Last Updated: February 2026 | By Pablo — Alberto’s is one of my regular east coast stops. I’ve eaten here at least 30 times since moving to Cozumel, and I keep coming back for the ceviche and the waves.
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Alberto’s Beach is the kind of place that doesn’t exist on most tourist itineraries — and that’s exactly why I like it. Sitting on Cozumel’s wild east coast between Chen Rio and Punta Morena, it’s a family-run beach bar and restaurant with plastic chairs in the sand, a palapa roof, and some of the freshest seafood on the island. No dress code. No reservations. No Wi-Fi. Just cold Coronas, excellent fish tacos, and the constant crash of Caribbean waves. I brought a friend from New York here last year and he said it was the most authentic beach experience he’d ever had in Mexico.
What Is Alberto’s Beach?
Alberto’s Beach is a casual, open-air beach restaurant on Cozumel’s eastern (windward) coast. It sits directly on the sand at a stretch of coastline known for its rugged beauty and powerful surf. The restaurant is family-owned and has been operating for years, serving local-style seafood dishes to a mix of residents, adventurous tourists, and the occasional cruise ship group on island tours.
The “beach” at Alberto’s is beautiful but wild — this is the Caribbean’s open-ocean side, with strong waves, rocky sections, and limited swimming areas. Most visitors come for the food, the views, and the atmosphere rather than for a swim. There are some calmer tide pools in the rocks where wading is possible, but the open surf is not for casual swimming.
Discovering Alberto’s Beach
The Dining Experience at Alberto’s
The Food: Alberto’s serves straightforward Mexican beach food, and they do it well. The fish is caught locally — often that morning. My regular order is the ceviche (120-150 pesos) and the fried whole fish (180-250 pesos depending on size). The fish tacos are solid. The guacamole is made fresh. Don’t expect a fancy menu — this is a dozen dishes written on a board, heavy on seafood, with a few chicken and meat options for non-fish eaters.
Drinks: Beer (Coronas, Modelos — 50-70 pesos), micheladas, fresh coconut water from coconuts they crack open in front of you, and basic mixed drinks. The margaritas are strong and cheap. No cocktail menu — just tell them what you want.
The Atmosphere: Plastic tables and chairs on the sand under a thatched palapa. Your feet are in the sand. The ocean is 20 meters away. The soundtrack is waves, reggae from a speaker, and the occasional rooster from the nearby property. It’s rustic, unpretentious, and exactly what a beach restaurant should be.
Prices: Alberto’s is affordable by Cozumel standards. A full meal with drinks runs 300-500 pesos ($17-28 USD) per person. Cash is preferred — don’t count on card machines working reliably.
Practical Information
Location: East coast of Cozumel, on the Carretera Costera Oriente (east coast road), between Chen Rio and Punta Morena beaches. About 25 minutes from San Miguel by car.
Hours: Roughly 10 AM to 5 PM. They’re open most days but may close during bad weather or slow periods. No fixed schedule — this is a casual operation.
Getting There: You need your own transportation — there’s no public transit on the east coast. Rent a scooter (400-600 pesos/day), car (800-1,200 pesos/day), or book an island tour that includes east coast stops. A taxi from San Miguel costs about 400-500 pesos one way.
Facilities: Basic restrooms. No changing rooms. No beach chairs or umbrellas beyond the restaurant seating. No lifeguard.
Tips from a Resident:
- Come for lunch (12-2 PM) when the food is freshest and the kitchen is in full swing
- Bring cash — pesos preferred. Cards are unreliable here
- Don’t plan to swim in the open surf — the east coast currents are strong and there are no lifeguards. Wade in the tide pools instead
- Combine Alberto’s with a drive along the entire east coast — hit Mezcalitos or Chen Rio for morning, Alberto’s for lunch, and head back via the south coast road
- Sunscreen and a hat are essential — the palapa provides shade, but the beach doesn’t
- Visit on a weekday for fewer crowds. Sundays are popular with local families
Book a Cozumel East Coast Experience
The easiest way to visit Alberto’s Beach without renting a vehicle is on a guided island tour. These options cover the east coast and often include beach bar stops:
Cozumel Jeep Island Tour
Drive around the island in a convoy with stops at east coast beaches, a tequila tasting, and local restaurants. Many tours stop at or near Alberto’s for a lunch break.
Check Availability on GetYourGuide →
Cozumel East Coast & Beach Tour
Focused specifically on the windward side of the island. Includes stops at the most scenic east coast beaches and local beach bars.
Check Availability on Viator →
Cozumel Buggy & Beach Adventure
Explore the island in a dune buggy with east coast stops included. More fun and adventurous than a standard tour, and the buggies handle the coast road well.
Check Availability on GetYourGuide →
More East Coast Stops
Alberto’s is one of several great spots along Cozumel’s east coast. For the complete guide to the island’s beaches, including all the east coast options, check our main beaches guide. If you want a more structured beach experience with amenities, the west coast beach clubs offer a different vibe. For more food recommendations across the island, see our restaurant guide. And for the full range of island excursions and tours, browse our main guide.
The Honest Verdict
Alberto’s Beach is not a beach club. If you want manicured sand, infinity pools, and craft cocktails, look at the west coast options. Alberto’s is a beach shack that serves excellent fresh fish on a wild stretch of coastline, and it does that better than anywhere else I’ve eaten on the east coast.
The food is genuinely good — not “good for a beach bar,” just good. The whole fried fish and the ceviche compete with dedicated restaurants in San Miguel, and they cost half as much. The setting is unbeatable if you appreciate raw, undeveloped coastline. I’ve eaten at every beach restaurant on Cozumel’s east coast, and Alberto’s is my top pick for the combination of food quality, price, and authentic atmosphere.
Just manage your expectations: this is a casual, cash-only, no-frills operation on a beach that’s too rough for swimming. Come for lunch, order the fresh catch, watch the waves, and you’ll understand why locals keep coming back.
