Guatemala City La Aurora Airport (GUA) Flights & Flight Status

La Aurora International Airport (GUA), the main airport of Guatemala City, Guatemala, is the gateway to this incredible Central American country. It is just 4 miles away from the downtown neighborhood of Guatemala City, known locally as La Capital. Traffic and lower road quality means that this short trek could actually take quite a while depending on the time of day you arrive in the city, though.

I have spent time traveling throughout Guatemala and almost fly into GUA. The capital city has just over 1 million people, and the small airport is very easy to navigate. It has just 2 terminals – Central and North. Central is for the majority of flights, while North typically serves shorter regional hops, often within Guatemala. It’s one of those great airports that’s not stressful at all, as everyone is rather relaxed.

Getting to and from the airport

Although there are multiple bus options, the schedules vary unpredictably so these do not present a reliable service option. My advice here is to avoid public transportation entirely and just take a taxi. There are many of them right outside the terminal – just walk straight out and you will find a taxi stand with official taxis.

It is very inexpensive to get downtown, but also for a longer ride. I’ve traveled straight from the airport to the coast to catch a boat, and even that hour-long journey was cheap. They provide a flat rate quote before you get into the car, so the meter does not need to run and you can’t be surprised or scammed.

Hotel shuttles also pick up here, by the taxis, too. These generally need to be arranged in advance, so confirm with your hotel ahead of time – these have been very useful to me when arriving in the middle of the night.

If you’re looking for an airport hotel, I recommend just going to the Hyatt Centric, Westin or Intercontinental downtown instead. They are easily reached and have pools to cool down and buffet breakfasts with the best fresh fruit.

Car rental at the airport

I have driven a car around Guatemala a few times, and it can be a great adventure. The navigation can be a little complicated, though, as there is often not great signage. But with a little Spanish language skill, I managed to find my way.

Note that roads can be washed out and in bad condition with potholes, so you should consider renting a vehicle that can handle these conditions. Nevertheless, the views and sites are amazing so it’s fantastic to be able to drive around, wherever you want to go.

There can still be safety concerns driving around Guatemala, even as tourism to the country as increasing, so exercise caution, especially if you’ll be alone. Nevertheless, car rental agencies at are found both in the arrivals area of the terminal and across the way in the parking area. Follow signs for car rentals and you’ll find Hertz, Avis, Budget, Dollar and more.

Lounge facilities

La Aurora International Airport has 2 VIP lounges, Casa del Ron Aeropuerto and Copa Club Lounge. I have spent a number of hours in the Copa lounge as a Star Alliance Gold member. Connecting to parts of the Caribbean, Central America and beyond, I have flown through here several times and had to wait to connect back to the US, spending those many hours in this lounge.

You’ll find the Copa Club Lounge in the north international area next to Gate 14. They have snacks, drinks and free Wi-Fi, plus you can sit and watch the planes coming and going on the tarmac.

If you love rum, you will want to spend your time at the airport at Ron Zacapa rum in the Casa del Ron lounge instead. Priority Pass is accepted. Rum lovers will appreciate that they pour the entire Ron Zacapa collection here – you can try flights or even cocktails made from this favorite local spirit, though free drinks are limited. You can buy bottles on your way out, too.

Amenities at the airport

There is complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the airport. It does not need a password – just connect and you can surf for as long as you need. If you need to do some shopping, there are a bunch of really interesting options in addition to the standard fare of luxury brands (including a new Ferragamo shop) and duty-free.

I love Arte y Folklore Galería, where you can buy handcrafts from local artisans, including leatherwork, textiles and bead work that is very beautiful. Guatemala is known for kites and that is one of the best souvenirs to purchase as a gift. They sell them after security at a few different handcraft stores.

If you need an ATM there are some both airside and landside. GUA also has a currency exchange counter, but the exchange rate is usually not great so I advise you to take local money out of the ATM rather than convert your own currency here. However, if you still need it, it is on the third floor of departures and also in the arrivals hall.

There is no full-service bank at the airport, and there is no luggage storage at this airport either. There is a full-service post office, though, along with a pharmacy and a number of travel agents, all in the arrivals area.

I have actually used the travel agents when I had trouble with my visa on arrival after entering by boat and they were extremely helpful – they called the consulate for me and helped me board my flight back home in time.

Food and drink at GUA

Although the airport was updated this century, it does not have a large selection of available concessions. Still, there are the big American brands, if you’re so inclined, like Pizza Hut, Subway and McDonald’s.

If you need coffee there is also a Starbucks at GUA, but Guatemalan coffee is some of the best, grown deep in the forests and up into the mountains, so my advice is to try one of the local coffee shops instead. There are a few before security and a number after. Cafe Barista and Cafe Baret are my favorites. I also always buy some coffee beans here to take home with me.

If you need a beer and some salty snacks, try Cervecería Gallo. There is a kiosk after security called Kiosko de Cervecería Gallo, and there you can buy beer and snacks to take home, along with draft beers for a drink at the airport. I have taken friends here after a long, hot drive out of the jungle, and it’s a great refresh before a flight.

If you’re hungry for something local, try Pollo Campero, a local grilled chicken restaurant located before security. If you want to try a great local dish, I recommend asking for mole de plátano, which is sweet plantains in mole sauce, or trying ocón, which is a chicken stew with green chile sauce. They are both utterly delicious and often available at the airport lounges, too.

Special attractions of the airport

There is something special very nearby that makes an excellent activity if you’re on a layover here, as long as you only have a light bag with you. La Aurora Zoo is next-door to the airport and can be reached with just 15 minutes of walking. There are more than 2000 animals here and this is a great way to pass the time if you’re into zoos or just need to get some open greenspace time.

Also worth noting is that this airport is very specifically engineered for people with disabilities and special needs, with wheelchair ramps, special doors and more accommodations throughout. Finally, in the arrivals hall is a friendly information desk – if you have kids, pets or any other special considerations (like medical first aid concerns), staff here are extremely helpful.