Sustainable Travel in Mexico: Should We Keep Palapa Roofs at Our Ecolodge in San Pancho?

Our longtime palapero — the craftsman who has cared for our roofs since our earliest days — recently shared something that really stayed with us. We were looking at one of our palapa roofs and noticed a couple of holes that needed repair. He paused, sighed, and said:

“La verdad es que la hoja ya no es igual.”

“The truth is that the leaf just isn’t the same.”

He explained that palm fronds used to be harvested once or twice a year—strong, mature leaves that created palapa roofs lasting 12–15 years. But today, demand in the region is so high that fronds are being harvested every three months. They simply don’t have time to strengthen.

His words opened a much larger conversation — not just about roofing, but about our responsibility as stewards of this jungle we call home.

Sustainability Isn’t a Destination — It’s a Journey

As many of our guests know, sustainability has always been woven into the heart of Tailwind Jungle Lodge. In 2009, we became the first certified sustainable ecolodge in Mexico, a milestone that meant so much to our family and to the early vision of this lodge. But sustainability — and minimizing our footprint — isn’t something you achieve once and check off the list. Instead, it’s a journey — one full of evolving questions, shifting environmental realities, and thoughtful choices that must adapt as the land, climate, and community around us change. These aren’t abstract ideas. They show up in very real, very practical ways in our day-to-day operations as an eco lodge in San Pancho Nayarit.

The Tough Questions We’re Facing

This past year has brought up questions we’re still sitting with as we move into 2026:

1. Should we continue using locally sourced wood?

Local wood supports our community and honors regional traditions — but in a tropical climate, it doesn’t last long. Sometimes only a few years. So we ask:

Is a natural but short-lived material still the most sustainable choice when it must be replaced frequently, creating more waste and more resource use?

Or…

Is a more durable alternative better long-term, even if it isn’t “traditional”?

2. Should palapa roofs still be part of Tailwind?

We love palapas. Guests love palapas. Palapas are iconic in cabañas ecológicas, glamping in Mexico, and eco-style architecture throughout the Pacific coast. But if palm fronds are being harvested too early — because regional demand is now so high — then the leaves aren’t maturing properly, and palapas must be replaced more often than ever.

So we ask:

Does it still make sense to use palapa roofs in a time when the natural resource cycle is strained?

Or…

Should we explore new roofing options, even if they change the aesthetic we’ve always cherished?

3. Are alternative materials more sustainable long-term?

PVC lumber and other synthetic options are showing up everywhere. They last longer. They resist the climate. They reduce the need for frequent replacement. But their environmental cost is different — not better or worse on its face, just different. As an ecolodge rooted in sustainable travel in Mexico, we’re constantly weighing:

Which choice respects the environment over decades, not just years?

There are no easy answers, but there are thoughtful conversations happening within our family and with our guests here every day.

Why This Matters for Travelers Seeking Sustainable Stays in San Pancho

More travelers — especially those searching for San Pancho accommodations, eco lodge Mexico, glamping Mexico, or yoga retreat Mexico — want to know how their stay impacts the land. We feel this deeply because our guests tend to be conscious, curious, and environmentally aware.

Transparency matters. Honoring place matters. Integrity matters.

So we want you to know how we’re thinking, what we’re questioning, and where we hope to go next.

Our Intention for 2026: Move Forward Mindfully at Our Ecolodge in San Pancho

As we enter a new year, our intention is clear:

• Minimize our footprint wherever possible

• Stay curious and open to new materials and solutions

• Support local artisans and craftspeople, including our beloved palapero

• Balance tradition with durability in every decision

• Honor nature’s rhythms, even as regional pressures shift

• Share our journey openly with the guests who love this place

Tailwind has always been a blend of wild beauty, family spirit, and humble learning. Whether you’ve visited us for a yoga retreat, a jungle adventure, or a slow, restorative glamping experience, you’ve probably felt that blend for yourself.

Behind the scenes, this lodge is held together by constant care, honest questions, and a deep commitment to doing the best we can with what we know.

We’d Truly Love to Hear From You

So we want to ask you — our community, our guests, our fellow lovers of the jungle:

If you’ve stayed with us, did you love the palapa roof?

Should we keep them, even if they require more frequent maintenance?

Are there sustainable alternatives you’d recommend we explore?

Your insights genuinely shape the decisions we make. This place has always grown in collaboration with the people who love it.

Wishing You a Thoughtful, Light-Footprint 2026

Thank you for continuing to explore this sustainability journey with us. Whether you're dreaming of your next jungle getaway, searching for eco-friendly San Pancho accommodations, planning a yoga retreat in Mexico, or simply imagining a peaceful hammock moment in the trees — we hope to welcome you here at our ecolodge in San Pancho this year.

With love from the jungle,

The Tailwind Jungle Lodge Family

San Pancho, Nayarit, México