The New York area has more airlines flying to Liberia airport (LIR) than any other US city this winter: JetBlue, Delta and American from JFK, and United from Newark. But the schedules vary a lot by month, so it pays to check which ones fly on your dates.
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 New York to Liberia?
| Airline | From | Season | Frequency | Lands in Liberia | Flight time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United | Newark (EWR) | From September 26, 2026; filed into August 2027 | Saturdays (plus a few days) in October; daily November–April; most days in summer | About 11:45 a.m. (10:45 a.m. in summer) | ~5 h 05–5 h 25 |
| JetBlue | JFK | From October 31, 2026; filed into August 2027 | 3–4 a week in November; daily from December | About 3:10 p.m. (12:40 p.m. in summer) | ~5 h 25 |
| American | JFK | December 17, 2026 – April 3, 2027 | Most days December 17 – January 3; none from about January 4 to February 12; Saturdays February 13 – April 3 | About 3 p.m. | ~5 h 30 |
| Delta | JFK | December 19, 2026 – April 10, 2027 | Weekly (Saturdays) | About 3:25 p.m. | ~5 h 45 |
Summer schedules beyond April 2027 are the airlines' early filings and can change. Delta's Saturday flight is its first JFK–Liberia service since January 2017.
When do the flights run?
United from Newark starts first, on September 26, and is daily from November. JetBlue returns to JFK on October 31 and goes daily in December. American and Delta add JFK flights for the peak, from mid-December into April, which matches Guanacaste's dry season (December to April). The quietest stretch is late summer and early fall: this September, New York had no nonstop until United restarted on the 26th.
JFK or Newark, and where do you land?
United flies from Newark Liberty (EWR); JetBlue, American and Delta fly from JFK. All 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 New York
- Newark for the long drives. United's early flight lands before noon, early enough to reach Nosara or Sámara the same day in daylight.
- JFK for the closer beaches. The mid-afternoon JFK arrivals suit Coco, Papagayo, Flamingo or Tamarindo; for anywhere farther, plan a first night near the airport.
- No nonstop on your dates? Connect through Atlanta (Delta), Miami (American) or Houston (United); all three have daily Liberia flights year-round.
- 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.
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: Delta's Saturday flight lands at about 3:25 p.m., right in the busiest part of a high-season weekend. Expect a line at immigration, and plan the first night somewhere close, like Coco or Papagayo. — 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 New York to Liberia, Costa Rica?
Yes. United flies from Newark (EWR) from September 26, 2026, daily from November to April. From JFK, JetBlue flies from October 31 (daily from December), American over the holidays and in spring, and Delta on Saturdays from December 19 to April 10, 2027.
How long is the flight from New York to Liberia?
About 5 hours 5 minutes to 5 hours 45 minutes southbound, depending on the airline and the season. Costa Rica is one hour behind New York in winter and two in summer.
Should I fly from JFK or Newark to Liberia?
For an early arrival, Newark: United lands in Liberia before noon, which leaves the most daylight for a long drive. JFK has more airlines in winter, but its flights land mid-afternoon.
Is there a nonstop from New York to Liberia in the fall?
Only United from Newark, starting September 26, 2026, with Saturday flights in October and daily from November. JetBlue's JFK flights restart on October 31. Otherwise connect through Atlanta (Delta), Miami (American) or Houston (United), which have daily flights to Liberia all year.
Should I fly from New York 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 Delta's JFK flight to Liberia new?
It's a return. Delta's Saturday JFK flight, from December 19, 2026 to April 10, 2027, is its first on the route since January 2017.