Private shuttle · door-to-door
Private Shuttle from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Playa Avellanas
From the arrivals exit at Liberia Airport (LIR) to your lodge or villa in Playa Avellanas: one driver, one vehicle, your group only. The fare is per vehicle, not per person, and taxes are already in it.
- Private vehicle
- Door-to-door
- Taxes & tolls included
- Child seats free
- 24/7
The service
Your private transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Playa Avellanas
A private transfer means the vehicle is booked for your group alone. After a long flight you skip the taxi line, the rental-car counter and the shared-shuttle timetable: your driver tracks your flight, waits if it lands late and takes you from the terminal to Playa Avellanas, with stops only when you ask for them.
There are no extras to discover later: the per-vehicle fare already includes taxes, tolls, fuel, insurance, water, WiFi and child seats. Pick Standard for a direct trip, or upgrade to VIP (+$80) to stop along the way.
We confirm the pickup details with you when you book. With approximately 1 h 15 min of driving ahead, most travelers go straight to the hotel and still have time for the pool or a late lunch.
Your destination
Arriving in Playa Avellanas
Playa Avellanas is a long surf beach south of Tamarindo, past Hacienda Pinilla, with several reef and beach breaks that work on different tides. It has kept a relaxed, rural feel: a few surf lodges, rentals among the trees and beachside restaurants rather than a town.
The best-known spot is a beach restaurant famous for its resident pig, but most people come for the waves and the sunsets. Supplies and nightlife are in Tamarindo, about half an hour away; give us the exact name of your lodge or house when you book.
After Villarreal the route heads south on rural roads, past the entrance to Hacienda Pinilla, to Playa Avellanas. The final kilometers may be gravel depending on maintenance, and the beach appears through the trees.
In Playa Avellanas
What to do in Playa Avellanas
Surf several peaks
Reef and beach breaks along the bay, each working on different tides.
Lunch on the beach
Beach restaurants under the trees, popular after a session.
Sunset walks
A long beach with dramatic sunsets and few buildings.
The route
What to expect on the drive
- Driving time
- approx. 1 h 15 min without stops
- Main roads
- Route 21 south-west through ranch country, then local roads around Huacas to the coast
- Last stretch
- From Villarreal, rural roads south past Hacienda Pinilla; the last stretch may be gravel
- Pickup point
- Just outside the terminal exit, with a name sign
From the airport the van takes Route 21 south-west across Guanacaste cattle country toward the Nicoya side of the province. Dry forest, ranches and small towns pass the window until the junction area around Huacas, the gateway to the beaches north of Tamarindo.
Along the way
What you'll see between Liberia Airport and Playa Avellanas
Keep the camera within reach. Between the airport and Playa Avellanas you will see:
Guanacaste ranch country
Long fences, brahman cattle and the wide crowns of guanacaste trees, the national tree, along Route 21.
Small Guanacaste towns
Roadside bakeries, fruit stands and soccer fields in the towns between the airport and the coast.
The Avellanas breaks
Several surf peaks along the beach, busy at dawn and at sunset.
Rural Santa Cruz
Cattle pastures and dry forest on the back roads between Villarreal and Avellanas.
Playa Negra
The neighboring surf beach to the south, known for its reef break.
Tropical Experts VIP
VIP stops on this route
Add Tropical Experts VIP (+$80) and the drive becomes a short day out, with a bilingual driver with local knowledge and stops of your choice. Here are the ones we suggest on this route:
A stop for provisions or a roadside lunch
If you are staying in a villa, ask for a supermarket stop on the way; the driver knows the closest ones. We can also pause for a coffee or a roadside lunch.
Before you travel
Road conditions on the way to Playa Avellanas
Route 21 and the local roads to the coast are paved and in good condition. Between the highway and the beach towns, some roads are narrow or have potholes after heavy rain, and your driver adjusts the speed. Traffic near Tamarindo can slow down in the afternoon, when the town fills up.
The main roads are paved; the access to Avellanas and some lodges may include gravel sections, dusty in the dry season and muddy in the rains. All our vehicles drive them.
From the road
Driver's tips for this route
- Arriving in the afternoon? The beaches on this stretch of coast face west, so the first sunset is almost a given on arrival day.
- Bring cash in colones for the small beach restaurants around Avellanas.
- Stock up on groceries in Tamarindo or Villarreal; ask the driver for a stop.
- Traveling with children? Tell us their ages and weights when you book and the right child seat will be installed, free of charge.
Fares
Prices for this route
One flat price for the whole vehicle, not per person. Prices in US dollars with taxes included; you pay online when you book and nothing to the driver.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Large bags | Standard | VIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Hyundai Staria1–5 passengers |
1–5 | 5 | $145 | $225 |
 Toyota Hiace6–9 passengers |
6–9 | 9 | $200 | $280 |
 Maxus V9010–12 passengers |
10–12 | 12 | $285 | $365 |
Extra hour of stops: $35 per hour, up to 4 hours. Photos show each model; you get the vehicle type you choose.
Reviews
What travelers say
Short excerpts from real reviews of Tropical Experts Costa Rica on Google and Tripadvisor.
5.0 · 112 Google reviews · 5.0 · 36 Tripadvisor reviews
“Absolute wonderful driver and impeccable service. Would recommend our driver over anyone else in Costa Rica. We will be calling on him the next time we are in the country.”
“Outstanding experience! Safe, comfortable ride and friendly and informative driver.”
“John is reliable and friendly! He arrived at the location on time, the price was very reasonable, and I felt very safe throughout the trip.”
Read all our reviews on Google and Tripadvisor.
Questions
Frequently asked questions: Liberia Airport (LIR) → Playa Avellanas
How long is the drive from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Playa Avellanas?
Approximately 1 h 15 min of driving. Stops, rain and traffic come on top of that; with VIP, add the one to two hours of sightseeing stops.
How much is a private shuttle from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Playa Avellanas?
$145 in a Hyundai Staria (1–5 passengers), $200 in a Toyota Hiace (6–9) and $285 in a Maxus V90 (10–12). Prices are per vehicle, in US dollars, with taxes included. VIP adds $80 per vehicle.
Can you take our surfboards?
Yes. Tell us how many boards and their length when you book so we send a vehicle with enough room.
Is Avellanas close to Tamarindo?
Yes, it is a short drive south of Tamarindo, past Hacienda Pinilla; many surfers stay in Avellanas and go to Tamarindo for dinner.
Is the road to Avellanas paved?
Most of it. The last stretch and some lodge driveways may be gravel. All our vehicles drive gravel roads.
Can we stop in Tamarindo on the way?
Yes, Tamarindo is close to the route; ask the driver for a short stop for supplies.
What happens if our flight is delayed or lands at night?
Nothing extra to pay. We track the flight number you give us and adjust the pickup, and we run transfers 24/7. If the airline cancels the flight, we move your transfer to the new date at no charge.
How much luggage fits?
The Hyundai Staria (1–5 passengers) takes 5 large bags plus carry-ons and the Toyota Hiace and Maxus V90 take more. Bringing golf clubs, surfboards or bikes? Tell us when you book so we send the right vehicle.
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