North America > 🇬🇹 Guatemala
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Guatemala can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Guatemala; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Guatemala?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Guatemala?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏙️ Main Cities in Guatemala
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Guatemala City | GUA |
Should You Rent a Car in Guatemala? 🚗🌋
Guatemala is a country of vivid contrasts — colonial towns like Antigua, Mayan ruins hidden in the jungle, and volcanic lakes surrounded by colourful villages. Travellers often ask: should you rent a car in Guatemala? The answer depends on your plans, driving confidence, and appetite for adventure. While car hire gives you freedom, it also means navigating unpredictable traffic, mountain roads, and rural security concerns.
🚶 When You Don’t Need a Car
If you plan to stick to the classic tourist route — Antigua, Lake Atitlán, and Tikal — you’ll find excellent shared shuttles and organised tours that connect the main destinations. These are comfortable, safe, and stress-free.
| Destination | Why a Car Isn’t Needed | Best Transport Option |
|---|---|---|
| Antigua | Compact and walkable colonial town | On foot or tuk-tuk |
| Lake Atitlán | Boat transfers between villages | Water taxis and shuttles |
| Tikal | Remote but well-served by tours | Organised day trips from Flores |
| Guatemala City | Heavy traffic and confusing layout | Taxi or private driver |
➡ Best for: First-time visitors who want convenience, safety, and local guidance.
🚗 When Renting a Car Is the Best Option
If you enjoy flexibility, have driving experience in developing countries, and want to explore off the beaten path — a rental car opens up Guatemala’s highlands, volcano routes, and little-known archaeological sites.
| Benefit | What You Can Explore |
|---|---|
| Scenic freedom | Mountain drives and remote lakes |
| Cultural access | Indigenous villages and markets |
| Adventure travel | Volcanoes, coffee farms, and caves |
| Flexibility | Create your own schedule |
🗺️ Suggested Self-Drive Routes
| Route | Highlights | Vehicle Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Guatemala City → Antigua → Lake Atitlán | Culture, scenery, easy roads | Any car |
| Antigua → Chichicastenango → Quetzaltenango | Markets and Mayan culture | Compact SUV |
| Guatemala City → Cobán → Semuc Champey | Limestone pools and caves | 4×4 recommended |
| Flores → Tikal → Uaxactún | Jungle ruins and wildlife | 4×4 recommended |
Tikal in Film
Tikal’s most famous film appearance is in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), where its towering Mayan temples stood in for the rebel base on Yavin 4. George Lucas filmed aerial shots above the Guatemalan jungle, capturing the mist rising from the ancient ruins — an image now iconic in cinema history.
In contrast, Moonraker (1979) took considerable geographical liberties. Although Roger Moore’s James Bond never actually set foot in Guatemala, the film’s Amazon jungle sequences were clearly inspired by Tikal’s pyramids and temples. In one particularly implausible sequence, Bond escapes by speedboat over the Iguazu Falls — which lie on the Brazil–Argentina border — only to emerge moments later walking through dense jungle and arriving, improbably, at what appears to be a Mayan temple complex thousands of kilometres away in Guatemala.
🚦Driving in Guatemala – What to Expect
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Drive on the right-hand side.
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Roads between major cities are paved but winding through mountain regions.
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Night driving is discouraged due to poor lighting and unexpected hazards.
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Police checkpoints are common but routine; be polite and show documentation.
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GPS works well, though offline maps are wise in rural zones.
Car hire is available in Guatemala City and Antigua, with companies like Hertz, Avis, and local agencies offering 4×4 options for rural travel.
🚕 Alternatives to Renting a Car
| Transport Type | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shuttle vans | Tourist routes | Inexpensive, reliable, pre-bookable |
| Private drivers | Multi-stop itineraries | Flexible, safer for long trips |
| Long-distance buses | Local experience | Cheap but less comfortable |
| Domestic flights | Far distances (e.g. Tikal) | Quick but pricier |
🛩️ Domestic Flights in Guatemala
Yes — there are internal flights in Guatemala, though not many. They’re mainly used for longer distances that would otherwise take 8–10 hours by road.
The main routes are:
| Route | Airline | Flight Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guatemala City (GUA) → Flores (FRS) | TAG Airlines | 1 hour | Used for visiting Tikal; saves 8–10 hrs by road |
| Guatemala City → Puerto Barrios | TAG Airlines | ~1 hour | Gateway to the Caribbean coast and Livingston |
| Guatemala City → Huehuetenango | Occasional charter | 45 mins | Access to the Western Highlands (less frequent) |
Most travellers use TAG Airlines, a reliable local carrier that runs small planes from La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City.
🚗 Driving Distances and Day Trips from Guatemala City
Guatemala is fairly compact, but the roads are mountainous and winding, so journey times are longer than they look on a map. Still, there are fantastic day or overnight trips you can do without needing to fly.
🌎 Cross-Border Car Hire: What You Need to Know
Travellers often wonder if they can take their Guatemalan rental car into Belize, Mexico, El Salvador, or Honduras. The short answer is that most car hire companies do not automatically allow cross-border travel, but in some cases it can be arranged with prior permission.
🚫 Standard Restrictions
Most international rental firms such as Avis, Hertz, and Budget prohibit crossing borders without advance notice. Their insurance coverage usually doesn’t extend outside Guatemala, and customs rules vary between neighbouring countries. Attempting to cross without authorisation can lead to fines or vehicle impoundment.
🧾 When It’s Possible
If you contact the rental company in advance, you may be granted permission to cross into El Salvador or Honduras.
They will prepare a Carta de Autorización (authorisation letter) and may require you to buy temporary insurance for the destination country.
Allow at least 72 hours’ notice for paperwork, and keep printed copies for all border stops.
| Country | Cross-Border Policy | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Belize | Rarely allowed | Border paperwork complex |
| Mexico | Not permitted | Strict import regulations |
| El Salvador | Sometimes allowed | Needs written approval |
| Honduras | Sometimes allowed | Extra insurance required |
✅ Best Alternative
For multi-country trips, it’s easier to return your rental car at the Guatemalan border, cross on foot or by shuttle, and then hire another car on the other side.
This avoids delays, fees, and insurance complications while still allowing a seamless journey through Central America.
🧭 Conclusion
Renting a car in Guatemala can be a rewarding adventure, offering total freedom to explore beyond the tourist map. However, for most visitors, shared transport or private transfers are more practical and less stressful. If you’re confident behind the wheel and eager to see the country’s hidden gems, a 4×4 rental can transform your trip into a genuine road adventure through Central America’s heart.
