San José
Costa Rica’s most important theater stages plays, dance, opera, classical concerts, Latin American music and other major events. The main season runs from…
Must-see entertainment in Central America
Guatemala City
There's a hopping, creative local scene in Guatemala City, and this large, bohemian hangout is one of the best places to connect with it. There's live…
Managua
Living legends Carlos and Luis Enrique Mejía Godoy, whose folk-music explorations into the heart of Nicaraguan culture have become church hymns and…
San José
Grab a craft beer and some vegetarian grub, such as stuffed mushrooms, at this cute San Pedro restaurant and bar. Then head to the spacious and…
San Salvador
The country's finest musicians appear intermittently at this down-tempo cafe set aside from the hullabaloo. Ska, jazz, blues, salsa: just turn up and try…
Panama City
Casco Viejo’s lovely 19th-century playhouse stages ballet, concerts and plays.
Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica
San José
Costa Rica's graceful, modernist 35,000-seat national soccer stadium, constructed with funding from the Chinese government and opened in 2011, is the…
Puerto Limón
You can't miss this bar, with its big yellow tsunami sign and Hokusai's Great Wave painted on the side of the building. Probably the hippest spot in town,…
Caye Caulker
On the leafy grounds of Oasi, this classy little bar and performance space is an ideal venue to experience some of the talented local musicians and circus…
Quetzaltenango
Quetzaltenango's grand neoclassical theater north of the center is the main venue for plays, concerts and dance performances. An elaborate two-tiered…
Panama City
Broadway it is not, but this character-filled wooden building houses a charming 166-seat theater. Founded in 1950 by a group of Panamanian and American…
San José
One of Chepe's most atmospheric nightspots, Sótano is named for its cellar jazz club, where people crowd in for frequent performances including intimate…
Teatro Municipal José de la Cruz Mena
León
Check the board in front of this attractive 1885 theater to see what’s on here and around town during your visit. It’s been impressively restored, and for…
Managua
One of the few Managua buildings to survive the 1972 earthquake, this 'temple to Nicaraguan art and culture' often has big-name international offerings on…
San José
Now with only a single location in the suburb of Escazú, Jazz Café nonetheless continues to impress. Countless performers have taken to the stage here,…
Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts
Belize City
Operated by the Institute for Creative Arts, the revamped Bliss Centre has a fine 600-seat theater that stages a variety of events throughout the year…
San José
This artsy, two-story dive attracts some of the top local talent for live music gigs. The blackboard ceiling fills with messages and drawings nightly. And…
Hopkins
This drumming center is one of the coolest spots in Hopkins to be on any given evening from about 7pm, when local Garifuna drummer Jabbar Lambey hosts…
Managua
This dark, cave-like hangout of local metalheads regularly hosts local live bands. Expect classic rock as well, especially during the Wednesday jams. DJs…
Teatro Nacional Manuel Bonilla
Tegucigalpa
Built in 1912, Honduras' national theater hosts a variety of performing arts, including plays and concerts. The theater’s interior was inspired by the…
San José
This pink Victorian mansion houses the government-run film center and its vast archive of national and international flicks. Festivals, lectures and…
San José
See and be seen at this swanky rooftop lounge, where international DJs regularly perform. If you want to show up early and dine first, this place is also…
San José
Screens the latest releases in a large renovated theater, along with independent films in English. The attached Kubrick Gastro Bar serves up delicious…
Bocas del Toro Town
Great on a rainy afternoon or evening, Cine Cafe is a chilled (quite literally) spot that offers a wide-ranging selection of movies, comfortable beanbag…
León
This hot spot with graffiti-daubed walls features a line-up of live music, indie films and Latin dance nights (from salsa to merengue) all week, and has a…
Guatemala City
The Spanish Cultural Center hosts an excellent range of events, including live music, film nights and art exhibitions, mostly with free admission. See the…
Quetzaltenango
One of several nightspots opposite the Teatro Municipal, Bari hosts live acoustic and Latin music every Wednesday to Sunday. Performances tend to start at…
Matagalpa
Run by a nonprofit women’s organization, this great venue shows art-house movies and hosts concerts and live events ranging from theater to dance…
San José
On Friday and Saturday nights, punk shows (Guttermouth, Voodoo Glow Skulls!) are all the rage at this skate park in Barrio Soledad.
San José
A restored 1920s theater with regular fine-arts performances, including music, theater, ballet and other forms of dance.
San José
A grand stage for concerts, dance, theater and plays. Affiliated with the Centro Costarricense de Ciencia y Cultura.
San Salvador
Contemporary performances across all genres at San Salvador's most respected theater. Naturally, it's at the mall.
San José
This club is the place to see heavy metal, punk and ska bands. Its salsa dancing nights are also good.
Quetzaltenango
This palace of culture is a showcase primarily for comedy revues and plays, with the occasional dance program.
Lívingston
Probably the most dependable nightlife option in town, though it's liveliest on weekends.
Panama City
Mainstream cinema with some dubbed films and some with subtitles. Near Punta Paitilla.
Guatemala City
This large multiplex in one of the city's fanciest malls shows mostly Hollywood hits.
Centro Cultural Miguel Ángel Asturias
Guatemala City
Cultural events are held at this outdoor amphitheater.
