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Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport International Hub illustrationInternational Hub
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Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport

Liberia, Costa Rica
Explore Liberia city guide Navigate to this airport
24
Routes out
15
Destinations
MRLB
ICAO
270 ft
Elevation
AirlinesAirports profile

Costa Rica's gateway to the Guanacaste resort region.

Opened
1959
Location
Liberia, Costa Rica
Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (IATA: LIR, ICAO: MRLB) is an international airport serving Liberia, the capital of Guanacaste Province in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the country's second-busiest international airport after Juan Santamaría International in San José, primarily serving leisure travelers headed to the Pacific beach resorts of Guanacaste. The airport was named after Daniel Oduber Quirós, a former President of Costa Rica (1974–1978) who championed tourism development in the region. It has undergone significant expansions to handle the growing volume of charter and scheduled international flights, particularly from North America. LIR offers a convenient alternative to San José for tourists visiting destinations such as Tamarindo, Playa Flamingo, and the Papagayo Peninsula, saving travelers several hours of ground transit compared to flying into the capital.
Terminals
The airport operates with a single passenger terminal that has been expanded to accommodate increased international traffic.
Getting to & from
Ground transport options include rental cars, shared shuttles, and taxis connecting the airport to Liberia city center and the Guanacaste beach resort areas.
Airlines here
Major airlines serving LIR include American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Air Canada, and WestJet, primarily operating seasonal and year-round routes from the United States and Canada.
Notable facts
  • ›Named after former Costa Rican President Daniel Oduber Quirós (1974–1978).
  • ›Second busiest international airport in Costa Rica after Juan Santamaría International.
  • ›Primarily serves leisure travelers visiting Guanacaste's Pacific coast beach resorts.
  • ›Located approximately 12 km from Liberia city center.
  • ›Has seen major capacity expansions driven by North American tourism demand.
Official website Wikipedia
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Route map (15 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Routes

LIR → SYQ5C · DHT
LIR → SJO5C · DHT
LIR → TNO5C · DHT
LIR → DFWAA · 738
LIR → SJOAA ·
LIR → MIAAA · 738
LIR → CLTAA · 320
LIR → YYZAC · 319
LIR → ATLAF · 738 757
LIR → SALAV · ATR
LIR → JFKB6 · 320
LIR → PTYCM · E90
LIR → ATLDL · 738 757
LIR → LAXDL · 738
LIR → JFKDL · 738
LIR → DENF9 · 319
LIR → SJOLR · CNA
LIR → SJORZ · CNA
LIR → IAHUA · 739 738
LIR → MIAUS · 738
LIR → EWRUA · 738
LIR → CLTUS · 320
LIR → DFWUS · 738
LIR → YYZWS · 73W
Hotels near LIR

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City & Place Guide

Gateway to Guanacaste's beaches, volcanoes, and dry-forest adventures.

Liberia is the capital of Guanacaste Province in northwestern Costa Rica and serves as the primary entry point for travelers heading to the region's famous Pacific beaches, national parks, and volcanic landscapes. The city itself has a relaxed, colonial-era charm, with whitewashed adobe buildings, a pleasant central plaza, and a warm, dry climate that makes it distinct from Costa Rica's lush green interior.

Often used as a base rather than a destination, Liberia rewards those who linger with authentic Tico culture, excellent restaurants, and easy access to world-class natural attractions. The nearby Rincón de la Vieja and Santa Rosa national parks offer hiking, hot springs, and wildlife viewing, while pristine beaches like Playa del Coco, Tamarindo, and Flamingo are reachable within an hour.

  • •Rincón de la Vieja National Park — active volcano, hot springs, and hiking trails.
  • •Santa Rosa National Park — historic battleground and leatherback turtle nesting beaches.
  • •Iglesia de la Agonía — 19th-century colonial church with whitewashed adobe architecture.
  • •Playa del Coco — popular beach town with diving, snorkeling, and lively nightlife.
  • •Guanacaste Conservation Area — UNESCO-listed dry tropical forest rich in biodiversity.
  • •Central Park (Parque Mario Cañas) — social hub with local cafés and people-watching.

Getting around: Liberia's Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport connects directly to major North American cities. Within the region, public buses link Liberia to nearby towns and beaches affordably, though schedules can be infrequent. Taxis are widely available and metered in town; ride-hailing via Uber also operates here. Renting a car or 4WD vehicle is strongly recommended for accessing national parks and more remote beaches comfortably.

Best time: The dry season from December through April offers sunny skies and ideal beach and hiking conditions, making it the most popular and recommended time to visit.

Local food: Try gallo pinto for breakfast, fresh ceviche at coastal sodas, and traditional Guanacastecan dishes like rosquillas (corn-cheese cookies) and arroz de maíz at local markets and family-run restaurants.

This guide is provided for general information only. Verify details locally before making travel decisions.

Passport, Visa & Immigration

Flying internationally via LIR? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Costa Rica from official government sources.

Costa Rica visa & entry information →Embassy & consulate finder →
Guanacaste Airport
Encyclopaedia

Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport — also known as Guanacaste Airport and Liberia International Airport — is one of four international airports in Costa Rica. It sits 11 kilometres west-southwest of the city of Liberia in Guanacaste Province, and serves as a tourism hub for those who visit the Pacific coast and western Costa Rica. The facility covers 243 hectares of land and has a single 2,750-metre (9,022 ft) runway that can handle wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing 747.

Read full article on Wikipedia

Entity data from open aviation datasets (OurAirports, OpenFlights) with AI-assisted editorial clearly marked. Always confirm time-sensitive details with the official airport website. Sources & verification