Getting Around Las Catalinas
Find the best way to access the city from anywhere.
Las Catalinas Airport information
Guanacaste Airport (LIR): Your Gateway to Las Catalinas
Getting your group to Las Catalinas is simple. The closest international gateway is Guanacaste Airport in Liberia, officially Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR). It is just 42 km (26 miles) from Las Catalinas, about a 1 hour 20 minute drive, so attendees can land in the morning and be at a welcome lunch on the beach the same day.
A Growing, Award-Winning Gateway
Guanacaste Airport is the main international gateway to Costa Rica’s Pacific northwest. In 2025 it welcomed a record 1,973,831 passengers and operated 26 direct international routes. For planners, that means strong seat capacity and convenient nonstop options for groups traveling from across North America and Europe.
The airport is consistently recognized for the passenger experience. Airports Council International has named it Best Airport in Latin America and the Caribbean in its size category several times, and in 2024 it was also recognized for Most Efficient Passenger Flow and Most Dedicated Staff in the region. For groups, that translates into a smoother, faster arrival.
Airlines Serving Guanacaste
Guanacaste Airport is served by major U.S., Canadian and European carriers, including:
American Airlines
Delta Air Lines
United Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Alaska Airlines
JetBlue
Sun Country Airlines
Air Canada
WestJet
Air Transat
Porter Airlines
Edelweiss
Together these airlines offer nonstop flights from major hubs and leisure markets such as Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Toronto, Montréal and Zurich. Many additional routes operate seasonally during the dry season, from November to April, which is also peak season for events in Guanacaste. Attendees from most North American cities can reach Liberia nonstop or with a single connection.
Because routes and frequencies change by season, we recommend confirming current flight options with the airlines early in your planning, especially when coordinating group air or blocking seats.
Planning Group Arrivals
Guanacaste Airport’s compact terminal makes group arrivals easy to manage. After landing, passengers walk a short distance to immigration, collect their luggage and clear customs before meeting their transfer in the arrivals area. Lines can build at peak times, especially weekend afternoons and holidays during the dry season, so we recommend keeping the first afternoon’s agenda light and flexible.
For large groups, staggering arrivals across several flights or a few hours helps keep immigration and transfers flowing smoothly. Our team can help you review your attendees’ flight options and build an arrival plan around them.
Travel Documents
To make entry smooth for every attendee, share these reminders before travel:
Carry a valid passport. Some airlines require at least six months of validity, so attendees should check their passport well in advance.
Have a return or onward ticket available on arrival.
Know the exact address of where they are staying. We provide this in your group’s arrival information.
Check visa requirements for their nationality. Citizens of many countries, including the United States, Canada and the European Union, do not need a visa for short stays, but international attendees should confirm in advance.
From the Airport to Las Catalinas
The drive from Liberia to Las Catalinas takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes on paved roads, passing through the dry forest and small towns of rural Guanacaste.
The airport recommends using only authorized transportation providers, and the easiest option for groups is a private transfer arranged by our team. We coordinate authorized vehicles sized to your group, from private vans for executives to coaches for larger parties, and schedule pickups around each arrival flight. Drivers meet guests in the arrivals area, help with luggage and bring them directly to Las Catalinas, where our on-site team welcomes them. Because Las Catalinas is a car-free town, guests arrive at the edge of town and everything from there is within walking distance.
Departures
For departures, we schedule group transfers based on each flight time and recommend that guests reach the airport at least 2.5 to 3 hours before international flights, as dry-season weekend mornings can be busy. In most cases, that means leaving Las Catalinas about four hours before the flight. Attendees should confirm departure tax requirements with their airline, as it is commonly included in international fares.
Other Airport Options
For attendees connecting from Latin America or other regions, Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José (SJO) offers the widest range of international connections. It is 247 km (154 miles) from Las Catalinas, about a 4.5-hour drive, or a short domestic flight to Liberia or Tamarindo. The Tamarindo airstrip (TNO), served by domestic and private flights, is 27 km (17 miles) away, about 50 minutes by car. Private charter flights can also land at Guanacaste Airport, a convenient option for executive groups and incentive programs.
Why It Matters for Your Event
Easy access is one of the biggest advantages of hosting your event at Las Catalinas. With nonstop flights from major North American and European cities, an award-winning airport and a short, scenic transfer, attendees spend less time traveling and more time connecting. Our Groups and Events team coordinates every arrival and departure, so your group’s experience begins the moment they land.
Getting your group to Las Catalinas is simple. The closest international gateway is Guanacaste Airport in Liberia, officially Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR). It is just 42 km (26 miles) from Las Catalinas, about a 1 hour 20 minute drive, so attendees can land in the morning and be at a welcome lunch on the beach the same day.
A Growing, Award-Winning Gateway
Guanacaste Airport is the main international gateway to Costa Rica’s Pacific northwest. In 2025 it welcomed a record 1,973,831 passengers and operated 26 direct international routes. For planners, that means strong seat capacity and convenient nonstop options for groups traveling from across North America and Europe.
The airport is consistently recognized for the passenger experience. Airports Council International has named it Best Airport in Latin America and the Caribbean in its size category several times, and in 2024 it was also recognized for Most Efficient Passenger Flow and Most Dedicated Staff in the region. For groups, that translates into a smoother, faster arrival.
Airlines Serving Guanacaste
Guanacaste Airport is served by major U.S., Canadian and European carriers, including:
American Airlines
Delta Air Lines
United Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Alaska Airlines
JetBlue
Sun Country Airlines
Air Canada
WestJet
Air Transat
Porter Airlines
Edelweiss
Together these airlines offer nonstop flights from major hubs and leisure markets such as Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Toronto, Montréal and Zurich. Many additional routes operate seasonally during the dry season, from November to April, which is also peak season for events in Guanacaste. Attendees from most North American cities can reach Liberia nonstop or with a single connection.
Because routes and frequencies change by season, we recommend confirming current flight options with the airlines early in your planning, especially when coordinating group air or blocking seats.
Planning Group Arrivals
Guanacaste Airport’s compact terminal makes group arrivals easy to manage. After landing, passengers walk a short distance to immigration, collect their luggage and clear customs before meeting their transfer in the arrivals area. Lines can build at peak times, especially weekend afternoons and holidays during the dry season, so we recommend keeping the first afternoon’s agenda light and flexible.
For large groups, staggering arrivals across several flights or a few hours helps keep immigration and transfers flowing smoothly. Our team can help you review your attendees’ flight options and build an arrival plan around them.
Travel Documents
To make entry smooth for every attendee, share these reminders before travel:
Carry a valid passport. Some airlines require at least six months of validity, so attendees should check their passport well in advance.
Have a return or onward ticket available on arrival.
Know the exact address of where they are staying. We provide this in your group’s arrival information.
Check visa requirements for their nationality. Citizens of many countries, including the United States, Canada and the European Union, do not need a visa for short stays, but international attendees should confirm in advance.
From the Airport to Las Catalinas
The drive from Liberia to Las Catalinas takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes on paved roads, passing through the dry forest and small towns of rural Guanacaste.
The airport recommends using only authorized transportation providers, and the easiest option for groups is a private transfer arranged by our team. We coordinate authorized vehicles sized to your group, from private vans for executives to coaches for larger parties, and schedule pickups around each arrival flight. Drivers meet guests in the arrivals area, help with luggage and bring them directly to Las Catalinas, where our on-site team welcomes them. Because Las Catalinas is a car-free town, guests arrive at the edge of town and everything from there is within walking distance.
Departures
For departures, we schedule group transfers based on each flight time and recommend that guests reach the airport at least 2.5 to 3 hours before international flights, as dry-season weekend mornings can be busy. In most cases, that means leaving Las Catalinas about four hours before the flight. Attendees should confirm departure tax requirements with their airline, as it is commonly included in international fares.
Other Airport Options
For attendees connecting from Latin America or other regions, Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José (SJO) offers the widest range of international connections. It is 247 km (154 miles) from Las Catalinas, about a 4.5-hour drive, or a short domestic flight to Liberia or Tamarindo. The Tamarindo airstrip (TNO), served by domestic and private flights, is 27 km (17 miles) away, about 50 minutes by car. Private charter flights can also land at Guanacaste Airport, a convenient option for executive groups and incentive programs.
Why It Matters for Your Event
Easy access is one of the biggest advantages of hosting your event at Las Catalinas. With nonstop flights from major North American and European cities, an award-winning airport and a short, scenic transfer, attendees spend less time traveling and more time connecting. Our Groups and Events team coordinates every arrival and departure, so your group’s experience begins the moment they land.
Las Catalinas Ground Information
The car-rental agencies represented at Guanacaste Airport (LIR) are Alamo, Budget, Dollar, Economy, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and National, all located inside the airport. Authorized ground transportation providers at the airport include Amstar, RLX and Curubande, offering private and shared transfers.
Las Catalinas Public Information
Shuttles
Authorized transportation companies such as Amstar, RLX and Curubande offer private and shared transfers between Guanacaste Airport and the beach areas. Private shuttles meet guests just outside the arrivals exit and go directly to Las Catalinas. Shared shuttles cost less but run on fixed schedules and make several stops. If you are traveling with a group, arrange transfers before arrival.
Rental Cars
Major rental companies serve Guanacaste Airport, including Alamo, Budget, Dollar, Economy, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and National. Some have counters in the terminal, while others meet guests outside and shuttle them to nearby offices.
Taxis
Official airport taxis are red with yellow triangle and wait at the taxi stand just outside the arrivals area. Airport taxis follow a regulated fare system, but riders should confirm the fare to Las Catalinas before the trip begins.
Public Buses
Costa Rica’s public buses are inexpensive but run on limited schedules, so they work best for independent travelers rather than groups. A city bus connects Guanacaste Airport with downtown Liberia about once an hour during the day. From the Liberia bus station, regional routes reach San José and Guanacaste’s beach towns. There is no direct public bus from the airport to Las Catalinas, so we recommend a pre-arranged transfer for all attendees.
Authorized transportation companies such as Amstar, RLX and Curubande offer private and shared transfers between Guanacaste Airport and the beach areas. Private shuttles meet guests just outside the arrivals exit and go directly to Las Catalinas. Shared shuttles cost less but run on fixed schedules and make several stops. If you are traveling with a group, arrange transfers before arrival.
Rental Cars
Major rental companies serve Guanacaste Airport, including Alamo, Budget, Dollar, Economy, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and National. Some have counters in the terminal, while others meet guests outside and shuttle them to nearby offices.
Taxis
Official airport taxis are red with yellow triangle and wait at the taxi stand just outside the arrivals area. Airport taxis follow a regulated fare system, but riders should confirm the fare to Las Catalinas before the trip begins.
Public Buses
Costa Rica’s public buses are inexpensive but run on limited schedules, so they work best for independent travelers rather than groups. A city bus connects Guanacaste Airport with downtown Liberia about once an hour during the day. From the Liberia bus station, regional routes reach San José and Guanacaste’s beach towns. There is no direct public bus from the airport to Las Catalinas, so we recommend a pre-arranged transfer for all attendees.
