Central America - Costa Rica with family

Just booked a family trip, flying into Liberia. Took advantage of a great fare from New York and now finding reaonably priced hotel accomodations are more challenging than I thought. Dates are Dec 29 - Jan 5, I know, very busy.

Travelling with two kids, age 5 and 7, ideally on the beach. Looking for someting clean, friendly and reasonably close to the airport (within 1-1.5 hours).
I have 24 hours to cancel my flight, but hope I find something prior.

Thanks in advance!

You picked a bad time.

I'm sure many families, couples, etc are planning on a nice getaway for new years. You will probably have a lot of trouble finding something if you didn't book it a while back.

Do you have a chain preference? I know the Hilton Garden Inn, at LIR has some openings for $124/night per room. I'm not sure how reasonable that is to you, but for a New years booking on short notice that's probably not too bad.

Kayak pulled up the Best Western at $59/night per room and a few others that might be best avoided.