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