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Airport Transportation

Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport

Also known as: LIR Airport, Liberia Costa Rica Airport, Liberia Airport, Guanacaste Airport, Liberia International Airport. Formerly Llano Grande, Tomás Guardia Airport.

LIR · MRLB · Liberia

Airport facts

Name
Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport
IATA code
LIR
ICAO code
MRLB
City
Liberia
Country
Costa Rica
Coordinates
10.5933, -85.5444
Time zone
America/Costa_Rica
Terminals
One terminal with international and domestic flights

About Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport

Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) serves Liberia, the capital of Guanacaste province in northwestern Costa Rica. Since 2021 it has also been branded as Guanacaste Airport, and many travelers simply call it Liberia Airport.

Most flights come from the United States and Canada. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue and Alaska Airlines link it with US cities such as Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami and New York, while Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat and Porter Airlines fly from Canada, many of them in the winter season. Edelweiss has seasonal flights from Zurich, and Sansa Airlines connects it with San José and small airstrips around the country.

Everything happens in one terminal building, which opened in 2012 and has a single runway. The airport lies about 11 km (7 miles) west-southwest of downtown Liberia.

From here most travelers head to the Gulf of Papagayo resorts, about 30 to 45 minutes away, and to Tamarindo, roughly 45 minutes to an hour by road. Other common next stops are Playas del Coco, Playa Flamingo, Nosara and Rincón de la Vieja National Park.

Airport operator, runways and traffic

Operator

Coriport S.A., under a 20-year concession for the terminal

Passengers per year

About 1.92 million in 2024

Runway

One runway (07/25), 2,750 m long

Location

About 11 km west-southwest of Liberia, Guanacaste

Current terminal opened

January 2012

Arrival tips for Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport

After you leave the plane you go through Costa Rican immigration; have a valid passport ready, and be prepared to show a return or onward ticket if asked.

Baggage claim is right after passport control. Once you have your bags you pass customs, and there is a duty-free shop on the arrivals side before the exit.

Outside the doors you will find the official orange airport taxis, rental car staff who walk you to their shuttles, and the drivers of pre-booked shuttles and private transfers holding name signs. The airport asks travelers to use only authorized transport operators, who can be recognized by their official credentials, company uniforms and registered vehicles, so turn down anyone offering a ride who does not show them.

Costa Rica runs on Central Standard Time (UTC-6) all year, with no daylight saving time. The currency is the Costa Rican colón, US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, and Guanacaste is hot for most of the year.

Ground transportation

Most travelers heading to the beach resorts use a pre-booked shuttle, a private transfer or a rental car, since the main destinations are 30 minutes to an hour away.

  • Taxi from Liberia airport

    Official orange airport taxis wait outside the terminal. They are the simplest option for downtown Liberia or a nearby hotel, though for longer beach trips it is worth agreeing on the route first.

  • Private transfer

    Pre-booked drivers wait outside the terminal doors with a name sign. The drive to the Papagayo resorts takes about 35 to 45 minutes; the trade-off is that you need to book ahead.

  • Shared shuttle

    Shared shuttle vans run to the main beach towns and must be booked in advance. They can make several stops before yours.

  • Rental car

    Rental companies such as Avis run free shuttles from outside the terminal to their offices about 2 km away. A car gives you freedom to explore, but you handle the driving and parking.

  • Rideshare

    Uber offers pickups at the airport and Didi also operates in the area. Availability can be limited, especially outside busy hours.

  • Bus to Liberia and nearby towns

    The airport lists Pulmitan and La Pampa bus services, which link Liberia with surrounding towns. Buses are the slowest option and awkward with a lot of luggage.

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Terminals

Main Terminal

Handles all international and domestic flights, with immigration, baggage claim and customs on the arrivals side. Rental car companies and authorized transport operators meet passengers just outside.

Airlines and destinations

The main airlines at Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport.

Air Canada Main Terminal

Toronto, Montréal (seasonal)

Airline guide

Air Transat Main Terminal

Montréal, Toronto

Airline guide

Alaska Airlines Main Terminal

Los Angeles, San Francisco (seasonal), Seattle (seasonal)

Airline guide

American Airlines Main Terminal

Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, Chicago O'Hare (seasonal), New York JFK (seasonal), Philadelphia (seasonal)

Airline guide

Delta Air Lines Main Terminal

Atlanta, Los Angeles, Boston (seasonal), Detroit (seasonal), Minneapolis/St. Paul (seasonal), New York JFK (seasonal)

Airline guide

Edelweiss Main Terminal

Zurich (seasonal)

Airline guide

JetBlue Main Terminal

Fort Lauderdale, New York JFK, Boston (seasonal)

Airline guide

Porter Airlines Main Terminal

Ottawa (seasonal), Toronto (seasonal)

Airline guide

Sansa Airlines Main Terminal

San José, Nosara, Quepos, Tamarindo, Tambor

Southwest Airlines Main Terminal

Houston Hobby, Baltimore (seasonal), Denver (seasonal), Nashville (seasonal)

Airline guide

Sun Country Airlines Main Terminal

Dallas/Fort Worth (seasonal), Minneapolis/St. Paul (seasonal)

United Airlines Main Terminal

Houston Intercontinental, Chicago O'Hare (seasonal), Denver (seasonal), Los Angeles (seasonal), Newark (seasonal), San Francisco (seasonal)

Airline guide

WestJet Main Terminal

Calgary, Montréal, Toronto, Vancouver (seasonal), Winnipeg (seasonal)

Airline guide

Frequently asked questions

How far is Liberia airport from Liberia city?

Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport is about 11 km (7 miles) west-southwest of downtown Liberia, the capital of Guanacaste province. The drive into town is short on a paved road, and official orange airport taxis, rideshare apps and local buses all cover the route, so reaching the city center from the terminal is straightforward at most hours of the day.

Is Liberia airport the same as Guanacaste Airport?

Yes. Guanacaste Airport is the brand name adopted in 2021 for Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, whose IATA code is LIR. Travelers, airlines and booking sites also call it Liberia Airport or Liberia International Airport. All of these names refer to the same single-terminal airport near Liberia in northwestern Costa Rica, not to San José's airport.

How many terminals does Liberia airport have?

Liberia airport has one terminal building, which opened in January 2012 and handles both international and domestic flights. Immigration, baggage claim and customs are all on the arrivals side of the same building, and rental car staff, taxis and transport operators wait just outside the doors, so there is no need to move between terminals when you land.

Which airlines fly to Liberia Costa Rica?

Airlines at LIR include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines and Sun Country from the United States, plus Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat and Porter Airlines from Canada. Edelweiss flies seasonally from Zurich, and Sansa Airlines connects Liberia with San José, Tamarindo, Nosara, Quepos and Tambor. Many North American routes run only in the winter season.

Are there official taxis at Liberia airport?

Yes. Official orange airport taxis wait outside the terminal after you clear customs. The airport recommends using only authorized transport, recognizable by official credentials, uniforms and registered vehicles, so avoid anyone offering rides without them. Taxis work well for Liberia and nearby hotels; for longer trips to the beaches, confirm the destination with the driver before setting off.

Is there public transport from Liberia airport?

Yes, but it is limited. The airport lists the Pulmitan and La Pampa bus companies, whose buses link Liberia with surrounding towns. Buses are the cheapest way to travel but also the slowest, and they are not practical with large suitcases or surfboards. Most visitors heading to the coast use a shuttle, a taxi or a rental car instead.

Does Uber work at Liberia airport Costa Rica?

Uber lists pickups at Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, and Didi also operates in the Liberia area. Availability can be limited, especially late at night or when several flights land together, so it is wise to have a backup such as an official airport taxi or a pre-arranged ride. Check estimated travel times in the app before requesting a car.

Do I need a form to enter Costa Rica at Liberia?

Costa Rica's official tourism site lists no separate online entry form for visitors arriving at Liberia. You need a valid passport, and immigration officers may ask for a return or onward ticket and, in some cases, proof of funds. Visa rules depend on your nationality, so check the requirements for your passport before you fly.

How long is the drive from Liberia airport to Tamarindo?

The drive from Liberia airport to Tamarindo takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic and stops. Tamarindo is one of the most popular beach towns on the Guanacaste coast. Sansa Airlines also runs short flights from Liberia to Tamarindo's airstrip, although most visitors travel by road in a shuttle, private transfer or rental car.

How far is Liberia airport from the Papagayo resorts?

The resorts on the Gulf of Papagayo are about 30 to 45 minutes from Liberia airport by road. This short drive is one reason the peninsula's large resorts rely on LIR. Playas del Coco lies in the same direction along the coast, so the trip to that beach town from the airport is similarly short.

What time zone and currency apply at Liberia airport?

Liberia, like all of Costa Rica, uses Central Standard Time (UTC-6) year-round with no daylight saving time. The local currency is the Costa Rican colón, but US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas. ATMs are available at the airport and are generally a better choice than airport currency exchange. Guanacaste is hot for most of the year.

How busy is Liberia airport?

Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport handled about 1.92 million passengers in 2024, up around 16 percent from 2023, with more than 27,000 aircraft movements. It is Costa Rica's second international airport after San José's Juan Santamaría. The terminal is run by Coriport S.A. under a 20-year concession, and traffic peaks in the North American winter season.

Why book with Airport Transportation?

We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.

Is the transportation private or shared?

Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.

Are prices per person or per vehicle?

Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.

How many people can a van carry?

Regular vans carry up to 9 passengers, semi-buses up to 16, and luxury SUVs up to 6 passengers.

How do I find you at the airport?

Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.

What kind of vehicles do you use?

Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.

Do you have insurance?

Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.

Do you provide baby seats?

Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.

How far in advance should I book?

You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.

What payment methods are accepted?

PayPal is our main payment method; a cash option is also available when booking through our website. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.

Do vehicles have air conditioning?

Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.

What if my flight is delayed?

During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.

Can I make stops during my ride?

Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.

Do children pay differently than adults?

No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.

Is my reservation refundable?

Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.

Do drivers speak English?

Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.

Are tips mandatory?

Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.

What currencies are accepted?

All prices are in USD. Via PayPal you can pay in almost any currency; cash payments accept USD only.

Are pets allowed?

We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.

Is there room for luggage?

Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.

What is included in the price?

Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.

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