$120 Find Cheap Flights from Central America to California

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Low seasonMarch
High seasonDecember
Cheapest flight$120
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 4% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 1% increase in price.
Flight from San José to Los Angeles

Flights from Central America to California: the best tips from KAYAK users

Insights shared by verified travelers who flew the route from Central America to California 
LisaFlew with Copa AirlinesPTY-LAXMar 2025
You have to go through an additional security clearance at the actual gate, and there was a long line so I'd get to the gate right when it opens to avoid the additional long line.
RicardoFlew with Alaska AirlinesGUA-LAXMar 2025
BRING YOUR OWN SNAKS NOT MUCH HERE TO CHOOSE NONE OF THEM HEALTHY OPTIONS
RajFlew with Copa AirlinesPTY-SFOJan 2025
Pack your lunch or dinner with you either from airport restaurant.
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska AirlinesLIR-LAXNov 2024
The airport is expensive. I would not buy things there. You don’t need to take off your shoes for security. Have your passport ready for boarding
Verified travelerFlew with AviancaGUA-LAXMay 2024
Bring something to drink or eat, at least sweets especially if traveling with children or are elderly.
Verified travelerFlew with AviancaSAL-SFOMar 2024
Bring a pillow Bring phones charged Bring your own entertainment Be patient for luggage to get off plane.
JulioFlew with AviancaGUA-LAXMay 2024
Check carry on status before. Check in online to avoid lines.
MayumiFlew with AviancaSAL-LAXJan 2024
Eat well before boarding and bring your own entertainment.

FAQs for booking flights from Central America to California

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

    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 Central America to California.

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

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight from Central America to California 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 Central America to California?

    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 from Central America to California with an airline and back with another airline.

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

    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 from Central America to California up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

  • Which is the cheapest airport to fly into in California?

    Prices will differ depending on the departure airport, but generally, the cheapest airport to fly to in California is Ontario Airport (ONT), with an average flight price of $232.

  • What is the cheapest day to fly to California?

    Based on KAYAK data, the cheapest day to fly to California is Thursday where round-trip tickets can be as cheap as $492. On the other hand, the most expensive day to fly is Monday, where round-trip prices are $538 on average.

  • What is the cheapest time of day to fly to California?

    The cheapest time of day to fly to California is generally in the afternoon, when round-trip flights cost $295 on average. The most expensive time of day to fly to California is generally at night, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is $544.

  • What is the cheapest flight to California?

    The cheapest ticket to California from Central America found in the last 72 hours was to Oakland, at $175 round-trip. The most popular route is Belize City Philip S.W.Goldson Airport (BZE) to Los Angeles (LAX) and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $191.

  • What is the cheapest month to fly from Central America to California?

    The cheapest month for flights from Central America to California is May, when tickets cost $541 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are November and January, when the average cost of round-trip tickets is $730 and $706 respectively.

  • How far in advance should I book a flight from Central America to California?

    To get a below average price on the flight from Central America to California, you should book around 6 weeks before departure. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 25 weeks before departure.

  • How long is the flight to California?

    An average nonstop flight from Central America to California takes 9h 06m, covering a distance of 2571 miles. The shortest route is Guatemala City (GUA) to Los Angeles (LAX) with an average flight time of 4h 58m.

  • What are the most popular destinations in California?

    Based on KAYAK flight searches, the most popular destination is Los Angeles (62% of total searches to California). The next most popular destinations are Las Vegas (11%) and San Francisco (10%). Searches for flights to Ontario (7%), to Burbank (3%) and to Santa Ana (2%) are also popular.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines serving from Central America to California

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Central America to California? 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 10000 reviews
7.8Comfort
8.1Boarding
7.1Food
8.5Crew
7.1Entertainment
Airline reviews

Passengers were not informed timely of delays. The staff appeared like they didn't really care about the passengers.

6.0 GoodDarrilynn, Jun 2025SEA - SFO
Read more Alaska Airlines reviews

Passengers were not informed timely of delays. The staff appeared like they didn't really care about the passengers.

Both flights were delayed going to our destination and leaving, and communication about the delays was not great by the airlines, now the crews were phenomenal and great to be around!!

Delayed. It's not our first flight with them either, it's actually our 3rd and all 3 were delayed by hours each time. It was a myriad of delays. On one flight we boarded after being delayed for a little over an hr, only to be told we were going to sit in the plane for another hour before departing. Once landed, we waited another 40ish min to get to our gate. On another flight, flight was delayed just under 3 hrs but atleast we got to wait it out at the airport terminal. Its just a bad experience overall flying with Alaska Airlines.

Flight was delayed for weather, then delayed for mechanical, then just cancelled. Once mechanical problems started I wish you had just started offering rebooking options (at the same airport). I felt my trip was not a priority for you. I called you, I asked for a better option (than changing airports), then I had to literally run around the airport making it happen. Do better.

I would've liked to have the seat tablets like before to view movies, with long travels not everyone carries tablets to view movies. And phones are not worth it because screens to small.

Flight crew was great! Kind, fast with service. It would be nice if airlines went back to servicing “free” meals, we pay enough for the tickets to include a meal and frankly the price of airport food is insane these days.

Horrible! No blanket or pillow available! We had bulkhead seats but the seats were worn out and no cushion old. No meal or even a sandwich for our 5 hour flight just a little bag of pretzels. Crabby attendant female with long brown hair. We will not book Alaska Airlines again

On time, smooth take off and landing, efficient boarding. Gate staff excellent, stewardess grumpy, but civil enough.

No WiFi available. It was too late to order food also. Guy next to me was huge (not fat) so had his shoulder & thigh next to me the whole way. Plane was delayed leaving PDX due to 8 other planes waiting. Not my best Alaska airlines flight.

I do wish the the actual airplane I flew on was bigger. But, I made it work.

Quick boarding and check in.. but premium seats don’t recline.. very hard to relax. But overall, it was a Great a satisfying experience.. Thank You

If they listen to you especially when there’s a problem with a passport now I lost my tickets and also my seat money

The worst airline I have ever experienced. Terrible customer service. Absolutely disgraceful

Checking bags at the airport, very confusing they make lines for different flights but they don’t have any signs, so if you are on the wrong line be aware they will send you to the end of the correct line. No priority for check in even if you pay and no priority to disabled persons and elderly persons.

Despite all the negative reviews, I took Volaris with a family of 4 (including a toddler and infant in arms). The only compliant was they charged me $70 to gate check our wagon (which we use as a stroller) and then it was not available for pickup at the gate (which is the entire point), so we had to get through customs and the airport with our luggage and no way to push our kids :(

Après avoir manqué l’avion aucune aide de la part des agents à l’aéroport pour trouver un autre vol

Más comida no cobrar tanto por los asientos y comida food

Worst airline ever!! Delays in all my flights!!! Do not flight with Volaris!

The departures screens in the airport showed the flight as canceled for some weird reason, but when I got to the gate just to double check, it showed it as on time, and not canceled. This was confusing, but ultimately I was able to get to where I needed to go.

For whatever reason, when I was in the San Jose airport, the flight from Volaris read as canceled on the Departures screens you'd find all over the terminal, it wasn't until I got to the gate that it showed it as on time and still on. It was confusing, but ultimately I did get to where I needed to go with the flight I was expecting.

Friendly staff at all very easy check in and organize process

Horrible airline, upgraded to sit on seats made of stone. Staff were rude and on top of it they charge an arm and a leg for luggage 🧳 never again

The seats are the worst I upgraded to premium big mistake and it seems like no one likes there job very unpleasant

they don’t have TV Seat to Type in space

Boarding was mayhem. Late boarding by 15 minutes because of lack of staff (missing 1 flight attendant. We had to wait for an arrival of another plane before we could board). Flight was a little rough, but cannot blame on airlines.

Great experience…left a bit behind schedule but made up fir that in the air and landed 10 minutes early 😁

Airbus plane, nice and polite staff, entertainment even as it was a short flight.

United out of SFO is having issues with catering so none of our meals were loaded on the plane and no offer of compensation for our tickets purchased was offered.

Its good expeince but in enternteiment please be like you tube the music i like or movie

I needed to make changes to my flights. When I called customer service, they assisted me with care professionalism.

A bit rush for transit. Food and entertainment are not available

Wonderful and fast TSA checkpoint. The line was fast and our gate was close by

The gate was too far away for the connecting flight

Generally good. The aisles have gotten narrower which can slow down boarding. Flight crew was great! Healthier complimentary snacks would be appreciated. Due to earthquake in San Francisco we had to circle in air space for a bit but then had a smooth landing. I laud the flight crew for their patience ;)

I receive a service for what I pay, so it is fair.

A few years ago long flights 6 hours or so used to have video screens and they offered ear phones. The food cart used to come and drinks. Now absolutely nothing. Avianca is as bad as Spirit Airlines. Avianca will now be my last choice when booking my next flight.

Terrible, We had to stay in Bogota for two days due to weather but the airline did not provide for the same day flight. Only two days later

Excellent flight and one of the smoothest landing I’ve ever experienced

There isn't much space in-between seats and even water needs to be paid for during the flight.

Flew with our two children. Paid $380 to check two bags (one was overweight). They then left the bags behind on Sunday, December 21st, with all our family’s clothes and family Christmas presents. When we arrived at our destination they told us the bags had not arrived, and they thought (but didn’t know) they were still in Boston, but that there’d be a flight the next day and the bags would arrive the next day. The next day we found out there was no flight, now we’re hoping we get our bags before we fly back out. Meanwhile, trying to get any engagement or accurate information is a waste of time. The folks at the call center are just gatekeepers, who can’t connect with any departments that actually do things to solve a problem. Getting information is made deliberately difficult. My biggest regret is that I’ve had a number of awful experiences with Avianca traveling between the US and Colombia, and still let myself get suckered into buying these tickets because the schedule was great. Never again.

COP 7,000 for a cup of mediocre coffee. I thought I was on Spirit Airlines for a minute. Otherwise the flight was fine. Nothing exceptional to report.

I enjoyed it! In that case, I should have been offered this choice. On my first trip to Miami, I was asked to pay $320 for my luggage just for getting it totally broken. I cannot accept this situation at all!!!!

Overpriced checked bag price of $120 and they charge you for carryon if the size is not minimal of $120.

Be very careful of the initial low price because Avianca wil bill you for a carryon of $120 or a checked bag for $120. Also, be careful with connections because the customs entry process is slow and the connecting terminal is not close.

Book cheap flights from Central America to California

Recent round-trip flight deals

9/27Sat
2 stopsAvianca
14h 40mSJO-SFO
10/4Sat
2 stopsAvianca
15h 25mSFO-SJO
$124
9/27Sat
2 stopsAvianca
13h 30mSJO-SFO
10/4Sat
2 stopsAvianca
15h 10mSFO-SJO
$143
12/10Wed
1 stopVolaris El Salvador
23h 28mSJO-LAX
2/10Tue
1 stopVolaris El Salvador
11h 32mLAX-SJO
$232
8/26Tue
1 stopVolaris Costa Rica
7h 34mSJO-LAX
9/4Thu
1 stopVolaris Costa Rica
7h 39mLAX-SJO
$234
7/21Mon
1 stopVolaris El Salvador
19h 32mSJO-LAX
7/24Thu
1 stopVolaris El Salvador
17h 20mLAX-SJO
$237
11/12Wed
nonstopVolaris Costa Rica
5h 21mGUA-LAX
11/16Sun
nonstopVolaris Costa Rica
4h 34mLAX-GUA
$239
9/5Fri
1 stopUnited Airlines
9h 06mSAL-LAX
9/7Sun
nonstopUnited Airlines
5h 00mLAX-SAL
$258
9/12Fri
1 stopUnited Airlines
17h 04mSAL-LAX
9/17Wed
1 stopUnited Airlines
7h 58mLAX-SAL
$263
10/9Thu
nonstopAlaska Airlines
5h 14mGUA-LAX
10/11Sat
nonstopAlaska Airlines
4h 47mLAX-GUA
$346
8/12Tue
nonstopAlaska Airlines
6h 13mSJO-LAX
8/17Sun
nonstopAlaska Airlines
6h 04mLAX-SJO
$347

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Recent one-way flight deals

8/30Sat
nonstopVolaris Costa Rica
7h 34mSJO-LAX
$120
9/5Fri
nonstopVolaris Costa Rica
7h 39mSJO-LAX
$121
8/18Mon
1 stopVolaris El Salvador
19h 32mSJO-LAX
$128
9/5Fri
1 stopVolaris El Salvador
19h 37mSJO-LAX
$129
6/23Mon
2 stopsAvianca
25h 10mGUA-ONT
$132
10/2Thu
1 stopUnited Airlines
17h 35mSAL-LAX
$157
6/25Wed
1 stopUnited Airlines
23h 23mSAL-LAX
$165
7/9Wed
nonstopAvianca
5h 30mSAL-LAX
$169
8/11Mon
nonstopAlaska Airlines
6h 13mSJO-LAX
$218
8/26Tue
1 stopAlaska Airlines
13h 39mGUA-SFO
$224

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Last minute flights from Central America to California

Last minute flight, train and bus deals

6/23Mon
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
29h 12mGUA-ONT
7/4Fri
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
24h 11mONT-GUA
$258
6/19Thu
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
17h 00mSAL-LAX
6/28Sat
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
21h 04mLAX-SAL
$272
6/21Sat
multi-stopUnited Airlines
15h 37mSJO-LAS
6/28Sat
multi-stopUnited Airlines
8h 45mLAS-SJO
$301
6/20Fri
multi-stopUnited Airlines
13h 57mSJO-LAS
6/24Tue
multi-stopUnited Airlines
24h 18mLAS-SJO
$310
6/19Thu
multi-stopAvianca
14h 55mGUA-SFO
8/22Fri
multi-stopAvianca
17h 45mSFO-GUA
$398
6/21Sat
nonstopVolaris El Salvador
5h 09mSAL-LAX
7/24Thu
nonstopVolaris El Salvador
5h 05mLAX-SAL
$414
6/20Fri
multi-stopAvianca
25h 10mGUA-ONT
10/21Tue
multi-stopAvianca
18h 00mONT-GUA
$433
6/23Mon
multi-stopVolaris El Salvador
22h 17mGUA-LAX
7/26Sat
multi-stopVolaris El Salvador
18h 17mLAX-GUA
$435
6/22Sun
multi-stopAlaska Airlines
17h 21mSJO-SFO
7/31Thu
multi-stopAlaska Airlines
16h 30mSFO-SJO
$632
6/22Sun
multi-stopAlaska Airlines
17h 21mSJO-SFO
7/31Thu
multi-stopAlaska Airlines
13h 40mSFO-SJO
$698

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Everything you need to know for your flight to California

Cabin class types available on flights to Central America

Cabin classes available on flights to Central America. Prices are the lowest found on KAYAK over the last 7 days. Price and availability is not guaranteed.

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