Places / North & Central America / Costa Rica
Liberia
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At a glance
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Region
- Guanacaste
- Population
- 70,000
- Best time to go
- December to April
- Main airport
- Liberia Daniel Oduber Quirós International (LIR)
- Coordinates
- 10.63°N, 85.44°W
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Overview
Liberia is the capital of Guanacaste, Costa Rica's hot, dry north-west, a land of cattle ranches, cowboy culture and long Pacific beaches. Its whitewashed colonial houses earned it the nickname the White City.
Most visitors fly in and head straight for the coast, but Liberia rewards a stop. It is a friendly working town with good local food, and some of the country's finest national parks and volcanoes lie close by.
Things to see
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Photo: cyph3r [2], CC BY-SA 2.0 Rincón de la Vieja National Park
Bubbling mud pots, fumaroles, waterfalls and forest trails on the slopes of an active volcano.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Geoff Gallice, CC BY 2.0 Santa Rosa National Park
Dry tropical forest, a historic battle site and remote surf beaches in the far north-west.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Debivort at English Wikipedia, GFDL Palo Verde National Park
Wetlands along the Tempisque river, home to crocodiles and huge numbers of water birds.
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Photo: Kognos, CC BY-SA 4.0 La Ermita de la Agonía
A small, whitewashed colonial church at the end of the town's old main street.
Things to do
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Photo: Pacificorealty, CC BY-SA 3.0 Beach day on the Gulf of Papagayo
Playas del Coco and the beaches of the Papagayo peninsula are less than an hour away.
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Photo: user:Flicka, CC BY 2.5 Hot springs and mud baths
Soak in volcanic hot springs and cover yourself in mineral mud near Rincón de la Vieja.
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Photo: Yricordel, CC BY-SA 3.0 Llano de Cortés waterfall
A wide, curtain-like waterfall with a swimming pool beneath, south of the city.
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Guanacaste Day
Every 25 July, parades, music, rodeos and traditional dancing mark the province's annexation to Costa Rica.
Where to stay
Liberia centre
Good-value hotels near the main square, handy for early flights and day trips.
Hotels in Liberia centrePlayas del Coco
A lively beach town with restaurants, diving and easy airport access.
Hotels in Playas del CocoPapagayo Peninsula
Luxury resorts on quiet bays for a relaxing beach stay.
Hotels in Papagayo Peninsula
Getting around
Taxis and local buses cover the town and nearby beaches; a hire car is the easiest way to reach the national parks.
Liberia's international airport is around 15 minutes west of town by taxi.
When to go
The dry season from December to April brings reliable sunshine and hot days, with dry forests turning golden. The green season from May to November has afternoon rain and lush landscapes.
Plan your trip to Liberia
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.