Nightlife in the handful of blocks that make up the only town is far more mellow than in Riviera Maya's bigger cities, exchanging pub crawls with strolls to see street art (Holbox boasts a vast array of vibrant murals from a festival a few years back) and disco din with live guitar and free traditional dance lessons in the main square. Mom-and-pop shops specialize in just-caught seafood, Mexican bites, and frozen cocktails. Other parts of the world are represented on menus as well.
Holboxeno.com maintains an updated list, but a few standouts include LUUma, a tapas joint with lots of vegetarian/vegan dishes set inside a secret garden, Pura Vida Sushi Roots Bar, and ALMA (try the ceviche tostadas and lemon-basil daiquiris). Follow dinner with quiz nights, live music/DJs at The Hot Corner, or karaoke at Cielito Lindo. Looking for something more authentic than an oversize sombrero or shot glass to take home? Hecho Con Amor and El Huacalito both stock 100 percent Mexican-made clothing, accessories, toiletries, and shoes while Madrecuixe collects art and crafts from all corners of the country. ATMs are scarce and many places don't accept cards, so definitely bring backup cash.
