As the gateway to Guanacaste, visitors who fly to Guanacaste Airport (airport code LIR, formerly called Liberia International Airport, also known as Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport) are ones looking to enjoy the beautiful beaches and landscapes in the province.
Although the airport area is not as big as the Juan Santamaria International Airport, also known as San Jose International Airport (airport code SJO), there are several options if you are in need of an airport hotel.
In this post are our recommendations for the best hotels near Guanacaste Airport.
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Best Hotels Near Guanacaste Airport
Tip: Remember that Guanacaste Airport is about a 15 minute drive from Liberia city. Liberia is not as big or a developed city as San Jose and the closest beach town, Playas del Coco, is only about a 30 minute drive away, so there are not that many hotels near Guanacaste Airport.
Uber is not as common in the Guanacaste province as it is in San Jose or the Central Valley cities.
Our recommendation is if your hotel does not offer free airport shuttles, to ask them to arrange a taxi for you beforehand when you check in.
If they cannot offer this option either, then we highly recommend you to pre-book a private shuttle ride to the airport on your own.
From Liberia downtown to the airport, it can cost around $20-30 USD but it depends on how big your group is and how many pieces of luggage you have.
If you are a large group with lots of luggage, the cost will be higher as you’ll need a bigger vehicle.
Still need an itinerary? Check out our 5 day Guanacaste itinerary, our 5 day Tamarindo itinerary and 8 days Playas del Coco + La Fortuna itinerary! All of these require flying in and out of Guanacaste Airport.
Hilton Garden Inn Guanacaste Airport
For the closest and most convenient hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn Guanacaste Airport is the best choice. The hotel is right across from the main highway to the airport with free shuttle service (2 minute drive).
Rooms are modern, clean and come with full bathroom amenities. Enjoy their on-site restaurant with an excellent breakfast buffet, large pool, souvenir store, free Wi-Fi, business center or gym.
Members of the HHonors program will want to book this 4 reward category Hilton to earn points. Rates start around $120.
The Hilton Garden Inn Guanacaste Airport includes a free airport shuttle to and from their hotel. For those getting picked up at the airport, look for an agent holding a sign with the hotel name.
They have airport shuttles every 15 minutes and start at the first flight of the day and end with the last flight of the day.
Click here to see the latest prices for the Hilton Garden Inn.
Hampton by Hilton Guanacaste Airport
This hotel opened at the end of 2023, filling a gap of much needed other chain airport hotels near Guanacaste Airport. It offers free breakfast in the room rate, has a pool and provides free parking. They also offer free airport shuttle for hotel guests. The airport is just a 2 minute drive away so super convenient (very close to the Hilton Garden Inn Guanacaste Airport).
Around the same rates as the Hilton Garden Inn, but the hotel is a bit smaller with modern facilities, clean and spacious rooms, good amenities and a great location.
This is one of the best hotels near Guanacaste Airport with free airport shuttle. Rates start around $110.
Their airport shuttle runs from 5 AM to 10 PM every 15 minutes. For those getting picked up at the hotel, look for staff holding a sign with the name of the hotel.
Click here to check rates for Hampton by Hilton Guanacaste Airport.
Hotel Santa Ana Liberia Airport
The Hotel Santa Ana Liberia Airport is a standard/budget hotel offering basic rooms with hot water, AC, cable and Wi-Fi. This hotel is not in Liberia city, but just a bit outside. It is a 7 minute drive to Guanacaste Airport.
Bathrooms come with basic amenities and the property has services such as an on-site restaurant, laundry service and house keeping. They offer single and double rooms.
If you’re not looking for anything fancy and just a place to rest your head for the night before your flight out, this hotel is a reasonable wallet friendly option. Rates start at $50.
Hotel Santa Ana can arrange transportation from the hotel to the airport only. This ride costs ~ $10 USD and clients pay in cash to the driver. Must coordinate with the hotel front desk to reserve the ride.
Click here to get the latest prices for Hotel Santa Ana.
Hotel Boyeros
Hotel Boyeros is a reasonably priced hotel about a 15 minute drive from the airport. They have a conference center, restaurant, inner courtyard and pool and is located right in downtown off the Interamericana highway 1.
You’re close to restaurants and shops in Liberia so the location is convenient. Expect basic but comfortable rooms. The hotel is on the older end so rooms are a bit dated but they’re clean. Decent option for one or two nights in Liberia. Rates start at $90.
However, this hotel does not offer any airport shuttle. The front desk can assist in calling you a taxi at the moment and clients pay in cash to the driver. They cannot pre-book rides so I’d get to the front desk at least 30 minutes before you need to leave so they can have enough time.
If your flight is very early in the morning, then I would stay here only if you pre-book a private shuttle or if you have a rental car and can drive yourself the day of your flight.
Click here for the latest Hotel Boyeros rates.
Best Western El Sitio
If you plan to stay in Liberia for a couple of days but still want to be near the airport, the Best Western El Sitio is a top choice. It’s located about 15 minutes from the airport and is right in town, close to shops, restaurants, the bank and a supermarket.
The best part of this hotel is the pool. It’s huge with a section for children. For a standard Best Western, this one is especially great for families.
Tip: Make sure you ask for a room towards the back. There is a night club across the street which can get loud in the wee hours of the morning. As it’s right off the main highway, you can also hear some road noise. Rates start at $100.
They can help arrange transportation from the hotel to the airport only. This costs around $20 and the client pays to the driver directly in cash. Coordinate your ride with the front desk.
Click here to get the latest rates at Best Western El Sitio.
Hotel Javy
This small family owned hotel is located in Liberia downtown. Modest, no frills but clean rooms, free hot local breakfast included (or you can opt for no breakfast) and within walking distance to the shops and sights of Liberia.
A good option if you plan to catch the bus to Nicaragua as it’s close to the main bus station. Rooms have air conditioning and they offer single rooms for solo travelers as well as quadruple rooms for up to 7 people for those on an extremely strict budget.
Hotel Javy is a 25 minute drive to Guanacaste Airport. The front desk can coordinate transportation from the hotel to the airport only. The ride costs ~$25, with the client paying in cash directly to the driver. Room rates start around $40 USD.
Check latest rates at Hotel Javy.
Hotel El Cerro
Another small, family owned local hotel in Liberia, right near downtown close to shops and restaurants. Clean and modest rooms, free hot local breakfast included in the rate.
Great option for those with a rental car as they have a secure gated parking lot. Rooms have air conditioning and is also close to the main bus station.
Hotel El Cerro is about a 20 minute drive to Guanacaste Airport and the front desk can help you arrange a taxi to the airport, paying directly to the driver. Cost is around ~$25. Room rates start at $70.
Check latest rates at Hotel El Cerro.
Hotel Las Espuelas
This hotel is right off the Pan-American highway in Liberia, you’re close to many places and attractions such as Rincon de la Vieja National Park.
The hotel is comfortable and has breakfast included. They have a nice pool area and breakfast buffet is not too shabby with Western and Costa Rican options. Rooms are pretty comfortable and are far away enough from the highway that you won’t be too bothered by the noise.
Hotel Las Espuelas is 25 minutes driving to the airport. No free airport shuttle included, you can ask them to get you a taxi. Rates start around $70.
Click here to check the latest rates at Las Espuelas
Best Hotels Near Guanacaste Airport For You
If you’re not on a super tight budget, either the Hilton Garden Inn Guanacaste Airport or Hampton by Hilton Guanacaste Airport. Both have a pool, restaurant, very comfortable and modern rooms, very good breakfast and free airport shuttle.
If you’re on a really tight budget, then the other small budget hotels will be your best option. You do need to pay for the ride as it’s not included.
Make sure you arrange a taxi with them to get to the airport or if you have a rental car, you can drive yourself to your rental car office to return your car and get shuttled to the airport.
Other Options for Hotels Near Liberia International Airport (Guanacaste Airport)
Another option is to stay at Playas del Coco, the closest small beach village to Guanacaste Airport. It’s only a 30 minute drive and is a nice option as it is more fun to stay at a beach town than in Liberia. You can spend your last night watching the sunset on the beach.
One more option is to stay at one of the Papagayo Peninsula resorts or beaches We highly recommend El Mangroove Papagayo beachfront Autograph Collection resort, which is only a 25 minute drive away.
We love this beach resort. It has a wonderful restaurant and pool and it’s the perfect way to cap off an amazing time in Costa Rica. The all inclusive adults only Secrets Papagayo is also only a 26 minute drive away so you can spoil yourself at an all inclusive.
Need a hotel by San Jose International Airport? Check our list of best hotels by San Jose Airport here. Plus find out what it’s like to go through immigration and customs in Costa Rica.
Booking a Private Shuttle to and From the Guanacaste Airport
As Uber is not readily available in Guanacaste as it is in San Jose and there are very few hotels near the airport, the most secure way to guarantee your ride to the airport is by pre-booking a private shuttle if you do not have a rental car.
Your driver will be there to pick you up directly from your hotel and drop you off directly at departures. Private shuttle services also include a stop along the way in case you want to get some snacks or a quick meal.
Private shuttles are not that expensive and are the best way to guarantee a timely and safe ride.
We work with a certified private shuttle provider, feel free to contact us for quotes and availability to schedule your ride.
Costa Rica Vacation Checklist
- First time to Costa Rica? Read our First Time in Costa Rica guide.
- Not sure how to move around Costa Rica? Read our How to Get Around Costa Rica guide to find the best transportation method for you.
- Click the link to get our detailed Costa Rica Packing List so you know what essential items to bring.
- Check our Costa Rica destinations map and Costa Rica restaurant map
- Do not forget to purchase Travel Insurance for your trip to Costa Rica.
- Stay connected by purchasing a prepaid SIM Card in Costa Rica.
- Save money with Mytanfeet Deals for tours and hotels and our Costa Rica Car Rental Discount.
Barb Kinisky says
Hi. Thanks for your most helpful blog. We arrive in Liberia, are renting a car with Adobe, and will try to spend the first night nearby before driving to our rental the next day. Is there a place nearby that we can also purchase a SIM card for our phone? Thanks.
Sammi says
Hi Barb, I just sent you an email and we will have Adobe add the free SIM card to your reservation.
Krista Friebel says
Firstly, thanks so much for your website and all the hard work that you so clearly have put into to it. Your site is full of excellent information that has been so helpful both in planning my March 2019 trip, and now, planning for March 2020. I also wanted to let you know that the hotel links on this page are not working for me here in Canada. I get redirected to a page saying they “were unable to connect you to the requested page”.
Sammi says
Hi Krista, thank you for the kind words and glad you had a great time! Also thank you for the heads up, just changed the links!
Roger Ryckenboer says
would suggest a warning for the Best Western – great pool but the nightclub and fireworks do not make for a good place to sleep – stayed for last night – staff are great and location ideal to get to restaurants but the music from the nightclub goes all night
Sammi says
Ah yes since it’s right in the city and there’s a casino. It can definitely get loud there!
Travel Griz says
Good guide! When I flew out of LIR I dropped off my rental car and there is a half decent restaurant next to the rental lots. It’s a good spot to hangout if you have time to kill. There isn’t much at the airport. Then just take the rental car van back to the airport.
Sammi says
Thanks! There really isn’t much in the area surprisingly. I think there’s a soda nearby but not super close