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Airport Transportation

La Aurora International Airport

Also known as: Guatemala City Airport, La Aurora Airport, GUA Airport, Aeropuerto La Aurora.

GUA · MGGT · Guatemala City

Airport facts

Name
La Aurora International Airport
IATA code
GUA
ICAO code
MGGT
City
Guatemala City
Country
Guatemala
Coordinates
14.5829, -90.5275
Time zone
America/Guatemala
Terminals
One passenger terminal with 22 gates for international and domestic flights

About La Aurora International Airport

La Aurora International Airport (GUA) serves Guatemala City, the capital of Guatemala, and is the country's main entry point for international flights.

Airlines here connect Guatemala with the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Colombia and the Caribbean. United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Frontier Airlines and Alaska Airlines fly to US cities including Houston, Miami, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Newark and Fort Lauderdale. Avianca, Copa Airlines, Volaris, Aeroméxico, Wingo and Arajet link the airport with Bogotá, Panama City, San José, Mexico City, Cancún and Santo Domingo, and Iberia flies to Madrid. TAG Airlines and Avianca handle domestic flights to Flores, the gateway to Tikal, along with regional routes.

All flights use one passenger terminal with 22 boarding gates and a single runway.

The airport sits in Zone 13, about 6.4 km (4 miles) south of Guatemala City's center, so it is inside the city rather than on its outskirts. Antigua Guatemala lies about 40 km (25 miles) away by road, and traffic in the capital can stretch that drive considerably.

From the airport, most travelers head into Guatemala City or on to Antigua Guatemala, Lake Atitlán and Flores.

Airport operator, runways and traffic

Operator

Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC), Guatemala's civil aviation authority

Passengers per year

About 4.9 million in 2024

Runway

One runway, 02/20, 2,987 m (9,800 ft)

Location

Zone 13, about 6.4 km south of Guatemala City's center

Current terminal

Built 1966–1968 and remodeled in 2005

Arrival tips for La Aurora International Airport

Before you fly, fill in Guatemala's free electronic traveler declaration (Declaración Jurada Regional de Viajero) on the SAT website or app; customs agents ask for its QR code after baggage claim, and paper forms are only used if the system is down.

The terminal is small and easy to follow. Immigration comes first, then baggage claim and customs. A currency exchange desk, a phone SIM kiosk and the recommended ATM are before customs, so use them before you leave the secure area.

The arrivals hall has car rental, information and taxi and shuttle kiosks. Pickup points and the official taxi rank are right outside the two main exits, where pre-booked drivers wait with name signs. Official taxis are white and paid at the kiosk inside; Uber drivers usually meet you on the second road outside. Ignore drivers who approach you unasked outside the building, and note that transport options thin out late in the evening.

Guatemala City sits at about 1,500 meters, so days are mild and nights can be cool. The country uses Central Standard Time (UTC−6) with no daylight saving, and the currency is the Guatemalan quetzal.

Ground transportation

Most travelers use an official airport taxi or a pre-arranged transfer, especially when heading to Antigua.

  • Taxi from Guatemala City airport

    White official taxis wait at the rank outside the arrivals exits; you pay at the kiosk in the arrivals hall and agree a fixed fare rather than a meter. It is the simplest option at night, when other choices are limited.

  • Rideshare

    Uber operates at the airport, with drivers usually meeting passengers on the second road outside the terminal rather than at the taxi lane. Fares rise sharply at rush hour.

  • Shared shuttle to Antigua

    On-demand shared shuttles are sold at kiosks in arrivals, and pre-booked shuttles run on fixed timetables from a set pickup point. Walk-up shuttles leave only when full and do not run late at night, and fixed-time shuttles may not wait for delayed flights.

  • Private transfer

    A pre-booked driver meets you outside arrivals with a name sign and takes you straight to your hotel in Guatemala City or Antigua. The road to Antigua takes about 1 to 3 hours depending on traffic.

  • Public bus

    There is no direct bus from the terminal; chicken buses to Antigua leave from the El Trébol intersection in Zone 8. With luggage it is not a practical choice on arrival.

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Terminals

Main Terminal

Handles all international and domestic passenger flights. Taxi ranks and pickup points are right outside the two main arrivals exits.

Airlines and destinations

The main airlines at La Aurora International Airport.

Aeroméxico Main Terminal

Mexico City

Airline guide

Air Canada Main Terminal

Montreal, Toronto

Airline guide

Alaska Airlines Main Terminal

Los Angeles

Airline guide

American Airlines Main Terminal

Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, Chicago (seasonal)

Airline guide

Arajet Main Terminal

Santo Domingo, Punta Cana (seasonal)

Avianca Main Terminal

Bogotá, Cancún, Chicago, Flores, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, San José, San Salvador, Washington

Airline guide

Copa Airlines Main Terminal

Panama City, San José, Managua

Airline guide

Delta Air Lines Main Terminal

Atlanta

Airline guide

Frontier Airlines Main Terminal

Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando

Airline guide

Iberia Main Terminal

Madrid (via San Salvador)

Airline guide

JetBlue Main Terminal

Fort Lauderdale

Airline guide

TAG Airlines Main Terminal

Flores, Puerto Barrios, Belize City, Roatán, San Pedro Sula, San Salvador

Airline guide

United Airlines Main Terminal

Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, Washington (seasonal)

Airline guide

Volaris Main Terminal

Cancún, Guadalajara, Los Angeles, Mexico City

Airline guide

Wingo Main Terminal

Bogotá, Medellín

Airline guide

Frequently asked questions

How far is La Aurora airport from Guatemala City center?

La Aurora International Airport is about 6.4 km (4 miles) south of Guatemala City's historic center, in Zone 13. Because it sits inside the city, the drive is short in distance, but traffic in the capital can make it slow at rush hour, so allow extra time when heading to or from the airport.

Is Guatemala City airport inside the city?

Yes. La Aurora International Airport sits within Guatemala City, in Zone 13, roughly 6 km south of the historic center. It is surrounded by urban neighborhoods, which makes it quick to reach most parts of the capital, though congestion on city roads can still add time to the trip.

How many terminals does La Aurora International Airport have?

La Aurora has one passenger terminal with 22 boarding gates. All international and domestic flights use this building, so there is no need to change terminals between flights. Arrivals, baggage claim and customs are compact and easy to follow, and the taxi rank and pickup points are right outside the main exits.

Which airlines fly into Guatemala City airport?

United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Frontier Airlines and Alaska Airlines fly from the United States. Avianca, Copa Airlines, Volaris, Aeroméxico, Wingo, Arajet, Air Canada and Iberia cover Latin America, Canada and Spain, and TAG Airlines and Avianca fly domestic routes to Flores. All of them use the single passenger terminal.

Are there official taxis at Guatemala City airport?

Yes. White official airport taxis wait at a rank outside the arrivals exits. You arrange and pay for the ride at the taxi kiosk inside the arrivals hall, agreeing a fixed fare for your destination rather than using a meter. Avoid unofficial drivers who approach you outside the terminal, particularly late in the evening.

Is there public transport from La Aurora airport?

There is no direct public bus from the terminal. Travelers going to Antigua by chicken bus must first get to the El Trébol intersection in Zone 8, either by taxi or a long walk with luggage. Most arriving visitors instead use official taxis, rideshare, shared shuttles or a pre-arranged transfer.

Does Uber work at Guatemala City airport?

Yes, Uber operates at La Aurora International Airport. Drivers usually pick passengers up on the second road outside the terminal rather than on the inner lane used by taxis and shuttles. Check the plate and car before getting in, and expect higher fares during the city's morning and evening rush hours.

Do I need to fill out a form to enter Guatemala?

Yes. Every traveler arriving by air must complete Guatemala's electronic traveler declaration, the Declaración Jurada Regional de Viajero, through the SAT website or app. It is free and generates a QR code that customs agents ask for after baggage claim. Paper forms are used only when the system is down. Check visa rules for your nationality separately.

How do I get from Guatemala City airport to Antigua?

Antigua Guatemala is about 40 km (25 miles) from La Aurora, and the drive takes roughly 1 to 3 hours depending on traffic. Options include official taxis, Uber, walk-up or pre-booked shared shuttles from the arrivals area, and private transfers. There is no direct bus from the terminal, and shuttles stop running late at night.

How do I get to Flores and Tikal from Guatemala City airport?

Flores, the usual base for visiting Tikal, is reached by domestic flight from La Aurora. Avianca and TAG Airlines both fly the route from the same passenger terminal used by international flights. Flores was the airport's busiest domestic destination in 2024, with about 350,000 passengers on the route that year.

What time zone and currency does Guatemala use?

Guatemala uses Central Standard Time (UTC−6) all year and does not observe daylight saving time. The currency is the Guatemalan quetzal. US dollars are sometimes accepted by drivers, but the exchange rate may not be fair, so it helps to withdraw or exchange some quetzales at the airport before leaving the secure area.

What is the weather like when you land in Guatemala City?

Guatemala City sits at about 1,500 meters above sea level, so it is generally mild rather than hot. Days are usually comfortable, and evenings and early mornings can feel cool, so a light layer is useful on arrival. Antigua, at a similar altitude, has much the same climate.

Who runs La Aurora International Airport and how busy is it?

La Aurora is run by the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC), Guatemala's civil aviation authority, under the Ministry of Communications, Infrastructure and Housing. The airport handled about 4.9 million passengers in 2024, up from about 4.3 million in 2023, using one terminal and a single 2,987-meter runway.

Why book with Airport Transportation?

We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.

Is the transportation private or shared?

Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.

Are prices per person or per vehicle?

Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.

How many people can a van carry?

Regular vans carry up to 9 passengers, semi-buses up to 16, and luxury SUVs up to 6 passengers.

How do I find you at the airport?

Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.

What kind of vehicles do you use?

Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.

Do you have insurance?

Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.

Do you provide baby seats?

Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.

How far in advance should I book?

You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.

What payment methods are accepted?

PayPal is our main payment method; a cash option is also available when booking through our website. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.

Do vehicles have air conditioning?

Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.

What if my flight is delayed?

During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.

Can I make stops during my ride?

Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.

Do children pay differently than adults?

No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.

Is my reservation refundable?

Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.

Do drivers speak English?

Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.

Are tips mandatory?

Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.

What currencies are accepted?

All prices are in USD. Via PayPal you can pay in almost any currency; cash payments accept USD only.

Are pets allowed?

We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.

Is there room for luggage?

Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.

What is included in the price?

Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.

Book a transfer from GUA