Accessing the palm fronds for the thatch roof turned out to be one of the easiest things we’ve had to do so far. There’s a property nearby owned by a friend full of the right kinds of palms, so we simply had to have a chat with the caretaker there and negotiate a fair price for the 2.5 fletes we needed to cover our roof with thatch. Each flete costs 1,900 cords so 2.5 plus tractor transport ended up costing about $250 US. The palm fronds get hand woven along the varilla in tight rows and when done correctly will last about five years.
Francisco preparing the palm fronds for installation
Rudy installing the fronds on the varilla
After four hours they are half-way done!
We added an extender in the front to give a little more sun and rain protection.
Another added feature, a window for extra air flow (and hopefully no rain leakage)!
All done! The next step is the concrete floor…
hip-E habitat 
Hello my Name is Nigel and I a interested in getting a thatch roof done on my place in southern Nicaragua, and am having a difficult time finding information about them…. I would like to source palm fronds and and possibly people to build it…. my email is tapytaptap@hotmailm.com
Hi Nigel,
Where exactly is your house down south? Since we’re way up north im not sure how much help we’d be. I would suggest talking to the local who lives nearest you with a thatch roof. They would know where to get the palma and who would be able to install it.
Good Luck! and let us know how it goes!
Holly
I didn’t make it to San Juan del Sur, heard it was too touristy. I did hovewer meet two fellow backpackers while in Nicaragua who were robbed on the beach in San Juan by the same guy two weeks apart. I would also recommend visiting Nicaragua, really enjoyed Ometepe, and did see a brilliant sunset while there.
Did Nigel ever find the palm fronds or someone to build the rancho roof? We are having the same problem here in the south in the San Juan Del Sur area. Ideally, we would just like to repair the roof we have and the man who made it lives way up north. Would really appreciate any new info on this since 2011…Thank you! Jeanne
hi jeanne,
i am surprised that you can’t find anyone to repair your thatched roof. there are so many guys who work on thatch roofs in the north and there must be in the south as well. i would recommend going into to anywhere you see with a thatch roof and asking for the contact info for the guy who did it.
good luck!
holly