Coyolar Airport

Common Complaints

• Extremely High Prices: A pervasive complaint is the exorbitant cost of food, drinks, and souvenirs within the terminal, with items like water bottles and basic meals being significantly overpriced.
• Overcrowding and Limited Seating: Despite recent expansions, the airport can become crowded, especially during peak hours (noon to 4 PM for departures), with a noticeable lack of adequate seating in both departure and arrival areas.
• Variable Security and Customs Wait Times: While often quicker than SJO, security and customs lines at LIR can still experience long wait times, particularly on busy days like Thursdays, Sundays, and during mid-day arrival/departure clusters.
• Runway Issues: Recent reports (late 2024) indicate runway damage and temporary closures due to potholes, leading to flight disruptions and cancellations, raising concerns about airport maintenance.
• Expensive Transportation and Limited Parking: Official taxis can be pricey, and ride-sharing services like Uber are not consistently reliable. The open-air parking lot is free but lacks cover and security.

Overall, Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) is seen as a convenient and generally clean gateway to Costa Rica's Pacific coast, often preferred over San José for its more streamlined immigration. However, travelers should be prepared for high prices on amenities and potentially variable wait times during peak travel periods, and be aware of occasional operational disruptions.