Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport

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Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport: all you need to know if you are coming to Liberia Costa Rica


Are you stressed? Do you need a vacation urgently?…. Pura Vida!…. The “happiest place in the world” awaits you… Costa Rica, a tropical paradise located between two majestic blues.

“Pura Vida” is the lifestyle that makes this destination the ideal place to forget all your problems and ensure your  vacation will take your mood from 1 to 100 in a second.

Located between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, it is the best option to enjoy an unparalleled natural landscape. Volcanoes, mountains, rainforests and beaches are just  a few of the many wonders that Costa Rica has for you.

Although it would be wonderful if you could get to know every corner of this beautiful  country during your stay, maybe you won’t have time.

This is why in order to get total closeness to the most beautiful tourist attractions  of Costa Rica and enjoy as many activities as possible during your stay, you should choose Liberia as the place of your arrival.

Liberia is located to the northwest of Costa Rica, in the Province of Guanacaste. Its proximity to the Gulf of Papagayo and the Nicoya Peninsula give you a range of possibilities in terms of impressive tourist sites to visit Liberia also has a charming colonial atmosphere full of history and attractions.

The best thing about Liberia without a doubt is its International Airport, which facilitates access to this destination and all the tourist places that surround it, making it the ideal place to start an adventure through the Pacific coast.

Even if you have such a perfect vacation destination like Liberia-Costa Rica, you should still make sure your trip starts on the right foot. This will help you ensure that you are on vacation mode as soon as you arrive.

In the following lines, you will find important information about Liberia International Airport, as it may be the first experience you will have when arriving in Costa Rica.

Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport

When traveling, it is crucial to have a clear idea of the place you will be arriving,  this will facilitate any necessary paperwork and it will help you save a lot of time.

Liberia is no exception. The more you know about their airport prior to f your arrival, the  faster your transit through it will be. This will make your first airport experience in Costa Rica less tedious or inconvenient.

Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (also known as Liberia International Airport), owes its name to the former President of the Republic, Daniel Oduber Quirós (1974-1978) and it is the second most important out of the four International Airports of Costa Rica.

Its location is convenient, as it is only 13 km from the city and 15 km from the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica, so you won’t be waiting for long before  the fun begins.

Arriving at this airport is the easiest way to quickly access an endless number of tourist attractions such as: Gulf of Papagayo, Arenal Volcano, Flamingo Beach, Monteverde and Las Baulas National Marine Park, this is the main reason behind the recent increase of transit through the airport.

On the other hand, another reason why the flow of tourists is high is the fact that it is an airport with a wide variety of airlines, such as  American Airlines, Delta Airlines and TACA.

With all this in mind, one question that you may have  now is:

What can I find at the airport facilities?

At first glance, it may seem like an unnecessary question, but we can assure you that having knowledge about such simple things as the availability of food stores or the areas that the airport has, will  help you save time.

You could say it’s not one of the biggest airports (which is an advantage because everything is relatively close). It has 14 double counters, sterile aisles, four bridges, and three remote boarding posts.

On the other hand, it has 12 commercial spaces for shops, restaurants, and kiosks. At the moment the airport has fast food restaurants, a sports bar, and a mini market.

It will be really easy to identify where to go at the time of departure or arrival since the signage is useful and quite easy to understand, so you don’t have to worry about getting lost.

However, even if you already have an idea of the airport areas, it is important that you have a clear idea of what to do when you arrive or leave the airport.

What do I do if I’m arriving?

We know that each country is different, and although the dynamics of airports are usually similar, it is necessary to know what to do when you arrive at Liberia International Airport.

In Costa Rica, the steps you will need to take at the time of your arrival can be summarized  to Customs paperwork, migration, luggage and customs.

Like any time  you are about to enter a new country, the plane staff will give you a customs clearance ticket. You must fill it out completely and turn it in once you arrive at your destination.

When leaving the plane you will find signs guiding you to the immigration checkpoint, where an officer will check your passport and allow or deny entrance to Costa Rica.

After this, you can go to the baggage claim room, where you will have to wait until your flight number appears on the screen indicating it is your flights turn. There you can also find rental car counters if it is of your interest, but we will discuss this topic in detail later.

With your suitcase in hand, it’s time for the last step: Customs. Once you arrive at customs control it is important to have in hand the form filled out in the plane. After turning in the form your luggage will be checked and once you are clear you will be free to go to the airport lobby.

What to do when leaving Liberia?

When you leave the country, the story is a little different. Departures require more time than arrivals depending on whether your flight is  domestic or international.

In case of an international flight, it is recommended to arrive approximately three hours before departure time.  On the other hand, domestic flights only require arriving one hour earlier.

Having a valid passport is crucial  in order to avoid any inconveniences and meet any legal requirements such as permits to travel with a minor, among others.

Another important thing to keep in mind when leaving Costa Rica is that in order to leave the country you will need to pay a tax of $29. Sometimes this tax is included in your airline ticket (depending on the airline), so you should be aware of this detail so you do not pay it  twice.

If not included, it is necessary that you pay the tax  in the office of Banco Crédito Agrícola de Cartago located in the lobby of the airport.

The allowed weight and dimensions of your luggage will depend on the airline you decide to use. To avoid inconveniences you must be aware of these guidelines variations (you can consult your airline directly in case of doubt).

Now, before going to the boarding lounge, you will have to go through the airport security points where your plane ticket will be checked. Once you have been clear you will head over to the checkpoint of migratory exit. When you are there, all you have to do is present your passport and boarding pass.  

Then it is time to scan your carry on luggage by following the usual process and removing all metal items.

Finally, after your belongings, your luggage and you have been scanned by the X-Ray machine, it is time to go to the corresponding boarding lounge assigned to your flight and wait for boarding time.

How is transportation to and from the airport?

Transportation to and from the airport won’t cause you a headache as it is quite easy to find a way to do it.

Taxis, public transport, and car rental are available in and around the airport. However, the best way to have a comfortable, safe and pleasant trip is to use a private transport service.

Hiring a private transportation company, will give you a lot of advantages,  such as time savings and comfort.

In Liberia, you can count on Liberia Shuttle, a first class service that will give you a unique experience when you arrive at your destination, or when it’s time to say goodbye.

What better way to start a vacation in the happiest place in the world than with the best transportation service in Liberia-Costa Rica?

Suburban Hotels

Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport does not have lodging or hotel services within its facilities, but being a few kilometers from Liberia, it has a large number of lodging options in its vicinity.

You can get dream hotels to have an unforgettable stay, all without the need to make a long trip to get to them.

Some of the best known and closest hotel to the airport are: Hotel Bosque del Mar Playa Hermosa, Hilton Garden Inn Liberia Airport, Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica and Casa Conde Beach-Front Hotel.


FAQs About Liberia International Airport.

To clarify any doubts you may still have about Liberia International Airport, here you will find some FAQ that can be very useful at the time of your arrival or when you are  making travel arrangements.

Where can I find  an Information Center at the Airport?

For information within the facilities, the Airport has an information desk that is located in front of the elevators on the second level. Attention to the public is available from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

What services does the airport have in case of an emergency?

Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport has a fire department, paramedic  services and medical assistance for passengers who need it.

What are the requirements to travel with a minor?

To travel with a minor it is necessary to have all the required paperwork and permits up to date. The minor must have his passport and current papers, along with a permit issued by the Directorate General of Immigration and Aliens, where you will find the signature of authorization of both parents, you also must carry a copy of the identity card.

What are the airport hours?

The airport has two different schedules depending on whether it is in high or low season. In high season the airport has a schedule of 03:30 to 24:00 hrs. During low season the schedule is from 06:00 to 24:00 hrs.

What is the cost of parking?

Liberia International Airport has a parking lot with almost 500 spots for vehicles that is located in front of the terminal. The parking service is free, however cars can only be parked for a short amount of time.

Is WiFi free?

The WiFi service for passengers is free on the LIR Free network.

Can I use a credit card at the airport?

Yes, all the services and premises inside the airport are equipped with dataphones that allow you to make payments with your credit card.

Does the airport have a money exchange service?

Yes, the airport has three money exchange windows located in the lobby, baggage claim and boarding lounge. Global Exchange and Globo Cambio belonging to the Global Exchange Group provide the service of foreign currency exchange to  tourists.

Are there telecommunications stores at the airport to purchase SIM cards?

For your peace of mind, you can easily purchase a SIM card right next to the arrivals area, where you can find a Kolbi service kiosk.This will allow you to communicate with your loved ones immediately upon arrival.

With all of the above you have more than enough to turn your time at Liberia’s International Airport into a fast, thrilling,  experience to start your best vacation with the best Pura Vida style in a good mood.