Liberia, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

With more than 50,000 inhabitants, Liberia is the regional hub of the Costa Rican northwest and the capital and largest city of Guanacaste province, Costa Rica. It is located 215 kilometres (134 mi) northwest of the national capital, San José. The city center features a modern church, as many Costa Rican towns do, facing a plaza surrounded by locally owned shops and restaurants. Liberia is also home to an expo that takes place in the month of July, celebrating the annexation of Guanacaste Province on 25 July 1824. It is a major center for the country's tourism industry. Located downtown is the Museo de Guanacaste represents the civility of Costa Rica, and the embodiment of military abolishment. The Museo de Guanacaste portrays many of the local and national artists.