Two emblematic properties located in historic neighborhoods—Casa Amate 61 and Casa Amate 62—offer an authentic experience that blends vernacular architecture, Art Deco aesthetics, local craftsmanship, and curated activities for travelers, digital nomads, and locals seeking cultural connection and contemporary comfort.
Casa Amate offers warm, genuine hospitality inspired by the welcoming spirit of Yucatán. This unique lodging concept unfolds across two distinctive properties in Mérida’s most iconic neighborhoods, where thoughtful design and a vibrant retro aesthetic come together to create an unforgettable atmosphere.
With two distinct locations—Casa Amate 61 and Casa Amate 62—the project welcomes contemporary travelers and digital nomads into spaces where design, comfort, artisanal heritage, sustainability, and meaningful cultural connection converge.
Casa Amate’s dual nature subtly evokes the Mayan cosmogony described in the Popol Vuh, in which twin gods Hunahpú and Ixbalanqué star in an ancestral epic. Its name, meanwhile, pays tribute to the amate tree, native to Mexico’s tropical regions. Revered since pre-Columbian times for its bark, used to make paper, the amate symbolizes deep roots and ancestral memory.
Considered sacred in pre-Hispanic times and believed by the Mayans to be the dwelling-place of the Maize God, the amate takes on new meaning through Casa Amate’s twin locations—2.5 km apart—each honoring the past while celebrating the vibrant present of Mérida. Casa Amate 61 nestles on Calle 61 in the bohemian La Mejorada neighborhood, home to the Folk Art and Yucatecan Song Museums. Meanwhile, Casa Amate 62 is located on Calle 62 in Santa Ana, just steps from the iconic Paseo de Montejo and close to the city center and Santa Lucía Park.
The architectural development of Casa Amate is the result of a meticulous, sustainability-driven restoration of century-old vernacular structures. These have been harmonized with the clean geometry and lines of Art Deco, culminating in a distinctive aesthetic expressed through signature arched latticework.
Led by architect Fernando García and the firm OWN, known for its sustainable design principles, both properties make use of high ceilings suited to the Yucatán climate, optimizing energy performance. Local materials and ancestral techniques such as chukum—a natural, resin-based plaster—were used to create the unmistakable colors that distinguish each property.
Casa Amate 61, with its cheerful pastel-pink façade evoking the energy and creativity of Mexican culture, opened in May 2024 as a premium hostel. It offers four private suites—two with shared bathrooms—and four bunk rooms each for up to six guests. The three-story building features a central courtyard with a lap pool, murals reinterpreting local landmarks, a second courtyard with micro-environments for relaxation, and a rooftop terrace with two plunge pools.
Casa Amate 62, with its bold blue hue, is a refined two-story property boasting 19 private rooms and two shared rooms with four bunks each. Just steps from the iconic La Negrita cantina, this boutique hotel offers two pools: a lap pool at the center of the building flanked by jacuzzis, and a rooftop pool with a solarium and cozy outdoor cinema.
The warm, refined interiors of both properties were designed by Mex&Co Studio Design, led by Steisy Echeverría, who curated a selection of furniture crafted from tropical woods like tzalam and cedar. The collection celebrates fine local woodworking from a contemporary perspective, enriched with handcrafted textiles, petatillo fabrics, Ticul clay vases, and ornamental pieces made by artisans preserving ancestral trades.
Personal care amenities feature a custom line of products made with melipona bee honey, supporting fair trade practices with local beekeepers. This initiative is part of Casa Amate’s sustainability and conservation vision, which also includes support for the preservation of endemic species, such as the tapir sanctuary in Kinchil.
Forging meaningful connections with guests is a cornerstone of Casa Amate’s philosophy. A team of local volunteers offers personalized recommendations for discovering Mérida’s authentic side. For tailored experiences, guests can explore Amate Experiencias, a curated program featuring cenote excursions, archaeological site visits, and personalized thematic tours.
Casa Amate’s spaces are designed to encourage community and creativity. Programming includes free yoga classes, outdoor movie nights, and special workshops—such as floral arranging—for an additional fee. For digital nomads, Casa Amate 61 features a dedicated coworking space designed for comfort and productivity.
Both properties are open to locals and visitors alike, offering amenities such as a bar, café, and bakery—the latter exclusive to Casa Amate 62. Guests can also purchase a Day Pass to enjoy the facilities and services offered at Casa Amate.
About Casa Amate
Casa Amate is a distinctive hospitality concept in Mérida, Yucatán, that merges thoughtful design, warm service, and cultural heritage across two unique properties: Casa Amate 61, a premium hostel in La Mejorada, and Casa Amate 62, a boutique hotel in Santa Ana near Paseo de Montejo. Inspired by the welcoming spirit of Yucatán and Mayan cosmogony, this architectural project reimagines vernacular buildings through a retro-contemporary lens. With spaces designed for connection, rest, and creative exploration, Casa Amate offers authentic experiences for travelers, digital nomads, and locals seeking cultural immersion, comfort, and a deep sense of place.
