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I have some questions on Liberia airport arrival. I have a friend who is arriving at Liberia with a group. I was trying to give her some tips and have a few questions.

Does Liberia have official orange airport taxis like SJO?
What is the taxi rate to the beach hotels?
Is there a bank in the airport as in SJO? An ATM booth?
A duty free booze shop?

Many banks or ATMs near the popular beaches and hotels?

Thanks.

Here is a map of the guanacaste area that includes RED taxi fares between various points: http://www.online-costarica.com/map/guanacaste_map.jpg. On that map, the fare quoted between the airport and Playa Coco was $20 for the 20 minute 30km trip. Playa Flamingo would be substantially more. It is listed as $40/95km from PLAYA COCO, but since part of that is backtracking from Playa Coco to the main road, I'm guessing the fare is probably more like $50 from the airport to Flamingo. This would be fine for 2-3 people much more than that and she would obviously need a larger vehicle or extra cabs.

Another slightly more expensive alternative are shuttles. Here is one link: http://www.1costaricalink.com/eng/transportation/trans-busetta.htm. On that site shuttle rates to the Playa Coco area beaches is $25/pp (2 pax min) meaning it is much more expensive than a cab for even just one person. The rate to the Flamingo area is $30/pp, meaning if you're talking only 2 people it is only about $10 more than cab and maybe worthwhile.

Of course if she has a larger group the total bill for a shuttle can climb rapidly. Here is another shuttle service http://www.transportationmonteverde.com/ They quote $95 from the airport to Tamarindo for up to 5 passengers ($8 more for each extra passenger over that and $10 more for night service)

Also, the hotel she is staying at may offer their own discounted service for its guests or at least provide better info on transportation alternatives.

All of the above, was based on just a very quick search. Of course, she could do the same and might find some better deals, but this should give her a rough idea.

Here is an informative link to an article on the Liberia airport itself http://www.costa-rica-travel-magazine.com/07-98-costa-rica-liberia-airport-01-03.htm. It doesn't say anything about what color the cabs are or duty free booze but does mention they have a bank.

One more link with even more detailed info on banks in the area http://www.online-costarica.com/principal.html#Money_Talk. No mention of an ATM at the airport, but if they can't change money immediately upon arrival I'm sure whatever transportation service she uses will be more than happy to take her dollars.

The airport is relatively new, only recently earning international status, and is rapidly gaining in popularity for foreign visitors heading to the northern beaches. I wouldn't be surprised if additional services and amenities not mentioned here have recently been added.

Just A Note heading to an all inclusive chica friendly resort.... Memoridal day weekend... Good posiblity we will have some sort of discount in place by th etime I get back..... this is just south of Liberia on the beach, so it might be a good program.

I'll let you know.

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ATMs (ATH in Tico) at the beach towns are pretty hit and miss / few and far between. Tamarindo has one or two and a bank (read wait in line for awhile). Flamingo has a bank that is open “¿sometimes?". At that one the ATM keypad was hanging by the wires when I last saw it. Of course in Guanacaste the larger towns like Liberia and Santa Cruz have ATHs. I wouldn’t count on them at the vast majority of the beaches.

For a bulletin board for Wild Wild West (north Pacific) Q&A here is a good one:

http://tamarindobeach.net/wwwboard/index.html

To hire a 10 pax Van my bud Rigo is one of the best most reliable Ticos you will meet out there. Excellent English and a great guy.

http://www.wegowithrigo.com/

I took a cab from the Liberia bus station to El Coco for about $10 or $12, the airport is closer, although they know they can ask more at the airport. I would try $12, see if you can get the last taxi in line to go.