La Zampoña Airport

Common Complaints

• Overcrowding and Long Wait Times: Despite recent expansions, LIR can become very crowded, particularly during peak travel seasons, holidays, and specific departure windows (e.g., noon to 4 PM). This leads to long lines at check-in, immigration, and security, with some travelers reporting wait times of 90 minutes or more.
• Exorbitant Food and Drink Prices: A consistent and significant complaint is the extremely high cost of food, drinks, and souvenirs inside the terminal, with items like water, burgers, and pizza being reported as excessively expensive.
• Limited Seating: Many travelers note a lack of adequate seating in both departure and arrivals areas, forcing people to stand or sit on the floor during busy periods.
• Parking Issues: The main parking lot is often described as open-air, unpaved, and lacking covered sections or facilities, with concerns about security for long-term parking. While some paid, secure, and covered parking options exist nearby with shuttle services, the airport's direct parking is less robust.
• Inconsistent Staff Efficiency and Language Barriers: Some reviews mention staff not making a real effort to be efficient and some difficulty with English communication.

In summary, Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) is a convenient and modern gateway to Costa Rica's Guanacaste region, offering a generally smooth arrival and a variety of transportation options. However, travelers should be prepared for potential overcrowding and significantly high prices for concessions, especially during busy periods, and plan their arrival accordingly to allow ample time for check-in and security.