Palapas - Who specializes in constuction in the Chapala area?

I've seen some spectacular palapas with thatched conical roofs around the Chapala Lakeside area, but who constructs them?  I might be interested in something with 6 poles and 5m. (16 ft.) diameter.  Also interested to know about maintenance, roof replacement, etc.

They are expensive to build and maintain. If someone is mad at you all it takes is one match to destroy it. Creatures live in them and drop their poop.

If you sray them it is not a problem. They are the best place to be when it is hot as they stay cool . Yes there is maintenance involved and it is not cheap-- I have to redo the top of mine every 3 years or so because I have a very large tree that drops leaves and seeds on it. The structure is ok but I have to redo the pal, part.

The  best builders and materials are down by the coast but it costs a little more to get one to take a job in this area, especially small jobs.
Any contractor/builder in Manzanillo or PV can recommend good palapa specialists.

I agree, the best palapa builders are at the beach and have access to the right materials.

Or, drive around and look at ones you like then talk to the owners for references.

And keep the bomberos on speed dial.

Public access palapas must be sprayed with a fire retardant. Probably potassium silicate. This is probabaly what Brigitte was referring to. The only really dangerous creature that likes palapas is the "assasin" or "kissing" beetle - but they only come at night, when you are asleep. If you are sleeping under a palapa, make sure you have a mosquito net to prevent these bugs.

Trivia: it is now a popular theory that Charles Darwin died from Chigas disease, caused by an assasin beetle. Millions of people, mostly poor, have this disease in Mexico and throughout Latin America.

Chagas disease

We do not treat with fire retardant but we do treat for bugs. One of the globos missed ours by a couple of feet..It would have made a nice bonfire..

Scorpions love 'em.

The eventos in Riberas, Tahawi, on the lake down from Mom's has some very nice ones. The workers were from somewhere near the coast. They used the vine wrapped palm trunks for posts.

The palm thatch has about an 8 to 10 year life no matter what you do.