Should I book my international and regional flights on one ticket?

Only if they are operated by partner airlines (e.g., Delta/LATAM or United/Avianca) and the connection time is over 3 hours. Otherwise, book them separately to save money and avoid complex rebooking rules.

Why is my connection in Lima so stressful?

Lima (LIM) is a massive transit hub that requires all passengers to clear immigration and customs even for international connections. If you don't have at least 3 hours, you will likely miss your second flight.

Booking Efficient Flights to South America

Prioritize direct flights into major hubs like Bogotá, Lima, or São Paulo and avoid short-layover connections in airports like GRU or LIM, which are notorious for customs delays. Book your regional legs separately on local carriers to avoid the high surcharges and lack of flexibility associated with international multi-city tickets.

Target the right entry hubs. Book your long-haul flight into a major 'gateway' airport to maximize connectivity. Bogotá (BOG), Lima (LIM), and Panama City (PTY) are the best hubs for North American connections, while São Paulo (GRU) is best if you are heading to the Southern Cone.
Build in a 4-hour buffer for layovers. If your international flight lands in a major hub and you have a connecting regional flight, assume you must clear customs and re-check bags. Even if the ticket is booked together, a 90-minute layover in São Paulo or Buenos Aires is a recipe for a missed flight.
Use multi-city search for different entry/exit points. Don't book round-trips if you are traveling across the continent. Use the 'Multi-city' tool on flight aggregators to fly into one city (e.g., Quito) and out of another (e.g., Santiago). This saves you from back-tracking thousands of miles.
Check regional airlines separately. Large carriers often charge double for regional legs compared to booking them directly with airlines like LATAM, Avianca, or Sky Airline. Check your internal dates on Google Flights, then book directly on the airline's local site to avoid third-party agency fees.

Should I book my international and regional flights on one ticket?: Only if they are operated by partner airlines (e.g., Delta/LATAM or United/Avianca) and the connection time is over 3 hours. Otherwise, book them separately to save money and avoid complex rebooking rules.
Why is my connection in Lima so stressful?: Lima (LIM) is a massive transit hub that requires all passengers to clear immigration and customs even for international connections. If you don't have at least 3 hours, you will likely miss your second flight.