Liberia Airport in Guanacaste Costa Rica to Open New International Terminal in November

The Liberia Airport in Guanacaste Costa Rica recently announced plans to open a new international terminal in November 2011. The announcement of the expansion at Liberia Airport is welcome news for eager tourists wanting to visit Costa Rica’s beautiful beaches on the Pacific Gold Coast of Guanacaste. With the Costa Rica Tourism Institute (Instituto Costarricense de Turismo) announcing record breaking arrival figures for the Liberia Airport in the first quarter of 2011, it’s evident that this Costa Rica airport is in urgent need of expansion.

Offering easy access to popular vacation destinations on the Pacific coast including the many beautiful beaches of the Gulf of Papagayo, it is estimated that Liberia Airport will receive 10% more tourist arrivals to Costa Rica this year in comparison to 2010.  In January of 2011, a record amount of 31,600 tourist arrivals were registered, 26% more than in the same month of 2010.   Of the two international airports in Costa Rica, Liberia Airport, otherwise known as Daniel Oduber International Airport, is experiencing the most rapid growth. It is evident that international tourists to Guanacaste Costa Rica are opting for convenience, avoiding the lengthy drive from the international airport in San Jose.

A respectable total of 443,585 tourist arrivals to Costa Rica were recorded in 2010 for Liberia International Airport.  With international flights from North America and Europe available through Continental Airlines, Delta, American Airlines and Taca, as well as direct seasonal flights from Belgium and England, more and more tourists are choosing Costa Rica for their adventure vacation in paradise.

The Nicoya Peninsula in Guanacaste is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica.  Surrounded by tropical rainforests and a variety of Costa Rica flora and fauna, beach vacation rentals and all inclusive luxury resorts are available everywhere in Guanacaste. Tamarindo beach, Flamingo beach, Coco Beach, Playa Conchal, and Hermosa Beach are all within a one hour drive of this airport in Costa Rica.

Although completion of the new international terminal at Liberia Airport is an estimated seven months late, the new terminal comes with an extension of 21,000 m2 and will  be fully equipped to handle the mass tourist arrivals to Costa Rica. The original international terminal at Liberia Airport only had a 900 person capacity, and the new terminal will have a 1,500 person capacity after construction.

The new $35 million Liberia Airport terminal will have 17 immigration posts and five x-ray machines, as well as 32 airline desks (twenty seven for international airlines and four for domestic flights), art exhibitions, a café, a souvenir store, and a sports bar.