Getting There & Getting About

International Airports

• Guatemala City (GUA): 4 km from the city.
• Full list of airports in Guatemala with associated airport codes >

Internal Transport

There are over 380 airstrips in Guatemala, making air transport the most efficient mode of internal travel. There are daily flights from Guatemala City to El Petén and other scheduled flights to several towns. Private charter flights are also available.

Although Guatemala has an extensive road network, less than a third are all-weather, and are instead made of volcanic ash, making them extremely muddy during the rainy season (May to September). However, there are over 13,000 km (8,000 miles) of first- and second-class roads, with paved highways from Guatemala City to both the Atlantic and Pacific ports and to the principal towns in the interior. However, visitors should bear in mind that the road from the Belize border to El Cruce and from the El Salvador border to Cuilapa are major danger spots for bus and car-jacking. Similar incidents have also occurred on the main Pan-American Highway near Solola. Car hire is available in Guatemala City.

There is a network of regular bus services between major towns; although services are cheap, they are often crowded and road accidents are common. There are also regular buses along the Caribbean Highway from Guatemala City, Rio Dulce and Morales to Puerto Barrios. Travellers should bear in mind that the Guatemala City Council does not permit inter-urban buses to enter the city centre; passengers are dropped at various points on the outskirts.

Guatemala City and major towns have limited, but cheap and regular, urban bus services. Taxis are also available; fares tend to be flat rate for short or long runs within the city. A 5-10% tip is discretionary.