Central America: Deals That Are Steals

American Airlines and US Airways are having an unpublicized staredown, vying for your business to Belize, Guatemala, and two cities in Costa Rica, San Jose and Liberia.  Both airlines have slashed fares by about half during a sale good for travel through June 15.

You'll find the cheapest fares on flights Monday through Thursday, and get this: There's no advance-purchase requirement.  American decided to meet and beat US Airways' fares from Charlotte, Phoenix, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.  Round trip fares (before taxes and fees) between those cities are as follows for these destinations:

--Liberia, Costa Rica, $315

--San Jose, Costa Rica, $309

--Guatemala City, $303

--Belize City, $292.  (Or, if you can't travel before mid-June, check out Northwest Airline's matching fare of $293 good through Jan. 2, 2007.)