Launched last summer following more than a year of renovations, Casa Hormiga stands out against the tropical backdrop of Bacalar—a secluded locale on Mexico’s southeastern border. The jungle sanctuary was realized by Mexican architecture studio TallerMid51 in collaboration with Casa Hormiga’s co-owners Sofia Lynch and Jose Maria Padilla, who ensured that the 18-room property would convey a “wabi-sabi philosophy, but where the true essence of rural Mexico is present,” Lynch says. “The palette is aligned with the natural environment found in Bacalar [and] transmits relaxation and comfort.”

Beyond the lush splendor of the setting, Lynch and Padilla drew inspiration from the handmade aesthetics of Morocco, as well as Spanish Colonial influence. Thick stucco walls, wooden beams, and courtyards compose a textural symphony that reinforces the surroundings, while Mexican artisans—from Oaxacan weavers to local ceramicists—animate Casa Hormiga with artful furnishings.

Sustainable wood was sourced locally, along with elements crafted by traditional Mayan woodworkers. Natural fibers punctuate the narrative by injecting “the personality of its creators” into the boutique retreat, Lynch says. Ultimately, the rustic, simple destination is suited to evolve gracefully. “Casa Hormiga is a live project and, as such, nothing is static,” Lynch says. “It will grow with Bacalar, it’ll go through stages. It’s alive.”

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