Guatemala is a major destination for short-term mission, medical and building teams, with plenty of flights from US hubs. These notes cover timing, baggage and getting from the airport safely.
Guatemala at a glance
- Main international gateway: La Aurora International Airport (GUA), Guatemala City.
- Busiest fare periods: June to August, spring break, and Holy Week (Semana Santa).
- Often better-value periods: September to November, and January to February.
- Rainy season: roughly May to October.
When to fly
Church mission teams fill flights from June to August, and spring break and Holy Week are also busy. Antigua Guatemala sees extreme demand for hotels and flights in Holy Week. September to November and January to February are often better value.
The rainy season runs roughly from May to October, with heavier rain in the afternoons and on mountain roads. Teams working outdoors may want the drier months, even though they cost more.
Routings and baggage
American, Delta, United, Avianca and Volaris are among the airlines with non-stop service from US cities to Guatemala City. Schedules change, so confirm current routes.
Low-cost airlines enforce tight size and weight limits and charge for extra bags. Teams traveling with heavy donation boxes often find that network airlines, such as American, Delta and United, offer clearer pre-paid extra-bag rates. Check the exact fare, and ask us before you pack.
Airports and getting around
La Aurora (GUA) is in Guatemala City. Most groups arrange a private shuttle van through their host organization for onward trips, for example to Antigua, Lake Atitlán or Quetzaltenango. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber operate in Guatemala City and Antigua.
Public “chicken buses”, converted school buses, are widely avoided by mission groups because of safety and accident risks. Check your government’s travel advisory for the regions you will visit, as advice differs by area, and follow your host’s guidance on road travel and timing.
Before you go
Check passport validity and Guatemala’s current entry rules for every traveler through the official government source, and confirm the rules for each nationality in your group.
Health: the CDC lists malaria risk in some lowland and rural areas, while Guatemala City, Antigua and the highlands around Lake Atitlán are generally lower risk. Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines are commonly recommended. A yellow fever certificate is not normally needed for travel from the US. See the CDC page for Guatemala for current notices. Book a travel clinic visit four to six weeks before departure, because some vaccine courses take time.
Safety: read your government’s travel advisory for the regions you will visit, and follow your host’s advice on routes and timing.
Health notes below reflect the CDC’s Travelers’ Health pages as we last checked them (October 2026). Notices and outbreak levels change quickly, so read the current page before you book vaccines.
Last reviewed: October 27, 2026. Airline routes, schedules, baggage rules and entry requirements change, so your specialist confirms the current options when they quote your trip.
Planning a trip? See our Guatemala flights page, our mission travel page, or send us your dates for a quote.
Questions, answered.
When do flights to Guatemala get busiest?
June to August, when many church mission teams travel, spring break in March or April, and Holy Week. September to November and January to February are often better value.
Which airline is best for teams carrying donations?
Network airlines such as American, Delta and United usually have clearer pre-paid extra-bag rates than low-cost carriers, which tend to enforce tight size and weight limits.
How do teams usually travel from the airport?
Most arrange a private shuttle through their host organization, for example to Antigua, Lake Atitlán or Quetzaltenango, and avoid public “chicken buses”.
