How to safely travel from the airport to Antigua, Guatemala in 2021

If you’re headed to Antigua straight from the Guatemala City airport, we’ve got you covered. The list below outlines the safest and cheapest ways to make the trip, because it’s wise to have a plan in place before your plane touches down in the land of the Eternal Spring. 

Shared Shuttles ($9-20)

Shared vans are one of the cheapest ways to get to Antigua, clocking in at as little as $10. But affordability sometimes comes at the cost of comfort and convenience. Many of these shared vans or microbuses are older. Sometimes the air conditioning doesn’t work or isn’t used. Luggage is sometimes strapped to the top of the vehicle. And van drivers often don’t leave until they have a full load of people and luggage, so prepare for a wait and a snug ride. (Pro-tip: the driver may not speak much English, but ask or motion to see if you can snag the front seat.)

Don’t let these downsides deter you though. The ride is cheap and the company can be fun. 

So how do you book one of these shuttles? There are two options, and the first is more adventurous. If you want to wing it, you can arrive without a reserved seat and find a shuttle on the curb. Ask the driver if he’s going to Antigua and how much a seat costs. You may need to rough up on your Spanish for this or use Google translate on your phone.  

Note that individuals will likely approach you in the arrivals hall to ask if you need a ride to Antigua. You can check the cost (should be between $9-11), but don’t give them your money. Tell them you’d like to take the trip but you want to pay the driver directly (this protects you from scammers). They’ll take you to the curb where you pay the driver and load up.

The less adventurous route is to book one of these shuttles in advance. The key here is to press the shuttle provider for details on where to find your van when you arrive. Ask for details about the van color, the driver’s name, the license number, anything they can provide you. And make sure you have a customer service number as well so that if you land and can’t find your driver, you have someone to call. The airport isn’t huge, but it can feel a bit hectic.

Below are some of the best options for reserving a shuttle beforehand: 

GuateGo – These are $19 tickets with one of the better-known shuttle providers in Guatemala. They’re on the pricer end but probably are more reliable. 

CA Express – For $15 take one of those trendy buses with drinks and snacks for sale on board, along with power outlets, which all could be beneficial if you get into one of those three-hour traffic jams on the way to Antigua (CA Express seems to have limited operations during the pandemic, so contact them directly if you’re looking to book.)

Antigua Tours – These are $20 shared rides, or you can book private shuttles. 

Private Shuttles ($25-45)

If you’re not into confined spaces with nine of your closest friends from the airplane, a private shuttle is an alternative. This is a particularly appealing option for parties of five or more that can split the cost because most of the time, these will run you $40. The same providers linked to above can hook you up with a private van, which is something you should book beforehand. Often your hotel or hostel can also arrange shuttle transportation (if it’s a nice hotel they may have their own shuttle). Your Spanish school can also do this for you. For some of these options, you may be asked to bring cash with you to pay the driver directly. Double-check if you can pay in the local currency, Quetzales, or if the driver will take U.S. dollars (this is often the case). Nonetheless, it’s never a bad idea to exchange some USD or Euro into Quetzales at your home airport if possible, or in the Guatemala airport before leaving. And don’t forget, it’s always nice to tip the shuttle driver! (10% is reasonable.)

Uber/Taxi ($20-30 for Uber)

Taxis will likely be waiting at the arrivals curb, though locals have advised us to avoid them in general. Though some travelers do feel comfortable taking taxis directly from the airport to Antigua. 

Uber is a different story though and is considered quite safe in Guatemala. A trip to Antigua runs between $20-30, making the service a good middle ground for parties of two or three. (Pro-tip: If you don’t have an international data plan to connect you to Uber then you can buy a local sim card from Tigo at the airport to have data access right away–though don’t plan on that if you arrive ultra late.) 

Uber drivers don’t always speak English, which isn’t a problem unless your final address confuses the Uber app. Unfortunately this does happen in Guatemala. If you have a data plan you can Google nearby landmarks or serve as navigator if the final address is unclear once you reach Antigua. 

We should note: Safety is key. While you can trust most Uber drivers, you should always be on the lookout for fishy situations. Only hail an Uber from public places (the airport arrivals curb is fine) or stay inside until your Uber arrives and you can verify the license plate number. 

Chicken Bus ($2-4?)

Are you nostalgic for the old days of riding a yellow clunker to school every morning? Well in Guatemala you can experience the yellow school bus again–maybe the seat you carved your name into will still be there. 

When American school buses retire, many head south and become chicken buses, or “camionetas” en Español. They serve as a primary method of transportation for many Guatemalans, both in the city and outside of it.  The buses are so-named because sometimes, especially in rural regions, locals will board with a live chicken in tow. 

These buses are the cheapest link between the capital and Antigua, but they present a few considerations. For starters, you can’t pick them up at the airport. You’d have to find a ride to the Tikal Futuro or Trebol bus stations and then catch a route to Antigua. (Avoid for safety the red city buses if you’re trekking across town to these stations). Spanish will be helpful at the bus stations to determine which chicken buses go to Antigua and when to get off. 

The safety of chicken buses for tourists is in dispute.  We don’t recommend this more adventurous journey unless you have a high risk tolerance or a very low budget. And we don’t recommend taking a chicken bus outside of the Guatemala City-Antigua route unless you’ve spoken to locals about the safety of that trip. 

Renting a Car ($12-50/day)

You can rent a car from companies like Hertz, Enterprise, and Thrifty at the Guatemala Airport for $100 a week. But understand before you get behind the wheel that driving in Guatemala will feel more chaotic and hectic than driving in the United States and Europe, as driving behaviors and traffic enforcement differs and road conditions are generally poorer. Unless you’re comfortable with a more frenetic traffic environment and consider yourself a very strong defensive driver, renting a car should be avoided. Also keep in mind that some Spanish can be beneficial if you rent a car and end up in an accident.   

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