Cheap flights? Airline tickets to these 10 international cities are lowest this winter
Got some leftover vacation days lying around? You might want to put them to work in Costa Rica.
That's according to the findings from Kayak's latest ranking of wallet-friendly overseas travel destinations, with San Jose, Costa Rica, topping the list.
Flights to San Jose — originating from cities across the United States and Canada — are expected to be 35% cheaper than the median airfare for international flights from "November through January roughly," Kayak's David Solomito said in a phone interview with Mic.
Sometimes factors like fluctuating energy costs can make flights to certain cities cheaper — since longer flights use more fuel — but in general, airfare prices are driven by supply and demand, Solomito said.
Another city that made the list is Reykjavik, Iceland, he said: "There's been an increase in low-cost carriers going to Reykjavik, which is increasing competition and driving down prices."
Your point of origin will determine the exact price you pay, of course, but here here are the 10 most affordable cities to fly to, ranked by the discount on airfare compared to the median.
10. Lima, Peru
6% lower than the median airfare for international flights
It's a little farther and thus a little more expensive to get to than the other cities on the list, but for an adventurous traveler, Lima might be worth it — especially if you're into food. According to Fodor, Lima boasts "some of the best bites on the continent."
9. Dublin, Ireland
13% lower than the median airfare for international flights
Dublin is slightly more expensive to get to than Reykjavik, but you'll be treated to a bevy of affordable dining and lodging options that offset the cost, Solomito said. And you'll find some of the best pubs in the world.
8. Reykjavik, Iceland
26% lower than the median airfare for international flights
In addition to being a cheap flight from the United States, Reykjavik is rapidly becoming a popular getaway destination for the holidays, Solomito said. Reykjavik, the northern-most capital in the world, has a renowned nightlife.
7. Guatemala City, Guatemala
26% lower than the median airfare for international flights
Guatemala City is the largest city in Central America — and is packed with monuments, museums and other tourist attractions.
6. San Salvador, El Salvador
29% lower than the median airfare for international flights
El Salvador is branded by some as Central America's most "underrated country," and its capital — San Salvador — has incredible beaches with fewer crowds than you'd see elsewhere, especially if you venture outside of the city.
5. Managua, Nicaragua
30% lower than the median airfare for international flights
Lonely Planet cautions that Managua can be "chaotic" — but the city offers incredible street art and beaches for the adventurous traveler.
4. Bogota, Colombia
30% lower than the median airfare for international flights
If you're looking for a Latin American vacation with a cosmopolitan bent, try Bogota. It won't be hot, but it's sure to be festive, especially as you get closer to the holidays — when nightly fireworks light up the sky.
3. Belize City, Belize
32% lower than the median airfare for international flights
The capital of Belize is situated on the water. In addition to Caribbean beaches, Belize is also home to nature preserves and Mayan temples, just outside of the city.
2. Panama City, Panama
33% lower than the median airfare for international flights
Panama City also features attractive views of the water: The famous Las Bóvedas promenade overlooks the Pacific Ocean and is a great spot to catch live music.
1. San Jose, Costa Rica
35% lower than the median airfare for international flights
San Jose is a go-to destination for surfers and beachgoers, Solomito said. The average temperature during the holiday season is about 72 degrees, and many beaches are within a short drive from the city.
If you want to really tamp down on spending this holiday season, look beyond airfares to hotel prices.
Reykjavik, for instance, is a lot cheaper to fly to than Dublin, but will probably be a lot more expensive once you get there, Solomito said — and that's particularly once you factor in the abundance of cheap eats in Dublin.
"Dublin is experiencing a renaissance in terms of the city itself," Solomito said. "There was this huge economic prosperity and then it crashed, and now it's on the upswing again."
More good news: For many of these cities, cheap flights can be had on short notice.
San Jose, Belize City, Bogota and San Salvador all offer some of the cheapest fares just two weeks before booking, according to Kayak's analysis.
