Montreal is one of six Canadian cities with nonstops to Liberia airport (LIR), and Canadians made up about a quarter of the airport's traffic in early 2026. From Montreal it's a winter route: the nonstops start in October and November and run until late April, lining up with Guanacaste's dry season (December to April).
Checked September 24, 2026. Dates 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 Montreal to Liberia?
| Airline | Season | Frequency | Flight time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada | October 31, 2026 – April 29, 2027 | 3 a week in November; 4 a week December to mid-April | ~6 h–6 h 15 |
| Air Transat | October 11, 2026 – April 28, 2027 | Weekly in October; 2 a week in November; 3–4 a week December–March | ~6 h |
| WestJet New | From November 2, 2026 | Weekly (Mondays) | ~5 h 55 |
All three fly from Montréal-Trudeau (YUL). WestJet's Monday flight is the newest and least established, so check it on the airline's site before you build a trip around it. Package travelers: Sunwing Vacations trips now fly on WestJet, since Sunwing's airline merged into WestJet in 2025.
When do the flights run?
Air Transat starts first, on October 11, then Air Canada joins on October 31 and WestJet on November 2. December to March is the peak, with about 9 nonstops a week. After late April, Air Canada and Air Transat stop, leaving only WestJet's Monday flight on the schedule.
Which airport do you land at?
Liberia airport (LIR), branded Guanacaste Airport, 12 km west of Liberia town. It has one passenger terminal, so every Montreal flight arrives at the same place: immigration, baggage claim, customs, then out to the curb where drivers, shuttles and taxis wait. Montreal flights land between about noon and 4:30 p.m.
Tips for flying from Montreal
- Outside winter, connect in Toronto. WestJet and Porter fly Toronto to Liberia all year, so a one-stop via Pearson is the usual answer from May to October.
- Mind the afternoon arrivals. Air Transat's flights land in the late afternoon. Add immigration and customs, and you'll reach Nosara or Santa Teresa after dark; stay near the airport or on the closer beaches the first night.
- 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 both 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. Coco, Papagayo, Flamingo and Tamarindo are easy even after an afternoon landing; Nosara and Santa Teresa are better driven in daylight. 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: if you land on the Air Transat flight at about 4:30 p.m., the beaches around Coco and Papagayo are only about 30 to 45 minutes away, so they make an easy first night even if your final stop is farther down the coast. — 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 Montreal to Liberia, Costa Rica?
Yes, in winter. Air Canada and Air Transat fly nonstop from Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) to Liberia (LIR) from October or November to late April, and WestJet adds a weekly Monday flight from November 2, 2026. At the peak there are about 9 nonstops a week.
How long is the flight from Montreal to Liberia?
About 6 hours to 6 hours 15 minutes southbound, a little less on the way home. Costa Rica is one hour behind Montreal in winter and two in summer.
Are there flights from Montreal to Liberia in summer?
Very few. Air Canada and Air Transat have nothing filed for summer 2027. WestJet's weekly Monday flight is scheduled into the summer, but it's new, so confirm before you plan around it. Otherwise connect in Toronto, where WestJet and Porter fly to Liberia all year.
Does Air Transat still fly Montreal to Liberia year-round?
Not at the moment. Air Transat announced year-round weekly flights in 2024, but its current schedule runs from October 11, 2026 to April 28, 2027 only.
Should I fly from Montreal 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.
What time do Montreal flights land in Liberia?
Between about noon and 4:30 p.m. local time. Allow 30 to 90 minutes to clear immigration and customs, longer on high-season weekends. Our Liberia airport guide walks you through it.