Western Highlands
This 'museum' serves some of Huehue's best coffee, and that's saying something. More than just a place to get a well-prepared cup, it also provides some…
Must-see nightlife in Central America
San José
Hidden away in a courtyard within the historical Steinvorth building, this new third-wave coffee shop is the passion project of a local photographer with…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
What began as a few tables and a hut in the sand has blossomed into Santa Teresa's liveliest sunset bar. Grab a fruity cocktail and plop down in an…
Antigua
This alternative cafe is a vertically oriented space that takes up an absurdly narrow corner of an old building (grab the rope to reach the upper level)…
Nosara Area
At this laid-back beach bar, the thing to do is grab a wooden barstool in the sand, crack a local beer, devour a whole fried fish and watch the sun dip…
Jacó
Stationed in the glitzy Jacó Walk, this microbrewery is the city’s first. Try PuddleFish's own rotating brews, like Fatty Knees IPA, The Nut Smuggler…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
Tucked away at the Blue Surf Sanctuary hotel at the northern end of town, this pretty perfect beach lounge attracts a local expat crowd. Beanbags are…
Panama City
Wildly popular with travelers and hip young Panamanians, this cavernous hostel bar is a hit. Service is friendly and patrons easily mingle in the ample…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
Part cocktail bar, part vegetarian restaurant, part art gallery, Drift bar is wholly satisfying. Drinks are made with cold-pressed juices and are best…
San José
Named Wilk (Wolf) in honor of its former life as the Polish embassy, this Escalante pub attracts a mixed Tico/gringo crowd who share an appreciation for…
Antigua
Holding a key corner of Antigua's nightlife corridor, Reilly's packs in both Guatemalans and gringos on weekends. The sprawling pub has several bars, but…
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Specializing in tacos, Caribbean bowls and sweet plantain fries, this popular spot is the perfect end-of-day cocktail stop – hit happy hour from 4pm to…
Caye Caulker
The Lazy Lizard is described as a 'sunny place for shady people,' though most folks here tend to be attractive, young travelers, swimming about and…
Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa
Coffea Diversa is equal parts coffee shop, coffee farm and coffee academy. Folks come from all over the world to learn about the cultivation and…
Managua
The brainchild of a young French entrepreneur, Art Factory wears many hats and we like all of them. It's a swanky yet chilled-out space for an intimate…
Quetzaltenango
This offbeat cafe-bar is a point of reference for travelers and language students, with quirky decor and art installations. It serves a good range of…
Antigua
Tucked right next to the Santa Catalina arch is this small but perfectly formed wine bar with an extensively sourced cellar. Wine by the glass starts at…
Antigua
Just off Parque Central, this sprawling bar tavern has wall-length sofas, murals of literary and sports heroes, and board games. Upstairs is a popular and…
Panama City
Don your stilettos and glitter for a night out at the Casco's hottest club, located on the 2nd floor next to Teatro Amador. There's no hurry, though, as…
Panajachel
As the name suggests, this party center unfolds beneath a thatched-roof shelter (actually two), with a beachy ambience. It's popular with volunteer…
Isla Grande
Why nurse a cocktail by the sea when you can do the same in the sea? This floating bar is anchored off the footpath and accessible by complimentary lancha…
San Pedro La Laguna
To savor a shot of the coffee grown on the surrounding slopes (and roasted here), head for this thatched-roof structure on the way up from the Pana dock…
Antigua
Something of a local institution, this downbeat little bar is a point of reference for Antigua's budding young Burroughses and Kerouacs. It's also the…
Isla Grande
This Rasta-reggae bar-restaurant, hosted by the eponymous local lad Pupy, reaches right into the sea. While the day (or evening) away, your feet planted…
Playa Tamarindo
Walk in. Take a deep breath. Smell the magic brewing? On the wall it says, 'good days start with coffee.' Sip it on the shady patio while snacking on a…
San Pedro La Laguna
D'Juice Girls are young Hebrew-speaking Tz'utujil women who squeeze the tropical fruits of Guatemala into supernutritious combos, such as carrot-ginger…
Bocas del Toro Town
The bar at this landmark hostel is open daily, with happy hour between 7pm and 8pm, but most people make it here between 10pm and 2am on a Friday, when…
Panama City
For a buzzy scene of 20- to 40-somethings, duck into this dimly lit cocktail bar. The Consuelo, a revelation of muddled cucumber, gin and elderflower…
Quepos
Café Milagro sources its coffee beans from all over Costa Rica and produces a variety of estate, single-origin and blended roasts to suit any coffee fiend…
Panama City
The first dedicated rum bar to call Casco Viejo home offers a laid-back Caribbean vibe, an extensive rum-based cocktail menu, and a six-hour-long happy…
Arenal & Around
If you like beer, consider staying at the only hotel (that we're aware of) that has an onsite microbrewery, mixing up the hops and barley to bring you…
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around
Constructed around a 1954 Fairchild C-123 plane (allegedly purchased by the US government in the ’80s for the Nicaraguan Contras but never used), this…
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around
The insane views of two pristine bays and jungle on all sides at Ronny's Place make it worth a detour for a drink and a tasty meal (mains US$14-70). While…
Ambergris Caye
The poshest spot on Secret Beach features flowing curtains, an upstairs spa, pulsating techno beats and beach recliners decked out in bright pillows. The…
To Corcovado via Puerto Jiménez
The sign says 'Buena Esperanza Bar' but it's known as Martina's, named for the charismatic owner who is a local legend. This festive, open-air tropical…
Matagalpa
Pretty slick for the northern highlands, this modern cafe serves up good hot and cold coffee-based drinks using single-origin beans from around the region…
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around
With one of the longest happy hours in town (noon to 6pm), Z Poolside Bistro is a mellow afternoon drinking spot. Centered around a big pool, you can…
Sarapiquí Valley
At the southern end of town, turn off the main road and make your way down to this atmospheric riverside hangout, set on rough-hewn stilts high above the…
Guatemala City
This superhip (but not studiously so) little watering hole is set in a colonial arcade that's said to have a hundred doors (hence the name) and is…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
With picture windows overlooking the mountainside, this Santa Elena mainstay evokes the atmosphere of a ski lodge. But there are DJs, karaoke and pool…
