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$813 Find cheap flights to Central America

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Australia to Central America departing on 12/9. 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
Sun 25/8
Sun 1/9

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Best Central America Flight Deals

Cheapest return prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours

San José
San José3 stops$1,643
Panama City
Panama City1 stop$2,859
Liberia
Liberia2 stops$3,302

Good to know

Low season

June

High season

December

Cheapest flight

$813
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 14% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly (6% more expensive on average)
Flight from Sydney to San José

FAQs - booking Central America flights

  • What visa do I need to enter Central America?

    Australian passport holders do not generally need a visa to enter countries in Central America. Australians can stay in Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama for up to 90 days without a visa. On arrival, you need to show a current passport that is valid for at least six months, and you may be asked for proof of an onward ticket.

  • How do I find cheap flights to Central America?

    The cheaper fares from Australia to Central America usually have multiple layovers and longer layover times. Flights from Melbourne to Guatemala with two layovers are cheaper than flights with just one layover. If you don’t mind spending time at airports and changing planes, you can save a lot on airfares. If your travel dates are flexible, you also can search for prices on KAYAK by specific dates or by month.

  • Where should I fly to in Central America to see Mayan ruins?

    The impressive Mayan ruins in Copan are a World Heritage site about 4 hours west of Ramon Villeda Morales International Airport, in San Pedro Sula. One of the most important cultural destinations in Honduras, its highlights include temples, sculptures and the Hieroglyphic Stairway. Alternatively, located deep in the Guatemalan rainforest within Tikal National Park is an ancient city dating back to 1,000 BC. Mundo Maya International Airport (FRS) is only around 70 km from this Mayan archaeological site.

  • What do I need as a car seat if I’m flying to Central America with kids?

    If you want to take the kids on a holiday to Central America, some countries have laws about child restraints in cars. In Costa Rica, El Salvador and Panama, age and height-appropriate car seats and boosters are compulsory for children travelling in vehicles. If you have hired a car at the airport, you will need to hire or bring your own car seats. There are no national child restraint laws in Belize, Guatemala and Honduras.  

  • How long is the flight to Central America?

    An average direct flight from Australia to Central America takes 42h 23m, covering a distance of 23197 km. The most popular route is Sydney - San José with an average flight time of 25h 13m.

  • What is the cheapest flight to Central America?

    The cheapest ticket to Central America from Australia found in the last 72 hours was $1,643. The most popular route is from Sydney to San José and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $1,643.

  • What are the most popular destinations in Central America?

    Based on KAYAK flight searches, the most popular destination is San José (44% of total searches to Central America). The next most popular destinations are Panama City (27%) and Liberia (12%). Searches for flights to San Salvador (10%), to Managua (5%) and to Guatemala City (2%) are also popular.

  • 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 travellers know whether to wait or book now.

See more FAQs

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Central America

  • Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Central America flight deals.
  • If you are departing from Melbourne and want to dive with whale sharks and explore coral reefs in Central America, book a flight to San Pedro Sula Ramon Villeda Morales Airport (SAP), in Honduras, where you can take a boat or ferry to the islands of Roatan and Utila.
  • Passengers travelling from Sydney to Ometepe Island or the Corn Islands must book a flight to Augusto Cesar Sandino International Airport (MGA), in Managua, Nicaragua, before taking a domestic flight to the islands.
  • Australians who want to visit the spectacular Blue Hole Natural Monument, in Belize, must fly to Belize City. From there, travel to Ambergris Caye, where you can find a dive operator who will organise a diving trip to possibly the world’s largest marine sinkhole.
  • Most flights from Australia to Central America have at least one layover. If you are travelling from Sydney to Guatemala, Panama or Costa Rica, you will need to change planes in the United States, usually in Los Angeles.
  • Flights from Sydney to Panama City will arrive at Tocumen International Airport (PTY), which is one of the busiest airports in Central America. A hub for Copa Airlines, you can find regular connections between Central America and the Caribbean, South America and North America.
See more tips

Top 5 airlines flying to Central America

Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Australia 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
Qatar AirwaysOverall score based on 4159 reviews
7.6Entertainment
7.6Comfort
7.5Food
7.8Boarding
8.1Crew
Airline reviews

Flight was fine overall. What you would expect from economy seats. I did appreciate the amenities (eyemask, earplugs, small toothbrush and toothpaste, thin socks).

8.0 ExcellentAnonymous, June 2024DOH - BKK
Read more about Qatar Airways reviews

Flight was fine overall. What you would expect from economy seats. I did appreciate the amenities (eyemask, earplugs, small toothbrush and toothpaste, thin socks).

Besides the flight cancellation, everything else was prefect. Kudos to Malaysian Airlines.

It was good no problems made it on time for the next flight overseas!

they give hard time at checking, they not allow computer bag or purse

I found it weird that the quality of the flight different from Australia to Doha than the Doha to Berlin leg. The quality of the toiletries pack (was in a box from Australia) and then a proper bag from Doha. The biggest variation was the inflight entertainment, which had a significantly shorter amount of content compared to the Doha flight. My QSuite seat was also broken and did not recline all the way flat. Wasn’t the best and I wouldn’t be happy if I’d paid cash for the flight.

Bad experience with the delay n long wait time for connecting flight after missing the connection flight from Doha.

They shld provide food. Between food they are giving 10 hours gap which is toooo much

I didn't understand why I got dropped off at departures on exiting the plane at Doha aiport. I had to find my own way to immigration/baggage reclaim which wasn't easy as staff in the departure section just tell you ti scan your boarding pass. This was very poor b qatar Airways. I spent 2 hours soyung this out and once I got to get my suitcase it was delayed. So instead of getting to the hotel at about midnight I got there at three in the morning. I wonder why I upgraded to business?

From home to the airport, you must mention the terminal ready.

Food and entertainment was very very bad. Also, Doha airport is very bad. Entertainment was same for last 1 month....no change. Old movies. Food quality was sub par.

My experience it was okay but have many thinks to be better. For example the food, the comfort.

Just some cookies and water. There could be other options for food.

For bus boarding, group 1 should have been sent on a separate bus ahead of the general boarding. It would have been nice.

You delayed my trip three days for no reason other than your lack of preparedness, did not offer any compensation, including food or a bed. I couldn’t trust you so I moved up my return flight and lost another day at the end of my trip to hopefully make sure I make my next flight. I will never fly LATAM again. You have the worse accountability and reliability and clearly do not care that your clients have lives and what it cost to fly to another country.

They offered food. The crew passed by again offering water. I enjoyed the two seating section. I think is very comfortable instead of the three seat way, unless you seat in the middle; which it's not bad, but I wouldn't prefer. All and all, I think the lay out of the seating rows are better than other airlines so far( I haven't tried many anyways). The lay out makes the getting in and out to use the restroom less uncomfortable and cramped. First time flying with Latam. I will fly with them again

I do not read or speak in Spanish. Only English. When asking for help, the people spoke quickly in English and pointed a lot. I wish they would’ve spoken a little slower for me to understand. There was much confusion and hurried in their message and I was unclear as to where to go

Everything was as you would expect in coach - fine. Flight was close to on time.

Terrible They charged me 157$ for excess baggage even though my bags were within the normally accepted limits Flight was late. Service was poor. The snacks were really bad

Flight from Lima to São Paulo didn’t have USB plug to charge the cellphone.

It was a good experience, the flight was a little too long & the food was ok

This flight was 2.5 hours delayed due to crew issues. This meant that we arrived after 2 AM. Very very inconvenient and we were not really kept well informed.

Crew seemed annoyed by the fact we were there. Very unpleasant

We liked the fully reclinable seats. Had center seats, so it was difficult to talk to spouse. Crew was great

It started with multiple delays, cancellations, re booking, 5 hour lay over and finally on a plane from Chicago to Pittsburgh. Gates, times, etc were changed multiply times. Once on the plane, staff was fine, but built in tv did not work and could not even turn it off. Light at eye level the entire trip, so sleeping was near impossible. No snacks or drinks given.

The flight was delayed due to weather issue…WiFi did not work and even though I wanted to pay for WiFi I couldn’t buy it. Overall very disappointing even though I paid and reserved Business class

Crew was not very helpful. They forgot to serve me coffee and had to wait for a long time.It looked as if they were not very happy with what they were doing.

737 Max was leaking water into the cabin through the windows. Overhead bins opened on landing. Bad bad plane.

This flight was a code share on Air New Zealand.

Crowded flight, but upbeat and kind crew. Pilot greeted us at door, flight attendant thanked a number of “special” passengers for their business, another addressed an eight-year old boy as “young man.” United obviously trying to up their game, but though all of that is nice and notable, flying still feels like moving along a human assembly line, being herded into one small space after another (boarding areas with too few seats, planes with limited personal space, shuttles (IAD) packed too full.

Cramped and uncomfortable seats. Not enough room for 6’2” person such as myself.

Gate check in of luggage was smooth at DCA and luggage came out fast in IND.

It was delay after delay. Kept changing gates too. Not a good experience.

Paid for premium economy had no tv the whole time the crew tried to reset/reboot but would not work they said they would put a trouble ticket in for it. We had 3 seats my tv was the only one that didn't work. They cancelled our flight re worked us on another that left us at airport over night on the floor I have a ten year old and a 78 diabetic mother which also had shingles and suffers from nerve pain in legs and back. Requested wheelchair service at all airports after the re route NO wheelchair service was there to help. WORST experience we have ever had. Went to American airlines assistance it was closed. I AM FURIOUS!!! I expect some sort of compensation from this traumatic experience and no need for flying points we don't plan on using American airlines again!!!!

Our flight was delayed 2.5 hrs due to plane being too hot! After 1.5 hrs, airline decided to use another plane but had to wait for gate, baggage transfer & beverage transfer. Anyone could tell after first half hour that another plane was required and although did not affect us many would miss connecting flights at Heathrow. I have found the stewards are not the friendliest in the industry and the food is questionable, even as I like airplane food normally, the best of the 2 flights was the yogurt & granola for breakfast.

Cold air blew constantly on my legs almost making me numb.

Food options were limited which is absolutely embarrassing for a Flight of this size The staff did not come around as much and I am not accustomed to such poor service from American Airlines Drinks I believe were limited to soda and water

The staff was unprofessional and didn’t communicate very well. The boarding process was very disheveled, potentially due to a power outage the previous day but there was no contingency plan to properly get passengers boarded the following day. Once boarded the aircraft stayed on the tarmac for over 45 minutes due to high winds. The communication was sporadic but an announcement was finally made an additional 30 minutes later that the flight was cancelled but we couldn’t get off the plane. Prior to deplaning one of the gate agents came on the plane and made an announcement for everyone to pickup their checked bags and take a card to rebook a new reservation because they didn’t have adequate staff. Flights were missed, passengers went to different airports and there was little to no assistance from AA.

American Airlines canceled the flight twice and was unable to facilitate a change of city for us after our travel plans became affected. We lost alot of money due to this and it seems like the airline was trying their best not to facilitate this. Mind you, I am a very loyal member.

There were 3-4 delays on this flight—we almost missed our connection.

It was only a 50-minute flight from CLT to SAV. I could not get wifi in CRJ 900 plane,

It's unacceptable to receive your bags after 5 days, and having to call multiple times to get delivery.

Overhead bins above seats which have some kind of priority - business or otherwise, should be marked as such. Otherwise, they are filled with bags by passengers who may sit in rows with higher numbers. As a consequence, if I'm sitting in row 4 and need to have my hand luggage in row 12, I need to wait likely for the entire plane to disembark before I can take the carry on.

It's my first time traveling on Air Canada, I was very impressed with the good service. I loved it .

My flight ✈️ was delayed by 12 hours causing a disruption to my day

The chairs were too upright, but not awful. Boarding was fast and efficient and we did not sit too long in the plane before takeoff.

Air Canada had a lot of delays on our flight going back to Seattle. So much inconvenience for a long trip.

Air Canada cancelled our flight from Paris to Montreal with less than 24 hours notice, completely ruining our plans for the last day of our trip. Their associate tried to help by rebooking, but there was only one option available from Paris that was impossible for us to get on. There was no compensation for the disruption, and in fact, we had to pay an additional surcharge after losing money from another flight we had to cancel in order to accommodate the change. Before arriving in Paris, our flights were changed 5 times, but we had more flexibility while still on home soil, so the changes were manageable. Very unpredictable company and poor customer service.

I had written all my complaints on my trip from Grand Junction to Denver so I will repeat it here! I was absolutely appalled that I had to pay for a regular seat that I choose 24 hrs before boarding! Also I checked my large bag which I had to pay for as well, and by the time I boarded all the room in the bins were gone so also had to check that one. I noticed people pulling out oversized suitcases, bigger than the measurements stated for carry on, and also large pack packs stuffed full! So these people were taking up 2 or 3 spaces that the rest of us should have been able to use but couldn’t! NoTV on the flight! Thankfully I had downloaded the United Airlines app and was able to watch movies on my phone. Don’t remember the last time I flew in a plane with no movie screens!

Delays upon delays. Food was gross. Separated me and my spouse is the seating I heard others complaining they weren't sat with their loved ones either.

Flight was delayed, I had to put my luggage all the way in the back! They served only a beverage no snack on the way in Air Canada, definitely not a good first impression.

Book Cheap Central America Plane Tickets

Recent return flight deals

10/8Sat
3 stops
32h 40mSYD-SJO
25/8Sun
3 stops
50h 50mSJO-SYD
$1,643
3/10Thu
3 stops
33h 20mSYD-SJO
30/10Wed
3 stops
33h 32mSJO-SYD
$1,673
1/10Tue
3 stops
34h 05mSYD-SJO
29/10Tue
3 stops
34h 10mSJO-SYD
$1,744
12/9Thu
3 stops
33h 00mMEL-SJO
15/9Sun
3 stops
29h 42mSJO-MEL
$1,812
2/12Mon
1 stopAmerican Airlines
20h 46mBNE-SJO
28/12Sat
1 stopAmerican Airlines
31h 53mSJO-BNE
$2,598
2/12Mon
1 stopAmerican Airlines
29h 11mBNE-SJO
28/12Sat
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
30h 17mSJO-BNE
$2,604
12/9Thu
2 stopsUnited Airlines
41h 31mMEL-SJO
15/9Sun
2 stopsUnited Airlines
32h 20mSJO-MEL
$2,821
8/12Sun
1 stopUnited Airlines
21h 17mSYD-PTY
24/1Fri
2 stopsUnited Airlines
31h 05mPTY-SYD
$2,859
15/8Thu
3 stopsLATAM Airlines
44h 05mSYD-SJO
25/8Sun
2 stopsLATAM Airlines
56h 55mSJO-SYD
$3,558
14/12Sat
3 stopsAir Canada
52h 05mSYD-SJO
23/12Mon
2 stopsAir Canada
31h 40mSJO-SYD
$4,652

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Recent one-way flight deals

12/9Thu
3 stops
54h 15mSYD-SJO
$813
11/9Wed
3 stops
33h 20mSYD-SJO
$1,174
13/11Wed
2 stopsLATAM Airlines
44h 25mSYD-SJO
$1,731
25/12Wed
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
25h 52mBNE-PTY
$1,965
11/9Wed
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
44h 05mSYD-SJO
$2,147
15/11Fri
1 stopUnited Airlines
25h 49mSYD-SJO
$2,259
26/12Thu
3 stopsUnited Airlines
61h 43mBNE-PTY
$2,719
13/11Wed
3 stopsAir Canada
51h 45mSYD-SJO
$2,815
15/11Fri
3 stopsAir Canada
51h 45mSYD-SJO
$2,940
30/8Fri
2 stopsLATAM Airlines
44h 10mSYD-SJO
$4,308

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Flights to Central America

Return flight deals:

Central America - Australia

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