Flying to Guatemala: What You Need to Know
Before You Book Your Flight
One of the biggest questions we get is, "How do I get to Flores?" The good news is that traveling to Guatemala is surprisingly easy, especially with a little planning. If this is your first international trip, don't let it intimidate you. We promise it's much simpler than it sounds, and we're here to help along the way.
Most of our guests will fly into La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City before taking a short domestic flight to Flores (FRS), where our retreat begins. Several major U.S. airlines offer service into Guatemala City, including United, American, Delta, JetBlue, and Avianca. Depending on your departure city, you'll find a mix of nonstop and one-stop options. For many of our Texas guests, United offers a convenient nonstop flight from Houston (IAH) that takes approximately two hours, making it one of the quickest international flights you'll ever take.
When booking your flights, you'll likely see the option to purchase your international and domestic flights together or separately. Either option works, but if you're booking separate reservations, we highly recommend allowing yourself plenty of time between flights.
We highly recommend setting up a google flight tracker alert to update you by email when prices to Guatemala drop or go up!
What Happens When You Arrive in Guatemala City?
When your international flight lands in Guatemala City, you'll officially enter Guatemala before continuing to Flores.
Your arrival process will look something like this:
Clear immigration
Collect your checked luggage (if applicable)
Proceed through customs
Re-check your luggage if necessary
Head to the domestic departures area
Board your flight to Flores
Although the airport itself is relatively easy to navigate, immigration wait times can vary significantly depending on how many international flights arrive at once.
On one of our own trips, we spent nearly 2½ hours waiting to clear immigration and customs because several flights landed around the same time. Other travelers have reported being through in under an hour. Since there's simply no way to predict what your experience will be, we strongly recommend allowing at least four hours between your arrival into Guatemala City and your flight to Flores, especially if you're traveling on separate airline tickets.
If you're debating between a short connection and a longer one, we'd choose the longer connection every single time. Having extra time to grab lunch, enjoy a coffee, or simply relax at your gate is far better than beginning your vacation feeling rushed or worrying about missing your flight.
The best part? Once you've cleared immigration in Guatemala City, you're done. Your flight to Flores is a domestic flight, so when you land, you'll simply collect your luggage (if you checked one), walk outside, and begin your retreat.
Guatemala's Required Entry & Exit Form
Before entering and departing Guatemala, you'll need to complete the country's required online immigration declaration. The process is quick and generates a QR code that you'll present during your travels.
Click here for the link for Guatemala’s Entry & Exit Form(make sure you adjust the page language to English, in the top left corner.)
Don't worry - we'll send reminders as we get closer to the retreat, so you'll have everything you need before you leave home.
Why We Love Flores
Flores is a small, colorful island town connected to the mainland by a short causeway. It's incredibly walkable, full of lakeside restaurants, local shops, cafés, and beautiful sunsets over Lake Petén Itzá. Within just a few minutes of arriving, you'll understand why we chose this destination for our retreat.
Consider Bookending Your Retreat with Antigua
If your schedule allows, we can't recommend this enough.
Adding a night or two in Antigua Guatemala before or after the retreat is a wonderful way to experience another side of Guatemala. Known for its colorful colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, incredible restaurants, artisan markets, rooftop cafés, and stunning volcano views, Antigua is one of the country's most beloved destinations.
We've partnered withHotel Museo Spa Casa Santo Domingo, one of Antigua's most unique and magical hotels, to offer our guests a preferred room rate (reach out for details). The hotel also offers shuttle service to and from Guatemala City International Airport, making it an easy way to break up your travel days while experiencing one of Guatemala's most iconic cities.
One Last Tip
Book your flights as early as you're comfortable. Prices have been historically lower in August, and typically increase as travel dates get closer, and booking sooner gives you the best selection of schedules and seats.
As always, we're happy to share our own travel experiences and offer guidance along the way. However, each guest is responsible for selecting and booking their own airfare. Flight schedules, pricing, baggage policies, and airline procedures can change, so please verify all travel details directly with your airline before completing your reservation.
We can't wait to welcome you to Guatemala. Safe travels, and we'll see you in Flores!
