How a regional airstrip became the primary gateway to Costa Rica's Pacific coast

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Guanacaste Airport, once a modest local project, has transformed into a vital international hub. Originally conceived in the 1970s, the facility underwent decades of strategic expansions to accommodate wide-body jets. Today, it serves as the essential entry point for travelers seeking the pristine beaches of western Costa Rica.

The vision for an airport in Guanacaste Province emerged during the administration of Daniel Oduber Quirós, who served from 1974 to 1978. Initially known as Llano Grande and later Aeropuerto Tomas Guardia, the facility was eventually renamed to honor Quirós for his contributions to the region. While many still refer to it as Liberia International Airport, the official branding shifted to Guanacaste Airport in 2021 to better reflect its role as a regional tourism anchor. It sits 11 kilometres west-southwest of Liberia, occupying 243 hectares of land.

The airport's international evolution began in earnest with its re-inauguration in October 1995. This milestone required significant infrastructure upgrades, including runway resurfacing, the installation of specialized landing lights, and the construction of a dedicated firefighter station to meet international safety standards. Growth was initially slow, but the facility quickly gained momentum, transitioning from a single weekly charter flight to near-daily service within just one year. By 2007, annual visitor numbers exceeded 180,000, prompting further temporary expansions to tarmac parking and taxiway capacity.

To ensure long-term viability, the Costa Rican government moved away from direct management, awarding a 20-year concession to CORIPORT, S.A. This consortium, which includes partners like ADC&HAS Airports Worldwide, was tasked with designing and operating a modern terminal. Construction of the new 23,000-square-metre building began in October 2010 and concluded in January 2012. Further enhancements in 2017 expanded the terminal's capacity to accommodate five additional airlines, cementing the airport's status as a critical piece of infrastructure for the nation's tourism sector.

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