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Find cheap flights from Des Moines to Central America from $117

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Des Moines to Central America departing on 5/19. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
0 bags
Sat 6/1
Sat 6/8

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Best Central America Flight Deals

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours

San José
San José2 stops$359
San Salvador
San Salvador1 stop$366
Guatemala City
Guatemala City1 stop$390
Panama City
Panama City1 stop$333
Liberia
Liberia1 stop$460
Managua
Managua1 stop$828

Good to know

Low season

September

High season

December

Cheapest flight

$117
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 34% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 53% increase in price.
Flight from Des Moines to San José

FAQs - booking Central America flights

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Des Moines to Central America?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Des Moines to Central America.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Des Moines to Central America?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Central America from Des Moines is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Des Moines to Central America?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to Central America with an airline and back to Des Moines with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Des Moines to Central America?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Central America from Des Moines up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

See more FAQs

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Central America

  • Morning departure is around 4% more expensive than an evening flight, on average*.
*Average of the lowest prices shown in KAYAK’s search results for departures within the next 30 days

Top 4 airlines serving from Des Moines to Central America

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Des Moines to Central America? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8.0
Alaska AirlinesOverall score based on 9118 reviews
7.3Food
7.3Entertainment
8.2Boarding
8.6Crew
7.9Comfort
Airline reviews

Honestly, there was not much they could do. Due to wind, the flight was delayed for several hours because we had to be diverted to San Jose where we needed to refuel before departing to Hawaii. Wish they had offered some snacks during the delays/diversion because we had to wait such a long time to finally get our food served during the flight after leaving California.

4.0 OkayAnonymous, May 2024SAN - HNL
Read more about Alaska Airlines reviews

Honestly, there was not much they could do. Due to wind, the flight was delayed for several hours because we had to be diverted to San Jose where we needed to refuel before departing to Hawaii. Wish they had offered some snacks during the delays/diversion because we had to wait such a long time to finally get our food served during the flight after leaving California.

The only issue was in the wheelchair waiting area before we got on the plane. They seemed very disorganized. Everyone we encountered after that was great! We loved Cassandra at check-in. She was awesome. The flight attendants were wonderful too! The lady helping with the waiting wheelchair when we got off the plane was awesome too!

They canceled the flight 30 minutes prior to departure without any heads up.

Like South West(2 check in baggage free) if Alaskan Airlines could give at least one check in baggage free then it would be great.

Expect to get miles for us having to miss our first planned flight due to them waiting on passengers that decided to be late to the airport.

Was not happy that we had to wait an additional 50 minutes for passengers that were still in TSA. This delay made us miss our connecting flight in Seattle to get home to tuck in our two little toddlers. We ran off the plane and ran across the entire airport trying to make this flight only to get to the gate to see that they have ended boarding. So they were willing to wait for passengers in Hawaii but not Seattle?? Especially when this wasn't even our fault. I expect to receive miles for missing our flight and spending an additional 4 hours in Seattle.

Up on arrival, due to twisted ankle, I wasn’t able to walk. Requested for a wheelchair. They immediately asked for it. After 10 minutes wait a young man named Carlos picked me up at the gate, got my baggage and took me to the pick up area. It was a great service. Thanks Alaska Air line

Once I was in my seat, it wasn't as comfortable. It was very tight (width wise).

All parts were excellent, especially staff at bag tag printing and inflight crew. Just the normal differences from past air travel could be improved but we’ve learned to accept those—cramped seats, minimal food/beverage, etc.

Better organizing of entry and exit onto the plane regarding all of the baggage people haul on. There should be a better system so those with no baggage can get in and out more quickly. The baggage haul-on situation is absurd.

Checking in at the airport the agent only booked the first keg of my trip and had my checked luggage going to the airport with a layover! Never was issued a boarding pass for the second leg or received sticker fir my checked bag. All was well in the end! Delta agents helped to resolve the situation!!!

Delayed due to an ill passenger after loading. Not preventable on Delta's part. Was in first class. The seats are becoming worn and detaching from their velcro attachments. Only got snacks on flight. The attendant was not the friendliest.

I would fly again the whole experience was great. The only feed back I can give that they don't do that American Airlines does is the crew there is more humorous with boarding and thank their passengers. It makes it more fun to fly with them. I would however fly Delta again.

Big plane, long flight, absolutely no leg room and basically non existent air! I am 5”4’ and always travel Main Cabin, I was miserable on this plane and could barely move when we arrived in Cabo due to the cramped leg area!

From Atlanta to Cabo I would have hoped on a plane that size I would have been able to breathe and wiggle my feet a little! The leg room in that plane is non existent and I am only 5”4’. And the air vent either wasn’t working very well or just could not blow air from the ceiling to the seat area as I was suffocating through the entire flight! And please don’t say I would have been more comfortable in first class because I cannot afford those rates and have always travelled Main Cabin without issues !

The pilots were good. Disappointing when planes don't have electrical ports

I liked the piloting of the aircraft. Very disappointed about lack of electrical ports. Also, although a short flight. there was enough time to hand out snacks to comfort + seats as was done for first class.

I had a wonderful experience flying with delta. The gentleman taking care of us on our flight was so nice, accommodating, and attentive. He always was smiling and giving pins to the kids which made me smile. The flight was quick too and without turbulence. Thank you for the great flying experience.

Delta is one of the best airlines I have flown

Made the Atlanta to Pittsburgh trip many times, with Delta no issues

I paid $380 for my one-way ticket from California to Minnesota. The fair did not include online check-in. I received instructions from their app to check in at a kiosk. At the kiosk, the boarding pass would not print until an actual person came to verify that I had a personal item and not a carry-on item, On the plane, the person next to me was drunk and allowed to continue to order alcohol. United is garbage I’d rather fly spirit.

The plane was dirty and the in seat air wasn't blowing as planes usually do.

Generally good but there wasn’t any staff available when my luggage didn’t appear at baggage claim in Fresno. It took about half an hour to locate a staff member to open up the locked room where it was being kept.

Do not like the feeling of being in the basic economy. Everyone should feel good no matter what.

All flights were on time and boarding was issue free

Terrible! The plane was old and you are required to connect your own device to their Wi-Fi rather than have entertainment options in the back of the seat in front of you. The Wi-Fi went out during the flight and there was only one plug for the devices every two seats. Three out of five surrounding my family did not work. The seats and spaces under them were so small I could not fit my backpack, which I’ve always brought on flights and fit before no problem. The crew were unpleasant and patronizing.

Great! The plane was decently sized and comfortable. The staff was nice and there was great in flight entertainment

Food was terrible Not many options Stewards dont care Delay

Water service would be great. The way they board is terrible. Slow passengers first😂😂 They need to smart up a bit

Our original business class flight was cancelled so we not only downgraded but we were also spread out across the plane not sitting together in separate middle seats. My poor kids were scared and couldn’t see me on the flight and the crew wasn’t sensitive to the situation and what the airlines did to us. Very dissatisfied with United airlines.

They gave my seat away although it was a connecting flight with them and the flight was a bit delayed.

Flight was cancelled had to move to another gate late again no internet paid for the month and never can use it waste of money

Not being able to purchase my check in baggage online was a negative.

LATE LATE LATE!!! Plagued by late AA flights on this trip. Such a drag. This one was by far the worst.

WiFi connected but only let you go to the AA website, not even text messaging worked.

Too bad that first class seats do not recline significantly causing discomfort

I think the seats on some of their planes are uncomfortable. You can be ok on a short flight of two hours but no more than that. The delays, and also the refreshments on the plane were not enough.

Flight delayed over an over all day until it cancelled at 1:30am. Would not repeatedly delay that late. Offer hotel rooms and rebook early. Very difficult for families with small children

Not sure why JAL partnered with American Airlines because their service is no where near similar. Flight attendants were not friendly and didn’t smile. Food was horrible…

this is starting to seem like an american airlines standard. delayed flights and fake apologies… getting tired of it

Book cheap flights from Des Moines to Central America

Recent round-trip flight deals

9/15Sun
1 stopDelta
22h 41mDSM-PTY
10/1Tue
1 stopDelta
23h 06mPTY-DSM
$333
10/10Thu
1 stopUnited Airlines
8h 19mDSM-PTY
10/15Tue
1 stopUnited Airlines
12h 30mPTY-DSM
$340
9/23Mon
2 stopsDelta
19h 30mDSM-PTY
9/26Thu
1 stopDelta
8h 04mPTY-DSM
$344
9/23Mon
1 stopDelta
22h 41mDSM-PTY
9/26Thu
1 stopDelta
8h 04mPTY-DSM
$347
10/10Thu
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
23h 29mDSM-PTY
10/15Tue
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
21h 52mPTY-DSM
$349
9/23Mon
2 stopsDelta
19h 30mDSM-PTY
9/26Thu
2 stopsDelta
30h 25mPTY-DSM
$357
6/1Sat
1 stopUnited Airlines
12h 32mDSM-PTY
6/7Fri
1 stopUnited Airlines
12h 15mPTY-DSM
$358
10/10Thu
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
23h 29mDSM-PTY
10/15Tue
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
21h 52mPTY-DSM
$359
9/7Sat
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
20h 05mDSM-SJO
9/12Thu
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
21h 22mSJO-DSM
$359
8/31Sat
2 stopsAeromexico
16h 27mDSM-GUA
9/18Wed
2 stopsAeromexico
13h 32mGUA-DSM
$1,270

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Recent one-way flight deals

5/19Sun
1 stop
19h 40mDSM-SJO
$117
5/12Sun
1 stop
17h 31mDSM-SJO
$127
5/9Thu
1 stop
17h 31mDSM-SJO
$136
5/20Mon
1 stop
13h 27mDSM-SJO
$144
6/10Mon
1 stopUnited Airlines
10h 01mDSM-PTY
$178
5/20Mon
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
20h 17mDSM-LIR
$183
5/19Sun
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
13h 53mDSM-SJO
$274
5/14Tue
1 stopDelta
9h 18mDSM-SJO
$279
5/21Tue
1 stopUnited Airlines
7h 22mDSM-SJO
$283
5/15Wed
1 stopDelta
26h 59mDSM-SJO
$295

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Last minute flights from Des Moines to Central America

Last minute flight, train and bus deals

5/5Sun
multi-stop
17h 21mDSM-SJO
5/9Thu
multi-stop
11h 11mSJO-DSM
$298
5/5Sun
multi-stop
17h 21mDSM-SJO
5/12Sun
multi-stop
11h 11mSJO-DSM
$303
5/4Sat
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
24h 00mDSM-PTY
5/11Sat
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
22h 12mPTY-DSM
$333
5/6Mon
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
21h 24mDSM-PTY
5/13Mon
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
22h 12mPTY-DSM
$334
5/7Tue
multi-stopUnited Airlines
12h 33mDSM-PTY
5/12Sun
multi-stopUnited Airlines
14h 20mPTY-DSM
$340
5/7Tue
multi-stopUnited Airlines
10h 02mDSM-PTY
5/10Fri
multi-stopUnited Airlines
18h 54mPTY-DSM
$344
5/6Mon
multi-stopDelta
7h 11mDSM-PTY
5/15Wed
multi-stopDelta
27h 11mPTY-DSM
$388
5/4Sat
multi-stopDelta
24h 51mDSM-PTY
5/15Wed
multi-stopDelta
27h 11mPTY-DSM
$395
5/4Sat
multi-stopWestJet
21h 02mDSM-LIR
5/10Fri
multi-stopWestJet
30h 28mLIR-DSM
$3,983
5/4Sat
multi-stopWestJet
21h 02mDSM-LIR
5/11Sat
multi-stopWestJet
26h 04mLIR-DSM
$4,398

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Des Moines - Central America Flights

Departure:

Des Moines (DSM)United States

Return flight deals:

Central America - Des Moines

Cabin classes: