Liberia is home to lots of popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica and these tourist sites are packed full of fun activities and tourist attractions to visit so you can never run out of things to do in this town. From hiking stunning waterfalls and pristine beaches to numerous national parks, there is something for everyone in Liberia.
When I visited with my husband, we were a bit confused with what to do for fun here as there are so many things to do for free, cheap, or paid. We were very concerned about trying out things that would truly be worth it and not a waste of time.
And yeah, after trying out a couple of activities and visiting tons of tourist spots, I decided to write this article to share with you some of the worthwhile and interesting things you can do when visiting Liberia, with the hope that you will enjoy it as much as we did.
Key Takeaways
- Liberia is the gateway to most of the spectacular and popular treasure trove of Costa Rica.
- You will find the famous Rio Celeste waterfalls just an hour and forty minutes drive from Liberia town.
- Liberia houses one of the best airports in the country.
- Visiting the local market is one of the best ways to contribute to the local economy.
- You will find tons of pristine beaches where you can relax on a sunny day in Liberia.
- Liberia is the best place in the country to go on an ATV bike tour.
Visit Rincón de la Vieja National Park
Visiting the Rincon de la Vieja National Park is one of the top things to do in Liberia. This national park is about 35,000 acres and built around an active volcano of the same name.
The volcano is about 6,000 feet tall, and regardless of where you are standing at the park, you will see it. There are many hiking trails in the park but if you do not have much time to hike on all the trails, I suggest hiking the 2.5-miles Las Pailas Loop Trail.
You will not just have a better view of the impressive volcano but you will also get to see a lot of wildlife along this trail. You can also participate in other adrenaline activities like canyoning down waterfalls, river tubing and sitting at the picnic tables to either take a break or enjoy your snacks.
Tour the Turquoise Blue Waters of Rio Celeste
Visiting the Tenorio Volcano National Park to see the turquoise-blue waters of the Rio Celeste waterfall is one of the best things to do in Liberia.
The waterfall is located about two-hour drive from Liberia International Airport and is very popular amongst tourists.
When you get there, you do not only get to see the turquoise blue waters but also have a chance to tour around other sight attractions in the park like the hot springs, blue lake, and, on a bright day, the magnificent view of the Tenorio Volcano itself.
Aside from that, you also get to explore the lush rainforest and see a lot of wildlife on the trails. The only downside is that you are not allowed to swim in the waterfall, but there’s a swimming pool outside of the park if you really want to take a dip.
Visit the Local Market
If you are looking for beautiful and unique souvenirs to take back home with you that are affordable and do not cost a fortune, then visiting the local market to shop for authentic Costa Rican art and crafts should be one of your top things to do in Liberia.
The local market is large enough to have a lot of arts and crafts to choose from. These artistic collections are made of wood, ceramic, shells, bones, can bowls, masks, jewelry pieces, or anything you can think of.
Also, the prices are competitive, so there is something for everyone there regardless of your budget or preference.
Tour Santa Rosa National Park
Santa Rosa National Park is a 191-square-mile park that was originally created to conserve a historical site where the battle of Santa Rosa took place many years ago, but over the years it has become a tourist attraction where thousands of people visit annually in Liberia.
In this park, there are many hiking trails where you can spot birds and other wildlife of rare species like white-nosed coati, spider monkeys, and tapirs. One significant thing about the hiking trails in this park is that they take you through mangroves, ancient forests, and woodlands.
The best thing about this park is that there are camping sites within, so it gives you ample time to rest and explore. However, the trails can be muddy during the rainy season, but it is with it.
Explore Palo Verde National Park
Palo Verde National Park covers over 45,000 acres of land and embodies a number of diverse habitats. The park is well known as a haven for birds, with lots of migratory and aquatic birds in it. So it is a great place for bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts to visit.
Aside from the birds, you will see a good number of valleys situated against limestone ridges, tropical rainforests, marshes, and floodplains.
And there are plenty of short trails in the park with extraordinary viewpoints and a camping site close to the ranger station where you can spend the night.
Relax at Playa Hermosa
Relaxing at Playa Hermosa is one of the top things to do when you are in Liberia. The beach is notable for its length of 2 kilometers, gray sands, and deep blue water. It is located forty minutes drive from Liberia.
Aside from relaxing at its shoreline with many shades of coconut and fig trees, you can swim, ride on a horseback, kayak, snorkel, take a boat cruise, or do a stand-up boat paddle on its waters.
One thing you should know is that getting to this beach is very easy, as there are lots of registered taxis running to and from Liberia and Playa Hermosa, so you can visit and return the same day.
However, if you want to stay here overnight, there are lots of hotels lining the coastline that you can pass the night at, as well as some restaurants that you can enjoy delicious meals at too.
Soak in Poza Los Coyotes
Located just half an hour from Liberia, Poza Los Coyotes is a natural pool that is situated thirty minutes drive from Liberia. The pool is surrounded by lush green vegetation and filled with deep turquoise waters.
There are rocky areas around the pool with small waterfalls that empty into the pool. Also, there is a second pool with an even more stunning waterfall and a small cave you can only reach from the water.
So you can choose to visit all three spots at the same time since they are within walking distance from each other.
I have to note that there is no shop or cafe where you can buy food except for a kiosk by the side that only rents out floating equipment. So if you want to spend so much time there, come along with snacks and water.
Eat at Local Restaurants
Liberia is a great place to try some of the tastiest Costa Rican cuisine. You will find a lot of restaurants here offering local delicacies like the casado and Gallo pinto, that usually consist of rice, beans, vegetables, fried plantains, and tropical fruits.
Aside from the local cuisines, there are plenty of restaurants that offer international cuisines here. So whether it is Mexican, Italian, American, Asian, or Peruvian cuisine you are looking for, you will find it in Liberia Restaurants.
Go on an ATV Tour
Where else can you go on an off-road excursion with blazing ATV bikes other than Liberia. The dry forest offers great trails and rocky terrain, making it a perfect choice for taking ATV tours.
This tour takes you across rivers, beaches, mountainous and rocky terrain, and dirt trails and lasts for hours. There are little stops here and there for light refreshments like cocktails and snacks, which are mostly provided by the tour company if you are moving in groups.
However, if you are touring alone, which is never the best way to enjoy ATV tours, you will have to come with your own snacks, water, and soft drinks so you can eat at strategic stops.
Hiring an ATV bike for a day in Liberia should cost between $70 and $150, depending on the rental company. You can take a morning or afternoon tour, depending on your schedule.
Visit Immaculate Church of Concepcion de Maria
Visiting the stunning Immaculate Church of Concepcion de Maria should be at the top of the list of things to do in Liberia, regardless of your religious affiliation.
This stunning Catholic church is located in downtown Liberia and seats over 600. You will not find a single air conditioner in this church; however, it always feels cool because it was constructed with airflow in mind.
Another thing you will notice is that this church looks more modern than other Catholic churches in the area. You can probably say a word of prayer before leaving.
After discovering these affordable activities, don’t forget to check out our 7 Best Travel Tips and Precautions for a Safe Visit to Liberia to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
Conclusion
Liberia is the gateway to some of the most stunning and popular tourist attractions in Costa Rica, so you can never run out of places to visit and things to do.
However, most of these activities can be free, paid, or cheap. One thing I need you to keep in mind is that you will love it regardless. Furthermore, most of these activities require physical strength so ensure that you consult your doctor before visiting these places.
Above all, always put safety first, no matter how much or less physical strength is required for any activity you are participating in, and you will be fine.
About Michelle Schmidt
Born in California, Michelle traveled extensively through the USA and Europe before moving to South Florida during the pandemic. Her career in Marketing has taken her all across the world. Her favorite country is France but she'll never turn down a beach vacation!
