Welcome to Liberia
The sunny rural capital of Guanacaste has long served as a transportation hub to Nicaragua, as well as being the standard-bearer of Costa Rica’s sabanero (cowboy) culture. Today, tourism is fast becoming a significant contributor to the economy. With an expanding international airport, Liberia is a safer and more chilled-out Costa Rican gateway than San José.
Top experiences in Liberia
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Liberia activities
Nicaragua: Catarina, Masaya Volcano, Granada from Guanacaste
After pickup from your hotel in Guanacaste, enjoy a typical Costa Rican breakfast at Rest Toro Negro (or similar) in Liberia, located in the northwest region of the country. Then, re-board your coach to cross the border into Nicaragua.First, stop at Catarina viewpoint, one of the highest hills surrounding the Apoyo Lagoon. Look out across the water to adjacent Lake Nicaragua and admire Mombacho Volcano, which borders the lake.Next, head to the Catarina Craft Market. It’s an interesting place to search for souvenirs, including textile and ceramic handicrafts along with goods made of leather and wood.Continue to Granada, established in 1524, and hop inside a volanta for a 45-minute horse-drawn carriage ride. Learn about the city’s colonial history and architecture as you pass the colorful homes and squares along the palm-lined streets. Pass attractions such as Parque Central, a central park popular with local residents, and admire the 12 stained-glass windows of Granada Cathedral, housed within its borders. Next, enjoy a leisurely a la carte lunch at Rest El Mariscazo (or similar) before heading to Masaya Volcano National Park, Nicaragua's first and largest National Park. You will be able to see the active volcano and the sulfuric smoke fumes spewing from its main crater, Santiago. You will have a chance to take pictures and enjoy the beautiful views of the whole area.Your tour ends with transport back to your hotel in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
Costa Rica to Nicaragua Full-Day Tour with Masaya Crater
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Native's Way Costa Rica, Tamarindo, Province of GuanacasteYou will picked up from your hotel promptly and taken to the border where your guide will help you in every step of the crossing, which takes about 30 minutes. The guide will make the process easy for you and will take care of all of the passport paperwork and visas. From here we will travel to eat a hearty breakfast to start off the day.Duration: 3 hoursStop At: Mirador de Catarina, Catarina, Masaya DepartmentHere you will enjoy an incredible view over the dormant volcano crater, Granada, and Lake Nicaragua. You will be allowed to walk around freely for a while before getting back in the bus and heading to the next stop.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Masaya Crafts Market, Masaya, Masaya DepartmentDo some shopping for inexpensive souvenirs and experience the Nicaraguan life style before sitting down for a typical Nicaraguan lunch.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Masaya Volcano National Park, Masaya, Masaya DepartmentAn active volcano where you will have the opportunity to stand right next to its crater and hear it rumbling and spewing of gases. An incredible, rare sight.Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Catedral de Granada, Granada, Granada DepartmentAn old Colonial town near Lake Nicaragua. Stop at La Merced Church, considered one of the most beautiful buildings of Granada. It is flanked by a large tower that houses the church bells. You will ascend the stairs and reach the roof of the church. From here, you’ll have a panoramic city view of Granada, Mombacho Volcano, and Nicaragua Lake with the islets. This is the perfect place to take pictures of the beautiful city and the surroundings.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Las Isletas, Lake NicaraguaYour last stop is a one hour boat ride in Lake Nicaragua viewing the Nicarguan Islets around sunset. Your guide will stop by Monkey Island consisting only of monkeys that will come out and take food from your guide on the boat! You will then head back to Costa Rica, stopping on the way to pick up some snacks for the ride home.Duration: 1 hour
Rincon de la Vieja National Park One Day Adventure Pass
Visit: Adventure Tours Hacienda Guachipelin, Rincon de La Vieja, Province of GuanacasteThere are 4 main activities during this day of adventure canopy (zip line) tour and rappelling through the Rio Blanco Canyon, a tubing adventure on the Rio Negro River with class III rapids, horseback riding expedition to nearby waterfalls, relax with volcano heated thermal waters, steam and mud bath.
Private Transfer Service: Liberia Airport to Hotel or Lodging
Many visitors to Costa Rica make the mistake of underestimating driving distances, driving conditions and the amount of patience and perseverance required to navigate between destinations.Private transfers remove the hassle and stress of navigating on your own, while still being flexible with your travel schedule. The service can be customized to fit whatever your travel needs may be. It also allows more opportunities to enjoy the beautiful scenery and stretch out in the roomy interior, while letting your driver plot the best course.On your journey from the airport to your destination, you are given some free time to make a few stops which will give your group the opportunity to pose for photographs, take bathroom breaks, or enjoy a meal along the way.All our vehicles are fully insured and meet all government regulations and are comfortable recent models with air conditioning.
Nicaragua from Liberia: Granada, Lake Cruise, Masaya Volcano
After being picked up from your Liberia hotel, set out over the border to Nicaragua. The first stop of the day is in Granada, where you will enjoy a guided tour of the city, admiring its colonial architecture, historic churches, and beautiful cathedral. After some free time to explore and lunch (included) at a local restaurant, continue to the nearby Nicaragua Lake, a natural wonder just minutes from the city. Explore the lake's islands and soak up the scenery on a boat cruise, learning more about the region's unique volcanic topography. Continue to the Masaya Volcano National Park, where you can admire the Masaya Volcano and visit the Masaya handicraft market to shop for souvenirs. On return to Costa Rica, your tour ends with drop-off at your hotel.
Diamante Eco Adventure Park Day Pass with Lunch
The Adventure Pass is Diamante’s most popular pass allowing guests to “Experience It All” with the perfect combination of Adventure, Nature & Culture at the best value.The Adventure Pass combines multiple tour options into one outstanding package giving guests the ultimate flexibility to enjoy everything at Diamante at their pace with activities for everyone of all ages.A Diamante fun-filled day includes a fantastic zip line course with the longest ride times and features a nearly mile-long ocean view line, called “The Howler”, a 30-foot free fall “Quick Jump” and a Hanging Bridge over Crocodiles. Costa Rica’s best and only ocean view dual Zip Line allows guest to share this experience with family and friends, riding side by side. Diamante’s Zip Line is designed and engineered for fun and safety according to ACCT standards. Diamante uses state-of-the-art carbon lines, and an automatic braking system, so guests never have to touch the lines.The Adventure Pass also provides unlimited access to Diamante’s Animal Sanctuary recognized as one of the most beautiful Wildlife Education Centers in Costa Rica. The Sanctuary is home to a large variety of Costa Rican animals placed in our care and managed by a team of qualified and dedicated professionals. The unique design of the habitats allows guests to view and learn with the bi-lingual staff eager to share their knowledge. The Animal Sanctuary is home to frogs, snakes, crocodiles, monkeys, sloths, beautiful birds, butterfly observatory and a variety of cats including pumas and jaguars.The Botanical Garden, filled with fruit trees, flowers and plants is the location of the “Traditional House” a replica of a typical farmhouse common in the area 100 years ago. Diamante offers a unique “hands-on” cultural experience with coffee, chocolate and sugar cane.Hammock Beach is the ideal spot to continue with the Adventure Pass and enjoy exclusive access to the beach for added activities such as stand up paddle boarding, snorkeling and kayaking or sit back relax in hanging chairs and hammocks.Included for free with the Adventure Pass, guests can refuel at Diamante’s ocean view restaurant and enjoy a highly rated Costa Rican buffet at the Welcome Center; including coffee and fruit drinks from 11 am to 3 pm.