Miami was one of Liberia airport's five busiest origin cities in 2025. With American from Miami and JetBlue from Fort Lauderdale, South Florida has a nonstop every day of the year, and at about 3 hours it's the quickest way to Guanacaste from the US.
Checked September 24, 2026. Dates, times and frequencies are from the airlines and their filed schedules. Winter timetables can still change, so confirm with the airline before you book.
Which airlines fly nonstop from Miami and Fort Lauderdale to Liberia?
| Airline | From | Season | Frequency | Flight time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American | Miami (MIA) | Year-round | Daily in the fall; twice daily from November; up to 3 a day over the holidays | ~3 h |
| JetBlue | Fort Lauderdale (FLL) | Year-round (since December 2025) | 5 a week in September; daily from November | ~3 h |
When do the flights run?
All year on both airlines. The fall (September and October) is the quietest, with one flight a day or less; from November American goes to twice daily and JetBlue to daily, which covers Guanacaste's dry season from December to April. American also has two flights a day on file into summer 2027.
MIA or FLL, and where do you land?
American flies from Miami International (MIA) and JetBlue from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL). Both land at Liberia airport (LIR), branded Guanacaste Airport, 12 km west of Liberia town. It has one passenger terminal: immigration, baggage claim, customs, then out to the curb where drivers, shuttles and taxis wait.
Tips for flying from South Florida
- You have daylight to spare. Most flights land between late morning and about 2 p.m., so Nosara and Sámara are usually reachable the same day.
- Check the fall days on JetBlue. In September there are no Tuesday or Wednesday flights from Fort Lauderdale; American flies from Miami daily.
- Allow for lines. Gate to curb usually takes 30 to 90 minutes, but on high-season Saturdays and Sundays, when several flights land in the early afternoon, allow 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
- Liberia or San José? Pick Liberia if most of your trip is in Guanacaste, San José if it's mostly elsewhere; compare them in Liberia vs San José airport.
After you land: how far are the beaches?
| Destination | Distance | Drive from Liberia airport |
|---|---|---|
| Playas del Coco | 20–35 km | 30–45 minutes |
| Papagayo Peninsula | 25–45 km | 30–60 minutes |
| Flamingo & Conchal | 45–70 km | 1 hour – 1 hour 30 |
| Tamarindo | 65–77 km | 1 hour 15 – 1 hour 30 (up to 2 hours in peak traffic) |
| Nosara | about 100 km | 2 – 2 hours 30 |
| Sámara | about 105 km | 2 – 2 hours 15 |
| Santa Teresa | 150–220 km | 4 hours 30 – 5 hours 30 |
It gets dark around 6 p.m. all year, and the roads to Nosara and Santa Teresa are unlit, with rough final stretches. Our Liberia airport guide covers immigration, customs and where your driver waits, and Liberia airport transportation compares taxis, shuttles, rental cars and private drivers.
Insider tip: the short South Florida flights land early enough that you can stop on the way to your hotel, at a supermarket or for lunch at a roadside soda, and still arrive before dark at most Guanacaste beaches. — Erick
Landing at Liberia? Your driver will be waiting
- Your driver meets you as you walk out of Liberia arrivals, with a sign bearing your name.
- Safe, friendly, English-speaking drivers with the credentials for tourist transport, arranged by Anywhere Costa Rica (IATA and ASTA accredited).
- Modern, spacious, air-conditioned vans.
- Up to an hour of stops is included: groceries, cold drinks, photos or lunch on the way.
- 24/7 in-country support by phone, text and WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct flight from Miami to Liberia, Costa Rica?
Yes, every day of the year. American flies nonstop from Miami (MIA) to Liberia (LIR) at least daily, twice a day from November, and up to three times a day over the holidays.
Is there a direct flight from Fort Lauderdale to Liberia?
Yes. JetBlue has flown Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Liberia since December 4, 2025, as a year-round route. It's daily from November; in September it flies five days a week, with no Tuesday or Wednesday flights.
How long is the flight from Miami to Liberia?
About 3 hours from either Miami or Fort Lauderdale, the shortest nonstop to Liberia from the US. Costa Rica is one hour behind Florida in winter and two in summer.
What time do Miami and Fort Lauderdale flights land in Liberia?
Late morning to early afternoon. In winter, American's flights land at about 12:30 and 2:15 p.m. (plus about 11 a.m. over the holidays) and JetBlue's at about 2 p.m. In summer, everything lands about an hour earlier on the clock.
Should I fly from Miami to Liberia or to San José?
Liberia if you're staying in Guanacaste: Playas del Coco is 30–45 minutes from the airport and Tamarindo 1 hour 15 – 1 hour 30 (up to 2 hours in peak traffic), against roughly 4 to 5.5 hours from San José. See Liberia vs San José airport.
Is Miami a good place to connect to Liberia?
Yes. It's American's year-round gateway to Liberia, with at least two flights a day from November, so it works when your own city's nonstop is seasonal or doesn't fly on your day.