Liberia in Costa Rica is considered generally safe for visitors. The water and air are clean, the food in most restaurants is hygienically prepared, and there are lots of functional healthcare facilities that can take care of you if you break down.
However, you also need to guide your belongings because, as with most tourist destinations in the world, there are petty thefts and bag snatchers in Liberia. The good thing is that there are no violent crimes here, such as kidnappings or killings.
In this article, I have shared some vital information as precautions for a safe visit to Liberia so you know if it is okay for you to visit or not.
Key Takeaways
- Liberia is generally safe for tourist visits. However, endeavor to stay vigilant at all times and do not leave your valuables unattended.
- The weather is conducive but feels dry, so always stay hydrated and wear sunscreen.
- Avoid walking alone at night so you do not fall victim to criminals.
Brief Overview and General Safety
Liberia is located in the Guanacaste Province of Northwestern Costa Rica and houses the Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport also called the Liberia International Airport which is one of the two International and second largest Airports in the country.
Aside from the airport, Liberia is the gateway to most of the renowned tourist destinations and attractions in Costa Rica.
It has a rich local culture of a tourist-friendly and welcoming community, making it generally safe for tourists to visit. The thing with Liberia is that if you apply caution and security alertness in this city, then you are just fine to explore and enjoy as much as you want.
Food and Water Safety
It is safe to consume food in Liberia, likewise water. The tap water in Liberia, just like in other parts of Costa Rica, is well-treated and safe for tourists to drink.
It was one of the culture shocks for us because other countries we have traveled to offered mostly bottled water when you requested for water and not the tap water in a glass cup we have been offered in not only Liberia but almost all parts of Costa Rica whenever we ask for water at a restaurant.
This goes to show that water can be drunk directly from the tap in Liberia. However, if you do not trust it, you can buy bottled water or pour the water into a reusable water bottle with a filter before drinking.
Also, the food in most restaurants in Liberia is healthy, fresh, and tasty for tourists to consume. However, before eating at a restaurant, ensure it is clean enough, and the online reviews are positive too.
Health Safety
Healthwise, Liberia is safe to live in; however, taking precautions about the food and drink you take into your body system will help keep your health in a more stable condition.
One hack my husband and I discovered was taking vaccines for common Costa Rican illnesses, which are malaria, typhoid, measles, Zika virus, and so on, before traveling or once we just arrived in the country. This helped us worry less about our health while we did the usual safety routine of only eating hygienically prepared food and drinking well-treated water.
Furthermore, we carried insect repellents, sunscreen, and water every time we went out.
So if you visit Liberia, you can do the same thing, and if you ever find yourself in a situation that needs medical attention, there are plenty of public and private healthcare facilities you can visit in the city for fast treatment.
Transportation Safety
Transportation in Liberia is safe and reliable for tourists, as you will find a lot of duly registered public and privately owned transportation services ranging from buses, taxis, rental cars, and rideshares like Uber in Liberia.
So there is a wide variety of transportation options to choose from to move around town compared to other towns in Costa Rica.
One thing we took note of is that the major roads in Liberia are safe to drive because of how paved and where maintained they are.
However, most of the rural roads are unmotorable because the roads are unpaved and in terrible conditions. You will mostly find animals on these rural roads.
So it is important to apply caution when driving on these roads and stick to traffic rules and signs.
Whether you are traveling with a public or private transportation service in Liberia, it is always better to take time to research the transportation company using platforms like Tripadvisor or Booking.com, read online reviews, and ensure you are satisfied with the information before going ahead with making payments.
Doing this will not only make you feel safe, but it will also help you have a smooth and enjoyable travel experience in Liberia, Costa Rica.
Accommodation Safety
There are a lot of accommodation options to choose from in Liberia, and it is safe to lodge in them. You will find hostels, resorts, standard and luxury hotels, Airbnb apartments, and so on.
For most of the hotels we lodged in, we never had cases of robbery, break-in, wildlife invasion, or any social vices you could think of. The hotels were clean, safe, and tourist-friendly, and I believe the same applies to other accommodation options in Liberia too.
Regardless of all you are reading now, you need to conduct proper research before booking or making payments for accommodation.
Read online reviews on platforms like Booking.com or Tripadvisor and ensure the accommodation option has certain security features like surveillance cameras, emergency exits, and security guards inside the building.
Environmental Safety
Liberia is one town in Costa Rica that is environmentally safe for tourists to visit. The water and air are clean, and most of the tourist attractions in the city are well-maintained and preserved.
Another thing we discovered was that Liberia is not affected by most of the natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, and flooding that affect other areas and towns in Costa Rica.
However, this does not mean that environmental safety precautions should not be taken or adhered to when in Liberia.
One environmental safety measure you can take for yourself is to stay informed about weather conditions and listen to local authorities when they talk about environmental issues in the country.
And also ensure you purchase travel insurance that covers you in case of any natural disaster. Doing this will keep you on the safe side when visiting Liberia.
Common Crimes
Liberia is one city in Costa Rica where you will hardly experience violent crimes like gangsterism or public harassment; however, you need to be vigilant at all times because there are prevalent crimes like scams, petty theft, vehicle break-ins, and so on.
We noticed scams like shortchanging by some taxi drivers and restaurant owners, fake car rental company websites, fake travel and tour agencies, etc.
So it is best to do proper research about any service at all before making payments, and don’t allow taxi drivers or waitresses to shortchange you for any reason. If you want to tip, do it out of your own free will and not forcefully or cunningly.
If you allow it to persist, you will lose a lot of money. Furthermore, avoid withdrawing money from unlicensed places. Only withdraw from reputable banks, and when paying for products and services, use more cash than credit card payments.
Avoid poorly lit areas and flashing your valuables in crowded places so you do not attract criminals. If you adhere to all of these things, you will never fall victim to the common crimes in Liberia.
Once you’ve familiarized yourself with these crucial travel tips and precautions, be sure to explore our guide on the 10 Free or Cheap Things To Do in Liberia, Costa Rica, to enrich your visit without breaking the bank.
Final Thoughts
Liberia in Costa Rica is the gateway to the popular tourist attractions in the country and is generally safe for visitors.
However, we cannot rule out the fact that no matter how safe a place is, you have your part to play to further increase your safety by taking precautionary measures and following safety guidelines.
The same thing applies to Liberia. Being security-conscious and avoiding situations that will make you a victim of criminal activity will help you enjoy your visit more.
On top of that, making hygiene a priority of everything you consume into your body will keep you out of the hospital.
I hope you take this advice and enjoy your stay in Liberia!
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!
