Central America keeps pulling me back, and I finally figured out why: it’s the perfect combo of incredible places and surprisingly cheap flights. Just last month, I snagged a $250 round trip to Guatemala City and spent mornings watching Antigua’s volcanoes change colors while sipping locally grown coffee. The deals are out there, and I’m slightly obsessed with finding them.
These are the best places in Central America that you can fly to without emptying your bank account. Trust me, when I landed in Panama City for a $300 roundtrip and watched massive ships slide through the canal while eating fresh ceviche in Casco Viejo, I couldn’t believe the value. I’ve tested every possible route combination, and I’m sharing the real flight deals I’ve found. No wishful thinking, just actual prices that’ll get you to paradise.
#1 tip to find cheap flights to Central America
Looking for cheap flights to Central America? Before diving into all the top cities and airports to fly to Central America, I want to share a quick tip on how to save money on airfare.
For the past 5 years, I’ve used Scott’s Cheap Flights (now called Going) to get amazing flight deals. All you have to do is enter your home airport and where you want to go, and from there, they’ll send you mistake fares and other ridiculously cheap flight deals. And the coolest part? It’s 100% FREE! In 2024, I’ve saved thousands of dollars from their email alerts. This includes most recently, a $259 roundtrip fare from Boston to Panama City.
There’s a free and a premium version – the free one has pretty much everything you’ll need. Though if you’re like me and travel a lot, it’s worth upgrading to the paid version for $49 per year. I recommend signing up for the free trial (you can cancel at any time) to try it for yourself. And if you like it, use my coupon code JON20 to save 20%!
Now without further ado, here are the best Central America flights in 2025.
Best Destinations with Cheap Flights to Central America
Looking for affordable places to visit in Central America? Explore Panama City, Panama for its stunning skyline and the famous Panama Canal, visit San José, Costa Rica for vibrant markets and lush rainforests, discover Guatemala City, Guatemala for rich Mayan history and colonial architecture, and experience Managua, Nicaragua for its scenic lakes and cultural landmarks. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, or cuisine, these destinations offer unforgettable travel experiences in Central America.
1. Panama City, Panama ($250–$390 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time from U.S.: 3-6 hours with direct flights from major U.S. hubs
- 🛫 Best Airlines: Copa, United, Spirit (best deals often Tuesday-Thursday)
- 💸 Why It’s Cheap: Major airline hub 🏆, copa airlines dominance ✈️, canal tourism 🚢, American dollar use 💵
- 🔥 Perfect for: Urban explorers 🏙️, canal enthusiasts 🛳️, tropical beach seekers 🏝️, rainforest adventurers 🌴
Panama City is that perfect intro to Central America that won’t give your wallet a panic attack. You get tropical skyline views, rainforest trails, and ocean breezes all in one ridiculously underrated destination.
The Panama Canal is way cooler than it sounds when you actually see massive ships being raised and lowered, while Casco Viejo delivers those colorful colonial buildings and rooftop bars perfect for sunset pics. Just 20 minutes from downtown, you can hike actual rainforest trails with wild monkeys overhead at Metropolitan Natural Park, or escape to the stunning San Blas Islands for beaches that make your friends’ Caribbean vacations look basic.
January through April is your sweet spot for perfect dry season weather and flights in the $250-$390 range from Florida cities.
2. San José, Costa Rica ($240–$370 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time from U.S.: 3-6 hours with direct flights from major U.S. hubs
- 🛫 Best Airlines: JetBlue, Spirit, American (best deals often midweek)
- 💸 Why It’s Cheap: Tourism competition 🏆, expanded route networks ✈️, shoulder season deals 🌴, eco-tourism push 🌿
- 🔥 Perfect for: Adventure seekers 🌋, wildlife enthusiasts 🦥, eco-travelers 🌲, volcano hikers 🏔️
San José delivers ridiculously affordable flights to the land of “pura vida” where your biggest stress will be choosing between beach, rainforest, or volcano adventures. This central valley capital is the perfect launchpad for Costa Rica’s greatest hits.
The city itself isn’t the main attraction, but spots like the Central Market and National Theater are worth a day before you head out to the good stuff. Most travelers use San José as home base for day trips to the stunning La Paz Waterfall Gardens or the bubbling crater of Poás Volcano where you can literally peer into the center of the earth. The real magic happens when you venture a bit further to spots like Manuel Antonio where sloths hang out above perfect beaches or Arenal with its picture-perfect volcano and hot springs.
For flights, JetBlue and Spirit constantly battle with fare wars, though American occasionally drops sales with a free checked bag included. Target May and November when prices drop to $240-$370 from major hubs.
Looking to save BIG on airfare? I recommend signing up for Dollar Flight Club. Thanks to DFC, I’ve saved $5,000+ on travel this year…so I couldn’t recommend it more!
3. Guatemala City, Guatemala ($230–$360 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time from U.S.: 3-5.5 hours with direct flights from major U.S. hubs
- 🛫 Best Airlines: Spirit, Avianca, American (best deals often midweek)
- 💸 Why It’s Cheap: Growing tourism market 🏆, proximity to Mexico 🌮, competitive connections ✈️, shoulder season deals 🌋
- 🔥 Perfect for: Mayan culture explorers 🏛️, volcano hikers 🌋, colonial architecture fans 🏰, coffee enthusiasts ☕
Guatemala City is your affordable gateway to a country that somehow packs ancient Mayan ruins, active volcanoes, and colonial cities into a space smaller than Tennessee. This underrated capital has some gems worth exploring before you head to the more famous spots.
The National Palace in Guatemala City is actually super impressive with its gorgeous green stone architecture and intricate murals worth checking out for a few hours. Most travelers quickly continue to Antigua with its perfect colonial streets, Lake Atitlán surrounded by volcanoes, or the ancient ruins of Tikal where you can channel your inner Indiana Jones among massive temples rising above the jungle.
Spirit consistently has the cheapest base fares, while Avianca often includes a free checked bag with slightly higher prices.
- Read Next: Best Airlines to Fly to Guatemala
4. Managua, Nicaragua ($270–$400 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time from U.S.: 3-6 hours with direct flights from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and connections from other hubs
- 🛫 Best Airlines: Spirit, Avianca, Copa (best deals often with connections)
- 💸 Why It’s Cheap: Emerging destination 🏆, limited but growing routes ✈️, tourism recovery push 🌴, value destination appeal 💰
- 🔥 Perfect for: Budget travelers 💵, volcano boarders 🌋, beach explorers 🏄, colonial architecture fans 🏰
Managua is your budget-friendly ticket to one of Central America’s least crowded but most adventure-packed countries. Nicaragua delivers volcano boarding, pristine beaches, and colonial towns at prices that’ll make your friends jealous.
The capital itself is mostly transit territory, but the New Cathedral is worth checking out for its unique domes that look like something from a sci-fi movie. Most travelers immediately head to Granada with its colorful colonial buildings or León where you can actually board down the side of Cerro Negro volcano on a wooden sled.
Fly between November and April for the best mix of weather and prices. Spirit offers rock-bottom rates if you’re traveling light, while Avianca and Copa tend to include bags and smoother connections.
5. Belize City, Belize ($260–$390 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time from U.S.: 2-6 hours with direct flights from major U.S. hubs
- 🛫 Best Airlines: United, American, Southwest (best deals often Tuesday-Wednesday)
- 💸 Why It’s Cheap: Caribbean alternative appeal 🏆, growing route network ✈️, English-speaking advantage 🗣️, diving destination popularity 🤿
- 🔥 Perfect for: Scuba enthusiasts 🐠, Mayan ruin explorers 🏛️, island hoppers 🏝️, jungle adventurers 🌴
Belize City is the cheapest gateway to what’s basically Caribbean paradise but with ancient ruins thrown in for good measure. Bonus: everyone speaks English so you can finally ditch that translation app.
The city itself is a quick stop, but you’ll want to hit the Museum of Belize a quick history lesson before bouncing to where you really want to be. Most people immediately boat over to Caye Caulker where you can snorkel with sharks and rays at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The jungle side delivers Mayan ruins without the insane crowds of Mexico and that crazy Great Blue Hole that looks even better on your Instagram than it does on National Geographic.
United and American constantly try to undercut each other here, but Southwest randomly throws in those deals with free bags that can save you another $60+ roundtrip.
6. San Pedro Sula, Honduras ($220–$350 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time from U.S.: 2.5-5 hours with direct flights from major U.S. hubs
- 🛫 Best Airlines: Spirit, United, Avianca (best deals often Tuesday-Thursday)
- 💸 Why It’s Cheap: Industrial hub focus 🏆, diving destination proximity 🤿, limited but consistent routes ✈️, value perception 💰
- 🔥 Perfect for: Diving enthusiasts 🐠, beach lovers 🏖️, Mayan ruin explorers 🏛️, off-path travelers 🧭
San Pedro Sula is your budget-friendly springboard to world-class diving, pristine beaches, and ancient ruins without the tourist crowds.
Nobody stays in the city except for a quick night, but just a few hours away you’ll hit the stunning Bay Islands where Roatán and Utila offer Caribbean-quality diving at literal fractions of Caribbean prices. Serious divers flock to Utila where certification courses run half what you’d pay in Mexico and whale sharks make regular appearances. History buffs shouldn’t miss the amazing Copán Ruins with some of the most detailed Mayan carvings in all of Central America.
February and May bring perfect weather and rock-bottom fares around $220-$350 from Florida, Texas, and Atlanta. Spirit dominates with the absolute cheapest flights if you pack light, while United occasionally drops surprisingly good deals with better flight times.
- Read Next: Stunning Places in Honduras
7. San Salvador, El Salvador ($230–$370 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time from U.S.: 3-6 hours with direct flights from major U.S. hubs
- 🛫 Best Airlines: Spirit, Avianca, Volaris (best deals often midweek)
- 💸 Why It’s Cheap: Diaspora travel market 🏆, emerging tourism push 🌋, competitive connections ✈️, value destination 💰
- 🔥 Perfect for: Volcano hikers 🌋, surf enthusiasts 🏄, coffee lovers ☕, off-the-radar explorers 🧭
San Salvador is an emerging destination that packs incredible volcanoes, world-class surf breaks, and surprisingly good food into a tiny country you can drive across in just a few hours.
The capital city has legitimate attractions like the striking Rosario Church and the National Palace, but the real draws lie just beyond. El Tunco beach town delivers perfect black sand and consistent waves that attract surfers who want Bali-quality breaks without Bali prices. Coffee addicts shouldn’t miss the volcanic Ruta de las Flores region where you can tour plantations growing some of the world’s most sought-after beans.
Spirit and Volaris battle for the rock-bottom price crown, though Avianca often includes a bag in their slightly higher fares.
8. Liberia, Costa Rica ($250–$380 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time from U.S.: 3-6 hours with direct flights from major U.S. hubs
- 🛫 Best Airlines: JetBlue, American, United (best deals often midweek)
- 💸 Why It’s Cheap: Beach tourism competition 🏆, expanded route network ✈️, secondary gateway appeal 🌴, package vacation deals 🏨
- 🔥 Perfect for: Beach lovers 🏖️, wildlife spotters 🐒, volcano visitors 🌋, luxury-for-less seekers 💎
Liberia is the cheat code to Costa Rica‘s best beaches without the San José traffic nightmare. This tiny airport in the north puts you just minutes from perfect coastline and volcanic hot springs.
Head straight to Tamarindo for surf breaks and party vibes, while Playa Conchal has that white sand that’ll make your friends think you posted Caribbean pics by mistake. When you need a break from sunburns, Rincón de la Vieja volcano area lets you hike to waterfalls and soak in natural hot springs, or hit Monteverde to walk through actual clouds with monkeys overhead.
May and November are your golden ticket months when flights drop to $250-$380 from major US cities while still giving you decent weather between rainy and high seasons.
- Read Next: Beautiful Places to Visit in Costa Rica
