Liberia airport (LIR) is the closest international airport to Tamarindo, about 70 km away, or about 1 hour 15 minutes by car. Most visitors to Tamarindo land here. This guide to Liberia airport, Costa Rica covers what happens when you land, where to find your shuttle, taxi or rental car, and when to get there for your flight home.
We’re Tamarindo Guide, a free local business directory for Tamarindo, Costa Rica. We’ve lived in Tamarindo for over 10 years, and every business on our site is listed free. We check every listing against current Google data. Airport questions are some of the most common ones we hear from first-time visitors, so here are the answers in one place. Once you land, see our guide to Tamarindo for first-time visitors.
Where is Liberia airport, and what is its airport code?
Liberia airport’s code is LIR. It sits about 12 km west of downtown Liberia, the capital of Guanacaste province, on Highway 21. Its full name is Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, and the company that runs it calls it Guanacaste Airport.
You’ll see all three names on tickets and booking sites. They’re the same airport, so search for LIR.
Quick facts
- Code: LIR
- Location: about 12 km west of Liberia, in the province of Guanacaste, in northwest Costa Rica
- Distance to Tamarindo: about 70 km, about 1 hour 15 minutes by car
- Size: one main terminal for international and domestic flights, with free Wi-Fi throughout
- Passengers: a record 1.97 million in 2025, the airport reported
LIR is smaller and calmer than San José’s airport, but it’s growing fast. In May 2026, about 35% of all visitors who arrived in Costa Rica by air came through Liberia, up from about 19% in 2019 (Tico Times). Most of them are from the US and Canada. The airport is very busy in high season (December to April) and much quieter in September and October.
Which airlines fly to Liberia (LIR)?
Most flights to Liberia airport come from the US and Canada, with one seasonal route from Europe. American, Delta, United, Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska, Air Canada and WestJet all fly to LIR. Routes change by season, and many only run in winter.
Here are the airlines and their main hubs as of October 2026. Check the airline’s own site before you book.
- American Airlines: Miami, Dallas/Fort Worth and Charlotte, plus some seasonal routes
- Delta: Atlanta and Los Angeles, plus seasonal routes from cities like Boston, Detroit and Minneapolis
- United: Houston (IAH), plus seasonal routes such as Denver and Newark
- Southwest: Houston (Hobby), plus seasonal routes such as Denver
- JetBlue: Fort Lauderdale and New York (JFK), plus seasonal Boston
- Alaska Airlines: Los Angeles, plus seasonal Seattle and San Francisco
- Sun Country: seasonal flights from Minneapolis
- Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat and Porter: Toronto and Montréal, plus Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa and Winnipeg on some airlines, mostly in winter
- Edelweiss: seasonal nonstop flights from Zurich, the only nonstop route from Europe
- SANSA and Costa Rica Green Airways: small planes on domestic routes, such as to San José
If there’s no direct flight from your city, you’ll usually connect in Houston, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte or Toronto. Seasonal routes usually run from about November or December to April.
What to expect when you land: immigration, customs and the exit fee
After you land, you walk to immigration, show your passport, collect your bags and pass them through a customs X-ray. Then you walk outside, where shuttle drivers and rental car agents wait. The whole process can take from 30 minutes to over an hour, depending on how many flights land at the same time.
Immigration
Have these ready for the immigration officer:
- Your passport, valid and in good condition. A torn or damaged passport can cause problems.
- Proof that you’ll leave, such as your return flight. Costa Rica asks for a return or onward ticket.
- The address where you’re staying, such as your hotel or rental.
The officer decides how many days you can stay, up to 180 days for many nationalities. They can also ask for proof that you have enough money for your trip. The official entry requirements from Visit Costa Rica, the national tourism board, list these rules. The board sets the minimum at $100 for each month of your stay (as of October 2026). Rules depend on your nationality, so check them before you fly.
Customs
After immigration, you collect your bags from the belt. Then you go through customs, where every bag goes through an X-ray machine. The airport asks travelers to fill out a customs declaration form and hand it in here, so keep a pen in your carry-on.
- Don’t bring fresh fruit, plants, seeds or fresh food, unless they have an official plant health certificate.
- Declare cash or valuables worth $10,000 or more.
- Duty-free shop: there’s one in the arrivals area, after immigration. Some visitors buy alcohol here before they leave the airport.
The exit tax
Costa Rica charges a departure tax of $29 per person (as of October 2026). Most airlines already include it in the ticket price. If yours doesn’t, you pay it at the Banco de Costa Rica counter in the airport lobby before you check in for your flight home.
You don’t need a health pass or a COVID form to enter Costa Rica. A yellow fever certificate is only needed if you arrive from certain countries in Africa and South America.
Where to find shuttles, taxis and rental cars at LIR
Shuttles, taxis and rental car agents all wait outside the terminal, right after you leave customs. If you booked a shuttle, a driver will usually hold a sign with your name. Book your ride before you land, especially in high season. For every other route, see how to get to Tamarindo.
Here’s how each option works, with prices to Tamarindo as of October 2026. For help choosing, see our guide to picking a shuttle, taxi or rental car.
Shuttles
- Shared shuttle: about $30 to $65 per person. You share a van with other travelers, and it drops you at your hotel. It can take longer than 1 hour 15 minutes because of the stops.
- Private shuttle: about $100 to $150 for the whole vehicle. A good choice for families and groups.
Our airport shuttles ranked by Google reviews can help you compare companies before your trip. Send your flight number when you book, in case your flight is late.
Taxis
The official airport taxis at LIR are red. A taxi to Tamarindo costs about $100 to $150 for the car, about the same as a private shuttle. The airport asks visitors to use only authorized drivers, who wear company uniforms and carry official ID. Agree on the price before you get in.
Rental cars
Most rental car companies at LIR keep their cars at offices a few minutes from the terminal, not at the airport. After customs, an agent from your company meets you outside and takes you to the office in a free shuttle. Check what insurance is included before you book. Costa Rica requires liability insurance, and some online prices leave it out.
The drive to Tamarindo is on paved roads, mostly on Highway 21. If it’s your first time driving in Costa Rica, try to arrive before dark. You can compare car rental companies in Tamarindo or see our car rental list ranked by Google reviews.
Uber and the bus
- Uber: there are very few Uber cars in Tamarindo, and drivers often decline the long airport ride. Don’t count on it.
- Public bus: a city bus runs between the airport and downtown Liberia about every 30 minutes from 5am, for about $1. From Liberia’s municipal bus terminal, the bus to Tamarindo costs about $3 to $5 and takes about 2 hours (as of October 2026). It’s the cheapest option, but hard with luggage or kids.
Food, SIM cards and money at the airport
The arrivals area at LIR is small. It has a convenience store, a duty-free shop, ATMs and phone company stands. Most restaurants and cafés are after security, near the gates, so plan to eat there before your flight home.
Food and drinks
- When you land: the convenience store in the arrivals lobby sells snacks, cold drinks, sunscreen, bug spray and phone chargers. It’s open 6am to 9pm (as of October 2026).
- When you leave: the departure lounge has Costa Rican coffee, sandwiches and salads, pizza, a beer garden and a bar.
- On the drive: if you have a private shuttle or rental car, you can stop at a supermarket in Liberia or near Tamarindo. Ask your driver when you book. Tamarindo also has several grocery stores in town.
SIM cards and Wi-Fi
The airport has free Wi-Fi in the whole terminal. Look for the network called “VINCI Airports Wifi.”
Phone companies, usually Kolbi and Claro, often have stands in the arrivals area. You’ll need your passport to buy a SIM card. Airport prices are often higher than in town, and lines can be long when several flights land together. Other options are an eSIM that you buy before you fly, or a SIM card from one of the phone and electronics stores in Tamarindo.
Money
- You don’t need colones on day one. US dollars are accepted almost everywhere in Tamarindo, and most places take cards. Colones (₡) are the local currency.
- ATMs: there are ATMs in the terminal. Your bank may charge a fee.
- Currency exchange: exchange counters are in the departure lounges. The airport rate is usually worse than an ATM’s.
Once you’re in town, you’ll find banks and ATMs in Tamarindo along the main road.
How early should you get to LIR for your flight home?
Get to Liberia airport 3 hours before an international flight and 1 hour before a domestic flight. That’s the airport’s own advice. From Tamarindo, add about 1 hour 15 minutes for the drive, plus some extra time for traffic.
The airport’s travel tips ask for 3 hours because check-in, security and immigration lines can be long. This is most likely on high-season weekends, when many flights leave around the same time.
A simple plan for a flight home from Tamarindo
- Leave Tamarindo about 4.5 to 5 hours before your flight. For a 1pm flight, leave around 8am.
- Returning a rental car? Add 30 minutes. You return the car at the rental office, and the office shuttle takes you to the terminal.
- Check the exit tax. If it isn’t in your ticket price, pay the $29 at the bank counter in the lobby before you check in.
- Eat after security. Most of the food is near the gates.
- Book your shuttle early. Morning departures are popular in high season.
LIR vs. SJO: which airport should you fly into?
For a trip to Tamarindo, fly into Liberia (LIR) if you can. It’s about 1 hour 15 minutes away, while San José’s airport (SJO) is about 4.5 to 5 hours away by car. SJO has more flights and sometimes lower fares, so compare the total trip time and cost. If you do land in San José, here’s how to get from San José to Tamarindo.
Quick comparison
- Liberia (LIR): about 70 km from Tamarindo, about 1 hour 15 minutes by car. A shared shuttle costs about $30 to $65 per person. Most direct flights come from the US and Canada, plus seasonal Zurich. Good for a beach trip in Guanacaste.
- San José (SJO): Juan Santamaría International Airport, near San José. It’s about 260 km from Tamarindo, about 4.5 to 5 hours by car. It has more routes, including more flights to Europe and Latin America. Good if you’ll also visit San José, Manuel Antonio or the Caribbean coast.
- Both: some visitors land in San José, travel across the country, and fly home from Liberia after a few days at the beach.
Other airports in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has 4 international airports. SJO and LIR handle almost all international flights. The other 2 are in Limón, on the Caribbean coast, and Tobías Bolaños in Pavas, near San José, which serves small planes.
The country also has many small domestic airstrips. Tamarindo has one a few minutes from town, with short flights from San José. It’s an option if you land in San José and don’t want the long drive.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to fly into Liberia or San José for Tamarindo?
Liberia is better for Tamarindo because it’s much closer. The drive from LIR takes about 1 hour 15 minutes, compared with 4.5 to 5 hours from San José. Fly into SJO only if the fare savings are worth a long drive or a domestic flight.
How early should I get to Liberia airport?
Arrive 3 hours before an international flight and 1 hour before a domestic flight. From Tamarindo, that means leaving about 4.5 to 5 hours before your departure time. Allow extra time if you’re returning a rental car.
What airlines fly out of Liberia, Costa Rica?
American, Delta, United, Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska, Sun Country, Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, Porter and Edelweiss fly from LIR. SANSA and Costa Rica Green Airways fly domestic routes. Many routes are seasonal, so check the airline’s site for your dates.
How far is Liberia airport from Tamarindo?
Liberia airport is about 70 km from Tamarindo, a drive of about 1 hour 15 minutes. A shared shuttle costs about $30 to $65 per person, and a private shuttle or taxi about $100 to $150 for the vehicle (as of October 2026).
Is there Uber at Liberia airport?
Uber operates in Costa Rica, but it isn’t reliable for the trip to Tamarindo. There are very few cars, and drivers often decline the long ride from the airport. Book a shuttle, taxi or rental car before you arrive.
Find airport shuttles in Tamarindo, all listed free and checked against current Google data.
