The Art of the Palapa: Witnessing Traditional Roof Thatching in Puerto Morelos
One of the best ways to understand the rhythm of Puerto Morelos is to simply walk down the street and look up. While strolling along the Playa side on Niños Héroes—one of our favorite strips for soaking in the local atmosphere—we stumbled upon a fascinating construction project in progress. It wasn't the pouring of concrete or the laying of bricks; it was the meticulous creation of a traditional thatched roof atop the Maiz Maix building.
Against the stark white of the modern architecture and the brilliant blue of the Mexican sky, the organic texture of the roof stood out immediately. It was a hive of activity, with a team of skilled workers navigating the steep pitch of the wooden skeleton. It’s rare to catch this process right in the middle of the action, seeing exactly how the modern town integrates these ancient Mayan architectural techniques.
Against the stark white of the modern architecture and the brilliant blue of the Mexican sky, the organic texture of the roof stood out immediately. It was a hive of activity, with a team of skilled workers navigating the steep pitch of the wooden skeleton. It’s rare to catch this process right in the middle of the action, seeing exactly how the modern town integrates these ancient Mayan architectural techniques.
Full-length shot from down the street showing several workers on the roof
This style of roofing is iconic to the Yucatan Peninsula. While often generally referred to as a "palapa" structure, the material used here looks like traditional Zacate or dried palm fronds. This isn't just an aesthetic choice for tourists; these roofs are architectural marvels for the tropical climate. The hollow fibers of the dried grasses act as incredible insulators, trapping cool air inside and allowing hot air to escape through the weave, often keeping the interior up to 10 degrees cooler than the outside air.
Watching the installation is a lesson in patience. The process begins at the eaves (the bottom) and moves upward. We watched through the swaying palm trees below as the workers hoisted large bundles of the material up the structure. Each layer must overlap the one below it significantly—usually by more than half its length—to ensure the roof is completely waterproof, allowing rain to shed off the tips rather than soaking through.
This style of roofing is iconic to the Yucatan Peninsula. While often generally referred to as a "palapa" structure, the material used here looks like traditional Zacate or dried palm fronds. This isn't just an aesthetic choice for tourists; these roofs are architectural marvels for the tropical climate. The hollow fibers of the dried grasses act as incredible insulators, trapping cool air inside and allowing hot air to escape through the weave, often keeping the interior up to 10 degrees cooler than the outside air.
Watching the installation is a lesson in patience. The process begins at the eaves (the bottom) and moves upward. We watched through the swaying palm trees below as the workers hoisted large bundles of the material up the structure. Each layer must overlap the one below it significantly—usually by more than half its length—to ensure the roof is completely waterproof, allowing rain to shed off the tips rather than soaking through.
The skill required to secure these bundles is immense, especially when balancing on a steep A-frame under the midday sun. We were particularly captivated by the palapero (the master roofer) perched at the very peak. While the team wore modern safety harnesses—a bright flash of yellow against the brown thatch—the technique they were using dates back centuries.
The worker at the top wasn't using nails or screws. instead, he was using a binding technique, likely employing hemp or synthetic rope to lash the bundles tightly to the wooden battens beneath. He would grab a section of the grass, twist it for tension, and knot it with lightning speed. It requires incredible hand strength and balance. Seeing the "crown" of the roof coming together was special; this top ridge is the most critical part to seal the structure against the wind and rain. It was a beautiful reminder that in Puerto Morelos, true craftsmanship is still very much alive.
The worker at the top wasn't using nails or screws. instead, he was using a binding technique, likely employing hemp or synthetic rope to lash the bundles tightly to the wooden battens beneath. He would grab a section of the grass, twist it for tension, and knot it with lightning speed. It requires incredible hand strength and balance. Seeing the "crown" of the roof coming together was special; this top ridge is the most critical part to seal the structure against the wind and rain. It was a beautiful reminder that in Puerto Morelos, true craftsmanship is still very much alive.
Close up of the man on the very top using binding to attach the sections of grass
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