Published on Wednesday, March 19, 2025
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Travelers at the Daniel Oduber-Quiros International Airport (LIR), also known as Guanacaste Airport, are now benefiting from expanded shopping and pet-friendly facilities.

The Vinci Group, the French company managing the airport, invested approximately $3.3 million in the new expansion. The project includes a 634-square-meter shopping area and a 51-square-meter pet relief space, both located near the airport gates.

In 2024, LIR welcomed around 1,600 pets, reflecting a 24% increase in pet traffic compared to 2023.

The airport also saw significant growth in passenger traffic, handling over 881,000 tourists in 2024, an increase of 14% from the previous year.

Last year, the airport temporarily halted commercial flights for runway repairs.

In other airport news, the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in Alajuela Province recently launched a $62 million expansion project to improve services for the growing number of passengers at Costa Rica’s busiest airport.

Additionally, Costa Rica's tourism sector reached a milestone in 2024, generating more than $5.4 billion in foreign exchange earnings, according to the Central Bank.

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What additional amenities or services should LIR consider to attract even more tourists? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com