A rental car is highly recommended. Public buses are available from the public beach parking lot in Junquillal to Santa Cruz. We have a paved highway from Liberia airport to Paraiso (1km away) but the beach roads are dirt/gravel and can be bumpy. If renting a car, 4x4 is not necessary but a small SUV can be more comfortable on the dirt roads. Because we are in a small, rural area most guests enjoy having a rental car to enjoy the Junquillal area and our neighboring beach towns of Playa Negra and Avellanas for additional dining, surfing and activity options.