Costa Rica Expands Airport With New VIP Lounge

Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Airport in Liberia is moving ahead with a major modernization program aimed at improving passenger service, expanding capacity, and strengthening the airport’s role as a gateway to the North Pacific. The concessionaire responsible for managing the airport is carrying out a series of infrastructure projects that include a new VIP lounge, expanded parking, a General and Business Aviation Terminal, improvements to passenger circulation, and operational upgrades inside the terminal.

The works are scheduled between the third quarter of 2026 and the first half of 2027, with an estimated investment of $6 million. Lizeth Valverde, manager of operations, maintenance, and projects at Guanacaste Airport, said the goal is “to establish ourselves as a modern, competitive, and customer-service-oriented terminal, aligned with international standards and best practices in the airport sector.”

One of the main additions will be a new VIP lounge covering 354 square meters. The space is being designed around the idea of a “sense of place,” with references to Guanacaste’s culture, open plains, and natural scenery. Airport officials said the lounge is intended to offer higher-quality service areas and strengthen the airport’s positioning among international travelers.

The airport will also add a General and Business Aviation Terminal, known as GBAT, to support private and executive flights. The project is aimed at business aviation and high-profile passengers traveling to Guanacaste, a province that has seen continued growth in luxury tourism, real estate development, and international arrivals.

The private aviation terminal will be managed by Signature Aviation, the world’s largest operator of private aviation terminals. The facility will include a VIP lounge, an exclusive conference area, direct access to the apron, electric vehicle charging stations, and high-end finishes using local materials.

Parking is also part of the expansion plan. Parking Lot 4, which covers 7,112 square meters, will be resurfaced and equipped with an access control system. The project will add capacity for 160 passenger vehicles and 70 motorcycles. A covered pedestrian walkway will be built to connect the east-side parking lot with the terminal, a practical upgrade for passengers moving between vehicles and the airport during the rainy season and peak travel periods.

The public bus terminal will be relocated during the second half of the year. Airport officials said the move is intended to improve traffic flow around the terminal and make access easier for passengers, workers, and public transport users.

Inside the airport, the modernization program includes replacing escalators and elevators, expanding backup power capacity, and improving security procedures. Backup power capacity will increase by 25 percent through the installation of a new generator and upgrades to the airport’s three existing units.

The airport also plans to expand the baggage carousel area and modernize the employee checkpoint, changes aimed at improving daily operations and making internal security screening more efficient. Another major part of the project is the expansion of Gate 5 on the first floor. The renovation will add 332 square meters to the gate area, giving passengers more room during boarding and helping the airport handle growing demand during high season.

Guanacaste Airport, also known as Liberia International Airport or Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, is one of Costa Rica’s two main international air gateways. It serves travelers heading to beach destinations across Guanacaste, the Nicoya Peninsula, and parts of northern Costa Rica.

The modernization comes as Guanacaste continues to attract international visitors, private aviation traffic, and tourism investment. The airport has become especially important for travelers who want direct access to resorts, beaches, national parks, and residential communities without flying through San José.

The projects should bring more parking, better passenger movement, improved boarding space, stronger power backup, and expanded premium services. For Guanacaste’s tourism, the investment shows the airport’s growing importance in Costa Rica’s travel economy.