What are Liberia airport’s codes?
| Code or name | What it is |
|---|---|
| LIR | IATA code, used by airlines, booking sites and bag tags |
| MRLB | ICAO code, used by pilots and air traffic control |
| Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport | Official name, after Costa Rica’s president from 1974 to 1978 |
| Guanacaste Airport | Brand name since 2021, on the airport’s signs and website |
You’ll hear all of these, plus “Liberia airport” and “Liberia International.” They’re the same place: Costa Rica’s second-busiest airport and the closest international airport to the Guanacaste beaches.
Where is LIR?
In the northwest of Costa Rica, in the province of Guanacaste, about 12 km (15 to 20 minutes) west of Liberia town on Highway 21. The closest beaches, Playas del Coco and Playa Hermosa, are about 30 minutes away.
What time zone is Liberia airport in?
Costa Rica is on UTC−6 (GMT−6) all year, the same as US Central Standard Time. The country doesn’t use daylight saving time, so from March to November it’s one hour behind US Central time and two hours behind US Eastern time.
Is LIR the airport for Liberia in Africa?
No. LIR is in Liberia, Costa Rica. The main airport of the West African country of Liberia is Roberts International (ROB), near Monrovia. If you’re searching flights for a Costa Rica trip, use LIR.
Liberia or San José (SJO)?
Costa Rica’s other big international airport is Juan Santamaría International in San José, code SJO. If most of your trip is on the Guanacaste coast, flying into LIR saves you hours on the road. Compare Liberia and San José to see which one suits your plans.
More Liberia Costa Rica Airport info: arriving, customs, where your driver meets you, taxis and the exit tax.