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Cheap Flights to Central America

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 5 days
San Salvador
San Salvador1 stop$402
San José
San Josénonstop$299
Guatemala City
Guatemala City1 stop$346
Panama City
Panama Citynonstop$495
Liberia
Liberia1 stop$287
Managua
Managua1 stop$492
San Pedro Sula
San Pedro Sula2 stops$364
Comayagua
Comayagua1 stop$450
Flores
Flores2 stops$397
Bocas del Toro
Bocas del Toro2 stops$1,764
David
David1 stop$492
San Pedro Town
San Pedro Town1 stop$840
Tegucigalpa
Tegucigalpa1 stop$875
Limon
Limon1 stop$985
Puerto Jiménez
Puerto Jiménez2 stops$999
San Salvador
San Salvador1 stop$402
San José
San Josénonstop$299
Guatemala City
Guatemala City1 stop$346
Panama City
Panama Citynonstop$495
Liberia
Liberia1 stop$287
Managua
Managua1 stop$492
San Pedro Sula
San Pedro Sula2 stops$364
Comayagua
Comayagua1 stop$450
Flores
Flores2 stops$397
Bocas del Toro
Bocas del Toro2 stops$1,764
David
David1 stop$492
San Pedro Town
San Pedro Town1 stop$840
Tegucigalpa
Tegucigalpa1 stop$875
Limon
Limon1 stop$985
Puerto Jiménez
Puerto Jiménez2 stops$999

KAYAK's insights & trends for flights to Central America

Get data-powered insights and trends for flights to Central America to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What is the cheapest flight to Central America?

The cheapest ticket to Central America from the United States found in the last 5 days was to San José, at $208 round-trip. The most popular route is Atlanta (ATL) to San Salvador (SAL) and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 5 days was $317.

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

The cheapest month for flights from the United States to Central America is February, when tickets cost $204 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are July and December, when the average cost of round-trip tickets is $337 and $333 respectively.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly to Central America?

The cheapest time of day to fly to Central America is generally in the morning, when round-trip flights cost $475 on average. Morning departures are around 22% cheaper than evening flights, on average. The most expensive time of day to fly to Central America is generally in the evening, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is $609.

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

To get a below average price on the flight from the United States to Central America, you should book around 6 weeks before departure, which saves you about 22% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 8 weeks before departure.

Which is the cheapest airport to fly into in Central America?

Prices will differ depending on the departure airport, but generally, the cheapest airport to fly to in Central America is San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport (SJO), with an average flight price of $358.

Good to know

Low season

September

Cheapest flight

$159
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 4% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 21% increase in price.
Flight from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Guatemala City

Flights to Central America: the best tips from KAYAK users' own experiences

Insights shared by verified travelers who flew to Central America 
Verified travelerFlew with Avianca-Jun 2026
Tips for traveling call ahead of time if you have any questions. Also to travel with less items the better.
RonFlew with Delta-Jan 2026
It took us an hour to go through immigration at peak about 1:30 landing time and room was warm, so wear something for the heat and put away any jackets/overcoats/sweaters before you even deplane, you will not need them.
Verified travelerFlew with United Airlines-Dec 2024
There is not enough room for carry on when your on group 4 or more . Hsve a basic bag for emergencies in case the take your carry on to the final destination
CarmelFlew with Alaska Airlines-Jan 2025
Know that flights are very unreliable so pad your days/plans.
RonelliFlew with American Airlines-Mar 2024
Know your gate number and ensure you know where it is before doing any shopping or start wondering around the airport
Verified travelerFlew with Avianca-Jan 2024
Be sure to have you immigration declaration filled out before landing. We weren’t given documents, but the staff was helpful in setting us up with a QR code and assisting us along the way.
LannyFlew with American Airlines-Jan 2024
Bring a book or tablet to connect to entertainment to keep you occupied. This leg of our trip met our expectations. Much better job than our first leg of our trip.

FAQs - booking Central America flights

  • Do I need a visa to fly to Central America?

    American citizens are not required to have a visa to fly to countries in Central America. Countries including Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras. All these countries apart from Nicaragua, allow US Citizens to stay for up to 90 days visa-free. If you plan to extend your stay, you’ll need to get a visa.

  • What are the entry requirements to Central America for US citizens?

    With the visa waiver, US citizens are required to have a passport valid for at least six months that they should carry all the time while in Central America. In addition, countries like Panama, Honduras, and El Salvador will require them to also have a tourist card that is valid for up to 30-90 days. If you plan on visiting Kuna Yala in Panama, you’ll need a yellow fever vaccination certificate because the country has a risk of yellow fever.

  • Can I fly non-stop to Liberia, Costa Rica from the United States?

    Yes. From airports in the US like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) aboard Delta Airlines, New York John. F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) aboard Jet Blue Airlines, or Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) aboard Alaska Airlines to Liberia Guanacaste International Airport (LIR). All these airlines offer specialized services to their passengers to help them relax and cater to their flight needs during long flights.

  • What is the best airport to fly in and out of Central America?

    Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City is the biggest and busiest airport in Central America. It connects Panama and several cities and states in the US. Moreover, it acts as a hub for several airlines giving flyers the chance to choose the best airline. It’s also known for clean terminals, efficiency, great customer service, and accessible services.

  • Which airlines have the cheapest prices from the United States to Central America?

    Among the airlines that provide either direct or layover flights to Central America, the cheapest airlines are Frontier Airlines, Copa Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. All these airlines have layover flights that are affordable alternatives to their non-stop flight counterparts.

  • Can I fly non-stop to Managua from the United States?

    Yes. From Fort Lauderdale International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, you can fly directly to Augusto Cesar Sandino International Airport (MGA) in Managua, Nicaragua aboard Spirit Airlines. From Miami International Airport (MIA) in Miami, you can fly directly to Augusto Cesar Sandino International Airport in Managua aboard either Avianca Airlines or American Airlines. From George Bush International Airport (IAH) in Houston, you can fly directly to Augusto Cesar Sandino International Airport aboard either United Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Avianca Airlines, or American Airlines.  

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

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

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight from the United States to Central America 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 the United States 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 from the United States to Central America 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 the United States 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 from the United States to Central America up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

  • What is the cheapest day to fly to Central America?

    Based on KAYAK data, the cheapest day to fly to Central America is Tuesday where round-trip tickets can be as cheap as $552. On the other hand, the most expensive day to fly is Saturday, where round-trip prices are $588 on average.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Central America

  • Looking for cheap airfare to Central America? 25% of our users found round-trip tickets to Central America for the following prices or less: From Newark $651, from Chicago O'Hare Intl $655, from Houston George Bush Intcntl $712
  • Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Central America flight deals.
  • Central America has many major countries and cities known for their architectural and historical attractions. When traveling to Central America you can get non-stop flights to most of these cities from Miami, Orlando, Dallas, New York, Los Angeles, Houston, or Chicago aboard several airlines including American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Avianca Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Delta Airlines.
  • Alaska Airlines is one of the most popular airlines along this route that offers non-stop flights from cities in the US like Seattle, Portland, San Diego, Los Angeles, Austin, Dallas, and Palm Springs to San Jose International Airport (SJC) in San Jose, Central America.
  • If you’re looking for cheap flights to El Salvador from Newark, opt for the layover flights by Spirit Airlines that have a layover in Fort Lauderdale that will give you a five-hour window to explore locations near Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL).
  • The Mayan Ruins of Tikal and Antigua in Guatemala are some of the most famous archaeological attractions in Central America. American Airlines has non-stop flights from Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Dallas, and Boston to Guatemala La Aurora City Aiport(GUA). From there, you can either take public transportation or take a flight to Mundo Maya International Airport in Flores to easily find your way to the Mayan Ruins of Tikal and take a taxi from GUA to Antigua.
  • Carnaval is a major annual festival that happens in Panama between February and March that lasts up to a week and attracts visitors from all around the world. Get on a non-stop flight from Miami on either American Airlines, Delta Airlines, or United Airlines to Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY).
  • Traveling within Central America on a budget requires you to fly into countries that are centrally located like Guatemala and Panana where you can access both public and private shuttle buses to other cities and to nearby countries to help save on transport costs.
  • Guatemala is served by two international airports namely Guatemala La Aurora City Airport and Mundo Maya International Airport (FRS). If you plan to visit towns in Guatemala like Flores, Santa Elena, and San Benito, fly on layovers into FRS which gives you direct access to these towns.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines flying to Central America

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from the United States 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.
7.6
Copa AirlinesOverall score based on 1554 reviews
6.9Entertainment
8.1Crew
7.8Boarding
7.0Food
7.5Comfort
Airline reviews

It is not a good experience with Copa Airlines: flight delay, luggage delay, etc.

6.0 GoodAnonymous, Aug 2026
Read more Copa Airlines reviews

It is not a good experience with Copa Airlines: flight delay, luggage delay, etc.

We where skipped for this flight will not head to Panama until tonight..

There should be a warning regarding the quality of the aircraft on the website as we reserve the tickets. There was no TV or any type of screen onboard. The wifi they offer is good for nothing. Traveling 9 hours straight with kids and no type of entetainment was horrible. I wish I had been informed prior so I could buy a ticket with another airline. The food was a joke too. A very tiny portion per passenger. They also charged $100 per checked bag. With United I used to pay $60. So, fair to say that I wont be flying Copa anymore. Their aircraft was super old, outdated, no entertainment, with nearly no onboard food.

Very strict carry on rules meant most of the plane had to gate check their luggage. As is often the case had things that were broken because of this, but I appreciated not being charged to gate check. Otherwise good flight and great crew once on the plane

I liked the meatloaf the chicken was awful but the plane was on time and got there and the staff was nice.

Boarding was quick & efficient; they gave boarding groups due priority; staff & air crew were very cordial and helpful, pleasant flight.

Very happy with my flight. I would definitely recommend it.

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

Placed us in the last rear row of the plane so could not recline seats because of the rear wall, and also made it more of a tight space when the passenger in front reclined their seat. While understand seat assignments, every passenger should be afforded a reclining seat. The odor control scent from the restrooms was overwhelming strong. My wife and I could not deal with it, and she suffered a terrible headache as a result. I kept getting hit by the crew since I was on the ilse seat. No apologies, nothing. They made me feel like I was supposed to take the beating for a 3 hr flight.

There was no individual at the front check in when I arrived. I waited for at least 15 minutes and walked around asking security/janitors if they could help and they did not have a solution. So I had to take my checked bag through security and they threw away some of my items. I ended up making it to the gate only a few minutes before it closed due to my waiting for an agent at check in.

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

United, from whom we bought this code-shared flight, mid-flight canceled our tickets for the rest of our itinerary, without explanation. After long delay they tried to re-issue the tickets, but Air Canada could not find the re-issue. It finally resolved after escalation to several layers of supervisors.

Takeoff delayed 2 hrs. Boarded on time to find we were missing part of the flight crew. Then informed that they had loaded too much fuel. Spent 1 1/2 hrs sitting there burning off the excess, which included a couple of laps around the runway until we were light enough to fly! Ridiculous!

The WiFi went out an hour before the flight was due to land so I did not get my money's worth.

I have been flying united for a long time but now I’m done

It's not United, but TSA security at Terminal A in Newark is a disaster and seriously makes me consider switching to flying out of JFK. The touchless TSA pre-check had a line of over 50 people and the bag screening was so slow that it limited the flow of people through the facial recognition process. It is the only airport that I frequent that has this issue and makes me reconsider whether I should fly out of Newark given the wasted time and frustration it causes. As I said, it is not a United issue but will impact United if people choose to stop utilizing Newark airport because of the poor experience.

The food could be much better. Also very unfortunate that most of business class seats were empty but I could not upgrade.

Requested for warm or hot water because of throat pain, it was denied. The entertainment system was hung, requested the crew to turn it off, instead of turning it off they rebooted the device. It was stuck again, no one bothered to check.

Horrible on the chicago end. They change hates then there is a plane at the new gate so we can’t pull in. Then that plane has mechanical issue and needs to be pulled back to the gate but we can’t get to another new gate due the other plane being in the way. Horrible gate management which will cause many customers to miss connections.

- delayed because video screens not working - delayed getting a gate at DCA Just continued bad experience IAH to DCA.

Bag got checked but I thought one personal item was guaranteed.

At 5:46 am EST, when I arrived at my departing gate, your gqte agent told me that I could not board the flight because the flight is closed 15 minuets before departure. However, the same gate agent escorted a woman (standing right next to me) at the gate onto the flight which, proves that I could have boarded the flight just like the woman I watched board the flight. The gate agent stated "she was here before you". 1-why was she not already on the flight & 2-how and why was she able to board a "closed" flight that I was not. Additionally, although 6am EST was the time of departure, the plane did not 'pullback' from the gate until 6:15am EST The same gate agent told me that the "boarding closes 15 before departure time" is printed on my boarding pass. This statement is not displayed on my digital boarding pass that I downloaded from AA.com. She also told me that this in stated on AA.com whent I booked my ticket however, since am travelling for work, I booked my flight thru my firm's (Deloitte Consulting) corporate travel app, not AA.com. Marc W Brown

What an amazing plane! We flew a 787 to Miami. Although the Internet was not functioning, it was a wonderful flight.

Although it was a smaller plane, the flight was quick and uneventful.

This trip on American was the WORST I have ever experienced. The plan was LATE taking off from Tucson due to mechanical issues. It caused me to arrive late in Dallas, so I tried to move flights so I would not miss my dinner meeting. First attempt, that flight was delayed, Second attempt, that flight was also delayed. Got back on original flight, the mechanical issue was NOT fixed, so we de-planed and had to find the new gate. Overall, was which was 4 hours delayed and missed the dinner meeting. Friday return, flight from Orlando was on time and landed early. Then the next flight was delayed due to crew coming in late, and them waiting on other passengers. After 90 minutes of delay, we boarded, and then were informed the Fist Officer could not fly due to time constraints. At 12:15 AM we were offered a hotel for a 4:20 boarding flight. Not happening. DFW was COLD and no place to sleep. Plane delayed again to 6:50, but was late taking off AGAIN. Finally landed in Tucson at around 8AM. Should be refunded 75% of the ticket costs due to negligence, nothing more.

Same the delay was not ideal and the credits to move flights was not sufficient

The delay was not handled well and the offers to move flights and get travel credit was also not ideal.

The worst seat in any business class. Food are worst then economy class.

Plane was in good shape, multiple passes from the drink cart, and one of the smoothest flights I've had in a while.

We left nearly 40 minutes late, which is a long time when you're just seated and waiting. Otherwise, it went well.

American eagle and American Airlines are bad, cancelations, delays and no customer service

I like the attention you gave us in Guatemala due to the loss of the flight coming to El Salvador. It was a nice experience. Thanks a lot

We booked seats next to each other. When we got the boarding passes, they were for different rows. The crew were reluctant to help us, so we ended up sitting separately. 1. What’s the point of reserving by seat number if you’re not going to honor that reservation? 2. Even if it gets messed up between reservation and boarding, how is the crew going to deny us the opportunity to arrange to sit together. There were plenty of people flying alone. It could’ve been easily accommodated. Not very customer-friendly at all.

The seats were the worst I have ever flown Too narrow, did not recline and the actual seat was hard as a rock. I will tell all travelers to stay away from Avianca flights.

The worst experience I've ever had because the "people" @ Avianca wouldn't let me fly because they said I needed a round trip ticket

Seating was tight. Seats don't recline. Initial flight was cancelled. Lost two days of vacation.

It was delayed and I lost my connection flight to Cali and I missed my Mom's funeral

I actually upgraded to the medium level of seats from basic and even doing that it may have been physically the most uncomfortable flight I have ever had. They packed everyone like is a train to death camp. It was a red eye so I hoped to get some sleep but it was physically impossible to find a comfortable way to rest. I met other folks on the same flight and they said the same thing. It was an utterly miserable flight and if I have any other options I will never fly with them again

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

Pros: we leave and arrive on time Cons: the most uncomfortable seats ever. You cant recline at all your seats. No entertainment No TVs flight attendants didn't provide even a glass of water. You have to go to back of the airplane and ask for one. I am Colombian and I remember seeing the flight attendants very neat, elegants which is or was a staple of Avianca.it was one with tennis shoes, no male up, the hair was messy... that was really odd.

More options for your flight to Central America

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