Routes from Liberia airport
| Destination | Areas covered | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Playas del Coco | Playas del Coco, Playa Hermosa, Ocotal and Playa Panamá | 30–45 minutes |
| Papagayo Peninsula | the Papagayo Peninsula and Culebra Bay, including Four Seasons and Andaz | 30–60 minutes |
| Flamingo & Conchal | Playa Flamingo, Playa Potrero, Brasilito, Playa Conchal and Las Catalinas | 1 hour – 1 hour 30 |
| Tamarindo | Tamarindo, Langosta, Playa Grande, Avellanas and Hacienda Pinilla | 1 hour 15 – 1 hour 30 (up to 2 hours in peak traffic) |
| Nosara | Nosara and Playa Guiones | 2 – 2 hours 30 |
| Sámara | Sámara and Playa Carrillo | 2 – 2 hours 15 |
| Santa Teresa | Santa Teresa, Malpaís and Montezuma | 4 hours 30 – 5 hours 30 |
| Rincón de la Vieja | the lodges and hot springs around Rincón de la Vieja National Park | 45 minutes – 1 hour 15 |
Per vehicle for 1–6 travelers, taxes included. Pickups 6:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.; a few resorts add a small access fee. Message us for a quote to your exact route.
How your private driver works
- Book with your landing date, destination and number of travelers.
- Land and clear customs. At Liberia that usually takes 30 to 90 minutes; your driver tracks your flight and waits, even if it's delayed.
- Airport meet & greet. Your English-speaking driver waits just outside the exit doors, holding a sign with your name, and helps with your bags.
- Ride direct to your hotel in a modern, air-conditioned van, with up to an hour of stops included: groceries, a cold drink, photos.
- Stay in touch. Our team is on call 24/7 by phone, text and WhatsApp for the rest of your trip.
Why a private driver instead of renting a car
Guanacaste's roads reward local knowledge. A few reasons most first-time visitors are better off with a driver:
- Liberia to Tamarindo is about 1 hour, but Liberia to Arenal is about 3 hours and Liberia to Monteverde is 2½ to 3 hours. That's long enough that resting after an international flight beats driving it yourself.
- Costa Rica's rule of thumb is about 30 mph (50 km/h) average, even on roads that look fast on a map.
- We advise against driving after dark: unlit two-lane roads, single-lane "Ceda el Paso" bridges and gravel stretches to the more remote beaches.
- June–November rain brings potholes and landslides on the routes inland from Guanacaste.
- Speed cameras carry $300–600 tickets, and rental cars sitting in a resort lot are a common target for break-ins.
Renting a car is usually not recommended for first-time visitors to Costa Rica: see our rental car or private driver guide for the full comparison.
Meet your drivers
Anywhere Costa Rica's Guanacaste drivers are English-speaking, licensed tourism-transport professionals. Here's what travelers say about a few of them:
“Our ride back to Liberia with Andres aka Freddie was superb! Best driver of all rides!”
Yvonne V., Tamarindo → Liberia
“I would like to especially commend Hector Ortiz… He went out of his way to be kind and helpful when I was not feeling well during the drive… He was a true gentleman.”
Robin H., → Liberia airport
“Grevin was by far the best driver we had for the entire trip. He acted as a guide to the area, found a great place for us to eat, and even set up a telescope for us to see the howler monkeys.”
Sarabeth G., Liberia → Arenal
“Our driver, Julio, was exceptional! Spoke very good English… was very helpful and informative about the areas we were traveling through.”
Don M., Liberia → Monteverde
Other ways to get from the airport
Shared shuttles, licensed taxis, rental cars and the city bus to Liberia all run from LIR; Uber isn't yet a regulated service in Costa Rica. Our Liberia airport guide compares them, and Guanacaste drive times has the times between beaches and volcanoes.
Plan your whole Guanacaste trip with a private driver
- 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 the price per person or per vehicle?
Per vehicle. A private van covers 1 to 6 travelers, taxes included; groups of 7 or more ride in a larger vehicle. Message us for a quote to your exact route.
Where does my driver meet me at Liberia airport?
Just outside the terminal exit doors, in the covered ground-transportation area. Your driver holds a sign with your name and waits for you even if your flight is delayed. See our Liberia airport guide for the arrival steps.
Is it safe to rent a car instead, or should I hire a private driver?
For a first trip, most travelers do better with a private driver: our own guides list night driving, unlit mountain roads and $300–600 speed-camera tickets as the main hazards of self-driving in Guanacaste. A private driver removes all three.
Can we stop on the way?
Yes. Up to an hour of stops is included: a supermarket for groceries, cold drinks, photos or lunch. Just tell your driver.
What if I land late at night?
Pickups before 6 a.m. or after 8 p.m. carry a small night fee. For long drives such as Nosara, Santa Teresa or La Fortuna, a first night near the airport or on the closer beaches is often the better plan, since the roads are unlit.
Do your drivers speak English?
Yes. Anywhere Costa Rica's drivers are English-speaking, licensed tourism-transport professionals, and our in-country team is on call 24/7 by phone, text and WhatsApp.
Can you also plan the rest of our trip?
Yes. Anywhere Costa Rica's insiders plan whole trips around what you care about, including where to stay in Guanacaste and what to add. Tell us your flight and we'll plan from the moment you land.