Galopina
Residential, slow-travel, design-forward jungle retreat. Think a very stylish friend's country house that happens to have housekeeping, a pool, and an honesty bar. Modern yet deeply rooted in Yucatecan craft and materials. Quiet. Intentionally unhurried.
Book the nightly dinner in advance — it must be confirmed before arrival for the first night, and the menu changes daily based on what's seasonal.
Why It Matters
Michelin Guide–listed and featured in Architectural Digest, Vogue, Open House Magazine, and ArchDaily. Named one of Condé Nast's best places to visit in 2023. The architecture alone — a TACO-designed compound on a former henequen plantation connected by a bridge — is worth the detour. Five rooms total means it can feel like a private estate.
Galopina is a five-suite house hotel sitting on 7 hectares of low Yucatecan jungle, 35 km south of Mérida inside the Cenotes Rings State Reserve. Owners Elisa and Guillaume Galopine designed it with local architecture firm TACO (Taller de Arquitectura Contextual) using vernacular materials — burnished stucco, natural cedar, concrete lattices — and furnished it with rescued and refurbished second-hand pieces that smell faintly of cedar wood. There is no front desk, no formal check-in, and on any given evening you might find Elisa cooking dinner while Guillaume mixes cocktails by the pool.
Where You'll Stay
5 room types available
Chel Suite (Cielo)
Twin to the Yuya in elevation and outlook. A CIELO suite elevated above the Tierra level with sweeping, unobstructed views of the Yucatecan jungle canopy. Named after Chel, a Maya goddess associated with water and weaving.
King
Ciricote Suite (Tierra)
The only room positioned on the side of the main building, with a separate entrance for added privacy. Has a dedicated terrace with hammock and immersive views into native Yucatecan vegetation. Named after the ciricote, a prized Yucatecan hardwood.
KingJabin Suite (Tierra)
Ground-level TIERRA suite set inside the hill, offering an immersive experience in the endemic Yucatecan vegetation. Wake up with direct views into the native jungle understory. Named after the jabin tree, a species native to Yucatán.
KingToh Suite (Tierra)
Ground-level TIERRA suite, twin to the Jabin in concept — immersed in endemic vegetation with a jungle floor perspective. Named after the Toh, the turquoise-browed motmot, Yucatán's iconic bird.
KingYuya Suite (Cielo)
Elevated CIELO suite perched above the Tierra rooms. Unobstructed views of the jungle canopy — you're looking at treetops rather than vegetation at eye level. Designed for contemplation and deep restoration under the Yucatecan sky.
KingThe Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The property maintains its own beehives on the grounds. Guests are welcome to join the owners tending to the bees — a non-profit activity. Honey harvested on-site is used in all food and sold to guests as a souvenir. Yucatán is one of the world's leading honey producers and the property takes this seriously.
The property sits inside the Cenotes Rings State Reserve, one of the most biodiverse areas of Yucatán. Binoculars and a field guide to endemic Yucatecan bird species are provided. The best season is March–June when migratory and multicolored birds are most visible, but the property has year-round resident species. Birds can be spotted from your terrace without moving.
A curated selection of Yucatecan handicrafts including hammocks, bags, precious-wood items, Galopina's own body cream, and clothing from local designers. Also sells the property's own honey.
Coastal village surrounded by mangroves where flamingos and other birds gather. The beach is very quiet. About an hour's drive from the property.
Guided cenote tours ranging from beginners in shallow cenotes to advanced levels in deep cenotes. Not your typical tourist cenote — these are the quieter spots that Elisa recommends from personal knowledge. Booked through the hotel.
From December 2025 through March 2026, Galopina hosts a series of international chef residencies. Visiting chefs from France, the UK, Turkey, and elsewhere cook 3-course dinners (7–10pm, weeknights) and weekend farm-to-table meals (4–7pm, Sat–Sun) using ingredients from Mestiza de Indias, a 200-acre regenerative farm. Wine pairing included in the farm-to-table format. Open to non-guests with a reservation.
The UNESCO-listed Maya site of Uxmal is accessible as a day trip. Far less crowded than Chichén Itzá and surrounded by wild jungle. The property can arrange guides.
The only 'living' henequen hacienda in Yucatán, giving insight into the region's agave-fiber history. The 3-hour tour ends with a dip in one of its cenotes. Galopina can book this for guests.
The studio of sculptor Javier Marín, just 15 minutes from Galopina. A monumental and architecturally significant work in Yucatán. Reservations must be made at least 2 weeks in advance — the hotel handles this.
Outdoor swimming pool in the common area of the property. Sun loungers, hammocks, and access to the library. The garden paths run through 7 hectares of low Yucatecan jungle.
The 'Yellow City' of Izamal, an emblematic colonial town with a massive convent atop ancient Maya foundations. Galopina recommends Kinich restaurant for traditional Yucatecan food under a giant palapa.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Homemade breakfast served 8–10:30am, included in room rate. Freshly ground coffee, seasonal fruit juices, dishes from the garden.
Self-serve bar available 8am–11pm. Cocktails prepared on request. A la carte pricing.
Pets not permitted. Property does have resident dogs and cats belonging to the owners.
Filtered water station with refillable bottles provided — no single-use plastic water bottles. Refillable shampoos and soaps also used throughout the property.
Private driver available for airport pickup — arrange in advance with the property.
BUILD YOUR GALOPINA PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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