Discover how to navigate direct flights from Central to South America with ease. This guide highlights which Central American airports offer non-stop routes to South American cities and the best hubs for connections.
Getting between Central America and South America has never been as easy as getting between Central America and North America. There’s always been fewer routes between the seven countries on the Isthmus and our southern neighbors than with our northern ones. You can put that down to economics and travel culture, I guess.
For years, North Americans had the time and money to travel down south on tropical adventures while South Americans simply did not. And for their part, Central Americans have always maintained a desire to travel north rather than south, hence the large diaspora in the States and all those Miami shopping trips. Bottom line is that traditionally the demand wasn’t there so much when it comes to direct flights between Central and South America.
But things are better now and there are more connections. Panama City is a major hub connecting North and South, with San José another burgeoning connection point. And while tourism numbers from North America have (at least in the case of Costa Rica, the region’s most visited country) leveled out somewhat or even gone down, South American visits are on the up.
This article covers what you need to know about getting between Central America and South America. It doesn’t matter if you’re living in Guatemala and looking for the best ways to get to Peru for your bucket list Machu Picchu tour package, if you’re trying to get from Belize to Bolivia, or from Rio de Janeiro to the Rio Reventazón. We’re here to help you make it easier before you start booking.
Belize
We start with Belize because alphabetically, it’s the first country in Central America. But don’t expect any joy with direct flights between The Jewel and South America. Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Belize City, the country’s main hub, only offers flights to/from the United States, Canada, and a couple of Central American neighbors. If you’re traveling to South America, you’ll need to hop through another airport.
The best way to go is via Panama City. Copa Airlines flies from BZE to PTY, where you can catch connections to pretty much every major South American city. Outside of that, you can go to Miami or Atlanta in the States and connect there. We say these two specifically because Miami is a major hub for LatAm connections and Atlanta is the main Delta hub. You can get wherever you’re going from either one. This advice applies for all Central American cities, which is why this is the longest section in this article. Rinse and repeat, basically.
Direct South American Destinations from Belize: None
Costa Rica
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, Costa Rica offers direct flights to Bogotá and Medellín, Colombia, with Avianca and Wingo, and to Lima, Peru, and São Paulo, Brazil, with LATAM and GOL Airlines respectively. Elsewhere, Guanacaste International Airport (LIR) in Liberia has no direct flights to South America, so if you’re heading to/from those northern beaches, you’ll need to use San José and domestic flights. Other options include going though Panama City or the United States.
Direct South American Destinations from Costa Rica:
- Bogotá, Colombia (BOG)
- Lima, Peru (LIM)
- São Paulo, Brazil (GRU)
El Salvador
Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAL) in El Salvador is something of an Avianca hub nowadays, making it a good option for Central American travel to South America. Avianca runs direct flights between SAL and Bogotá, Colombia. For other South American cities, you can connect through Panama City with Copa Airlines or use Avianca to reach the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, or Panama for onward travel.
Direct South American Destinations from El Salvador:
- Bogotá, Colombia (BOG)
Guatemala
La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City has 14 direct flights per week to Bogotá, Colombia with Avianca. Once in Bogotá, you can connect with anywhere else in Colombia or further afield. The best other option for getting to South America is through Panama City with Copa Airlines, if you don’t want to go through Miami or any other American city.
Direct South American Destinations from Guatemala:
* Bogotá, Colombia (BOG)
Honduras
Honduras doesn’t offer direct flights to South America through any of its airports at this time. The best ways to get to South America are through Panama City’s Tocumen Airport (PTY) with Copa Airlines, San Salvador with Avianca, or Miami and Atlanta in the States for connections.
Direct South American Destinations from Honduras: None
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is another country lacking any direct flights to and from Central America. Augusto C. Sandino International Airport (MGA) in Managua is served, however, by Copa and Avianca which both offer numerous flights to Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Panama for connections to South America. And, of course, it’s always possible to fly north to the States and back south to South America.
Direct South American Destinations from Nicaragua: None
Panama
Panama is by far the easiest country in Central America to get to/from South America. Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City is Central America’s busiest hub, and packed with direct flights to South America. Copa Airlines, the big player here, flies straight to Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and Cartagena in Colombia; Buenos Aires in Argentina; São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil; Santiago in Chile; Lima in Peru; Caracas in Venezuela; Montevideo in Uruguay; Asunción in Paraguay; Santa Cruz in Bolivia; and Quito and Guayaquil in Ecuador. Avianca, Wingo, and LATAM also serve some of these routes. Oftentimes, even if you’re in another Central American city with a direct flight to South America, you still might be better off coming to Panama and connecting there.
Direct South American Destinations from Panama:
- Buenos Aries, Argentina (EZE)
- Santa Cruz, Bolivia (VVI)
- Rio de Janeiro,Brazil (GIG)
- São Paulo, Brazil (GRU)
- Santiago, Chile (SCL)
- Bogotá, Colombia (BOG)
- Cali, Colombia (CLO)
- Cartagena, Colombia (CTG)
- Medellín, Colombia (MDE)
- Guayaquil, Ecuador (GYE)
- Quito, Ecuador (UIO)
- Asunción, Paraguay (ASU)
- Lima, Peru (LIM)
- Montevideo, Uruguay (MVD)
- Caracas, Venezuela (CCS)
Wrapping Up
Flights between Central and South America flights are way more numerous than they used to be, when every trip seemed to route through Miami. It says a lot about changing economics that more Central Americans are open to visiting countries like Peru and Brazil, and South Americans are checking out their northern neighbors more.
Looking at the routes, Bogotá is clearly the most well-connected destination from Central America, with direct routes from Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Panama. This reflects Avianca’s influence as a major LatAm carrier. Lima’s next, with non-stops from Costa Rica and Panama.
Whether you’re planning a quick hop or a long-haul adventure, head to the airlines directly for more info on these routes. As travel between these neighbors grows, expect even more options to open up, making it easier to explore the south than ever before.
