Welcome to Liberia—Costa Rica’s “Ciudad Blanca,” named for its whitewashed adobe houses and sun-bleached roads that once guided sabanero (cowboy) cattle drives. Today, this friendly gateway to Guanacaste blends heritage and easy access to volcanoes, waterfalls, and tranquil Pacific bays.

In a single week you can hike fumarole fields at Rincon de la Vieja National Park, swim beneath the Llanos de Cortez waterfall, and exhale on the calm sands of Playa Hermosa in the Gulf of Papagayo. This Liberia Costa Rica itinerary prioritizes short drives, wildlife encounters, and the best local eats.

Practical notes: You’ll fly into Liberia International Airport (LIR); dry season runs roughly Nov–Apr with glorious beach weather, while May–Oct brings green hills and afternoon showers. Colones are handy, but USD is widely accepted. Consider a 4×4 if you’ll explore park backroads, and always pack reef-safe sunscreen and a reusable water bottle.

Liberia

Laid-back and local, Liberia is a smart base for volcano day trips. Its shady central park, historic Ermita de la Agonía church, and cowboy culture set a slow-going tone before you venture to Rincon’s steaming mud pots and forest trails.

• Top sights: Rincon de la Vieja (Las Pailas loop, Oropendola Waterfall), Llanos de Cortez (swim-friendly pool), Ermita de la Agonía, Museo de Guanacaste (rotating exhibits).
• Coffee & bites: Café Liberia (colonial courtyard brunch, gallo pinto, cold brew), Toro Negro Steak House (Costa Rican beef and chimichurri), Soda La Hormiga or Soda Las Tinajitas (casados and fresh juices), Marisquería Sabor Porteño (ceviche, whole fried snapper).
• Where to stay (affiliate): Browse stays on VRBO Liberia or Hotels.com Liberia. Reliable picks include the in-town Hotel Boyeros (big pool, walkable) and Hilton Garden Inn Liberia Airport (best for late arrivals/early departures).
• Getting there: Search flights to LIR on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From LIR to downtown Liberia is ~15 minutes by taxi (about $15–25) or hotel shuttle.

Day 1: Arrival in Liberia

Afternoon: Land at LIR and settle in at Hilton Garden Inn Liberia Airport if you prefer a short hop to a bed, or head downtown to Hotel Boyeros for pool time and an easy walk to restaurants. Shake off the flight with a coffee and tres leches at Café Liberia.

Evening: Stroll Parque Central and peek into the 19th‑century Ermita de la Agonía. Dinner at Toro Negro Steak House: order a ribeye with yuca fries and a local lager. Early lights out—tomorrow is a volcano day.

Prefer a pre-arranged airport pickup? Book this arrival transfer that meets you outside LIR with a sign:
Transfers in La Fortuna, One-way or Round-Trip

Day 2: Rincon de la Vieja National Park + Hot Springs

Morning: After a quick breakfast (try gallo pinto at Soda Las Tinajitas), drive 45–75 minutes to Rincon de la Vieja (Las Pailas sector). Hike the 2.3-mile Las Pailas loop past bubbling mud pots, steaming vents, and dry-forest wildlife (howler monkeys, motmots). Foreign visitor entry is about $17; open most days except Monday—bring water and sun protection.

Afternoon: Cool off at Oropendola Waterfall (short trail and bridge; swimming allowed when conditions are safe). Refuel with a casado lunch at a nearby soda or a ranch buffet at a local adventure lodge.

Evening: Soak in mineral-rich Rio Negro hot springs (day passes ~$35–45 including mud mask). Back in Liberia, grab ceviche and a whole fried snapper at Marisquería Sabor Porteño, then an ice cream paseo around the square.

Day 3: Waterfall & Culture—Llanos de Cortez and Guaitil

Morning: Drive ~40 minutes to the Llanos de Cortez Waterfall near Bagaces. A short, sandy trail leads to a wide curtain of water and a sandy cove perfect for a swim; bring water shoes. Parking donation is typically ~$7.

Afternoon: Continue 50–60 minutes to Guaitil, a Chorotega pottery village famed for pre-Columbian designs fired in wood kilns. Watch artisans hand-coil clay into jaguar and bird motifs, then lunch on corn tortillas and queso palmito at a local soda.

Evening: Return to Liberia. Try Café Liberia for a light dinner (hearty salads, veggie plates) or go for BBQ and craft beer at a casual grill house. Pack for the coast—tomorrow morning you’ll head to Papagayo.

Playa Hermosa & Gulf of Papagayo

Playa Hermosa lives up to its name—gentle surf, clear water, and a crescent bay framed by forested hills. From here, you can snorkel protected coves, hop to Playas del Coco for nightlife, or coast to black‑sand Playa Ocotal for reefy marine life.

• Why base here: Quick transfer from Liberia (30–40 minutes), calm swimming, great sunsets, and easy boat access to snorkeling spots like Monkey Head Rock.
• Eat & drink: AquaSport (toes‑in‑sand mahi tacos), Roberto’s (seafood pasta, beachfront breakfasts), Ginger (Asian–Latin small plates and craft cocktails), in nearby Coco: Le COQ (casual shawarma/tacos), Father Rooster in Ocotal (historic hacienda on the water).
• Where to stay (affiliate): Search VRBO Playa Hermosa or Hotels.com Playa Hermosa. For a splurge on a private peninsula, consider Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo (world‑class golf, secluded beaches).
• Getting between cities: Liberia to Playa Hermosa is ~17 km / 30–40 minutes by car. Taxi ~$40–55; private shuttle ~$60–90; driving is straightforward on paved roads.

Day 4: Transfer to Playa Hermosa + Sunset on the Sand

Morning: Depart Liberia after breakfast. Expect a smooth 30–40 minute drive to Playa Hermosa; check in and drop your bags.

Afternoon: Beach day. Rent a lounger and mask; near the north end of the bay, you’ll find fish‑filled rocks just off shore on calmer days. Lunch at AquaSport—order mahi tacos, patacones, and a maracuyá smoothie.

Evening: Golden‑hour stroll from the south end of the beach to the north headland. Dinner at Ginger: tuna tartare with plantain chips, lemongrass ribs, and a tamarind margarita. If you’re up for live music, check the scene in nearby Coco.

Day 5: Snorkel Coves, Coco Town, and Ocotal’s Black Sand

Morning: Hop a local panga for a 3–4 hour snorkel and bay‑hopping outing (typical $65–90 per person with fruit and water). Common stops include Playa Penca and Monkey Head Rock—look for pufferfish, rays, and turtles.

Afternoon: Head to Playas del Coco for espresso at a neighborhood café and a casual lunch at Le COQ (grilled chicken wraps, spicy sauces). Then continue 10 minutes to Playa Ocotal—its black sand and lava reefs make for calm, clear snorkeling close to shore.

Evening: Sunset dinner at Father Rooster in Ocotal—try the grilled octopus or a smoky burger with fried plantains. Back in Hermosa, grab a nightcap on the beach and watch for bioluminescence on extra‑dark nights.

Day 6: Wildlife on the Tempisque—Palo Verde Boat Safari

Morning: Drive ~1.5 hours inland to the Palo Verde region for a two‑hour boat safari on the Tempisque River. Expect crocodiles basking on sandbars, roseate spoonbills, herons, and troops of white‑faced capuchins; guides carry binoculars and spotters.

Afternoon: Typical tours include a rustic Guanacaste lunch (smoked pork, rice, beans, tortillas) at a countryside comedor. If you’re self‑driving, nearby towns have simple sodas with fresh jugos and casados for $8–12.

Evening: Return to Hermosa for a low‑key dinner at Roberto’s—snapper in garlic butter, green papaya salad, and a flan to share. Treat yourself to a beach massage tent if they’re set up at dusk.

Day 7: Easy Morning + Departure

Morning: Slow start with pancakes and gallo pinto on the sand at Roberto’s, or rent a stand‑up paddleboard (about $20–25/hour) for a last glide along the bay; keep an eye out for spotted eagle rays.

Afternoon: Check out and transfer to LIR (30–40 minutes). For flights, compare options on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. If you prefer a driver, arrange a private shuttle through your hotel; taxis from Hermosa to the airport generally run $35–50.

Evening: If your flight is late, an airport‑area dinner near Hilton Garden Inn Liberia Airport makes logistics easy before saying “¡Hasta luego!” to Guanacaste.

Insider tips: Carry small bills for park entries and tips; reef‑safe sunscreen and a rash guard are essential. In green season, plan morning hikes and keep afternoons flexible for showers. Driving after dark is common but go slower—cattle and wildlife do wander.

Summary: In one week based out of Liberia and Playa Hermosa, you’ll hike a live volcanic landscape, swim beneath a rainforest waterfall, and idle away sunsets on Papagayo’s serene beaches. It’s a balanced Costa Rica itinerary—equal parts adventure, wildlife, and restorative seaside time.