Things to do in Liberia
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Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja
Active Volcán Rincón de la Vieja (1895m/6217ft) is the steamy main attraction here, but the region bubbles with fumaroles, tepid springs and steaming, flatulent mud pits. (If this doesn't sound like fun, you've never read Dr Seuss). All these can be visited on well-maintained but sometimes steep trails, and if you haven't visited Yellowstone National Park, this is a good substitute.
The park is home to 300 bird species as well as morpho butterflies, tapirs, monkeys and pumas. Watch out for ticks, especially in grassy areas, and wear closed shoes and trousers. About 700m (2296ft) west of Las Pailas ranger station, the Sendero Cangreja leads 5km (3mi) to Catarata La Cangr…
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Iglesia Inmaculada Concepción de María
The pleasant Parque Central frames a modern church, Iglesia Inmaculada Concepción de María. The park is also the seasonal hangout of the Nicaraguan grackle, a tone-deaf bird that enjoys eating parrot eggs and annoying passers-by with its grating calls.
If this iglesia doesn't cut it for religious splendor, walk six blocks northeast of the park along Avenida Central where you'll find the oldest church in town, popularly called La Agonía (though maps show it as La Iglesia de la Ermita de la Resurección).
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Puerta del Sol
Peruvian-style ceviche is the bomb at this four-table establishment, done up in blue and deliciousness. In addition to the specialty of the house, there are interesting corn-based desserts and drinks like the refreshing, nonalcoholic chicha morada. And if you're with someone special, you might consider one of the aphrodisiac dishes, like the leche de tigre (tiger's milk), made from seafood and tantalizingly secret ingredients.
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Playa del Coco
Playa del Coco is the most easily accessible of the peninsula's beaches. Its name is actually derived from the cocoa-colored sand that lies between its two rocky headlands, though it can appear a bit dirty at times, especially with the detritus of all the beachside bars. On weekends, the town is consumed with a small-time beach-party atmosphere; during the week, it's fairly quiet.
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Statue
In the meantime, a statue of a steely-eyed sabanero, complete with an evocative poem by Rodolfo Salazar Solórzano, stands watch over Av 25 de Julio, the main street into town. The blocks around the intersection of Av Central and Calle Central contain several of the town's oldest houses, many dating back about 150 years.
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Panadería Alemania
A German bakery with beautifully flaky croissants, a respectably authentic sushi counter doing what it can with the local rice and an international kitchen turning out Euro-style numbers can all be found at this local hangout. The patio is also a great place for a beer under the canopy of the huge guanacaste tree.
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Municipal Museum
The tourist office has a tiny museum of local ranching artifacts - cattle-raising is a historically important occupation in Guanacaste. There has also been talk of reopening a museum of sabanero culture in La Gobernación, the old municipal building at the corner of Av Central and Calle Central.
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Pan y Miel
The best breakfast in town can be had at this branch of the local bakery, which serves its excellent bread as sandwiches and French toast, as well as offering a buffet line with casado fixings, pastries and fresh fruit. There’s a surlier bakery-only branch a block north of Parque Central.
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Africa Mía
About 9km south of Liberia is a private wildlife reserve with free-roaming elephants, zebras, giraffes, ostriches and other animals. Splurge for the deluxe African Safari Wildlife Tourin an open-top Hummer with a stop at a waterfall.
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La Agonía
Walking six blocks northeast of the park along Av Central brings you to the oldest church in town, popularly called La Agonía (although maps show it as La Iglesia de la Ermita de la Resurección). Strolling to La Agonía and around the surrounding blocks makes a fine walk.
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Pizza Pronto
Situated in a handsome 19th-century house, this romantic pizzeria is in a class of its own. You can choose from a long list of toppings for your wood-fired pizza, including fresh, local seafood or pineapple; the pastas are also good.
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Jumbo Supermercado
For a good selection of international groceries including tahini, Argentinean wine and curry paste, stop by the Jumbo Supermercado, conveniently located at the intersection, to load up on supplies before heading to the beach.
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Café Liberia
Run by a sweet Tica named Radha, this hip spot is a dream: serving organic juices, Costa Rican coffee, fresh sandwiches, salads and crepes, pastries, wines and lots of vegetarian items. Plus, there’s free wi-fi, a gallery and sometimes live music. The lovely Radha also runs a small boutique shop on the premises.
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Food Mall de Burger King
Yearning for the gringo-style fast-food you left behind? Don't worry, it's followed you to Costa Rica: this food mall houses Burger King, Church's Chicken, Papa John's Pizza, Subway, TCBY and Pizza Hut.
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Los Comales
This convivial, popular local spot is run by a women’s collective, and serves native Guanacaste dishes as well as typical cuisine. The specialty is chicken and salsa, but the casados are just as tasty.
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Paso Real
Liberia’s most famous restaurant has a breezy balcony overlooking Parque Central, and is locally known for its inventive cuisine, like mahimahi in a white sauce with apple and chipotle. The huge portions are big enough to share.
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Elements
Probably the priciest and definitely the sleekest bar in Liberia, the theme is based on the four elements (earth, wind, alcohol and lounge sofas…no, wait…).
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La Toscana
Satisfy those pangs for gnocchi or spaghetti carbonara at one of the most authentically Italian restaurants in the region. Tuscan wine, tablecloths and tira-misu await.
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Las Tinajas
Sip a cold beer and nosh on some greasy fries at this parkside pub, an ideal place to watch the happenings in Parque Central. It occasionally has live music.
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Soda Rancho Dulce
Sometimes a casado is more than a casado, and this outstanding open-air soda, with groovy wooden tables and good batidos (fruit shakes), serves some of the best.
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SuperCompro
The giant SuperCompro grocery store in Santa Elena has everything you could possibly need including organic produce.
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Casa Pueblo
This cool little bar is housed in an old Spanish colonial building, and is a good place to meet the local hipsters.
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Cinema
If you're looking for your Hollywood fix, this has a decent offering of mainstream American films.
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Discoteque Kuru
Across from the Best Western El Sitio, lets the DJs do their thing Thursday through Sunday nights.
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Guanaburger
This famous home grown institution packs in the locals with its burger-fries-drink bargain combo.
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