โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
30
minutes
Domestic โ International
60
minutes
Interline Connections
90
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Paso Caballos Airport (PCG) is a remote domestic airstrip located in the Petรฉn Department of northern Guatemala, primarily serving the village of Paso Caballos and the nearby Laguna del Tigre National Park. The facility functions as a basic regional landing ground and does not feature a formal commercial passenger terminal building. It acts as a critical link for conservation efforts, government missions, and private charters heading to the El Perรบ-Waka' archaeological site.
Facilities at the airstrip are extremely limited, reflecting its role as a minor rural airfield. There are no on-site commercial amenities such as retail shops, restaurants, or passenger lounges, and the environment is designed for essential transit only. Travelers and pilots are advised to be completely self-sufficient, as the facility is typically unattended by permanent staff and lacks standard airport services found at larger hubs like Mundo Maya International.
The airfield features a single unpaved runway and is situated on the banks of the San Pedro River. Operations are restricted to daylight hours under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), and access to the airstrip is often managed via unpaved roads or by riverboat. While there is no scheduled commercial airline service at PCG, ground transportation to central Paso Caballos is informal, typically requiring visitors to arrange private pickups through local community networks or conservation organizations.
๐ Connection Tips
Paso Caballos Airport (PCG) is a remote regional airstrip serving the community of Paso Caballos in the Petรฉn department of Guatemala. Ground transport into the village center consists of local private hires or motorized river boats navigating the nearby river systems. Security is a concern in this remote border region; ensure you have confirmed your security protocol before arrival
It primarily handles humanitarian flights (UN/NGO) and small government charters. Travelers must be 100% self-sufficient and carry all food, water, and medical supplies That leaves the strip closer to an aid staging point than a passenger airport, which is why every arrival needs supplies, water, and a departure plan already in place.
There is currently NO regular scheduled commercial civilian passenger service A significant tip: the airport is a gateway for exploring the Laguna del Tigre National Park; coordinate all 4WD or boat transfers through your tour operator weeks in advance. Once you leave the strip, the day is governed by access, supplies, and wildlife logistics rather than by normal airport services. The operator, boat, and 4WD transfer should all be confirmed before the flight. A boat, 4WD, and operator pickup should all be confirmed before the flight lands in Petรฉn.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
60
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Chiquimula Airport (CIQ), also known by its ICAO code MGCH, is a significant regional aviation facility located approximately 3 kilometers north of the city of Chiquimula in eastern Guatemala. Serving as the primary aerial gateway for the 'La Perla del Oriente' (The Pearl of the East), the airport acts as a critical link for the region's prominent agricultural, commercial, and religious tourism sectors. The facility is situated at an elevation of 1,122 feet in a fertile valley surrounded by the rugged peaks of the Sierra de las Minas.
The airport features a modest and functional single-story passenger terminal building designed to support the needs of regional and private aviation. Facilities are streamlined, focusing on the essentials such as a basic sheltered waiting hall, check-in desks for charter operators, and restrooms. The airfield consists of a single 880-meter asphalt runway (02/20) that is optimized for light aircraft and small turboprops. While it lacks the extensive commercial amenities of larger hubs, the facility provides a clean and efficient environment for travelers looking to bypass the often-congested CA10 highway. Ground transportation is typically arranged via local taxis or motorcycle taxis that connect the airfield directly to the central park of Chiquimula.
Currently, Chiquimula Airport primarily handles private charters, air taxi operations, and essential government services. It plays a fundamental role in the region's cultural logistics, serving as a secondary gateway for pilgrims visiting the nearby Basilica of Esquipulas, one of the most important religious sites in Central America. The airport also provides a base for agricultural aviation services supporting the local tobacco and coffee industries. While no scheduled commercial airlines currently serve the airport, it remains a critical asset for emergency medical evacuations and regional connectivity. Its location near the borders of Honduras and El Salvador makes it a strategically important node in the eastern Guatemalan transport network.
๐ Connection Tips
Chiquimula Airport (CIQ) should be treated as a regional or charter-oriented access point for eastern Guatemala rather than as a normal commercial connection airport. For most travelers, the meaningful commercial gateway is Guatemala City's La Aurora, and the movement from there to Chiquimula is primarily a road journey. That means the real connection planning belongs in Guatemala City and on the highway, not at the airfield itself.
That matters because the overland route is long enough that it should be budgeted as a serious segment of the trip, especially if an international arrival feeds it on the same day. Traffic leaving Guatemala City, road conditions, and the general unpredictability of a long inland transfer can make the trip feel much longer than the straight-line distance suggests.
If your trip involves a private charter into CIQ, the same rule still applies in reverse: the commercial risk belongs at Guatemala City, while Chiquimula should be treated as the final local arrival. On the ground, you should already know who is meeting you and how the onward leg is being handled. CIQ works best when it is planned as a local endpoint in eastern Guatemala. Protect the major-airport timing at La Aurora, and make the Chiquimula segment a deliberate final movement rather than the part of the itinerary expected to recover from upstream disruption.
โ Back to Paso Caballos Airport