NCT · small airport

Guanacaste Airport

Nicoya/Guanacate, Costa Rica

Airports

NCTsmall airport

Guanacaste Airport

Nicoya/Guanacate, Costa Rica

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MRNC

ICAO

365 ft

Elevation

TravelerPulse profile

Small regional airport serving the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica.

Location

Nicoya, Costa Rica

Guanacaste Airport (IATA: NCT, ICAO: MRNC) is a small domestic airport located near Nicoya in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica. It primarily serves regional charter and scheduled flights connecting the Nicoya Peninsula to San José and other domestic destinations. The airport serves as an important access point for travelers heading to the beaches and eco-tourism destinations of the Nicoya Peninsula, including areas such as Nosara, Sámara, and the surrounding region. Its role is complementary to the larger Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia, which handles most international traffic to the Guanacaste region.

Terminals

The airport features a simple, single small terminal consistent with its regional domestic operations.

Getting to & from

Ground transport to Nicoya and surrounding areas is available via taxi and private transfer, as public transit options are limited.

Airlines here

Domestic carriers such as Sansa Airlines have operated scheduled service connecting Nicoya to San José and other Costa Rican destinations.

Notable facts

›Serves as a domestic regional airport for the Nicoya Peninsula.
›Located in Guanacaste province, a major tourism region of Costa Rica.
›Complements the larger Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia.
›Primarily handles light aircraft and small regional turboprop operations.
›Provides access to popular ecotourism and beach destinations on the Nicoya Peninsula.

Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Gateway to Costa Rica's sun-drenched Pacific beaches and wildlife reserves

Guanacaste Airport, also known as Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in the region, serves the Nicoya Peninsula and Guanacaste province as a key entry point for beach and ecotourism travelers. The airport has grown steadily to accommodate rising demand from North American and regional carriers connecting visitors to Costa Rica's northwestern Pacific coast. Its compact, open-air design reflects the tropical character of the surrounding dry forest landscape.

Terminals

Main Terminal — Single passenger terminal handling both domestic and limited international charter and scheduled flights with open-air walkways.

Ground Transport

Taxi services available at the terminal exit
Shuttle buses to Nicoya, Tamarindo, and Samara beach towns
Car rental agencies on-site including international brands
Private transfer services bookable through hotels and tour operators

Nearby Hotels

Hotel Riu Guanacaste
Westin Reserva Conchal
El Sitio Hotel & Casino Liberia
Hampton Inn Liberia Airport
Hacienda Pinilla Beach Resort

Dining

Food options inside the terminal are limited, with a small café and snack outlets serving typical Costa Rican sodas, sandwiches, and beverages. Travelers are advised to eat before arriving or explore nearby Nicoya town for traditional casado plates and fresh tropical fruit. The surrounding region is also known for roadside vendors and local restaurants offering fresh seafood.

Traveller Tips

Arrive early as the terminal is small and can become congested during peak tourist season (December–April).
Pre-book car rentals and shuttle transfers as availability can be limited upon arrival.
Bring local currency (Costa Rican colónes) as not all transport providers accept credit cards.
Check road conditions to your final destination, especially during the rainy season (May–November), as some routes require 4WD vehicles.

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Airlines serving this airport

No scheduled airline data available.

Routes

No route data available.

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Encyclopaedia

Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport — also known as Guanacaste Airport and Liberia International Airport — is one of four international airports in Costa Rica. It sits 11 kilometres west-southwest of the city of Liberia in Guanacaste Province, and serves as a tourism hub for those who visit the Pacific coast and western Costa Rica. The facility covers 243 hectares of land and has a single 2,750-metre (9,022 ft) runway that can handle wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing 747.

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