The Best Bars in Cozumel, Mexico

Likely one of the first places you’ll come across in Cozumel straight off the boat, this Cuba-themed bar and restaurant is brimming with Caribbean flavor. As you might guess, rum takes center stage on its cocktail list, plus there’s a great menu of Cuban-style cooking, too. If you fancy turning up the heat, flaming shooters will likely get you on the dance floor. Or if you’d rather just relax, an in-house expert can help you choose from a range of authentic Cuban cigars.

A bit of an island institution this one, Mezcalito’s has been serving up frozen margaritas and Mexican beer since way back in 1979. It’s located on the barely inhabited east side of the island, right on a sandy beach, so expect a super-chilled and friendly vibe. Fill up on their legendary “super shrimp” before hitting a hammock for a swing while gazing out over the shimmering Caribbean.

Also known as the Bob Marley Bar, this is another beachfront shack with a seriously blissed out vibe. Tropical cocktails ride high on the menu, together with an impressive choice of tequilas. Their signature shrimp quesadilla is perfect when the munchies kick in, plus there are hammocks aplenty. Take your chill to the next level with their in-house masseuse, available for a quick shoulder rub or full-body massage, accompanied by the soothing throb of reggae music.

Set right on the island’s north waterfront malecónnext to the cruise port, this tiki-themed bar offers fine views over the sea from its often lively upper floor. Food comes in the form of sizzling Mexican favorites, such as fajitas, quesadillas and tacos. Get there just before dusk to complement the experience with a spectacular Caribbean sunset. Live bands, DJ sessions and great cocktails will get you in the mood to salsa into the night.

Travelers with a taste for real ales should make a beeline to this excellent little bar. It’s Cozumel’s first and only microbrewery, offering an impressive range of own-brewed beers from American-style IPAs to creamy stout. You’ll find it under a thatched roof in the center of San Miguel, with an excellent menu that includes wood-fired pizzas topped with locally caught lionfish.

A perennial favorite, the No Name Bar is attached to the port-side Barracuda Hotel but welcomes guests and non-guests alike – it’s an especially popular hangout for cruise crews. A swim-up bar is a highlight, so don’t forget your swimsuit, plus its waterfront position means direct access to the sea and good snorkeling. A long drinks menu offers everything from milkshakes to shooters, with a solid choice of Mexican food to round things off nicely.

A hidden gem tucked just on the outskirts of town, La Monina offers a serene beachfront setting and some seriously good sunset views. It’s open throughout the day, but most come here for the laid-back evening vibes and drinks on the raised terrace. As well as the usual cocktail favorites, they offer a good choice of craft beers, tequilas and mezcals. Food-wise, there’s something for everyone, with pizzas, pastas and burgers joining a great choice of Mexican cuisine.

Located on the main strip of bars in San Miguel’s center, they really crank up the fun times at this popular tourist haunt and self-dubbed Margarita House. Regular live music and entertainment set the tone, while a colorful drinks menu offers inventive flavor combinations from their cocktail “lab”. Fresh seafood is locally and sustainably sourced, plus huge burritos are guaranteed to satisfy the most demanding of appetites – their lobster burrito is the one to claw for.