Liberia is home to Costa Rica’s Daniel Oduber airport and has plenty of places for deal-hunters. Its mall and downtown areas are favorites for souvenir shoppers and locals alike.

What To expect in Liberia

Liberia is the closest real city to the Nicaraguan border (77 kilometers) and has been a staging point of trade for many years. It is also a crossroads for travelers coming from the rest of the country to the beautiful Guanacaste beaches. Not everybody in Liberia is just passing through. The local population of approximately 20,000 is mostly comprised of small business owners and sabaneros (ranchers).

As with most border areas, trade areas and ports, pretty crime is a problem in Liberia. A good rule of thumb is if you cannot carry it, do not bring it to Liberia as it will likely walk off on its own. This also holds true for vehicles, as a car loaded with suitcases is a target.

Weather and packing list

The Northwest Pacific is one of the driest climates in Costa Rica. The beach areas have a fairly steady year round temperature with daytime highs averaging in the upper 80s to lower 90s. Night time lows are usually in the upper 70s. Precipitation varies through the year with the nicest weather between November and August.

Visitors should pack a bathing suit, towel, shorts, tee shirts, appropriate shoes, rain gear, sun block, and insect repellent. Click here to view our recommended packing list.

Fun Fact: Liberia is known by locals as the white city as many of the colonial style house of years past were painted this color.

Location

Latitude: N 10° 37' 30.72"
Longitude: W 85° 26' 44.81"

What To expect in Liberia

Liberia is the closest real city to the Nicaraguan border (77 kilometers) and has been a staging point of trade for many years. It is also a crossroads for travelers coming from the rest of the country to the beautiful Guanacaste beaches. Not everybody in Liberia is just passing through. The local population of approximately 20,000 is mostly comprised of small business owners and sabaneros (ranchers).

As with most border areas, trade areas and ports, pretty crime is a problem in Liberia. A good rule of thumb is if you cannot carry it, do not bring it to Liberia as it will likely walk off on its own. This also holds true for vehicles, as a car loaded with suitcases is a target.

Weather and packing list

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