Liberia

Travel Guide

Liberia featuring interior views, religious aspects and a church or cathedral
Liberia featuring a church or cathedral and religious aspects
Liberia showing street scenes
Liberia which includes street scenes
Liberia

Explore quaint churches and museums to get a sense of Costa Rican life or head out to the national park to see volcanoes, tropical forests and mud pits.

Liberia is a colonial city situated between a volcanic national park and a coast lined with pristine beaches. The municipality gives an insight into the local culture with its churches and museums. Explore the charming city center on foot before taking trips to the otherworldly environs of the park.

Learn about the country’s cowboy heritage at the Sabanero Museum. Browse its collection of authentic lassos, saddles and other rancher items. The cowboy life is still one of the most common ways to make a living in the Guanacaste province.

Visit the oldest church in the city, the Iglesia de la Agonia. This religious site, which dates back to 1825, has a colonial-style design and an art gallery.

Dine at of the “sodas”, which are small restaurants serving local cuisine. Dishes from this area generally feature rice and beans, paired with fruit juices.

Many travelers use Liberia as a base to see Rincon de la Vieja National Park, a large region of eerie terrain. See the bubbling mud baths, gas-oozing craters and hot springs that make this park so fascinating. Gaze up at the main volcano and its nine craters before delving deep into the dry tropical forest.

Liberia is also famous for its proximity to some of the country’s most scenic beaches. Take a bus to the small beach towns of Coco Beach and Hermosa Bay Beach, which are about 20 miles (32.2 kilometers) west of Liberia.

Liberia International Airport is 8 miles (13 kilometers) west of the city. Take a bus to the city center and explore on foot. San José, Costa Rica’s capital city, is 168.3 miles (271 kilometers) southeast of Liberia.

Stay in Liberia for a slice of Guanacaste culture before hiking through the rainforest and volcanic terrain of the national park.

Where to stay in Liberia

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El Capulín

While El Capulín might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Museo de Guanacaste and Liberia Parque Central.

El Capulín
Liberia featuring a square or plaza

Los Cerros

Though Los Cerros might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Museo de Guanacaste and Liberia Parque Central.

Los Cerros
Liberia featuring a square or plaza

Barrio La Guaria

Barrio La Guaria might not have many top sights, but Museo de Guanacaste and Liberia Parque Central are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Barrio La Guaria
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Barrio El Invu

When in Barrio El Invu, you can plan a visit to Museo de Guanacaste and Liberia Parque Central, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Barrio El Invu
Hampton By Hilton Guanacaste Airport

Hampton By Hilton Guanacaste Airport

4.5 out of 5
Ruta 21 frente Condominio Solarium, Liberia, Guanacaste
The price is CA $158 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
CA $158
CA $179 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Liberia. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (954 reviews)
"Very clean and beautiful new hotel. Walking distance to several restaurants and brewery."

Reviewed on Jul. 15, 2025

Hampton By Hilton Guanacaste Airport
Hilton Garden Inn Guanacaste Airport

Hilton Garden Inn Guanacaste Airport

3.5 out of 5
Ruta #21 Frente Al, Aeropuerto Internacional, Liberia
The price is CA $162 per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
CA $162
CA $183 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Liberia. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,318 reviews)
"Close to airport. Beautiful grounds with pool. The rooms were very comfortable. The food was excellent."

Reviewed on Jul. 13, 2025

Hilton Garden Inn Guanacaste Airport
Hotel Boyeros

Hotel Boyeros

3 out of 5
Entrance to town, Between 2nd and 4th Avenues, Liberia
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $111 per night from Aug 15 to Aug 16
CA $111
CA $126 total
Aug 15 - Aug 16
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Liberia. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Beautiful courtyard and pool area. Large comfortable room with great shower. Really good breakfast with losts of options."

Reviewed on Jul. 15, 2025

Hotel Boyeros
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Apartamento Ganesha Liberia

Apartamento Ganesha Liberia

3 out of 5
Carretera al Aeropuerto Daniel Oduber, Condominio Chorotega, Apto 1812, 1 piso, Liberia, Guanacaste
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly apartment in Liberia. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Galeria 1824 Gallery and ...
Apartamento Ganesha Liberia
Hermosa Paradise

Hermosa Paradise

2 out of 5
Highway 159 behind Super Luperon, Sardinal, Guanacaste Province
Stay at this aparthotel in Sardinal. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 14 beach bars. Popular attractions Coco Beach and Playa Hermosa are located nearby.
9/10 Wonderful! (81 reviews)
"Very good"

Reviewed on Jun. 19, 2025

Hermosa Paradise
Bahia Pez Vela Resort

Bahia Pez Vela Resort

3.5 out of 5
Playa del Coco, Sardinal, Guanacaste
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Sardinal. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Coco Beach and Playa Hermosa are ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (83 reviews)
"Beautiful beach with black sand. Perfect for swimming. Our villa was right on the beach gorgeous view of the sunsets every evening. Loved the wildlife around the hotel. The villa was spotless and very comfortable for our family of 6. The kitchen was fully stocked, had everything we needed. Would ..."

Reviewed on Jun. 22, 2025

Bahia Pez Vela Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Liberia

3.7
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
16
5 - Excellent 15%
4 - Good
43
4 - Good 39%
3 - Okay
49
3 - Okay 45%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Overall we had an amazing 2 months touring around Costa Rica!

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Nothing special about this place other than it's convenient.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Busy. Driving in the city is interesting.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Didn’t see any of Liberia. Just the airport

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Just a stop over. Didn't explore the city.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful place

Cities near Liberia