although Uber is a great option for getting around the region itself.

All of the major rental car companies have an office in Liberia, and this is a common way that many travelers choose to see and explore. Driving in Costa Rica is easy, and all you need is an official driver’s license from your home country.

Just keep in mind that most of the rental parking lots are located offsite. This means you will need to take a shuttle to pick up the car. When dropping it off, you will do the same process in reverse. This can add at least 30 minutes or more to the journey; be sure to allow time for this before your flight.

There is a public bus that stops near the airport headed for Tamarindo. It is one of the cheapest ways to get there. But, if you do not speak Spanish or are traveling with heavy luggage, I would not recommend it. This is typically a mode of transportation for locals or backpackers rather than resort-bound vacationers.

Important tips for flying via LIR

Lines at immigration can be quite long here, and at times, arriving passengers may have to wait on the jet bridge before being allowed into the small arrivals hall. There is no longer a customs form that needs to be completed. All you need is your passport.

Before reaching baggage claim, there is a small duty-free shop that sells wine, beer and liquor. This is one of the best places to stock up on refreshments because resorts or vacation rentals may charge higher prices for these same drinks.

There is a currency exchange desk in the arrivals area, but U.S. Dollars are used and accepted in Costa Rica. If you still want to exchange money, it is best to use a bank-operated ATM rather than this money exchange desk that does not offer the best rate.

Allow around 4-5 hours if you are departing from San Jose for the drive from Guanacaste. Flights there are sometimes much cheaper than LIR, but the drive can be lengthy, and that does not take into account traffic delays.

Free Wi-Fi works throughout the terminal, and the signal is quite strong. It works in both the departure and arrival areas, including in immigration and baggage claim. If you want to buy a SIM card (to get local data or cell service on your mobile device), they are available here, too. But, they are much more expensive than buying them in a local shop.

Another good tip when visiting the area is to avoid booking tours through your hotel or resort. Instead, go directly to local tour operators like Amstar (many of whom have offices at the airport). You can get a better price on activities like zip lining, rainforest tours and visits to the area hot springs.