Aspects of the subject disclosure may include a planar antenna configured to transmit first signals as a first guided electromagnetic wave that is bound to a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the first guided electromagnetic wave propagates along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the planar antenna includes an array of patch antennas that generates first near field signals in response to the first signals and a plurality of directors configured to guide a portion of the first near field signals from the array of patch antennas to the surface of the transmission medium, and wherein the portion of the first near field signals combines to induce the first guided electromagnetic wave that is bound to the surface of the transmission medium.