Liberia Travel Guide
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217km (135 miles) NW of San José; 132km (82 miles) NW of Puntarenas
Founded in 1769, Liberia is the capital of Guanacaste province, and although it can hardly be considered a bustling metropolis, it does boast more colonial atmosphere than almost any other city in the country. Its narrow streets are lined with charming old adobe homes, many of which have ornate stone accents on their facades, carved wooden doors, and aged red-tile roofs. Many have beautiful large, shuttered windows (some don't even have iron bars for protection) opening onto the narrow streets. The central plaza, which occupies 2 square blocks in front of the church, is still the city's social hub and principal gathering spot.
Liberia is best looked upon as a base for exploring this region or as an overnight stop as part of a longer itinerary. From here, it's possible to do day trips to nearby beaches and three national parks, although only two of them have facilities for visitors. Several moderately priced hotels are located on the outskirts of Liberia at the intersection of the Interamerican Highway and the road to the Nicoya Peninsula and its many beaches. Still, all things considered, it's usually preferable to base yourself either at the beach or at one of the mountain lodges in the area.
