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Despegar review

Updated September 28, 2026 · NomadCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026

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Our verdict

Despegar suits anyone booking a whole trip in one place, because flights, hotels and packages all run through the same site. The operator is Despegar.com Corp., founded in 1999, and the range stops short of the rail, bus and ferry bookings that appear in flights, rail and bus on most itineraries.

Key facts

Best for
Anyone booking transport, a stay and a car together in one go
Products
Flights, Hotels, Packages, Cruise, Car-rental↗
Mobile app
Yes↗
Legal entity
Despegar.com Corp.↗
Headquarters
Argentina↗
Founded
1999↗
Official website
despegar.com

Facts checked September 26, 2026, 3 sources

Apps and profiles

Get the app
App Store

Pros and cons

Pros

  • One site handles flights, hotels and packages, so the whole booking sits with a single operator rather than several providers
  • A mobile app is available, which makes searching and changing a booking easier away from a desktop
  • The site belongs to Despegar.com Corp., a company founded in 1999
  • Broader reach than FlixBus, whose range is bus

Cons

  • Ferries, buses and rail do not appear in flights, hotels and packages, so ground legs need another site
  • Tours are missing from flights, hotels and packages, even though MoMo lists flights, rail and bus
  • No connectivity option sits alongside the bookings: flights, hotels and packages covers travel purchases only, where Hertz Bahamas WiFi offers car rental and transfers

Ready to try Despegar?

Scored 9.3 / 10 by NomadCue.

See alternatives

Who it suits

  • Travellers booking a whole trip, with flights, hotels and packages arranged through one operator
  • People who book on a phone, since a mobile app is available for searches and bookings
  • Cruise travellers combining a sailing with flights and hotels, since cruise is part of the range

Who should look elsewhere

  • Coach-first travellers, as FlixBus covers bus and Despegar does not list coach travel
  • Anyone planning a rail and bus itinerary, since MoMo lists flights, rail and bus, a range Despegar's does not reach
  • Travellers who need data on the road, as Hertz Bahamas WiFi provides car rental and transfers rather than a booking service

The company behind it

Despegar runs under the legal name Despegar.com Corp., founded in 1999 and based in Argentina. The named entity is the party a customer holds the booking arrangement with, so it is the detail to check when a flight or hotel reservation needs resolving. The founding year also shows how long the company has been trading online.

How Despegar compares

Where Despegar is available

Available
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela

Countries from the brand (Source, checked September 26, 2026)

Frequently asked questions

What can I book on Despegar?+

The listed range is flights, hotels and packages, all arranged through the same operator. Transport and accommodation can be put together in one booking flow rather than across separate providers, which suits anyone whose trip has more than one part.

Does Despegar have a mobile app?+

Yes, a mobile app is available for searching and booking away from a desktop. It covers the same range as the site, flights, hotels and packages, which makes it the easier option for changes made while travelling or between one leg of a trip and the next.

Who is behind Despegar?+

The site is operated by Despegar.com Corp., founded in 1999 and based in Argentina. The legal entity is the party named on a booking, so it is the detail to look for if a reservation needs resolving or a refund is claimed.

Can I book ferries, buses or trains?+

No. The range is flights, hotels and packages, and ferries, buses and rail do not appear in it. Travellers who need those legs can look at MoMo, which lists flights, rail and bus, or FlixBus for bus.

Is it a good fit for a cruise holiday?+

Cruise sits inside flights, hotels and packages, so a sailing can be booked alongside the flights and hotels for the same trip. It works well for sea travel combined with a wider holiday, and less well for anyone whose route also depends on rail or coach connections.

How does Despegar differ from FlixBus?+

FlixBus is a single mode operator, and its range is bus. The Despegar range is flights, hotels and packages, spread across several kinds of travel, so the two suit different trips: a straight coach journey fits FlixBus, a mixed holiday fits Despegar.

Can I get internet access through Despegar?+

Not from the booking range. flights, hotels and packages covers reservations, with no connectivity product listed. Anyone needing data or a hotspot on the ground would look at a separate provider such as Hertz Bahamas WiFi, which offers car rental and transfers.

Sources

Compiled from 3 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.

Not confirmed yet: Booking fees.

Despegar

Anyone booking transport, a stay and a car together in one go

9.3/10See alternatives