Where are the best places to watch the Super Bowl in Central America today? Here’s our annual guide to the best spots in Central America for the Super Bowl.
I’ll start this with a confession. I don’t really understand American football. Or, I guess I should say, football. I grew up in a country where we played real football. You know, that sport where people who call American football football call football soccer. Still with me?
But even though I don’t understand the sport, I don’t dislike it… I’ve even warmed to it over the years. Plus, 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 their game. Who am I to fight it?
I know enough about football, though, to know that today (Sunday, Feb 9) is the culmination of the 2024/25 season know as Super Bowl LIX. That’s Super Bowl 59, non-Roman numeral readers.
I also know we have the Kansas City Chiefs facing the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans, which is a repeat of two years ago (Super Bowl XLVII (or Super Bowl 57)) when the Chiefs won in Glendale, Arizona. I imagine the Eagles will want revenge for 2023’s loss although according to the bookies, it seems like the Chiefs are slightly favored to win again. At least that’s what they tell me.
I’ll probably be rooting for the Eagles for reason whatsoever, apart from the fact people seem to think Philly fans are pretty obnoxious and as a Chelsea fan, I can understand that. Everyone hates us, too. But nobody cares what I think. I’ll probably be in bed before the thing’s over, anyway.
But just in case you’re not me, and you want to go out somewhere to watch the game later, know that pretty much anywhere in Central America, you’ll have no problem doing this. Which leads to the question we ask every year on behalf of our readers: Where are the best places to watch the Super Bowl in Central America? Let’s take a look.
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Super Bowl in Panama (6:30 PM):
In Panama, the game kicks off at 6:30 PM this evening. Note that Panama is a hour ahead of the rest of Central America, so in the other countries, kickoff is at 5:30 PM. Just an FYI.
In Panama City, check out Buffalo Wild Wings (B-Dubs). In truth, you’ll have no issue finding a place with the game on in Panama City. Pretty much any bar you pass by will be showing it. Most hotel bars will have it on, too, like the HIlton Garden Inn; they’re having a party in their lobby from 5:30 PM. If you’re in Costa del Este and don’t want to head downtown, check out Pub 23 and their Budweiser promotion. Over in Playa Coronado, west of Panama City, is Fonda Extraterrestre. That’s your spot for anyone out there on a beach weekend.
If you’re in Bocas del Toro, you have two main choices for your Super Bowl viewing pleasure, according to Nicolas Corea from The Bocas Breeze. Those are Toro Loco and Skully’s. Skully’s is doing the whole party thing with live music, face painting, BBQ, and so on.
Super Bowl in Costa Rica (5:30 PM):
As mentioned above, in Costa Rica, the game starts at 5:30 PM local time. That goes for the whole of the region apart from Panama. And, like Panama, the game will be everywhere.
In the San José area, we recommend two places: Chubbs or Fanatics, both in Escazu. Tap House is another good option, with two locations on the west side (Escazu and Santa Ana). Of these places, Chubbs is better for the crowd and banter, while the other three have better TVs (that said, Chubbs Escazu has recently improved its TVs so this is no longer the issue it used to be). They (Chubbs) also have a downtown location in front of Parque Morazan and one in Sabana.
In Jacó, Costa Rica’s premier party town, take your pick from Bar OZ or the Rolling Thunder Saloon. Other options in Jacó include Crocs Resort or Clarita’s, both on the beach at the north end of town. Crocs offers that massive screen and casino vibe. If you’re in Manuel Antonio, Quepoa Sports Bar is the place to be. Also check out Marina Pez Vela in Quepos. The old sports bar there transformed into a more high-end restaurant last year (the Butcher Block), but the game will be on somewhere. Heading south of Manuel Antonio, to Domincal, you’ll find Bar Jolly Roger for beer and wings with your side of football.
Where else? What about Guanacaste? If you’re in Tamarindo, try the Surf Club Bar & Grill in Langosta for a tried and tested Super Bowl Experience. In the center of town, Sharky’s is another mainstay going back years and tons of other places like Longboards BBQ, for example. Zero issues finding the game anywhere in Tamarindo. In fact, it’ll be harder to avoid watching than watching. North of Tamarindo, in the Conchal/Flamingo/Potrero area (and yes, I know this is quite a wide area with lots of places), we recommend the Potrero Brewing Company for your Super Bowl viewing needs.
Bottom line is, wherever you are in Costa Rica, unless you’re in the middle of nowhere, you’ll find a place with the Super Bowl on. There are a lot of gringos here, so you won’t miss out.
Super Bowl in Nicaragua (5:30 PM):
I used to know the bars of San Juan del Sur and Granada like the back of my hand. I remember past Super Bowls on the Calle Calzada in Granada, where every bar had a big screen. Everyone was outside in some big street party where all the bars merged. Good times.
But I haven’t been in Nicaragua for a while, so I reached out to friends in San Juan del Sur, who say the best places there will be Ikal and Iguanas. Big Wave Dave’s has been around forever and is also a great option.
As for Granada, it looks like the Hogs Breath Saloon is the place to be for the game. It’s also worth checking out the bars and restaurants on the Calle Calzada to see what’s showing. That’s easy enough to do.
Super Bowl in Honduras (5:30 PM):
If you’re looking for a spot to watch the Super Bowl in Honduras, here’s what the word is on where to go.
On Roatán, try the Hangover Hut in West Bay. Also check out Herby’s Sports Bar in French Harbour. If you’re on the island of Utila, go to Edo’s Place. In Tegucigalpa, you’ll find the Overtime Sports Bar and also the usual main chain hotels for the game.
Super Bowl in El Salvador (5:30 PM):
If you’re in San Salvador, El Salvador, we would recommend going to Presidente Plaza. They’re organizing a family-friendly all-dayer at the mall, with a bunch of their businesses participating. Looks like fun! Hopefully, though, you’re not in the city. Hopefully you’re at the beach in El Zonte, where you can do no better than watching the game at the Beach Break Bar & Grill.
Super Bowl in Guatemala (5:30 PM):
If you’re a gringo in Antigua, Guatemala this weekend, you’ll have no problem watching the game. Reilly’s, Monoloco, the Snug, Bullseye, and SKÅL Antigua are all regular gringo waterholes still in contention for prime viewing spots. We’d probably recommend Bullseye out of the above, but really, it’s all good. You won’t have a problem watching the game in Antigua, as long as you’re early enough to save a seat for yourself.
Another popular part of Guatemala for gringos is Lake Atitlan. If you’re up here, check out the Alegre Pub in San Pedro La Laguna.
In Guatemala City, you’ll also find plenty of places to watch the game. Most of the main chain hotels will play it, and there are plenty of places around Zona 9 and Zona 10. The aptly-named Uncle Sam’s in Zona 10 is probably your best bet for a gringo sports bar experience.
Super Bowl in Belize (5:30 PM):
Belize is as up for the Super Bowl as anyone, and you’ll have no problem finding a place to watch it in The Jewel.
Carlo & Ernie’s Runway Bar is the place to be on Ambergris Caye, among many other places including Dirty Martini, The Truck Stop, and more. Coco Locos is also having an event for the game, while Nauti Crab will feature a delicious chili cook-off. On Caye Caulker, the Barrier Reef will be screening the game.
Down in Placencia, the Tipsy Tuna and the Barefoot Beach Bar will both have the game on. Hmm, which one to choose? If you’re in the capital city of Belmopan, head to Caladium. In Hopkins Village, head to Mango’s Beachfront Bar. If you’re in Belize City, any of the main hotels will show the game.
Where Will You Watch the Super Bowl in Central America?
So that’s your roundup of places to watch Super Bowl LIX in Central America. We hope this mini-guide helps you, wherever you are. It’s nowhere nearly extensive, and we know there are tons of places we missed. It’s impossible to name everywhere, but we hope we’ve shown you that at least you won’t have a problem finding a place if you want to go out. Where do you think you’ll be watching the game later?
James Dyde is the editor of CentralAmerica.com. He lives in Escazu, Costa Rica.
