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Liberia is the capital of the Guanacaste province and is fast becoming the new gateway to the sunny Guanacaste beaches. Over the past couple of years it has become more and more popular with tourists, just recently a new international airport in Liberia has opened up and many American airline carriers are now flying into Liberia. Although the city of Liberia is not a metropolis as San Jose or any of its surrounding cities, Liberia is a small quiet city where a colonial atmosphere still exists. Because of Liberia’s new found popularity there are plans to renovate the downtown area as well as adding expanding the pedestrian mall.
Liberia is very close to popular Tamarindo and its surrounding beaches and it is also becoming the preferred city to fly into if you are going to the new resorts in the Papagayo Gulf, only 30-40 minutes away. It is also very close to some popular and beautiful national parks. Parque Nactional Santa Rosa, Parque Nacional Rincon de la Vieja and Parque Nacional Guanasate are just to the north and are worth visiting.
Santa Rosa National Park is one of the oldest parks in Costa Rica and it is very popular among tourists as well as ticos. Surfers flock to the park because it has one of the best surf spots in Costa Rica and possibly the world, Witches Rock. Costa Ricans go to the park because of its history, in 1856 Costa Rica was being invaded by a North American named William Walker. Because Costa Rica did not and still does not have an army locals banded together and fought William Walker and his gang and pushed him back into Nicaguara, where he was later captured and killed. Because of this battle there are a couple of famous landmarks called Hacienda Santa Rosa located in the park.
Rincon de la Vieja National Park is also a popular spot. It has an active volcano called Rincon Volcano. You can witness the volcano steam and there are many natural hot springs as well as bubbling mudpots. You can enjoy this beautiful while staying in a variety of lodges in Rincon area. It is a great getaway if you would like to get away from the crowds of the popular Guanacaste beaches.
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