$93 Find Cheap Flights from Central America to the United States

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Low seasonFebruary
Cheapest flight$93
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 3% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 5% increase in price.
Flight from San José to Fort Lauderdale

Flights from Central America to the United States: the best tips from KAYAK users

Insights shared by verified travelers who flew the route from Central America to the United States 
JeffreyFlew with Copa Airlines
PTY
-
MIA
Mar 2025
Be sure to use the restroom BEFORE you sit down in the gate area. There is a second level of security screening just to sit in the gate area. If you leave the gate area for any reason, you must go through the gate screening upon your return.
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.
Verified travelerFlew with Spirit Airlines
GUA
-
FLL
Apr 2025
Take a day flight, window seat, the view is fantastic. Avoid Spirit at all costs.
RicardoFlew with Alaska Airlines
GUA
-
LAX
Mar 2025
BRING YOUR OWN SNAKS NOT MUCH HERE TO CHOOSE NONE OF THEM HEALTHY OPTIONS
Verified travelerFlew with Copa Airlines
PTY
-
JFK
Feb 2025
Whatever you purchase before boarding your flight make sure all liquids are finished before boarding or you will have to throw it away. That there is another checkpoint once you reach the gate even if you go to the bathroom you will have to clear the second checkpoint each time you leave the gate. That most of the Copa crew in Panama did not speak English, so as an English speaker you have to just watch what everyone else does, because the Panamanian crew does not speak English.
RajFlew with Copa Airlines
PTY
-
SFO
Jan 2025
Pack your lunch or dinner with you either from airport restaurant.
RobertFlew with United Airlines
PTY
-
IAH
Feb 2025
IAH is efficient but security and checked baggage transfer and rescreening for connecting flights causes unnecessary anxiety for short stop overs.
Verified travelerFlew with United Airlines
PTY
-
IAH
Feb 2025
International transfer at HIA was difficult with self baggage transfer, multiple security screens.
AdrianFlew with Copa Airlines
PTY
-
DEN
Oct 2024
When booking, the distance between gates must be something you need to plan ahead... always leave at least 2 hours between flights
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 United Airlines
LIR
-
DEN
Oct 2024
If you take another flight in Denver, expect to go through the security line again with all your luggage. Take enough time. Denver Airport is a mess, and the people working there are not patient; some are even rude.
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.
KathyFlew with American Airlines
LIR
-
DFW
Apr 2024
I was through security in 10 minutes. Food choice took some time, be aware that waiting 20 plus minutes for a hot sammie will be about right.
MichaelFlew with United Airlines
BZE
-
IAH
May 2024
Small airport. Easy and quick. Don’t get there too early though as it gets crowded and not really any food or shopping.
StephanieFlew with Copa Airlines
PTY
-
MIA
Mar 2024
Get to the airport early especially if you're not a US citizen because you have to pass through security twice.
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.
DominicFlew with Alaska Airlines
BZE
-
SEA
Feb 2024
Take the direct flight to avoid an overnight layover
MayumiFlew with Avianca
SAL
-
LAX
Jan 2024
Eat well before boarding and bring your own entertainment.

FAQs for booking flights from Central America to the United States

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Central America to the United States?

    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 the United States.

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

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

    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 the United States 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 the United States?

    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 the United States 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 the United States?

    Central America and United States are connected by different airlines. The airlines that fly that route the most regularly are United Airlines (645 flights per week), American Airlines (464 flights per week), and Copa Airlines (383 flights per week).

  • How many airports are there in the United States?

    There are 586 airports in the United States. The busiest airport is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport (ATL), with 7% of all flights arriving there.

  • Which is the cheapest airport to fly into in the United States?

    Prices will differ depending on the departure airport, but generally, the cheapest airport to fly to in the United States is Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL), with an average flight price of $225.

  • What is the cheapest day to fly to the United States?

    Based on KAYAK data, the cheapest day to fly to the United States is Wednesday where round-trip tickets can be as cheap as $387. On the other hand, the most expensive day to fly is Monday, where round-trip prices are $473 on average.

  • What is the cheapest time of day to fly to the United States?

    The cheapest time of day to fly to the United States is generally in the evening, when round-trip flights cost $315 on average. Morning departures are around 62% more expensive than evening flights, on average. The most expensive time of day to fly to the United States is generally in the morning, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is $510.

  • What is the cheapest flight to the United States?

    The cheapest ticket to the United States from Central America found in the last 72 hours was to Newark Airport, at $102 round-trip. The most popular route is Belize City Philip S.W.Goldson Airport (BZE) to Miami (MIA) and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $106.

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

    The cheapest month for flights from Central America to the United States is May, when tickets cost $539 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are November and December, when the average cost of round-trip tickets is $671 and $644 respectively.

  • How far in advance should I book a flight from Central America to the United States?

    To get a below average price on the flight from Central America to the United States, you should book around 5 weeks before departure, which saves you about 37% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 16 weeks before departure.

  • How many cities have direct flights to the United States?

    From Central America, there are direct flights to the United States from 10 cities. The city with the most direct flights is Panama City, with 869 direct flights each week.

  • How many direct flights to the United States are there each day?

    There are around 487 direct flights from within Central America to the United States every day. Most flights (43%) depart in the afternoon.

  • How many direct flights to the United States are there each week?

    Each week there are around 3,409 direct flights from within Central America to the United States. The most common day for departures is Sunday, with 17% of flights taking off on this day.

  • How long is the flight to the United States?

    An average nonstop flight from Central America to the United States takes 4h 53m, covering a distance of 1731 miles. The shortest route is San Pedro Sula (SAP) to Miami (MIA) with an average flight time of 2h 17m.

  • How many long-haul flights are there to the United States each week?

    Each week there are around 117 long-haul flights (6-12 hour flight duration), 1,397 medium-haul (3-6 hour flight duration) and 1,895 short-haul (up to 3 hour flight duration) flights to the United States. The most long-haul flights depart from Panama City.

  • What are the most popular destinations in the United States?

    Based on KAYAK flight searches, the most popular destination is New York (28% of total searches to the United States). The next most popular destinations are Miami (15%) and Los Angeles (11%). Searches for flights to Houston (10%), to Orlando (7%) and to Fort Lauderdale (7%) are also popular.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines serving from Central America to the United States

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Central America to the United States? 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.
7.6
Copa AirlinesOverall score based on 1562 reviews
7.8Boarding
7.4Comfort
8.1Crew
6.8Entertainment
6.8Food
Airline reviews

I always enjoy flying Copa. There are very few airlines where I can enjoy a comfortable sleep in-flight. The snacks weren't the best, but they sufficed. The in-flight entertainment was fantastic, and I crossed another movie off my watch list.

8.0 ExcellentTisagh, Nov 2025
SDQ - PTY
Read more Copa Airlines reviews

I always enjoy flying Copa. There are very few airlines where I can enjoy a comfortable sleep in-flight. The snacks weren't the best, but they sufficed. The in-flight entertainment was fantastic, and I crossed another movie off my watch list.

Some of the Air hostesses are not that friendly. Need improvement

Simply as follows:- First, there was no vegetarian option for the meal Second, only 2 washrooms for the entire economy class.

Cops Airlines is fantastic! The level of care and professionalism provided by the entire crew was top rate.

We had a great flight just wished they had a tv so we can see a movie that would of made my trip excellent.

horrible service, food was an embarrassment, no charging for cellphones, stay away

the food served was an embarrassment. No connection for charging the cellphone... What a crappy airline.

Great experience with a crew always thinking in the passenger

I selected first class expecting excetional service. It was mediocre at best. The food service was cold, meal choices was poor and on one leg they did provide dessert. I did enjoy the lay day seat but the movies were old and nothing current. Boarding the plane is always hot. So boarding is quite warm until your in the air. I took a small personal air fan. Update the meals and movies.

Did upgrade, travel in business it was great (more room I could sleep)

Teeny tiny bathrooms, crew was not realistic about when we'd arrive.

Check-in, boarding and the flight from Phoenix to Houston was quick and easy. The flight from Houston to Shreveport was delayed 5 hours. It was frustrating but I think United handled it the best they could.

They lost my luggage, so, not happy. The crew was nice but my suitcases never made it, still trying to find out what happened!

The staff was hospitable and professional. The seat had a bit of wear. The winner shade was stuck 1/4 open. I received the best of both worlds. The morning sun was able to come in and blind the screen i was trying to use while at the same time it was too low to look out and enjoy the view. Rather embarrassing for a 1st class ticket.

On the way my flight entertainment wouldn’t work the screen went black and no matter how many times I tried to turn it on it wouldn’t. Food was surprisingly good but the tray tables were tiny so you couldn’t get anything else on the table. The seats hardly go back and are not overly comfortable. Wouldn’t fly United again.

Perfect flight. Smooth flight. Arrived 20 minutes early at destination. Excellent service.

The flights were on time which was great give. It was holiday travel season and there’d been some weather issues. The only complaint and this is every time with United is the terrible seat design. The head rest is not built for comfort and having my neck bent forward for a cross country trip reminded me while I try not to take United flights as a rule.

I’m so sorry, I can’t remember her name, I believe it was Dimpti. She was stellar, also a mature Asian flight attendant, lots of flowers in her hair, just as amazing! But literally the crew was AWESOME . Only downside is there weren’t any charging outlets. Maybe I needed to ask a flight attendant , but it would’ve been nice to have one easily accessible.

In Liberia airport 5 min before our departure the airport was closed for takeoff for 30 min. Upon arrival to IAH we didn’t have any available gate and waited taxing another 40 min. As a result we arrived for 1+ h later. The walkway to the passport control in IAH is about 1-2 ml long. After the passport control you have to pass the security check again. Only 3 out of 16 checkpoints were open and the line was enormously long. As a result, even though we supposed to have 2.5 hrs gap in between the flights we missed our transfer. United rebooked us for the next available flight early morning and provided free hotel and meal vouchers through.

The flight was delayed by two de-icings. The seatbelt did not work correctly. It did not stay tight.

I was originally scheduled on AA 1763. When I landed in Miami, I went to the counter for flight AA 2115 to try to move my flight to this one. I was in a first class seat on AA 1763. While they moved to me this flight, I was told that there were no other 1st class seats available and they assigned me into coach. However, when I was getting off the plane I noticed that one of the pilots who was also in line to go jump seat - somehow miraculously got a 1st class seat on this flight. It is actually infuriating that I had a paid 1st class seat yet somehow they would move an AA employee ahead of that. At a bare minimum, they should have compensated me for the fare difference and I really think paying customers should ALWAYs get the premiere seats.

So excited very proud first of all I wanna thank kayak all updates very professional and fast alart And amazing cabin crew so nice to me they deserve big salute

UGH I HAD TO MISS MY FIRST FLIGHT TO TAMPA CAUSE OF THE 10 MINUTE DELAY OF THE ORLANDO TO MIAMI ONE SO THEY HAD ME GET ANOTHER TICKET. I AM NOT HAPPY AT ALL BECAUSE IT MADE ME MISS MY CONNECTING FLIGHT FROM TAMPA TO LONDON AND FORCED ME TO MISS A DAY AT MY ROOM IN THE UK.

Wish they didnt delay off-boarding for 10 minutes so i could connect to my flight from miami to tampa

We experienced gate changes and a long delay. My seat was dirty when I boarded and I had to use wipes to clean it myself. There was an unpleasant and overpowering cleaning product scent on the plane as well that lingered through the flight.

Seats were much more cramped then on the 737. Narrower and rows closer together. Flight was absolutely packed and the plugs under the seats didn't work. Was forced to check my bag even though previous flight had no issue with it.

It was fine. My connection in Charlotte to go to WPB was too late and I had to spend the night in the Charlotte Airport in the mini suites.

The flight was on time and arrived early. The crew were friendly and helpful.

We had a 2 hour delay that impacted our comanions further travel. I have a feeling AA knows there is a problem at the Cabo airport and does not account for that.

My carry on baggage was damaged. Entire trip, I had to carry the baggage. When complained to the boarding crew, they got mad at me and still asked me to valet check in the cabin baggage. Rude boarding crew!!!

only a bag of chips and a bottle of water in business class was served

We found the chairs to be really uncomfortable. It’s also really unacceptable that no form of food or drink is included in a 6+ hour flight

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.

Staff are the rudest in the industry … awful customer service … will never fly Avianca again

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

I like the crew they're very friendly. I don't like. on five hour flight they not offered snacks. Any drink. Not even coffee

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

Did not fly with Pakistan International Airlines. Have never flown with Pakistan International Airlines.

I've flown two Spirit flights recently - boarding for one was somewhat chaotic, with the board listing the wrong flight and causing much confusion; boarding for the other was very smooth and easy. My seat (for which I did not pay extra) was a bit narrow and without great legroom, but it was fine for a NY-Florida trip and was more than worth the low price I paid. The crew was friendly and one flight landed early and the other was only very slightly delayed. All in all a very good experience.

Had to pay for water if wanted it. Seats are close unless you get upgraded. Flight was fine. Will travel again with spirit.

Spirit sucks. Horrible employees in Medellín. Never again. I hope this company goes out of business completely.

Your flight crew and boarding area crew need to have microphone use training. They all hold the microphone right up to their mouths, way to close making understanding them almost impossible. The microphone should be held about 3 to 4 inches away from their mouths. This would provide for much better clarity through the PA system. ‘Eating the mic’ DOES NOT work.

It was the first time I flew on that airline and had a very positive experience. Nearly identical to Jetblue which consider the standard of airlines excellence.

A bottled or canned drink, whether water or soda would have been appreciated upon settling in and flying, without being charged for it.

Horrible experience. First and last time using this airline. Made an announcement that boarding will start in 15 minutes, canceled the flight 5 minutes later due to no airline staff. Had to book another flight on Delta since Spirit had no other flights arriving to my original destination the same day. I wouldn't recommend anyone to fly with Spirit. No wonder why it consistently ranks high among worst airlines.

Horrible. I never will travel again with Spirit. Delays and cancellations. Not more words .

Once again, the staff seem to think they are above the customers and treat everyone with disdain, belittling people.

COMMUNICATION!!!! The issue was a crew shortage, which means you knew in advance the issue. Instead of notifying people in advance, we're finding out an hour before the flight it's canceled. You rebooked people to more flights you knew wouldn't get out. You ended by taking part of my party to a completely different state and leaving them there. The next morning, you still have no way to get them to the original destination and they ended up missing an important event. We came out of so much money to check bags multiple times. And on top of all that, the staff in the building seemed to not care and were fairly rude. Overall, just go on and fold and quit making promises to people to get them places when you know you can't. Shoutout to Delta for doing a great job at making it less painful (for those of us who made it).

Everything you need to know for your flight to the United States

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.