Guatemala City Airport, officially called La Aurora International Airport (GUA), is the main airport in Guatemala and the one you’ll almost certainly fly into if you’re visiting the country. Whether you’re heading straight to Antigua, onward to Lake Atitlán, or just transiting through, here’s everything you need to know before you land.
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Quick facts about Guatemala City Airport:
- Airport name: La Aurora International Airport
- Airport code: GUA
- Distance to Antigua: ~45 minutes by road
- Distance to Guatemala City centre: ~4km
- WiFi: Yes, free
- ATMs in arrivals: Yes (2)
- Food in arrivals: No
- Currency: Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ), though airport transport (except buses) also accepts USD
Is Guatemala City Airport Safe?
Inside the airport, yes, it’s perfectly safe. Guatemala City itself is a different story: it’s not generally considered safe for tourists, and most travellers fly in and head straight to Antigua or another destination without spending any time in the city. If you arrive late at night, the safest move is to book a hotel near the airport and arrange your onward transfer for the morning.
Airlines and Flights at Guatemala City Airport
Guatemala City Airport is the fourth largest airport in Central America and serves both international and domestic flights. It’s home to Tag Airlines, Guatemala’s own carrier, which operates domestic routes as well as some regional connections.
International airlines flying into GUA include American Airlines (with connections from Miami and other US hubs), United, and various Central American carriers. Popular routes connect Guatemala City to cities including Miami, New York, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, and San Salvador, as well as destinations across Central America and Mexico.
If you’re flying between countries in the region, for example from Panama City or San José in Costa Rica, Guatemala City is a common hub. For domestic flights within Guatemala, La Aurora is your main departure point.
How Many Airports Are There in Guatemala?
There are two international airports in Guatemala.
La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City) is the main airport, fully international, with routes to North America, Central America, and beyond. It’s also the most used airport in the country by a long stretch.
Mundo Maya International Airport (Flores) is technically international but only operates two international routes: to Cancún and Mérida (both in southern Mexico). The vast majority of flights here are domestic or short regional hops. If you’re heading directly to Tikal, Flores is the airport to aim for, as it’s a much shorter journey than travelling from Guatemala City. Otherwise, La Aurora is where your Guatemala trip will begin and end.
What to Expect When You Land
Immigration
Going through immigration at La Aurora is usually pretty straightforward. You’ll need to fill in an immigration form, and I’d recommend doing this online in advance since it’s one less thing to deal with after a long flight. There are staff in the arrivals area who can help you connect to the WiFi and complete the form if you haven’t done it already.
Technically you should arrive with proof of onward travel out of Guatemala, but in my experience I wasn’t asked for it. Bag scanning is selective too. I was waved through with my rucksack without being asked to scan, but some travellers are put in a short queue. Don’t panic if you are; it’s completely routine.
ATMs in Arrivals
There are two ATMs in the baggage reclaim area, which is a secure spot to withdraw cash since you’re still before the public arrivals hall. A quick note on fees: the most common ATMs (5B machines) charge around $6 per withdrawal. BI and BAC machines charge around $3 to $4, and there is one of those in arrivals, though it can sometimes run out of cash. There’s also a bureau de change, but the ATM is usually better value.
🇬🇹 Click here for more about money and the used currencies in Guatemala
If you’re flying from or through the United States, it’s worth bringing some USD cash. Most airport transport (excluding local buses) accepts dollars alongside Quetzales.
WiFi and SIM Cards
There’s free WiFi at La Aurora and it worked fine when I landed. That said, I’d always recommend a backup. Either an international add-on with your phone provider, or a local eSIM for Guatemala, is worth setting up before you travel. Don’t rely entirely on the airport WiFi, especially if you need to contact anyone right when you land and there’s a chance the connection is slow or busy.
If you want a local SIM card, there are options available in the arrivals area, and you’ll find more choice in Antigua or Guatemala City itself. The main providers in Guatemala are Tigo and Claro.
Food and Shops in Arrivals
There are currently no cafes or shops in the arrivals area at La Aurora. There’s a comfortable waiting area with sofas, and booths for currency exchange and transport, but that’s about it. If you’re being collected, let your driver know you might need a few minutes to get sorted before you come through, and don’t expect to grab a coffee while you wait.
Getting from Guatemala City Airport to Your Destination
To Antigua Guatemala
Antigua is the most popular first stop from the airport, and it’s about 45 minutes to an hour away depending on traffic. You have a few options.
A private shuttle or transfer is the easiest choice, bookable in advance or from the official transfer booths in arrivals. A shared shuttle costs around $10 to $15 per person, or around $20 to $30 for a private transfer. Official taxis are also available at the airport; just make sure you use the official rank inside the terminal rather than accepting offers from people outside. Local chicken buses are technically possible but not something I’d recommend, especially if you’re arriving for the first time with luggage.
You can arrange a private transfer from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua before you travel if you want to have it sorted in advance.
🇬🇹 Read more about getting from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua
To Lake Atitlán
From the airport to Lake Atitlán is a longer journey, usually 3 to 4 hours. A direct shuttle from the airport is the simplest option. Alternatively, head to Antigua first and travel from there. Read more about getting from Antigua to Lake Atitlán by chicken bus or shuttle, which gives you a lot more flexibility on where in the lake you want to end up.
🇬🇹 Read more about getting from Guatemala City Airport to Lake Atitlán
To Quetzaltenango (Xela)
The journey to Quetzaltenango from the airport takes around 3 to 4 hours. A direct shuttle or pre-booked private transfer is the most straightforward option.
🇬🇹 Read more about getting from Guatemala City Airport to Quetzaltenango.
Departures: What to Expect
The departures experience at La Aurora is more comfortable than arrivals. In the main terminal there are several places to eat and grab a coffee, both before and after security, as well as multiple ATMs. It’s a fairly small airport for a capital city (one runway, one terminal) but it’s easy to navigate and rarely feels stressful.
Guatemala City Airport FAQs
What is the airport code for Guatemala City?
GUA, at La Aurora International Airport.
Is there WiFi at Guatemala City Airport?
Yes, free WiFi is available throughout the airport.
Is there food in arrivals?
No, there are no shops or cafes in the arrivals area. Food and drinks are available in the departures terminal.
How far is Guatemala City Airport from Antigua Guatemala?
Around 45 minutes to 1 hour by road, depending on traffic.
Is Guatemala City Airport big?
It’s mid-sized, and the fourth largest airport in Central America. With one runway and one terminal it’s easy to get around, though it’s fairly small for a capital city.
Is it safe to take a bus from Guatemala City Airport?
In my opinion, no, especially on arrival. Guatemala City is not a safe city for tourists, and local buses are not the right option when you’ve just landed with your luggage. Stick to official shuttles or pre-booked private transfers.
What airlines fly into Guatemala City Airport?
Tag Airlines (Guatemala’s own carrier), American Airlines, United, and various Central American carriers including Copa and Volaris, among others.
What’s the difference between Guatemala City Airport and Mundo Maya Airport?
La Aurora (GUA) is the main international airport, handling flights to and from North America, Central America, and beyond. Mundo Maya in Flores only has two international routes (to Cancún and Mérida in Mexico) and is mainly useful if you’re heading straight to Tikal.
Do I need proof of onward travel to enter Guatemala?
Technically yes, but in my experience it wasn’t asked for. It’s still worth having it ready just in case.
Can I get a SIM card at Guatemala City Airport?
You can pick up a local SIM in the arrivals area, though you’ll have more choice and better prices in Antigua or the city. The main providers are Tigo and Claro.
I really like your articles because I learn new things even about places I’ve been to before. I’ll definitely be reading it more, especially since I have a travel blog myself. But I experienced something strange in Guatemala’s Airport. When I went to Guatemala it was with a group of 4, 2 couple to be precise. While going up to the counters where there’s a person that stamps your passport and lets you into the country, we were asked if we’ve ever been here before. We said No obviously. We were sent to a different section to sit and wait. This area had other people waiting as well. We were waiting to enter into a room with military looking personnel that were looking at your passports and asking questions. In my experience no one in Guatemala speaks English, there were some stuff that the staff just couldn’t understand or explain. Finally, I showed them my Canadian Visa and they just went, “AHHHH YESSS” and smiled, stamped all our passports and let all 4 of us in. Very weird experience.
How strange! So many strange things happen at border control that just cannot be understood!
Thank you for this info! I’m a solo girl traveling & am meeting friends at the airport from different flights before we shuttle to Antigua together – I arrive a few hours earlier than them- would the safest place to wait for them be the seating you mentioned after customs or is there a better area before customs? I wasn’t sure if I should wait inside the terminal for a bit before going through customs and waiting on the seats there. Ty!
Hey Nat! There’s not really a lot going on before or after customs, but there’s at least somewhere to sit after customs! I were you I’d go through and wait there 🙂
Hello thank you for all the great info! I have a question, when we arrive we will have a 3 hour wait before our shuttle arrives. Is it possible to exit customs and go into the departures side to have food, or do we have to exit the airport and wait at the Cafe Bareto where our shuttle will be meeting us?
Hi Tera,
When I was there, I didn’t see any way to get to the departures side so I’m not sure if it’s possible or not. Good luck, and have a great trip!
Okay, thank you for the response. And thank you! I am really looking forward to our trip. 🙂
What about hotels outside the GUA airport? I’m arriving at 12midnight and won’t meet up w/my tour group until the next day at noon. I’ve booked the In and Out Hotel, an 8min walk from the airport…is it safe to walk to this hotel in the middle of the night? Or should I arrange some transportation?
I would definitely arrange transportation! It sounds daft for an 8 minute walk, but personally I don’t think it’s safe to walk alone at night time. Enjoy your trip!!
I always opt out of body scans at airports in the US. I am traveling to Guatemala and would like to opt out of the scanner on my way back to the US. I do not speak Spanish however.
Do you think this will be frowned upon?
Hi! I don’t think you’ll have an issue as I don’t believe they use full body scanners. In all of the airports I went through in Central and South America, just metal detectors and spot testing was done. That was last year though so I suppose there is a chance that they have introduced full body scanners now, but I think it’s very unlikely. Happy travels!