Which place is cheaper, Liberia or Piriapolis?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Piriapolis or Liberia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Piriapolis or Liberia, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Piriapolis or Liberia?
Piriapolis
Piriapolis is a small beach town between Montevideo and Punta del Este in Uruguay. It is a more laid back version of Punta del Este with fewer fancy restaurants and clubs but it has perhaps more charm, with its grand old hotel and beachfront promenade backed by small mountains. The rather old-school coastal resort is vaguely reminiscent of a Mediterranean beach town.
Liberia
Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of the country.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPiriapolis $67Liberia $112
The average daily cost (per person) in Piriapolis is $67, while the average daily cost in Liberia is $112. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Piriapolis and Liberia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPiriapolis $27Liberia $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPiriapolis $54Liberia $120
Compare Hotels in Piriapolis and Liberia
Looking for a hotel in Piriapolis or Liberia? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Piriapolis Hotel Prices and Liberia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Piriapolis $31Liberia $43
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Bike Rental$25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:
- Airport transfer Liberia from and to Tamarindo (One way) : $113
- Costa Rica Private Airport Transfer : $6.00
- Departure Private Transfer Arenal to San Jose Airport by Minivan: $177
- Direct Transfer Liberia Airport to Guanacaste Hotels: $35
- GUANACASTE COSTA RICA Airport Transfers | Shuttle Service: $62
- Guanacaste Airport Transfer to Playa Tamarindo: $105
- Guanacaste Airport: Transfer to/from Papagayo Hyatt Hotel: $76
- Liberia Airport (LIR) Peñas Blancas - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $76
- Liberia Airport (LIR) to Flamingo/Tamarindo - Round-Trip Transfer: $76
- Liberia Airport (LIR) to Jaco / Monteverde - Round-Trip Transfer : $179
- Liberia Airport (LIR) to Jaco/Monteverde Arrival Private Transfer: $89
- Liberia Airport (LIR) to Peñas Blancas - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Piriapolis or Liberia?
Prices for flights to both Liberia and Piriapolis change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayPiriapolis $23Liberia $21
Typical Food Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of dining costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Snacks$1.97
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Lunch at The Shack (for 1)$4.95
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Lunch$11
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Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)$14
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Ginger Ale$1.28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Liberia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Liberia.
- 2-Hour Cooking Class in Nosara : $65
- Private Local Cooking Class in Nosara: $85
- Private Sunset Dinner at the Beach with Chef : $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Piriapolis $5.89Liberia $25
Tours and Activities in Liberia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Liberia are as follows:
- (Private) La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike: $41
- La Leona Waterfall: Private tour in Rincon de la Vieja!: $43
- Night Tour in Nuevo Arenal: $43
- Bird-Watching and Wildlife Tour: $43
- La Leona waterfall adventure hike half day : $45
- La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike (Private Tour): $45
- Skip the Line: Diamante Eco Adventure Park: Animal Sanctuary Discovery Ticket: $49
- Zip-line Adventure: $53
- Horseback Riding Tour: $59
- Rincón de la Vieja Bird-Watching Tour: $62
- Zipline at Skyline Canopy Tour Guanacaste Costa Rica: $65
- From Tubing Adventure at Rio Negro: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPiriapolis $8.11Liberia $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Piriapolis and Liberia, we can see that Liberia is more expensive. And not only is Piriapolis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Piriapolis is in South America and Liberia is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Piriapolis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Piriapolis and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Liberia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Liberia than you might in Piriapolis.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Piriapolis Expensive? and Is Liberia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Piriapolis or Liberia?
Liberia has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Piriapolis. When comparing the sizes of Piriapolis and Liberia, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Piriapolis or Liberia?
Piriapolis has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Liberia experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Piriapolis or Liberia in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Piriapolis and Liberia. Liberia attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Piriapolis is cooler than Liberia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Piriapolis in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Liberia averages at about 28°C (82°F)in July.
In Piriapolis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Piriapolis usually receives more sunshine than Liberia during summer. Piriapolis gets 296 hours of sunny skies, while Liberia receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
Liberia receives a lot of rain in the summer. In January, Piriapolis usually receives less rain than Liberiain July. Piriapolis gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyPiriapolis 23°C (73°F)Liberia 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Piriapolis or Liberia in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Piriapolis as well as Liberia. The warm climate attracts visitors to Liberia throughout the year.
In April, Piriapolis is generally much colder than Liberiain October. Daily temperatures in Piriapolis average around 17°C (63°F), and Liberia fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Piriapolis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Liberiain October. Piriapolis gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Liberia receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Liberia. Piriapolis usually gets less rain in April than Liberiain October. Piriapolis gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in Liberia is the dry season. April to December in Liberia is the rainy season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPiriapolis 17°C (63°F)Liberia 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Piriapolis or Liberia in the Winter?
Both Liberia and Piriapolis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Liberia because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Piriapolis is much colder than Liberia in the winter. The daily temperature in Piriapolis averages around 10°C (50°F) in July, and Liberia fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Liberia. Piriapolis usually receives less sunshine than Liberia during winter. Piriapolis gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Liberia receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Piriapolis usually receives more rain than Liberiain January. Piriapolis gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPiriapolis 10°C (50°F)Liberia 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Piriapolis or Liberia in the Spring?
Both Liberia and Piriapolis during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Liberia year-round.
In the spring, Piriapolis is much colder than Liberia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Piriapolis in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Liberia averages at about 29°C (85°F)in April.
In Liberia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Piriapolis. In the spring, Piriapolis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Liberiain April. Piriapolis gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Liberia receives 255 hours of full sun.
Piriapolis usually gets more rain in October than Liberiain April. Piriapolis gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in Liberia. April to December is the rainy season in Liberia.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPiriapolis 16°C (61°F)Liberia 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Liberia and Piriapolis
| Piriapolis | Liberia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.