The Best Places To Party In Central America!

Nothing adds to a backpacking trip like some down right dirty nightlife!

You know, one of those parties where the stars align and it’s just f*ckig awesome to be alive. It’s moments like those that put a smile on your pretty face when backpacking is not all hunky-dory and there’s a snorer in your dorm or you miss your mum. In other words: you should always know where to find the best nightlife in town!

Luckily, we’ve taken one for the team and found the best places to party in Central America for you. We won’t lie – the hangovers were severe and the paracetamols many. But all that doesn’t matter, because when it comes to scientific research, we are 100 % committed to finding you the best party hostels in Central America!

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The Best Party Hostels In Central America

Tantalo is one of the best places to party in Central America

1. Luna’s Castle (Panama City, Panama)

Panama City has a real big, modern city feel to it which is pretty rare in Central America. Those guys have skyscrapers, fancy malls, and whatnot. It’s Central America’s gringo heaven and, as we all know, gringos like to party. So, where’s Panama City’s best nightlife?

Best party hostel in Panama City: Luna’s Castle

On the Central American gringo trail, Luna’s Castle is a bit of an institution. It’s been around for years and it’s the classic party spot in town. To make sure you’re never far away from a drink, there are no less than three bars at the hostel. Any backpacker who’s been to Panama City will say the same: Luna’s is one of the best places to party in Central America!

I’ve spent a lot of time at Luna’s and can honestly say it’s a very good time. It’s in the heart of the Casco Viejo district and right next door to some of the best nightlife in Central America. Make sure you go for a drink at Tantalo – the rooftop view of the skyline is just ridiculous.

PS. Luna’s is also the main place to sign up for going to the paradisiacal San Blas Islands. If you’re going backpacking in Central America, that’s a little piece of heaven you don’t want to miss out on!

Zephyr Lodge is one of the best party hostels in Central America

2. Zephyr Lodge (Lanquin, Guatemala)

Most backpackers come to Lanquin for two reasons: to visit the natural pools at Semuc Champey and to get absolutely shitfaced. The vibe is laid-back, and there’s heaps of backpacker hangouts and unpretentious bars in town. It’s the perfect place to uncap a beer and kick back in beautiful natural surroundings. Oh, and by the way: most places in Lanquin turn off their wi-fi at night, so you may have to talk to your friends (or, worse yet, make new ones).

This is all very lovely, but there’s a different reason why Lanquin takes the prize as the best place to party in Guatemala. And that reason is…

Best party hostel in Lanquin: Zephyr Lodge

This awesome little hostel has all the ingredients of a rad Central American party hostel: pool tables, no wi-fi (we warned you), huge bar, and plenty of happy little backpackers. On top of that, it has the most ridiculous infinity pool in Central America. Not a shabby place to cure those hangovers, eh?

It’s an easy 20-minute walk out of town, and the bar is massive. You can get anything from the local Gallo beer to your favorite bourbon. It’s the only place in Lanquin where the party goes on all night, so make sure you head here for one of the best party hostels in Central America.

Leon Nicaragua is one of the best places to party in central america

3. Bigfoot Hostel (Leon, Nicaragua)

The main thing to do in Leon is to go volcano boarding on Cerro Negro. That’s a fancy way of saying “let’s sit on a tiny piece of wood while we slide down a volcano at 95 km/h”. Safety first, as they say.

Anywho, Leon is a typical Central American colonial city with charming cobblestone streets and colorful houses. There’s a pretty good selection of bars, but if you’ve gone volcano boarding, you probably just want to know where the best place to party is to celebrate that you’re still alive!

Best party hostel in Leon: Bigfoot Hostel Leon

Bigfoot is one of the best party hostels in Central America if you follow the gringo trail. Every backpacker in Nicaragua knows about it, and you’re guaranteed to get shitfaced if you stay there. They’ve always got a lot going on at the hostel and there’s a great party hostel vibe.

One of their famous drinking challenges is the “lava shot challenge”: take 3 shots of rum infused with ghost chili, hold it down for 30 seconds, and bam – you’ve won yourself a shirt that will make your mum extremely proud.