Find cheap flights to Central America from $59

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 10/20. 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
Economy
0 bags
Sat 10/21
Sat 10/28
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Latest Central America Flight Deals

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

MOST POPULARSan José
Nonstop from $172
1 stop from $219
Nonstop from $181
Guatemala City
Nonstop from $151
1 stop from $185
2+ stops from $186
Panama City
1 stop from $269
2+ stops from $365
Liberia
1 stop from $209
Nonstop from $305
1 stop from $215
Managua
Nonstop from $165

Good to know

Low season

May

High season

December

Cheapest flight

$59
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 5% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 16% increase in price.
Flight from Washington Dulles Airport to San Salvador

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Central America

  • Looking for cheap airfare to Central America? 25% of our users found tickets to Central America for the following prices or less: From New Orleans $50 one-way - $105 round-trip, from Newark $211 one-way - $366 round-trip, from Houston George Bush Intcntl $263 one-way - $396 round-trip
  • Book at least 3 weeks before departure in order to get a below-average price.
  • High season is considered to be November and December. The cheapest month to fly from the United States is April.
  • 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.

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 long is the flight to Central America?

    An average nonstop flight from the United States to Central America takes 5h 15m, covering a distance of 1995 miles. The most popular route is New York - San José with an average flight time of 5h 15m.

  • What is the cheapest flight to Central America?

    The cheapest ticket to Central America from the United States found in the last 72 hours was $26 one-way, and $102 round-trip. The most popular route is New York John F Kennedy Intl to San José Juan Santamaria Intl and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $261.

  • Which airlines fly to Central America?

    United Airlines, Copa Airlines & Avianca fly the most frequently from the United States to Central America.

  • What are the most popular destinations in Central America?

    The next most popular destinations are San Salvador (24%) and Guatemala City (16%). Searches for flights to Panama City (12%), to Liberia (9%) and to Managua (1%) are also popular.

  • Which airlines have a flexible cancellation policy for flights to Central America due to COVID-19?

    Avianca, ANA and United Airlines have waived their change and cancellation fees on flights to Central America. Confirm policies on booking site.

  • How does KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a given destination and date is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

Top 5 airlines flying to Central America

Scores according to KAYAK customer reviews
7.9
Copa AirlinesOverall score based on 12726 reviews
76food
79comfort
74entertainment
81overall
83crew
81boarding
Airline reviews
Pros: "The entertainment options. Liked the sandwich as well"
Cons: "The seats could be a bit more comfortable, and adding veggies to their sandwiches"
Read more about Copa Airlines
Pros: "The entertainment options. Liked the sandwich as well"
Cons: "The seats could be a bit more comfortable, and adding veggies to their sandwiches"
Pros: "Crew was very helpful."
Cons: "Took a very long time in check in. Agents were very nice; just very slow. Should have kiosks in Buenos Aries. We did not have internet to get our tickets before going to airport."
Pros: "the price"
Cons: "The attendants were in a bad mood and/or unhappy with their jobs. Short answers - not very friendly, but this isn't uncommon on Copa flights. I give them a "zero" on personality."
Pros: "Our flight got delayed due to freezing rain. The crew was so friendly and accomodating and answered any questions passengers had about the flight. Agents were waiting for us to further accommodate passengers with missed connecting flights. The process was so easy and effortless. Thank you Copa!!"
Cons: "One of my best travel experiences!"
Pros: "Boarding was in Spanish - thankfully I recognized the number of our boarding group. Everything was average - what you’d expect on a normal flight. But for breakfast, one of the options was eggs. I expected something barely edible, but it was actually really tasty!"
Cons: "Boarding was all in Spanish. I recognized our group number though, so figured it out, but it’s always nice when it’s repeated in English."
Cons: "i have a huge problem how can i contact you guys ..."
Pros: "Flight was on time and everything was smooth"
Cons: "Plane was a bit too small coming from tampa to panama"
Pros: "Friendly crew."
Cons: "Initially separated from my minor child and had to change seats. Also, my tweezers were taken away."
Pros: "Very organized"
Cons: "Food not good. Would be nice if is more organic. Example breakfast more protein."
Pros: "Clean, courteous, respectful and comfortable!"
Cons: "Vegetarian meals were served with bread that was not fresh"
Cons: "The ticket didnt have seat assigned until last boarding minute it was stressful"
Pros: "the crew was great and very friendly."
Cons: "I wish my return itinerary hadn't changed, that was a bummer. going from 10+ hours to something like 16+ hours was annoying."
Cons: "Our trip was from NY to Cartagena connecting to Medellin. Our original lay over was suppose to be for 2 hours it became 7 hours!!! I missed the time in renting my car. That office closed at 8pm We also missed most of the remaining day to our day at the hotel Los Recuerdos in Guatape. Just awful!!"
Pros: "We were in business and it was comfortable."
Cons: "When we bought business we thought it would be the same plane we flew to Quito on that had seats that went into beds. It wasn’t."
Pros: "staff very efficient; easy checkin;"
Cons: "had to wait 40 minutes for luggage to come on the carousel"
Cons: "Both my departure AND layover flights were very delayed. And they didn't update the tracking so I could plan accordingly."
Pros: "Nothing"
Cons: "Plane was switched. Seats given away. Were placed on other flights arriving to our destination 7 hours after we were suppose to. Horrible experience. We didn’t travel through city we were suppose to. Worse flying experience in years. Our seats had been confirmed upon booking which apparently means nothing."
Pros: "Just the comfort feeling riding my first trip to Colombia. Both crews were amazing. Food was tremendous. I dig the hot towels. Thanks AG"
Cons: "Nothing"
Pros: "to San Salvador was great. Great service, little time to evaluate."
Cons: "It was late and then I missed my connection, and an Avianca employee told me there was a later flight from LAX to PDX (at 11:45 on AlaskaAir) which I would be put on. However, once I arrived I was told I was on a 6 AM on Delta with no arrangement to get me a hotel or anything. I bought a separate ticket on that 11:45 flight on Alaska Air to PDX instead. Extremely unhappy with this service and will never again use it. I will also tell everyone in my social circles, in person and online, to stop using it."

American Airlines customer service was extremely poor. They canceled our flights multiple times. Then put us on standby trying to get on flights instead of booking us on a confirmed flight to get us home. So flight after flight we kept our hopes up just to be disappointed and stuck from a connecting flight. We had never been to Dallas so we were sleeping on the floor at the airport waiting to get home.

Pros: "Comfortable seat, chargers and device holders at search station, very clean and great leg room."
Pros: "The flight attendants were very sweet to my 16 month old son. The plane was clean and the flight was on time."
Cons: "The seats were not comfortable and I wish we received a bottle of water."
Cons: "Had paid for main cabin extra but saw other regular coach passengers using up overhead space in section. Other American flights have monitored this to save space for extra fare passengers."
Cons: "Is not the airline fault. Is thanksgiving weekend. The boarding was extremely slow because So many wheelchairs, . The weather and Chicago airport doesn’t help neither. The capitan take a time to go out and explain what we had to expect. That was a plus. Still for us is our #1 choice"
Pros: "Not a lot. Entertainment options on board were decent. Food was alright."
Cons: "Everything! Crew were terse, rude and inattentive. Due to an issue with a bag on board without the associated passenger we had to taxi back to the stand for it to be removed before we could take off. This cost us an hours delay. There was limited apologies for this, no refreshments provided during the wait and poor communication of this. During the flight the staff were inattentive and sparing with refreshments. Service generally did not live up to expected level associated with an inter-continents flight. The flight was turbulent but crew and captain seemed over cautious with it and crew had to remain seated unnecessarily at times and at the detriment of passenger service. One stewardess wouldn’t even let me finish a drink before removing it from my hand claiming we were about to land and she had to sit down because of turbulence. We were still 40 mins from landing at this point! All in all a pretty bad flight, and it’s safe to say I won’t be flying American Airlines again."
Pros: "Regular delays. This one by 2 hours. Easier to fly a different airline."
Cons: "Just the chronic delays. It’s a good airline, great crew. Tired of damaging delays without compensation."
Pros: "Nice crew! Specifically remember Monica"
Cons: "Boarding was inconvenient and the plane was half empty, leaving the majority of the passengers in the back. I’m sure it’s because of weight distribution but it’s still kind of annoying."
Cons: "Be on time. Also we sat in first class and it would be nice if the center counsel was smaller giving the passengers more seat room."
Cons: "The flight attendant closed all the overhead bin doors...even though there was room in them and she INDICATED as much...so why did she close them DURING the ongoing boarding process. Very strange and very dumb!"
Pros: "Check in was very good Both Outward and Return flights were on time. Crew very attentive Seating not too bad (if you haven't got long legs)"
Cons: "Food could be a bit more varied - some people don't like pasta and some people don't like chicken - what was left????? Should have different entertainment on different legs of the journey Not really Flight-related but Passport Control in US could do with a review .... waiting a good hour or so - come stations were empty and those that weren't the staff were changing shifts while there was still loads of people to go through - not nice when you have people meeting you."
Pros: "Quiet flight."
Cons: "Our luggage didn’t make it to us in its entirety."
Pros: "Vagi food stinks HeadPhone plug good for 1 ear Seats are too crowded"
Pros: "Nothing."
Cons: "Delayed flights leading to incredibly tight connection times, staff inconsistent with messaging re the source of the delay, zero compassion for customers, offering $700-$1,400 to get off the plane when you charge $200 to change a flight 2 weeks in advance is especially galling! Will not fly with United again whenever there is a viable alternative to my destination."
Cons: "Severe lack of legroom. In my 45 years of flying I have never seen such outrageous lack of space. Callous attitude when I approached management about it afterwards. Because of this I will not fly United again ."
Pros: "Staff was very friendly"
Cons: "Upgraded to economy plus and was not comfortable for my hips"
Pros: "We took the Economy + with the extra leg room and while not a significant extra cost it was a lot more comfy. This was also the new 787 Dreamliner with upgraded facilities."
Cons: "Delayed by 15 minutes over and over and over again. Arrived almost 3 hours late."
Pros: "The crew was excellent and the whole flight too. Except for a lady who kept refusing to shut her shade and didn't let us enjoy our movies or have some nice sleep."
Cons: "A gal that sat with me on the first flight had seat 15a on the flight to Raleigh, she gets very sick and needed the window seat....BUT. you folks are so screwed up at ticketing that you NEVER book families together. I've flow with you folks 20 years and its always been a hassle. She was asked to move to the back of the plane (seat 32) a middle seat...where she was sick the whole ride so you could do the "shuffle" of passengers....it's poor business practice. When I have a choice I fly SW now."

Baggage check and Boarding was easy. Seats reminded me of the old Yugo car with not enough room. Attendants didn’t seem to want to be there. Lights were never turned off on this red eye flight. To be fair, management has been making some very poor decisions lately and moral is low.

Cons: "This was my first time that I choose this Airline and also the last time too. This Airline didn’t care the customer. Never has a solution and also never depart on time. They charge the passenger for everything. Nothing is free. My humble opinion is don’t fly with them. I flew with them this time because I found a cheap ticket but at the final I paid more. The prices are very attractive but isn’t true. For me was a headache."
Cons: "Don't expect great comfort on Spirit but that is part of the trade-off with some of the others that may not be much better"
Pros: "the price was reasonable;"
Cons: "inclusion of bags in price; more space between seats; reclining seats;"
Cons: "Sat on tarmac for over an hour waiting for another Spirit plane to clear the gate. Bad planning on the part of the airline."
Pros: "Speedy boarding. Speedy take off. Landed early. Friendly and professional flight crew."
Cons: "Landed early but didn’t have a gate free so we sat there for 20 min anyway. The seats don’t recline at all. There’s no place to charge a phone or plug anything in."
Pros: "Everything cost extra drinks snacks Cary on bags check bags. Seats."
Cons: "you don’t get free snacks free water , everything is expensive"
Pros: "Boarding was easy and the flight attendants were ok."
Cons: "The last 2 hours on the flight was horrible! Dipping, shaking, dropping JUST HORRIBLE"
Pros: "Nothing fees"
Cons: "Fees for everything, overcrowding, in human Seating and less than professional staff. Always thought the the price of the ticket included a seat and upgrading was optional Never ever again"

Book Cheap Central America Plane Tickets

Recent round-trip flight deals

2/4Sun
nonstopAvianca
4h 35mLAX-GUA
2/11Sun
nonstopAvianca
5h 15mGUA-LAX
$151
2/12Mon
nonstopAvianca
4h 35mLAX-GUA
2/22Thu
nonstopAvianca
5h 15mGUA-LAX
$152
1/19Fri
nonstopAvianca
4h 35mLAX-GUA
1/23Tue
nonstopAvianca
5h 15mGUA-LAX
$153
1/25Thu
nonstopAvianca
4h 35mLAX-GUA
2/9Fri
1 stopAvianca
8h 05mGUA-LAX
$154
3/16Sat
nonstopAvianca
4h 35mLAX-GUA
5/18Sat
nonstopAvianca
5h 15mGUA-LAX
$155
10/2Mon
1 stopMultiple Airlines
12h 45mLAX-GUA
10/12Thu
1 stopMultiple Airlines
9h 20mGUA-LAX
$179
10/16Mon
1 stopMultiple Airlines
17h 11mLAX-SAL
10/26Thu
nonstopMultiple Airlines
5h 20mSAL-LAX
$180
11/8Wed
nonstopVolaris El Salvador
4h 49mLAX-SAL
11/13Mon
nonstopVolaris El Salvador
5h 26mSAL-LAX
$186
10/28Sat
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
30h 48mIAD-SAL
11/3Fri
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
21h 27mSAL-IAD
$189
10/28Sat
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
30h 48mIAD-SAL
11/3Fri
1 stopAmerican Airlines
15h 21mSAL-IAD
$191

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Recent one-way flight deals

10/20Fri
nonstopAvianca
4h 20mIAD-SAL
$59
3/10Sun
nonstopAvianca
4h 35mLAX-GUA
$59
10/3Tue
nonstopAvianca
5h 10mLAX-SAL
$59
10/13Fri
1 stopAvianca
7h 50mLAX-GUA
$60
9/25Mon
1 stopAmerican Airlines
11h 44mIAD-SAL
$74
10/28Sat
1 stopSpirit Airlines
18h 12mLAX-SAL
$77
10/21Sat
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
33h 10mIAD-SAL
$78
10/28Sat
2 stopsSpirit Airlines
18h 10mLAX-GUA
$78
10/6Fri
nonstopJetBlue
5h 06mJFK-GUA
$102
10/5Thu
1 stopCopa Airlines
19h 14mJFK-GUA
$104

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Last minute flights to Central America

Last minute flight, train and bus deals

9/23Sat
nonstopAvianca
4h 20mIAD-SAL
10/5Thu
nonstopAvianca
4h 20mSAL-IAD
$159
9/24Sun
nonstopAvianca
4h 20mIAD-SAL
9/28Thu
nonstopAvianca
4h 20mSAL-IAD
$161
9/23Sat
nonstopAvianca
4h 20mIAD-SAL
10/5Thu
multi-stopAvianca
9h 20mSAL-IAD
$162
9/24Sun
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
16h 50mIAD-SAL
9/27Wed
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
16h 26mSAL-IAD
$177
9/24Sun
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
16h 50mIAD-SAL
9/27Wed
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
16h 26mSAL-IAD
$197
9/23Sat
nonstopVolaris El Salvador
4h 17mIAD-SAL
9/28Thu
nonstopVolaris El Salvador
4h 20mSAL-IAD
$218
9/25Mon
nonstopVolaris Costa Rica
4h 51mLAX-GUA
10/4Wed
nonstopVolaris Costa Rica
4h 56mGUA-LAX
$218
9/25Mon
nonstopVolaris Costa Rica
4h 51mLAX-GUA
10/10Tue
nonstopVolaris Costa Rica
4h 56mGUA-LAX
$222
9/25Mon
nonstopVolaris El Salvador
4h 17mIAD-SAL
9/30Sat
nonstopVolaris El Salvador
4h 20mSAL-IAD
$228
9/26Tue
multi-stopSpirit Airlines
9h 14mEWR-SJO
10/10Tue
multi-stopSpirit Airlines
9h 15mSJO-EWR
$249

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Flights to Central America

Return flight deals:

Central America - United States

Cabin classes:

$893
First
$505
Business
$496
$44

Browse origins:

$206
Colorado to Central America
$276
Connecticut to Central America
$159
District of Columbia to Central America
$135
Florida to Central America
$139
Georgia to Central America
$562
Hawaii to Central America
$292
Idaho to Central America
$186
Illinois to Central America
$220
Indiana to Central America
$327
Iowa to Central America
$264
Kansas to Central America
$229
Kentucky to Central America
$160
Louisiana to Central America
$325
Maine to Central America
$159
Maryland to Central America
$194
Massachusetts to Central America
$206
Michigan to Central America
$256
Minnesota to Central America
$587
Mississippi to Central America
$239
Missouri to Central America
$444
Montana to Central America
$299
Nebraska to Central America
$156
Nevada to Central America
$194
New Hampshire to Central America
$177
New Jersey to Central America
$309
New Mexico to Central America
$199
New York State to Central America
$182
North Carolina to Central America
$416
North Dakota to Central America
$183
Ohio to Central America
$369
Oklahoma to Central America
$229
Oregon to Central America
$177
Pennsylvania to Central America
Philadelphia to Central America
$303
Rhode Island to Central America
$187
South Carolina to Central America
$466
South Dakota to Central America
$173
Tennessee to Central America
$109
Texas to Central America
$236
Utah to Central America
$362
Vermont to Central America
$228
Virginia to Central America
$249
Washington to Central America
$502
West Virginia to Central America
$299
Wisconsin to Central America
$206
Wyoming to Central America
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Browse destinations:

$165
Flights to Nicaragua, Central America
$279
Flights to Panama, Central America
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