Where's the best place to watch the Super Bowl in Central America this weekend? Here's our annual guide to the best places to watch the Super Bowl in Central America.
First of all, I'll confess that I don't understand American football. footballI Genuine Football. It's a sport where people who call American football football call football soccer. Are you still following along?
But even though I don't understand the sport, it doesn't mean I hate it. In fact, over the years I've grown to love it. And I've lived in Costa Rica long enough to know that most of my fellow native English speakers are Americans, and many of them love the sport. There's no way I could resist that.
But I know enough about football to know that this weekend (Sunday, February 11th) marks the culmination of the 2023/24 season known as Super Bowl LVIII.
For our non-Roman numeral readers, that's Super Bowl 58.
I also know that last year's champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, will be playing the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas, and that it's pretty clear who will win this year, with the 49ers being slight favorites. At least, that's what they've told me.
I'll be rooting for the 49ers because of family ties, but no one cares what I think, and I'll probably be asleep before the game is over anyway.
But if you're not me and would prefer to travel somewhere to watch the game on Sunday, know that you can do so just about anywhere in Central America without any trouble. This leads to the question we ask every year on behalf of our readers: Where is the best place to watch the Super Bowl in Central America in 2024?
Let's take a look.
Super Bowl in Panama (6:30 p.m. start):
In Panama, the match will kick off at 6:30pm. Keep in mind that Panama is an hour ahead of the rest of Central America, and there will be a carnival in the city this weekend, so there may be some crowds and skewers.
In Panama City, check out Buffalo Wild Wings (B-Dubs) You really won't have a problem finding places in Panama City that are showing the game – most of the bars you pass will have the game on, even most hotel bars.
West of Panama City, in Playa Coronado, you'll find the Sandbar Gastropub, the perfect spot for a beach weekend.
If you're in Bocas del Toro, Nicolas Corea of The Bocas Breeze says you have two main options for enjoying the Super Bowl: Toro Loco and Skully's.
“Toro Loco is a sports bar and would normally be the best spot to watch the game, and Scalise is an American expat-run hangout so they should be broadcasting the game.” says Corea.
Super Bowl in Costa Rica (5:30 p.m. start):
In Costa Rica, the match will kick off at 5:30pm local time.
In the San Jose area, I recommend two locations: Chubbs or Fanatics, both in Escazu. I also recommend Tap House, which has two locations on the west side (Escazu and Santa Ana). Of these locations, Chubbs has the crowds and the conversation, the other three have more TVs. Speaking of Chubbs, there's one in front of Parque Morazan downtown and one in Sabana.
If you're in Manuel Antonio, Quepoa Sports Bar is a great option. Also be sure to check out Double Hook at Marina Pez Vela in Quepos. In Jaco, Lone Star is hosting an all-day Super Bowl party that promises to be a blast. Another option in Jaco is Clarita, located on the beach at the north end of town.
Where else? How about around Tamarindo? Try the Surf Club Bar & Grill. There's also TRIO Tamarindo and there are plenty of other places like Jacó. You won't have a problem finding games anywhere in Tamarindo.
In fact, it doesn't matter where you are, no matter where you are in Costa Rica, unless you're in a remote area, you're sure to find a place broadcasting the Super Bowl, and there are a lot of gringos here, so you won't miss out.
Super Bowl in Nicaragua (starts at 5:30 p.m.):
I knew the bars in San Juan del Sur and Granada very well. I remember the Super Bowl was held on Calle de la Calzada in Granada. The bars there had big screens. Everyone was outside, the bars had big street parties. Those were fun times.
However, I haven't been to Nicaragua in a while, so I contacted some friends in San Juan del Sur who told me Bar Republika, Isabella's, and Iguanas were the best places. Big Wave Dave's has been around for a long time, so that's another good option.
In Granada, the best place to watch the game seems to be the Hog's Breath Saloon, or you can head to one of the bars and restaurants on Calle de la Calzada and see what games are on – easy!
Super Bowl in Honduras (5:30 p.m. start):
If you're looking for where to watch the Super Bowl in Honduras, we've got information on where to go.
On Roatan, check out Bananarama at West Bay Beach, where the Super Bowl is broadcast on the beach's giant screen every year, the Hangover Hut, Harvey's Sports Bar in French Harbour, and if you're in Utila, the Reef Bar at Coral View Beach Resort.
Tegucigalpa is home to McAllister's Irish Pub, which has lots of big screens and also promotes craft beer and artisanal pizza.
Super Bowl in El Salvador (5:30 p.m. start):
If you're in San Salvador, El Salvador, try Stones Sports Bar in Colonia Escalon for great beer deals, Strikers Sports Bar at the Barcelo Hotel, and Tucson Steak House. If you're looking for some BBQ to enjoy while watching the Super Bowl, head to Jolnar.
Hopefully you're not in town. Hopefully you're on the beach at El Zonte. What better way to watch the game than at Beach Break Bar & Grill. Bitcoin accepted!
Super Bowl in Guatemala (starts at 5:30 p.m.):
If you're a foreigner in Antigua, Guatemala this weekend, you'll have no problem watching the game.
Reilly's, Monoloco, Bullseye and SKÅL Antigua are all still favourites, so as long as you grab your seat early you shouldn't have any trouble catching a game in Antigua.
Another popular place for foreigners in Guatemala is Lake Atitlan, and if you are here, be sure to check out the Alegre Pub in San Pedro La Laguna.
There are plenty of places to watch the game in Guatemala City, including most of the major chain hotels and many around Zona 9 and Zona 10. For a gringo sports bar experience, the aptly named Uncle Sam's in Zona 10 is a great choice.
Super Bowl in Belize (starts at 5:30 p.m.):
Belizeans everywhere are looking forward to the Super Bowl, and finding a place to watch it in Jewel won't be hard.
On Ambergris Caye, there are plenty of other spots to check out, including Dirty Martini, The Truck Stop, but Carlo & Ernie's Runway Bar is a must-see. Coco Locos also hosts a beach/pool party to coincide with the matches, and the Nauty Club hosts a delicious chili cook-off. Caye Caulker will be broadcasting the matches both on the Barrier Reef and on the card.
In Placencia, both Tipsy Tuna and Barefoot Beach Bar will be showing the match. Hmm, which one should you choose? If you're in the provincial capital of Belmopan, head to Caladium. In San Ignacio there's The Shack Cafe, and those in Hopkins Village can head to Mango's Beachfront Bar. If you're in Belize City, one of the major hotels will be showing the match. For those who want to party, there's also Thirsty Thursdays.
That concludes our roundup of where you can watch Super Bowl 55 in Central America.
We hope this mini-guide will be useful wherever you are. We know that this guide is by no means comprehensive and that we may have missed many places. It's impossible to list all the sports bars in the area, but we hope that we can at least let you know that you won't have a problem finding one when you want to go out.
Where will you be watching the game?
James Dido is an editor at CentralAmerica.com and lives in Escazu, Costa Rica.
