Eating tends to be expensive wherever you go on Cozumel, but there's plenty of choice if you've got money to spend. Most of the restaurants are downtown and along the west coast, but for a more laid-back atmosphere you can enjoy long, lazy lunches in the palapas dotted every few kilometres along the rugged eastern coast. Keep your eyes peeled for discount vouchers such as the Promo Tips Card given away with Cozumel Tips.

La Choza
corner of Av. 10 and c/Salas. Busy and popular, mid-priced restaurant serving Mexican home cooking. Good service and a buzzing atmosphere.

El Foco
Av. S Sur 13, near c/Salas. Page 4 Long-established, busy restaurant, serving moderately priced Mexican dishes.

Joe's Lobster Pub
Av. 10, between c/Salas and c/3. Touristy restaurant serving Mexican food; the house specialty is lobster in garlic sauce. Nightly live music. Open 6 p.m.-2 a.m.

La Laguna
inside Parque Chankanaab. Busy, expensive restaurant with an extensive menu including superb seafood, typical Mexican dishes and cocktails. The park closes at 5:30 p.m.

Las Palmeras on the zocalo (987/2-05-32). Seafood and Mexican cuisine by the main pier. Busy but mediocre considering the prices. Open 7 a.m.-11 p.m.

Mi Chabelita
Av. 10, between c/1 and Salas. One of the few lower-priced restaurants left near the downtown area. A basic Mexican menu in simple surroundings.

Paradise Cafe'
Palapa-roofed restaurant/bar in the middle of nowhere, dishing up moderately priced Mexican food to the accompaniment of reggae. Good place to swing in a hammock, sipping a margarita. On an anticlockwise circuit of the island, it's where the tarmac road meets the east coast. Daily 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Pepe's Grill
Av. Melgar and c/Salas (987/2-02-13). Seafood and steak in an elegant and relaxed atmosphere. Expensive but worth it. Daily 5-11 p.m.

Pizza Rolandi
Melgar 23. The best pizza on the island. Good service and great sangria.

Las Tortugas
Av. 10 Nte., near c/2 Nte. Seafood, steaks andfajitas,as well as West Indian dishes, away from the hustle and bustle of the center. Daily 11 a.m.-1 1 p.m.