traveldk.com

Cozumel’s Hard Rock offers no changes from the international formula but draws in the crowds with its loud, friendly atmosphere. Special pluses are good air-con and better live bands than most island bars.

A big, friendly, Caribbean-hut of a bar, opposite the ferry landing on San Miguel’s main plaza. As well as being great for drinks and people-watching, it does highly enjoyable breakfasts.

All-American sports bar where you can keep up with all the scores, and bet on games and horses. It’s more of a real bar than some Riviera sports bars. Buckets of beer a specialty.

This bar/restaurant located in a white-walled colonial house is the place for quality Italian food and potent cocktails. You can also relax in the large garden

This very relaxing, pretty café on the roof of Cozumel’s museum (see Museo de Cozumel) has a great view of the waterfront and good coffee. Tasty breakfasts and snacks too.

An old favorite, ultra-laid-back beach restaurant in a wonderful location where the cross-island road meets the east coast, with a soundtrack of crashing surf.

Deep shade and an ideal view over the beach make the bar in the Paamul cabañas and camping site (see Cabañas María del Mar, Isla Mujeres) a great place to get refreshed after time in the sun. Snacks are also available.

Puerto Aventuras’ favorite beach bar, with a big palapa roof. Elaborate tropical cocktails are the specialty.

Punta Solimán has a desertisland feel, and so does its only bar. Hosts Oscar and Lalo, who also run the camping site and rent kayaks, are friendly and cook great fresh seafood.

Many of the cabaña-clusters along Tulum beach have bars, but Paraíso, near the ruins, has the best view, with a big terrace for catching the breeze.