1,300 CRC/hour gets you the closest official parking at LIR
The Main Parking Lot at Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport sits directly in front of the terminal, so you walk just a few minutes from car to check-in. It’s the on-site, official option and runs about 1,300 CRC per hour, roughly $2.75 USD, according to recent guides. This setup suits quick business hops or short trips where proximity matters more than amenities.
The entire Main Parking Lot is open-air with no roof and no shade, so your car sits in full Guanacaste sun the whole time. The paved general section near the terminal is the active area and is the one you actually use. One travel guide notes a rear, unpaved section behind this main area that’s currently closed off to drivers.
Regulars park in the front, paved general section and ignore the closed back area, which is sometimes still visible behind barriers. That front zone puts you a short walk from the terminal doors, usually just a few minutes even with bags. For quick drop-offs, you can pull into this same area, pay for a single 1,300 CRC hour, and be back out before your ticket gets expensive.
Watch out for the lack of shade if you’re parking for more than a couple of hours; interiors heat up fast in 30°C+ afternoon sun and paint sits under UV all day. If you have kids or pets riding back from the airport, crack windows slightly and plan on running the A/C for a few minutes before buckling in. One simple tip: bring a windshield sunshade and park nose-out so you can exit quickly when you land back at LIR.