Traveling by Airplane is usually done in Guatemala mostly for international travel. Local flights are usually overpriced and not a viable option for traveling, even between Central American Countries where it costs the same to travel to Miami (1000 miles) than to El Salvador (120 miles) or Costa Rica (500 miles), and only a little less to Tikal (160 miles).

International Airports

La Aurora International Airport (GUA)

This in Guatemala’s major airport. It was completely refurbished and re inaugurated during President Berger government. Unlucky for Guatemalans and international travelers, work was never finished and it is now administered by half brain missing people. It has big LCD screens, showing only commercials, and making it almost impossible to get information for arriving flights. A similar situation is found for departing flights, were only travelers can get into the airport, the only way to say goodbye is in the car. Parking entrances are located before places for pickup and drop offs, so you will have to plan ahead.

Inside the are good coffee shops, McDonald’s, Pollo Campero, and duty free stores, specially good for buying Ron Zacapa Centenario, our prime rum, if you can at least stand rum, try it, it is great.

The airport is conveniently located in the middle of the city, without traffic at only 5 minutes for the hotel area, and less than an hour from Antigua Guatemala. Here you can get flights from many US Airlines, and from other places. El Salvador’s airline TACA is a better option than most US airlines for traveling to Central America and the US, but airplane tickets are stupidly expensive, making traveling by bus, many time the only viable option for traveling inside Guatemala and Central America.

Airport code IATA: GUA; ICAO: MGGT.

Mundo Maya International Airport (FRS)

This airport is the one located in Santa Elena, minutes away form Flores Peten. From here you can drive to Tikal or Yaxha in about an hour.

Airport codeo IATA: FRS; ICAO: MGTK