Liberia, the capital of Guanacaste province, lies about 215 kilometers northwest of San José on the Interamericana. Most visitors arrive via Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, using the city as a base for exploring Pacific coast beaches and Rincón de la Vieja National Park.Liberia earned its nickname "White City" from the light gravel that once paved its streets and the whitewashed colonial houses. Some of these, along with the 19th-century Ermita de la Agonía, are preserved in the city center.With over 50,000 inhabitants, the city serves as a commercial and administrative hub, not a resort. Around Parque Central, you'll find banks, supermarkets, and simple restaurants, making Liberia a practical stopover before or after onward travel.If you don't head straight to the coast after landing, half a day is enough for a stroll through the center. For Rincón de la Vieja, the city is a good base; access to the Las Pailas sector takes about an hour.
Sights in Liberia
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Church
1Hermitage of the Agony
The small chapel at the end of Avenida 25 de Julio is considered Liberia's oldest preserved building. Don Baltasar Baldioceda began its construction in 1854, and it was completed at the end of 1865. Adobe walls, a brick floor, and a brick roof are typical of Guanacaste's colonial architecture; notable are the rosette in the gable and the pilasters at the entrance. Since 1999, it has been designated a heritage site.
The central square is the heart of the city and the starting point for a stroll through the center. Opposite it stands the modern Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception, whose three gable peaks symbolize the Trinity; inside, it is free of columns. In the surrounding streets, you'll find banks, shops, and simple restaurants.
The museum is housed in an 1833 colonial house, which also serves as the Casa de la Cultura. Bahareque walls, wooden elements, and a tiled roof showcase the region's traditional construction style. Following a restoration, the building reopened in January 2026; the permanent exhibition on the Sabaneros, Guanacaste's cattle herders, was announced for the second half of 2026. Before visiting, inquire about the current status and opening hours.
The café in the La Victoria district near the center serves Costa Rican coffee, tea, and desserts, as well as breakfast and light lunches. It is closed on Sundays.
From Wayside Stop to Provincial CapitalLiberia emerged in the 18th century at a crossroads between Rivas, Bagaces, and Nicoya, where travelers rested in the shade of Guanacaste trees; the spot was initially named Guanacaste and received the name Liberia in 1854. The Ermita de la Agonía, built from adobe starting in 1854 and completed in 1865, is now a protected monument.Sabaneros and July 25thCattle raising has shaped the province for generations. The Museo del Sabanero, in a colonial house from 1833, displays the cattle herders' tools. On July 25th, Liberia celebrates the annexation of Guanacaste to Costa Rica with parades, folk dances, cattle shows, and marimba music.
Getting There & Around
ArrivalDaniel Oduber Quirós Airport lies about 13 kilometers west of the city on the road to Nicoya and is served by many international routes. By car, Liberia can be reached from San José via the Interamericana. From Liberia, regular buses run to the beaches, such as Tamarindo.Getting AroundThe city center around Parque Central is easily explored on foot. For trips to the national parks, you'll need a rental car, taxi or tour; most rental car companies have airport stations.
