Tips for travelling to Guatemala
The best way of travelling to Guatemala is usually to fly via one of the big US airport hubs, but you do have other options. Here’s the low-down on how to get there from wherever you are.
What’s the easiest way of travelling to Guatemala?
The mountainous terrain of Guatemala makes flying the simplest option for visiting the country. The major international airport is La Aurora, just a few kilometres from the centre of the capital, Guatemala City.
La Aurore is connected by major airlines to several of one of the big hubs in the USA, including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Chicago, New York and Atlanta, as well several airports in Florida and Texas.
You can also get direct flights from Mexico City and Cancun in Mexico, and from all of the Central American countries. Panama City and San Salvador offer the most frequent services.
Getting to Guatemala from South America is slightly harder, as the only regular route is to and from Bogota in Colombia. The only direct flights from Europe are direct from Madrid on a seasonal basis.
Guatemala’s airports
La Aurora is Central America fourth biggest airport and is by far the largest in Guatemala.
The only other airport with any regular international flights is the much smaller Mundo Maya airport, which serves the twin cities of Flores and Santa Elena in the north. It has some flights to and from Belize, but mainly caters to domestic flights.
You can travel to Guatemala overland
If you want or need to get to Guatemala overland then you will be going by road, because the country does not have a functioning rail network.
Long-distance buses offer a way of travelling to Guatemala from the major cities in Central America and Mexico. You can also drive yourself but remember to have the vehicle’s registration papers and your original driver’s licence.
Avoid driving at night and stick to the main highways and be ready for hazardous driving conditions even during the daytime.
Visa and customs
Tourism is very important for the Guatemalan economy, contributing around 7% of the country’s GDP, so getting a visa is straightforward for most travellers.
Guatemala allows citizens of more than 85 nations to visit the country without a visa, as this encourages tourists. The agreement covers the USA and Canada, all the European Union members, Central America and most of South America.
Ensure you don’t bring in any plants, plant products, milk or milk products, as these are not allowed under Guatemalan custom regulations.
Safety and security
When it comes to your safety and security, always check the latest updates before travelling to Guatemala.
Your country may have official guidance about Guatemala, and if not then Britain’s Foreign Office maintains a highly detailed and up-to date assessment.
For most people, flying is the easiest way to travel Guatemala and you can usually find a route which suits you. Just make sure you have the right documents and try to plan ahead.
