Guatemala offers an incredible blend of ancient Mayan ruins, colonial architecture, and stunning natural beauty. From the towering temples of Tikal to the cobblestone streets of Antigua and the serene waters of Lake Atitlán, this Central American gem captivates travelers with its rich culture, colorful markets, and warm hospitality.
- Public
- Transmetro BRT in Guatemala City is safe and cheap (Q1); chicken buses connect all towns cheaply but can be unsafe for tourists with luggage; tourist shuttles are the preferred option between major destinations
- Taxi
- Registered yellow taxis and Uber available in Guatemala City and Antigua; always negotiate price before entering yellow taxis or use Uber for transparent pricing; never hail informal taxis at night
- Rental
- Car rental useful for reaching remote areas like the highlands and Pacific coast; 4WD recommended; avoid driving at night due to poor road lighting and security; international companies offer better insurance
- Walking
- Antigua historic center is highly walkable within 30-minute radius; Lake Atitlán village centers walkable; Guatemala City Zona 10 walkable in daytime only
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Taxi to city center: $10-15 (15 minutes)
- Shuttle
- Uber to city center: $8-12 (15 minutes)
- Bus
- Transmetro bus: $1 (30 minutes, limited luggage space)
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Chicken buses (former US school buses) are cheap (Q1-5 / $0.13-0.65) but crowded and can be unsafe for tourists. Red Urbanos buses in Guatemala City are safer (Q1). Tourist shuttles between major destinations cost $10-30.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Yellow taxis in Guatemala City: Base fare Q10 ($1.30), approximately Q7-8 per km. Always negotiate price before entering or insist on meter. Registered taxi apps recommended for safety.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Chicken buses connect all towns (Q5-50 / $0.65-6.50) but uncomfortable for long distances and safety concerns. First-class buses like Pullman, Litegua, and ADN run between major cities with air conditioning (Q50-200 / $6.50-26). Tourist shuttles most popular for travelers: Antigua-Panajachel $25-30, Antigua-Guatemala City Airport $17-20.
Flights
Limited domestic flights. TAG Airlines operates Guatemala City to Flores route (approximately $100-150 one-way, 1 hour flight). Can save time compared to 8-10 hour bus journey.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
La Aurora International Airport
From centre: 6 km from Guatemala City center
Options: Taxi to city center: $10-15 (15 minutes); Uber to city center: $8-12 (15 minutes); Transmetro bus: $1 (30 minutes, limited luggage space); Shared shuttle to Antigua: $17-20 per person (1 hour); Private transfer to Antigua: $35-45 (1 hour)
Mundo Maya International Airport
From centre: 2 km from Flores/Santa Elena
Options: Taxi to Flores: $5-8 (10 minutes); Shuttle to Tikal: $10-15 per person (1 hour)
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Uber
Available in Guatemala City and Antigua. Most reliable and safest option for tourists. Standard Uber pricing applies; significantly safer than street taxis.
Cabify
Ride-hailing app available in Guatemala City as an Uber alternative. Similar pricing and safety standards. Useful when Uber surge pricing is active.
Google Maps
Works well for Guatemala City navigation; useful for finding Transmetro BRT routes; less reliable for rural areas and highland roads.
Maps.me (offline)
Download offline maps before arriving for use in areas with poor data connectivity, particularly useful in rural highland villages and Petén jungle areas.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Use Uber in Guatemala City and Antigua for safety and price transparency — significantly safer than hailing street taxis, especially at night
Tourist shuttles between major destinations (Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Chichicastenango, Flores) are worth the premium cost for comfort and safety; book through any hostel or travel agency
Chicken buses are authentic and very cheap (Q5-50) but can be crowded; keep valuables in a front bag not in overhead luggage racks where petty theft occurs
The La Aurora airport Uber pickup zone is outside the terminal — walk past taxis to the official Uber/rideshare area to avoid overcharging
Allow extra travel time for everything in Guatemala — traffic in Guatemala City, road construction, and altitude weather can all add hours to journeys
TAG Airlines offers Guatemala City to Flores flights for ~$100-150 one-way, saving 8 hours of bus travel to reach Tikal
Tourist shuttles to Chichicastenango only run on market days (Thursday and Sunday) — confirm your travel dates match market days