Your Trip to Costa Rica Starts Here: 2 Easy Ways to Get to Guanacaste

 

Absolutely! Costa Rica continues to enchant visitors with its PURA VIDA. This country offers high-quality tourist services, sun-and-sand tourism rich in natural wonders, thrilling water sports and activities, and authentic experiences in its diverse tropical forests, including dry, cloud, and rainforests. It's a natural paradise that offers a range of experiences, from adventure and ecotourism to rural and wellness tourism.

Beyond Guanacaste's natural beauty, you'll discover the rich and authentic cultural heritage of the Guanacastecan plains, known as the "Pampa Guanacasteca." Locals rightly exclaim, "¡Uyuyuy bajura!" (How lovely the plains are!), as this region preserves its traditions, unique character, and folklore. Here, you'll discover properties declared historical heritage sites, a living intangible cultural heritage in the music of the marimba and cimarrona bands, traditional dances, vibrant bullfights, and, of course, delicious local cuisine.

Guanacaste boasts the proper infrastructure to cater to all types of travelers, including groups of various sizes, families, and couples. But the key question is: how do you get to this excellent Costa Rican destination?

Your Aerial Gateways: Only 2 International Airports


For your trip to Costa Rica, there are only two main international airports:
1. Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR): Located in Liberia, the capital of Guanacaste, this is one of the country's main tourist entry points. It's not only ideal for visiting Guanacaste but also for accessing other areas, such as Monteverde, La Fortuna, Tortuguero, and the Central Pacific. It's known for its stable year-round weather conditions and a strategic location very close to the province's main beaches.

Airlines flying directly to LIR:

 

  • Air Canada: Montreal and Toronto
  • Air Transat: Montreal and Toronto
  • Alaska Airlines: Los Ángeles
  • American Airlines: Charlotte, Dallas, and Miami
  • Delta: Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis
  • JetBlue: Boston and New York
  • Southwest: Baltimore, Houston
  • Sun Country Airlines: Minneapolis
  • Sunwing: Montreal and Toronto
  • Thomson Airways: London
  • United Airlines: Chicago, Denver, Houston, and Newark
  • WestJet: Calgary and Toronto


2. Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO): This airport is located in Alajuela, about 20 kilometers from San José, the capital of Costa Rica. It's the main gateway for exploring the Central Valley and other regions of the country.

Key Considerations for Your Flight

Airfares vary significantly between the two airports and depend heavily on the tourist season. However, you can be confident in Costa Rica's excellent connectivity, with over 500 direct flights per week from major cities in the Americas (the United States, Canada, and Mexico) and Europe (Switzerland, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Spain).


Are you ready to choose your route and start planning your unforgettable adventure in Guanacaste?

Thinking of visiting Costa Rica? We've got tips to help you plan your perfect trip
Useful Tips on How to Plan a Trip to Costa Rica