Toronto was Liberia airport's busiest origin city in 2025, and Canadians made up about a quarter of its traffic in early 2026. That shows in the schedule: from late October to April you can fly nonstop almost any day of the week on WestJet, Porter, Air Canada or Air Transat, all from Toronto Pearson (YYZ).
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 Toronto to Liberia?
| Airline | Season | Frequency | Flight time |
|---|---|---|---|
| WestJet | Year-round | 2–3 a week in early fall; about 10 a week November–March; 4–5 a week in summer | ~5 h 20–5 h 45 |
| Porter | Year-round | 2 a week in the low season; about daily from late October to March | ~5 h 20–5 h 40 |
| Air Canada | Restarts October 17, 2026 | Daily from late October to mid-April; 1–2 a week on file for summer 2027 | ~5 h 30–5 h 40 |
| Air Transat | October 31, 2026 – April 28, 2027 | Weekly at first; 3 a week mid-December to early April | ~5 h 45 |
Winter flights run a little longer than summer ones. All four airlines fly from Pearson; there's no Liberia service from Billy Bishop. Package travelers: Sunwing Vacations trips now fly on WestJet, since Sunwing's airline merged into WestJet in 2025.
When do the flights run?
The Toronto–Liberia season peaks from December to March, which matches Guanacaste's dry season (December to April). Air Canada and Air Transat join WestJet and Porter in late October, and the peak week has about 23 nonstops. From May to October, you're down to WestJet and Porter, plus a light Air Canada schedule, so book early if you're tied to specific dates.
Which airport do you land at?
Liberia airport (LIR), branded Guanacaste Airport, 12 km west of Liberia town. It has a single passenger terminal, so every Toronto flight arrives at the same place: immigration, baggage claim, customs, then out to the curb where drivers, shuttles and taxis wait. Most Toronto flights are timed to land between about 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.
Tips for flying from Toronto
- Pick your airline by the calendar. For a summer trip or a date outside the peak, WestJet and Porter are your year-round options; in winter, all four compete.
- Book March early. March 2026 was Liberia airport's busiest month on record, with 297,850 passengers, and March Break falls in the middle of it.
- 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.
- Pack for heat. You'll leave Toronto in a parka and land in Guanacaste's dry-season sun, so keep a change of clothes in your carry-on.
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: most Toronto flights land around 2 p.m. Add an hour or more for immigration and customs, and you're on the road mid-afternoon: fine for Coco, Flamingo or Tamarindo, but tight for Nosara and too late for Santa Teresa. For those, I'd spend the first night near the airport or in Coco and drive on in the morning. — 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 Toronto to Liberia, Costa Rica?
Yes. WestJet and Porter fly nonstop from Toronto Pearson to Liberia (LIR) all year, and Air Canada and Air Transat add nonstops in winter. At the December to March peak there are about 23 nonstops a week.
How long is the flight from Toronto to Liberia?
About 5 hours 20 minutes to 5 hours 45 minutes southbound, depending on the airline and the season. Toronto and Liberia are only an hour apart in winter (Costa Rica doesn't change its clocks), so jet lag isn't an issue.
Does Porter fly to Liberia from Billy Bishop?
No. Porter's Liberia flights leave from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) on its Embraer E195-E2 jets, which have no middle seats.
Which Toronto flights to Liberia run in summer?
WestJet (several a week) and Porter (twice a week) fly all year. Air Canada has a reduced schedule on file for summer 2027. Air Transat's Toronto flights are winter only, from late October to late April.
Should I fly from Toronto 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.
Do I need anything special to enter Costa Rica from Canada?
Bring your passport, a return or onward ticket and the address where you're staying; immigration can ask for all three. Our Liberia airport guide walks you through immigration and customs.