$129 Find Cheap Flights from Central America to California

1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Good to know

Low seasonFebruary
Cheapest flight$129
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 8% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 3% increase in price.
Flight from San José to Las Vegas

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 
Verified travelerFlew with United Airlines
SJO
-
SFO
Apr 2026
If you have a connecting flight in SFO you have to grab your bag and recheck it
AFlew with Copa Airlines
PTY
-
LAX
Jan 2026
Bring your own food and your own screen because you won’t have any for the next couple of hours.
LisaFlew with Copa Airlines
PTY
-
LAX
Mar 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 Airlines
GUA
-
LAX
Mar 2025
BRING YOUR OWN SNAKS NOT MUCH HERE TO CHOOSE NONE OF THEM HEALTHY OPTIONS
RajFlew with Copa Airlines
PTY
-
SFO
Jan 2025
Pack your lunch or dinner with you either from airport restaurant.
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska Airlines
LIR
-
LAX
Nov 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 Avianca
GUA
-
LAX
May 2024
Bring something to drink or eat, at least sweets especially if traveling with children or are elderly.
Verified travelerFlew with Avianca
SAL
-
SFO
Mar 2024
Bring a pillow Bring phones charged Bring your own entertainment Be patient for luggage to get off plane.
JulioFlew with Avianca
GUA
-
LAX
May 2024
Check carry on status before. Check in online to avoid lines.
MayumiFlew with Avianca
SAL
-
LAX
Jan 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 airlines fly most frequently to California?

    Central America and California are connected by different airlines. The airlines that fly that route the most regularly are Avianca (75 flights per week), United Airlines (55 flights per week), and EVA Air (50 flights per week).

  • How many airports are there in California?

    There are 27 airports in California. The busiest airport is Los Angeles Airport (LAX), with 43% of all flights arriving there.

  • 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 Oakland Airport (OAK), with an average flight price of $285.

  • What is the cheapest day to fly to California?

    Based on KAYAK data, the cheapest day to fly to California is Tuesday where round-trip tickets can be as cheap as $410. On the other hand, the most expensive day to fly is Monday, where round-trip prices are $478 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 $301 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 $488.

  • What is the cheapest flight to California?

    The cheapest ticket to California from Central America found in the last 72 hours was to Los Angeles, at $217 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 $217.

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

    The cheapest month for flights from Central America to California is August, when tickets cost $545 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are June and November, when the average cost of round-trip tickets is $723 and $671 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 9 weeks before departure, which saves you about 26% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 23 weeks before departure.

  • How many cities have direct flights to California?

    From Central America, there are direct flights to California from 6 cities. The city with the most direct flights is San Salvador, with 164 direct flights each week.

  • How many direct flights to California are there each day?

    There are around 52 direct flights from within Central America to California every day. Most flights (52%) depart in the morning.

  • How many direct flights to California are there each week?

    Each week there are around 358 direct flights from within Central America to California. The most common day for departures is Sunday, with 16% of flights taking off on this day.

  • How long is the flight to California?

    An average nonstop flight from Central America to California takes 9h 43m, covering a distance of 2601 miles. The shortest route is Guatemala City (GUA) to Los Angeles (LAX) with an average flight time of 5h 04m.

  • How many long-haul flights are there to California each week?

    Each week, there are 92 long-haul flights (6-12 hour flight duration) and 266 medium-haul flights (3-6 hour flight duration) to California. There aren't any short-haul flights (up to 3 hour flight duration).

  • What are the most popular destinations in California?

    Based on KAYAK flight searches, the most popular destination is Los Angeles (56% of total searches to California). The next most popular destinations are Las Vegas (14%) and Ontario (11%). Searches for flights to San Francisco (9%), to San Diego (2%) and to John Wayne (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.
7.9
Alaska AirlinesOverall score based on 12335 reviews
7.1Food
8.5Crew
7.0Entertainment
7.8Comfort
8.1Boarding
Airline reviews

Attentive and kind staff. Decent boarding for wheelchair bound partner, off boarding is a little lengthy due to waiting for everyone to deplane before aisle chair can arrive. Not sure if there’s a better option.

8.0 ExcellentMW, May 2026
SJD - LAX
Read more Alaska Airlines reviews

Attentive and kind staff. Decent boarding for wheelchair bound partner, off boarding is a little lengthy due to waiting for everyone to deplane before aisle chair can arrive. Not sure if there’s a better option.

I had to change my flight last minute due to a medical emergency. Their agent was compassionate and extremely helpful. This airlines really cares about making travel, for fun, work, or an emergency a customer-focused experience. Thank you!

This is the best experience I've had since I started flying with Alaska Airlines; excellent in every way.

No healthy food choices. There was no in flight entertainment .

Despite several unexpected stops and delays due to health conditions of the passengers, the flight was smooth and comfortable. The pilots and flight attendants did a great job of controlling a hectic situation and still being attentive to the customers.

See what I wrote in the previous section. This was a terrible experience. I would like refund.. I even paid an extra $70 for an aisle seat closer to the front to ensure that I got off early enough to catch the next flight. The fact that the plane did not wait, and even left eearlier, knowing that the first flight came in late, and was moved to a terminal three train stops away is appalling. My friend that flew JetBlue, their flight was delayed and came in later and the connecting flight WAITED for them. How is it that JetBlue could do that, and Alaska could not.

The seat on the plane out was broken and would not lean back. I have back problems and sitting up straight was hard on my lower back and caused pain for over half the flight. Since I paid extra for First Class so I would not have these issues. This needs to be addressed.

No headphones provided. No gf food. Only 1 beverage cart run sAN to HNL. Rarely saw crew members

The check-in crew for Alaska was rude, unhelpful, and the opposite of customer-centric. We arrived 50 minutes before our flight and were told it was too late to check baggage. When I asked what the cutoff was, the agent started speaking in codes “D50” and yelling to their manager who also spoke in codes. They then tried to speak to me using these codes and all I wanted to know was the time of the cutoff, which they would not — or could not — articulate. They booked me and my family on the next flight while smirking.

Generally Good. Outbound flight was marred by a continuously s creaming baby. Fortunately the flight was only 90 mins long it would be nice if people traveling with small childres could be centered in one part of the plane. Also, you need to adapt your servey to include a "not applicable " option for things like food and entertainment, which are not offered on shorter flights. I fily Alaska by choice as given all the cirumstances, I fel\el you do a good job.

Smooth flight. Easy boarding. Come early. Check in line is long

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.

This airline always trick us so we end up paying again for the luggage’s. This airline is worthless and take advantage of travelers .

Now days most airlines flying to Central America have a really poor service, but if you buy first class they will treat you better. I miss those days when flying was fun.

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

Seats were not super comfortable and food was not good at all. If I had a chance I would definitely fly a different airline. Of course they are better than any budget airline, but not by much.

Flew steerage class. Short on leg room unless you pay more. No window unless you pay more. Etc. United is trying to squeeze every cent from you. It doesn’t make for any loyalty.

Outstanding service, efficient & friendly crew, flight was safe, comfortable & on time

Outstanding service, great food, friendly & efficient crew, safe & comfortable flight

Staff were not attentive, wifi did not work, cut my head in the bathroom due to the position of the soap on the sink, had blood running down my face, told staff, they had no expression no sympathy, didn't even say "sorry", they said "oh we will have a look at that" about 10 mins later the purser brought me a bandaid, still no sorry.... Shocking

The crew was great. Very friendly and responsive. The plane was old, small and tight. We ran out of overhead space and I had to check. Middle seat was particularly tight.

The flight was delayed from take off because only one runway was operational in San Francisco.

Several missed and almost missed connections. It felt like everything was being patched together last minute without enough resources and it ended up being an extremely stressful experience that basically ruined our weekend on the west coast. What a waste.

Dinner was good, but the breakfast served in the morning was horrible.

Packed in plane small uncomfortable seats elbow to elbow nobody wants to be in that situation for the money they paid

Horrible experience with Avianca, they delayed their flight and when we arrived to NYC, AVIANCA took 1 hr y 30 mins to park the airplane and all passenger get off the plane, it made me lost all my trains to get back home and I came back to my place at 3 am instead of 12 am. On the top of that their plane seat are so uncomfortable and is not enough space and killed my legs and knees, Avianca used to be good when it was a Colombian company, now after Brasilian company bought them, their service quality is bad and their flights are delayed and oversold.

Provide free food and drinks on an international flight. Add updated head rests

Deplaning was a mess, I sat in business (seats are horrible) and the front door had a problem so we had to deplane from the rear exit. The stairs were not tall enough to reach so there was a large step down from the plane to the top of the stairs.

The flight attendant smashed her beverage cart into my knee, causing significant amount of pain. The seats were extremely uncomfortable. No food or drink is offered unless you want to pay the ridiculous prices for it. The schedule of flying in the overnight hours is also very uncomfortable.

I handed in my suitcase in perfect condition at SAL Airport. And in MIA Airport I received it with one corner broken and the wheels bent.

I like the crew members they're very friendly. Clean plane. The flight was on time. I dont like the comfort my car seat its better that the plane seats. They charge for everything. This airline was very good. Now it's a low cost airline

No free snacks nor drinks on very short 30min flight. Entertainment system is over wifi to your own phone or tablet, which is good but often a show or movie just stops and refuses to continue

This low cost airline looks and fells more like a local bus. In a 6 hour flight not being able to recline a seat is torture. The only thing available with no charge is a glass of water provided by, mostly, rude staff. Our luggage didn’t arrive

6 hour flight and have to pay for everything 100 dollars to add a carry-on bag is insane

Usb plugs for charging your phone does not work in every flight. uncomfortable chairs even in higher categories.

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.