Welcome to the Land of Eternal Spring: Airport Experience

Photo credit: @lydia_matzal

Traveling to a new place is one of the most exciting things! There’s nothing quite like exploring new lands, experiencing new cultures, tasting new cuisines, and encountering another way of life. We’re all about travel at Naturally Smart Travel, especially sustainable travel! 

While catching flights is fun, it’s also tiring! It can take a lot of physical, mental, and emotional effort to arrive in a new destination. After all the logistics, anticipation, and travel, it’s normal to feel a little loopy when touching down! Once you land and navigate the airport, getting to your accommodations might be a bit tricky, especially if you’re running on low battery. But have no fear, we’re here to help you prepare for your trip!

We want to make sure that your arrival to Guatemala goes as smoothly as possible, so we created this post to help. Discover important information and insider tips to ensure a smooth airport experience. Keep reading to learn about what to expect when landing in the Land of the Eternal Spring! 

Pre-Travel Tips for Guatemala

• Visa Requirements

  Luckily, visas are not required for many nationalities! Upon entry in Guatemala, tourist visas will be given for up to 90-day stays. However, some countries that require visas. For more information check Guatemala’s official government website.

  Citizens from the US, European Union, Canada, Australia, Israel, New Zealand, Japan and Switzerland, only need a passport that’s valid for at least 3 to 6 months past their intended length of stay. Alongside a valid passport, proof of onward travel or a return ticket is required.

  Visas are received at Customs, upon arrival processing, and are valid for up to 90 days of entry. Visa extensions can be arranged through the local immigration office.

• Vaccinations

  • For the most current vaccination information, check the CDC and NHS.

  • Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations recommended.

  • If arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever, proof of vaccination is required.

  • In Guatemala, there is still a risk of contracting Zika virus, so if currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant within six months of your visit, it’s advised to wait for a more agreeable time.

Guatemala’s Main Airport

• La Aurora International Airport -  Located in Guatemala City, this is the main airport travelers fly into. There are smaller airports like Flores that are popular for flying to Tikal or Petén.

Photo credit: @eminent_lugagge

Arrival Tips for Your Trip to Guatemala

You’ve arrived! Welcome to Guatemala. 

Before you leave the airport, there are a few important steps you’ll take.

• Arrival and Immigration 

After you exit the airplane, you'll go through immigration control. In order to make this process as smooth as possible, be sure to have your passport ready, as well as any other necessary documentation. 

• Note: Lines and wait times will vary depending on the time of day.

• Baggage Claim 

After clearing immigration, you’ll head to baggage claim. Keep an eye on the monitors for your flight information to find the right carousel.

• Customs 

After collecting your luggage, you'll then pass through customs. And, you’ll be asked to declare any items that you’re bringing into the country. 

It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with customs regulations beforehand. You can find out more important travel information here.  

• Transportation 

Once you exit the airport, you’ll find options for transportation. This includes taxis and shuttle services. It's recommended to use authorized taxi services or pre-arranged transport for safety.

• When you join us for a tour, we provide secure transportation that’ll be waiting for you at the airport!

• Zones 4, 9, and 10 are closer to the airport and considered the more tourists-friendly. This is where you’ll find the most hotels, fine dining, gastropubs, and higher-end shopping.

• Amenities 

At the airport, you’ll find basic amenities like restaurants, shops, and currency exchange. However, it may not be quite as extensive as you’d see in larger international airports.

• Traveling with cash is a good idea. For better exchange rates, we recommend withdrawing from an ATM or exchanging currency at a bank away from the airport.

Getting Ready To Return Home

• Security Check Point 

After a great trip to Guatemala, you’ll return to the airport, and get ready to return home. Security checks are in place, so be prepared for bag inspections and to remove items like laptops and liquids.

Safety Tips

• Keep a written or printed list of important numbers and addresses. This way you’ll have back up details in case the internet isn’t working and you can’t access your email, or if you happen to get separated from your phone. 

• For more information concerning safety, please refer to the travel advisory page from your embassy.

• The most important bit of information you’ll receive concerning safety is to remain mindful, meaning you should always be aware of your belongings at all times, no matter where you are!

• It’s wise to always take reasonable precautions. This means walking in pairs after dark, avoiding all dark allies and dimly lit roads, and keeping all valuables concealed.

Photo Credit: @sakgraphy

General Tips for Travel to Guatemala 

• Practice Patience

Having patience is always a good idea! But, it’s especially important to be flexible during peak travel times.

• Language 

While some staff speak English, Spanish is the primary language, so knowing a few basic phrases can be helpful. 

You can always take an intensive Spanish course while in Guatemala. And, while you’re preparing for your trip, there are plenty of online resources to help you brush up on basic language skills like Duolingo. Check out our blog on Spanish basics.

• Money Exchange

  The currency in Guatemala is the quetzal, indicated as Q. Quetzal bills come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200. Coins are available in denominations of 1, 5, 10 , 25, and 50 centavos. Guatemala is an easily accessible, inexpensive travel destination.

• Personal Items

While traveling, it’s important to be aware of your possessions. Keep your wallet and passport close to you or in the safety of your room.

It’s always a good idea to make copies of all your important documents and travel information. In case you need to carry identification with you, having a paper copy instead of the actual documents is a smart tip. 

• Share Your Travel Details

Make sure that you share all your travel information with someone from home! 

This way your loved ones have a general idea of where you’ll be in case they can’t get in touch with you. It’s also a good back up if you happen to lose details along the way.

Thanks for Reading Our Guide to the Airport Experience in Guatemala

We hope this blog helped to answer any questions that you may have had about traveling to Guatemala. We know that landing in a new place is always an exciting, and sometimes, an overwhelming transition. 

When you join us on a tour, we take care of all the details from arrival to departure. You can sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride! And if you have any questions, feel free to reach out!

Safe travels, friends!