Travel to Guatemala
Flying to Guatemala
Guatemala's principal international gateway is La Aurora International Airport (GUA), approximately 6km (4 miles) south of central Guatemala City. Direct flights connect the capital with cities in the United States, Mexico, Central America, Panama, Colombia and Spain. Airlines serving Guatemala include Avianca, American Airlines, Copa Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Iberia, TAG Airlines and United Airlines, although routes and frequencies vary seasonally.
There are no direct flights from the United Kingdom. Common connecting points include Madrid, Miami, Houston, Atlanta, Mexico City, Panama City and San Salvador. Travellers changing planes in the United States must meet US entry or transit requirements, even if they do not leave the airport.
Mundo Maya International Airport (FRS), near Flores, is the main gateway to Tikal and northern Guatemala. It primarily receives domestic flights from Guatemala City, together with limited regional and international services.
Flight times:
From London to Guatemala City: between 15 and 18 hours (stopover).
From New York to Guatemala City: 5 hours (direct).
Travel by rail
There are no international passenger rail services to Guatemala. The country currently has no regular passenger railway.
Driving to Guatemala
Guatemala shares land borders with Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador. Principal crossings include Tecún Umán, El Carmen and La Mesilla on the Mexican border; Melchor de Mencos for Belize; El Florido and Agua Caliente for Honduras; and Pedro de Alvarado, Valle Nuevo and San Cristóbal for El Salvador.
International coaches and tourist shuttles connect Guatemala with southern Mexico, Belize, El Salvador and Honduras. Services operate to Guatemala City, Antigua and Flores, among other destinations. Guatemala City has no single central coach terminal, as operators use their own offices and departure points; passengers should check the precise location when booking.
Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua participate in the CA-4 border-control agreement. Many foreign visitors receive a single permitted period of stay covering all four countries rather than a separate allowance for each one.
Drivers entering Guatemala in a foreign-registered vehicle must carry a valid driving licence, vehicle registration documents and proof of ownership. Written authorisation is required if the driver does not own the vehicle, and a temporary vehicle import permit must be obtained at the border. Rental vehicles may not be taken across an international border without the hire company's prior written permission.
Complete immigration and customs formalities on both sides of the border and allow time for queues. Border opening hours can change, and travellers should aim to cross during daylight hours.
Getting to Guatemala by boat
Passenger boats operate between Punta Gorda in southern Belize and Lívingston or Puerto Barrios on Guatemala's Caribbean coast. Services may run only on selected days and schedules are liable to change, so travellers should confirm arrangements locally before setting out. Immigration formalities must be completed at the appropriate port.
There are no regular international passenger services to Guatemala's Pacific coast.
A less conventional route from Mexico crosses the Usumacinta River by boat between Frontera Corozal in Mexico and Bethel in Guatemala. The journey takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes and is commonly used by travellers journeying between Palenque and Flores or Tikal. Immigration formalities must be completed on both sides of the border.
Cruise ships:
Cruise ships call seasonally at Puerto Quetzal on the Pacific coast and Santo Tomás de Castilla on the Caribbean coast. Shore excursions commonly visit Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Maya archaeological sites and attractions around the Río Dulce, depending on the port and time available.
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