Now that Latin American getaways are more popular than ever, airlines are either resuming or adding new services to several Latin American destinations.
From the upcoming inaugural Tulum route beginning this December to strengthened air connectivity between the U.S. and countries like Colombia and Brazil, including direct flights to this gorgeous off-path state in the latter, reaching the region is now a lot easier.
Just this week, yet another airline added more nonstop flights to lesser-known Latin countries that have been trending with U.S. tourists, bringing them closer to some of the region’s most beautiful and least-crowded beach spots:
3 New Routes To Central America
Colombian low-cost carrier Avianca has announced it will open a further three seasonal routes between the U.S. and Central America, the most overlooked yet one of the most fascinating subcategories of the wider Latin American World.
From early/mid-December, Americans will be able to book more affordable flights to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, all three of which are up-and-coming tropical destinations with a lot to offer when it comes to nature and indigenous culture.
Though these three countries already hosted nonstop flights to and from North America, Avianca will make getting there cheaper and more accessible, as it is one of the leading budget carriers in the Global South.
Additionally, a majority of flights operated from Central to North America land in the Southernmost state of Florida due to their proximity (some flights have a duration of less than 3 hours) and the strong cultural ties they share.
This time, Avianca is focusing on other markets that do not necessarily enjoy as great connectivity to Central America as Floridian hubs such as Miami, Fort Lauderlade, or Orlando — such as Oakland.
Oakland To El Salvador
Starting December 13, the airline will launch a 4x-weekly service, code AV 557, between Oakland (OAK) and San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, on an Airbus A320neo.
Last year, Travel Off Path editors named El Salvador the trendiest country to travel, due to its abundant nature, which comprises a volcanic, densely-forested inland and miles on end of Pacific beaches, as well as ancient heritage.
El Salvador has a number of colonial-era landmarks dating back to the Spanish Empire, especially the capital itself, where beautiful architecture can be seen, and far older pre-Columbian ruins, including the Joya de Cerén, a Mayan city destroyed by a volcano and nicknamed Latin American Pompeii.
The timetable is as follows:
- Departs OAK at 11:00 PM – Arrives at SAL 6:30 AM (Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday)
- Departs SAL at 5:45 PM – Arrives at 9:50 PM (Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday)
Service will run from December 11, 2023 through January 29, 2024, and tickets are already available for booking on Avianca’s website.
Chicago To Guatemala
Next up, Avianca will start flying between Chicago O’Hare (ORD), one of the busiest airports in the mainland U.S. and Guatemala City (GUA), capital of the Central American gem of Guatemala. For this route, they have deployed an Airbus A320.
Guatemala is often considered the ‘budget’ option to Costa Rica, with a similar natural wealth yet more serene, quieter Pacific beaches. According to a Budget Your Trip estimate, travelers will spend on average $44 per day in Guatemala, compared to a median of $111 in Costa Rica.
More information can be found below:
- Departs ORD at 2:35 PM – Arrives at GUA at 7:05 PM (Every Wednesday, Friday, Sunday)
- Departs GUA at 08:45 AM – Arrives at ORD at 1:15 PM (Every Wednesday, Friday, Sunday)
New York To San Pedro Sula
Finally, New Yorkers will now have a nonstop link to San Pedro Sula, the second largest city and cultural heart of Honduras, when traveling with Avianca from New York (JFK), with flights operated on an Airbus A320 three times a week, similarly to the ORD-GUA route.
San Pedro Sula has a rich colonial heritage, resulting from its founding as a Spanish colony nearly five centuries ago, with memorable sights including the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Museum of Anthropology and History, and the Cusuco National Park, nestled in the mountains that surround the city.
As you might have guessed, it is the ideal destination for those looking for a cultural immersion and a more authentic Latin American experience away from the over-developed Caribbean coasts and resort zones.
The flights begin operating on December 11 under the following schedule, with fares starting at just $247.70:
- Departs JFK at 10:00 AM – Arrives at SAP at 1:40 PM (Every Monday, Thursday, Saturday)
- Departs SAP at 1:05 AM – Arrives at JFK at 6:30 PM (Every Monday, Thursday, Saturday)
Learn more about Central America’s rich History, and start preparing for your trip here.
