One of the most frequently asked questions by visitors to Playa Del Carmen is: What exactly is a palapa? We´ve put together this brief article to explain what palapa´s are…
A palapa is a thatched-roof, open-sided structure (see palapa photo). The material to cover the roof of a palapa typically consists of dried and woven palm-tree leaves. There can also be other large leaves from other tropcial foilage to cover the roof. (i.e. Reed and Palm.)
A palapa is sometimes referred to as a grass or tiki hut. The most common place to see a palapa is in the tropics, where a palapa provides shade and refuge from the hot sun. Palapas are constructed in a variety of sizes. Some resorts set up a bar or serve meals under a larger palapa; others devote the shaded area beneath the palapa to massage services.
