Guanacaste International Airport
The Guanacaste Airport located just west of the town of Liberia, makes Costa Rica's North Pacific Gold Coast easily accessible from anywhere in the world. The country’s second largest airport welcomes direct flights from Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Denver, Charlotte, Newark, Chicago, Toronto, Montreal, as well as European cities such as London and Berlin. Currently, there are about 30 international airlines flying into Liberia. The airport charges a departure tax, more information HERE.
The airport underwent a huge expansion project in 2011 to add a two story terminal building of over 23,000 square meters, nearly 500 parking spaces, and 12 commercial spaces for shops, restaurants and kiosks to the Liberia Airport. The expansion is designed to process up to 1,500 passengers at peak hours, which equates to an increase of 100% of what could be handled prior to the expansion.
The expansion of the Guanacaste Airport is well-timed, since the number of passengers traveling through Liberia is up significantly over 2010 and 2011. During December 2011, 63,279 passengers traveled in and out of the airport; 35.5% more than in December 2010 (46,689 passengers), and 56.9% more than in December 2009 (40,338 passengers).
Liberia, the Guanacaste province's capital, is located just 20 minutes to 1 hour from the best beaches in the country via paved roads. You can reach the most popular towns Tamarindo and Flamingo via private van, taxi or shuttle. You can also arrange to pick up a rental car at the Liberia Airport if you prefer to driving in Costa Rica.
More flights are expected to benefit, not just vacationers and residents, but also the increasing number of medical tourists traveling to the Guanacaste province. In Costa Rica, world-renowned for its high standard of medical care, hospitals and treatments have long been centered in the San Jose area. However, last November construction on the internationally certified CIMA Hospital and Medical Center only 10 kilometers from Guanacaste Airport began as part of the Pacific Plaza project. Clinica Biblica, also internationally certified, is currently in the building permit process, while the Medical Center San Rafael Archangel is slated to expand facilities this year as well.