Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - Palapas. They can be found all over the Banderas Bay area and are a common sight in everything from private homes, to resorts, bars, and restaurants. And there's a reason that they are so popular. Palapas keep you cool.

A palapa is an open air structure constructed with thatch roofing, which is made from palm leaves. The fronds have evolved to withstand sun, rain, and gale force winds, a naturally durable product. The palm leaves are cured, made into strips and typically bunched at one end. They are then easily secured to surfaces or supports.

Palm leaves have great insulation properties and keeps structures cooler than ones built with traditional materials. They are a highly renewable resource and the only processing requirements are boiled water and the warmth from the sun. Palapas are also waterproof.

The palapa has quite a long history and the word comes from the Mayans. Some historians say it originated in the Philippines and was brought to Mexico by traders in the mid 1500s and became extremely popular due to the relative ease of construction, the availability of palm fronds and their ability to block the heat and repel water during summer storms.

In Puerto Vallarta, beautiful palapas puncture the Los Muertos Beach skyline, and one that soars the highest is at The Blue Shrimp Restaurant. With it's privileged location on the most famous beach in Puerto Vallarta, the big palapa restaurant opened in October 2010.

This year, the restaurant's owner, Martín, decided to expand the overhang portion of his palapa. The new addition took about three weeks to build and cost around $10,000 USD. "The extension provides more shade from the hot sun," says Martín. "I wanted clients to be able to enjoy the spectacular sunsets in comfort."

The Blue Shrimp Restaurant offers shrimp served over 30 different ways, as well as Mexican specialties, steaks, salads, soups, and more. Enjoy your meal under the dining room's newly expanded palapa, or dine under an umbrella in one of the chaise lounge chairs or dining tables on the beach. Wherever you sit, the relaxed, family friendly atmosphere sets the stage for a great meal, along with a great sunset.