Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Costa Rica is during the dry season, from mid-December to April — you'll get plenty of sunshine, ideal for exploring rainforests and beaches. However, the dry season is the most crowded and expensive time to visit. The rainy season lasts from May to November, with incessant rain showers — it is the cheapest season to visit. During June and July, rain showers stop briefly and the forests burst with green foliage. The Annexation of Guanacaste Day is celebrated on July 25th with major parades, performances and festivities.

Passport / Visa

Citizens of the European Union as well as from Australia, New Zealand, North America, and most countries in South America do not require a visa to visit Costa Rica. Visitors with a valid, multiple-entry visa or residence permit issued by any country of the European Union, Canada or the United States can also visit without a visa, for a stay of 30 days maximum. Other visitors' requirements in order to enter Costa Rica depend on their nationality, and these can be checked with your local consulate.

• Web:

  www.visitcostarica.com/en/costa-rica/planning-your-trip/entry-requirements

Liberia International Airport (LIR)

The Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport is located around 13 km west of Liberia. As a hub for visitors of the Pacific coast and Western Costa Rica in general, the airport features every service needed, from ATM and money exchange services to small food venues and car rental companies. Liberia's city centre, and the airport on the way home, can be reached by public buses that operate daily from 6am to 6pm, as well as by official taxis (red) and private shuttle services. Keep in mind to check whether the departure tax for Costa Rica – US $29.00 – is already included in your air plane ticket, as if not, you have to pay it upon arrival.

• Web:

  www.lircr.com

• E-mail:

  info@guanacasteairport.com

• Address:

  Liberia Airport Boulevard, Guanacaste Province

• Phone:

  +506 2666 9600

• More info:

  Also known as Guanacaste Airport and Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport

Public Transport

A large public bus network serves Liberia, linking the city with Jan José, the beaches and the Nicaraguan border: while the Pulmitan de Liberia station is the hub for travels to the capital and the beaches, the Municipal station serves destinations close or within Nicaragua. Both stations are located within two blocks of each other, and both provide schedules while tickets can be bought directly on board the buses. Getting around the city centre is easily done on foot, as most downtown attractions are within easy reach from each other.

Taxi

Most taxi companies essentially serve as shuttles operating between the city center and International Airport, as private transportation generally isn't needed to get around town (unless your accommodation happens to be farther afield). Liberia Shuttle can also be booked for other travel occasions.

• Web:

  www.liberiashuttle.com

• Address:

  Calle 8, Avenida 6, Liberia, Costa Rica

• Phone:

  +506 88 626 407

Addresses

Most towns in Costa Rica use a rectilinear roadway grid. The roads going north and south are called calles (streets) while the ones going east and west are called avenidas (avenues). Let's pretend that Calle Central is number 0. From there, calles count up by odd numbers to the east and even numbers west. Avenidas have odd numbers north of the pedestrian Avenida Central and even going south. Parque Central and Mercado Central (Central park and market) are usually at the centre of town. Many addresses will be written down as Calle 4, Avenidas 4 & 6 — somewhere on the north-south street 4 between avenues 4 and 6. However, many businesses will describe their location in relation to major landmarks like parks, stadiums and other big businesses.