| It's no secret that Costa Rica has some of | | | | By 2017 LIR is expected to see over a million |
| the most beautiful beaches in the world, but | | | | passengers a year, and plans are underway for |
| you may be surprised at just how easy it is | | | | a new terminal capable of processing 15,000 |
| to get to them. Many people know of Costa | | | | people an hour (the current terminal sees |
| Rica's central international airport in San | | | | about 700 people an hour during peak times). |
| Jose, which is a five hour commute from the | | | | With two new temporary open air terminals, |
| coast. However, a smaller second | | | | the Daniel Odbur International Airport now |
| international center, Liberia's Daniel Odbur | | | | offers a bank, medical services, a gift shop, |
| International Airport (LIR) is hot with those | | | | an Internet kiosk, a fire department, and |
| in the know, and it's gaining popularity | | | | snack bars. The facility can handle up to |
| fast. Just seven miles southwest of Liberia's | | | | four planes at once and offers domestic |
| city center, LIR is only 20 minutes to an | | | | connections to several Costa Rican |
| hour from most of the beaches on the North | | | | destinations. |
| Pacific Coast. Liberia is the capital of | | | | |
| Guanacaste province and provides easy access | | | | A number of shuttles service the airport |
| to Playa del Coco, Tamarindo, Playa Negra, | | | | making it an easy, hassle free alternative to |
| Playa Flamingo, Playa Grande, Playa Hermosa | | | | get to your destination quickly. If you'd |
| and beautiful nearby parks. | | | | prefer to drive yourself, you can rent a |
| | | | vehicle from any number of the nearby |
| Since the inaugural international flight in | | | | agencies that provide pick up and drop off |
| 1995, this bustling arrival zone has grown to | | | | services. |
| serve almost 30 airlines, including Air | | | | |
| Canada, Delta, American Airlines, US Airways | | | | Because of its intimate, safe environment and |
| and Continental Airlines with flights | | | | desirable location, Liberia's quickly gaining |
| arriving from cities like Miami, Houston, | | | | a positive reputation with Costa Rica's more |
| Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto and Vancouver. | | | | seasoned travelers and travel agents alike. |
| | | | For some the deciding factor is finding |
| In fact, Continental offers 16 weekly flights | | | | flights to this airport at better rates than |
| from the US to Liberia. LIR saw 237,199 | | | | those to San Jose. |
| passengers in the first six months of 2007 - | | | | |
| an increase of more than 15 percent from the | | | | So the secrets out! It's a great time to |
| same time period the year before and a figure | | | | consider investing in Guanacaste province - |
| that continues to grow. With the first direct | | | | besides the year round appeal of the amazing |
| flight from England arriving in May 2007, the | | | | climate and beautiful beaches, this area is |
| Costa Rican government is currently in | | | | only growing in popularity as it becomes more |
| discussion with at least four European | | | | accessible. Whether you're looking to invest |
| carriers in hopes of securing regularly | | | | in a vacation rental or live out your |
| scheduled flights. | | | | retirement dreams, Costa Rica is within |
| | | | reach. |