Cahuita has plenty of places to eat fresh local food, with a surprisingly cosmopolitan selection. As with accommodation, prices are not low - an evening meal starts at around US$5 - and service tends to be laid-back: leave yourself lots of time to eat. Nightlife in Cahuita revolves around having a beer and listening to music. At weekends the village's two discos get very sweaty, with customers spilling out onto the street and cranked-up sound systems playing on until the small hours.

Bar Hannia , in the centre of the village. Small friendly bar with good cold beer and a relaxed atmosphere.

ChaChaChas , next door to Cahuita Tours. Fantastic gourmet cuisine - exotic salads, grilled squid, seafood and Tex-Mex - at very reasonable prices and served in a pretty setting with fresh flowers on the tables and fairy lights at night.

Chao's Paradise , Black-Sand Beach. Groovy little joint serving up posh Creole cooking using the freshest ingredients.

El Parquecito , behind the village park. Best place in the village for breakfast, with fresh juices, pancakes and French toast.

Palenque Luisa , in the middle of the village opposite Bar Hannia . Good-value and popular restaurant with extensive menu including casados , fish and Creole dishes, plus live calypso music on Saturday nights.

Sobre Las Ollas , at the northern end of the village, right on the beach. Atmospheric and classy hangout with first-rate seafood - the lobster is particularly delicious - and the sound of lapping waves in the background, though it's not cheap. Closed Tues.

Vista de Mar (known by the locals as "El Chines"), by Kelly Creek. Barn-sized restaurant with a vast menu featuring inexpensive rice-and-bean combos, fish and Chinese food. It's popular with backpackers, and can get very crowded.