Things to do in Liberia

Liberia is the Guanacaste province capital and the main town near Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR), a gateway most travellers pass through rather than a La Fortuna day trip: the drive here from La Fortuna runs about 2h30 to 3h for roughly 145 kilometres.

The old town centre, Calle Real, has restored adobe houses and a whitewashed church dating to the 18th century, worth an hour on foot if you already have a reason to be here.

Liberia makes sense if you are extending a Costa Rica itinerary into the Guanacaste beaches or the Rincón de la Vieja area after La Fortuna, using LIR to fly out, or breaking up the long haul back to San José. It is not worth the round trip on its own from a short La Fortuna stay.