What Does It Cost To Fly Between Major Latin American Cities?


Toward the end of my first jaunt around Latin America, my money started to run out.


I'll admit it: I planned poorly.


One of the reasons for this is due to the fact that I was totally unaware of the cost of travel between major Latin American destinations. 


I'd either woefully underestimate bus or flight prices, or end up paying too much for last minute flights due to a lack of foresight (LATAM is not like Europe; flying between countries is quite expensive).


I don't want this to happen to you.


Below, I've made screenshots of typical flight prices between major Latin American cities. Keep in mind that these prices will vary depending on the strength of the dollar and the time of year, but it should still provide you with some context for planning your next trip.


Let's get into it!



What Does It Cost To Fly Between Major Latin American Cities?

*The screenshots are from 2016/2017, but I've checked - prices are pretty much the same for 2018 (even cheaper in some cases). I really just don't feel like changing all of these photos. Plus, SkyScanner got rid of the feature where you can see prices for all months in a dropdown menu. The screenshots below, while old, provide a much better visual.



Mexico City to Bogota

$130 USD







Bogota to Lima

$270 USD





Lima to Santiago

$100 USD






Santiago to Buenos Aires

$100 USD








Santiago to Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro

$250 USD





Rio de Janeiro to Panama City

$700 USD





Panama City to Mexico City

$400 USD








Let's Recap

Mexico City to Bogota = approx.  $130

Bogota to Lima = approx.  $270 (I know for sure this is cheaper now (2018))

Lima to Santiago = approx.  $100

Santiago to Buenos Aires = approx.  $100

Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro = approx.  $250

Rio de Janeiro to Panama City  = approx.  $700

Panama City to Mexico City = approx.  $400


TOTAL = $1950.00


So, if you wanted to explore Latin America starting from Mexico City and working your way south to Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Santiago, you're looking at a total flight cost of around $2000 USD.


I've even taken the liberty to make this extremely shitty-looking map to show you what a trip like this would look like:



No need to thank me.



Another Option...

Another option would be flying south from the United States and working your way back up north. 


Let's see what something like that might cost you:


*Note: I used New York as an example of an American city, but prices to and from these places should be more or less similar for any major city in the United States.


New York to Rio de Janeiro

$ 530 USD







Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires

$170 USD







Buenos Aires to Santiago

$130 USD







Santiago to Lima

$120 USD







Lima to Bogota

$300 USD







Bogota to Mexico City

$160 USD







Mexico City to New York

$200 USD









Let's Recap

New York to Rio de Janeiro = approx.  $530

Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires = approx.  $170

Buenos Aires to Santiago = approx.  $130

Santiago to Lima = approx.  $120

Lima to Bogota = approx.  $300

Bogota to Mexico City  = approx.  $160

Mexico City to New York = approx.  $200


TOTAL = $1610.00


Let's say you want to check out Panama City instead of Mexico City.

Well that's not going to be a problem, but it will cost you slightly more:


Bogota to Panama City

$230 USD








Panama City to New York

$270 USD







Swapping Mexico for Panama will add approximately an extra $140 to your trip.

TOTAL = $1750


...I'll spare you the shitty map this time around.


And there you have it!


A very general idea of what it might cost you to fly to major cities in South America and Central America. 


Use this as a guide for budgeting, but be sure to double check flight prices for yourself.


Last but not least, here are 4 websites I recommend for finding cheap flights to South America:

1) Skyscanner

2) Skiplagged 

3) Google Flights

4) Kayak




See you down there.


Until next time,