Where Can I Watch the Super Bowl in Central America?

Where are best places to watch the Super Bowl in Central America this weekend? 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 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 tomorrow (Sunday) is the culmination of the 2022/23 season know as Super Bowl LVII.

That’s Super Bowl 57, non-Roman numeral readers.

I also know we have the Philadelphia Eagles facing the Kansas City Chiefs in Arizona, and that Eagles fans are known for being insufferable. At least that’s what they tell me.

It’s enough to know that personally, I’ll be rooting for the Chiefs to win, 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 tomorrow, 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 in 2023?

Let’s take a look.

Super Bowl in Panama (6:30 PM start):

In Panama, the game kicks off at 6:30 PM, and this is the first year in like forever where you don’t have to worry about capacities, social distancing, vaccines and all that crap. Come one, come all and enjoy the game. At last.

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.

Over in Playa Coronado, west of Panama City, is the Sandbar Gastropub. 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.

“Toro Loco is a sports bar and typically the number 1 spot to watch it. Skully’s is a U.S.-expat-owned hangout, and they should be broadcasting the game,” says Corea.

Super Bowl in Costa Rica (5:30 PM start):

In Costa Rica, the game starts at 5:30 PM local time.

In the San José area, we recommend two places: Chubbs or Invictus, both in Escazu. Actually, now I think of it, I also recommend Fanatics, also in Escazu.

If you’re in Manuel Antonio, the Jolly Roger at the Hotel Divisamar is the place to be. Also check out the Double Hook at Marina Pez Vela in Quepos. In Jacó, go to Clarita’s on the beach at the north end of town, or the Rolling Thunder Saloon for the biggest screen in town. Click here for more ideas on where to watch the Super Bowl in Jacó (there are tons of places).

Where else? What about the Tamarindo area? Try Sharky’s or the Surf Club Bar & Grill. There’s also TRIO Tamarindo and, like Jacó, tons and tons of other places. Zero issues finding the game in Tamarindo.

Zero issues anywhere, actually. 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 start):

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 Bar Republika, Isabella’s, and Iguanas.

As for Granada, it looks like the Sandbar 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. And to make it even easier, you should join this Facebook group dedicated to helping you find a place in Nicaragua to watch the game.

Super Bowl in Honduras (5:30 PM start):

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 Roatan, check out Bananarama in West Bay Beach. They show the Super Bowl on a massive screen on the beach each year. Also check out Herby’s Sports Bar in French Harbour. If you’re on the island of Utila, go to the Reef Bar at the Coral View Beach Resort.

In Tegucigalpa is McAllister’s Irish Pub. They have a bunch of big screens, and promotions with craft beer and artisanal pizza.

Super Bowl in El Salvador (5:30 PM start):

If you’re in San Salvador, El Salvador, check out Stones Sports Bar in Colonia Escalon. Beer is $1.50 a bottle there.

Hopefully, you’re not in the city, though. 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. They accept Bitcoin!

Super Bowl in Guatemala (5:30 PM start):

If you’re a gringo in Antigua, Guatemala this weekend, you’ll have no problem watching the game.

Reilly’s, Monoloco, Bullseye, and SKÅL Antigua are all still in contention. 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 start):

Belize is as up for the Super Bowl as anyone, and this is the first year since 2019 that things are completely back to normal. So you’re all good for the game, which starts at 5:30 PM.

Carlo & Ernie’s Runway Bar is the place to be on Ambergris Caye, among many other places including Losers, Dirty Martini, and more. 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?

So that’s your roundup of places to watch the Super Bowl 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 pretty much every sports bar in the region! There are, this year, with all the pandemic idiocy over and done with, more places to go out and watch the game than there were last year, and that’s a good very thing.

Where do you think you’ll be watching the game?

James Dyde is the editor of CentralAmerica.com. He lives in Escazu, Costa Rica.