If you’ve spent time around Tulum or the Riviera Maya, you may have noticed a wall or pool finish with a soft, matte texture and a depth of color you don’t see in standard plaster. That finish is likely Chukum — a lime-based plaster the Maya have used for centuries, made from the bark of the Chukum tree mixed with natural lime. We install Chukum here in Miami and throughout South Florida, and homeowners are drawn to it for far more than just pools — it works just as well on interior walls, bathrooms, and outdoor living spaces.
What makes Chukum different
Chukum isn’t a coating sitting on top of a surface. It’s a natural, breathable plaster that bonds directly into the material underneath, which is part of why it holds up so well over time. The color comes from the material itself, not a dye, so it ages evenly rather than fading or streaking. Every Chukum surface has slight natural variation, which is exactly what gives it that handmade, organic look homeowners are drawn to.
Why Chukum Works Well in Miami
South Florida is a tough environment for finishes — heat, humidity, and, near the water, saltwater and pool chemicals all take a toll over time. Chukum was developed for a similar climate in the Yucatan, and it holds up well against sun exposure, moisture, and constant humidity indoors and out. It’s also naturally resistant to the kind of mold and mildew growth that’s common in our climate, since it’s a mineral-based material rather than a synthetic one — which is exactly why it works as well in a steamy bathroom as it does poolside.
Where We Use Chukum in Miami Homes
Pools, spas, and cold plunges. This is where most people first see Chukum — it pairs particularly well with a modern or Mediterranean-style home where you want the pool to feel like a natural extension of the landscape rather than a bright blue rectangle in the yard.
Bathrooms and showers. Chukum’s water resistance and breathability make it a strong alternative to tile in a shower or full bathroom. No grout lines to scrub, no cracked caulk to replace — just one continuous, warm-toned surface from floor to ceiling.
Interior accent walls. In a living room, entryway, or primary suite, a Chukum wall adds texture and depth that paint or standard plaster can’t match, without the busy pattern of stone or brick veneer.
Exterior walls and outdoor living spaces. Covered patios, outdoor kitchens, and courtyard walls all hold up well to South Florida’s weather while giving the space a grounded, natural feel.
Because it’s the same material and the same installation approach across all of these, a lot of our clients end up carrying Chukum from an outdoor pool wall into an adjacent bathroom or living space, so the whole property reads as one consistent design rather than a patchwork of different finishes.
What installation looks like
Chukum is applied by hand, in multiple thin layers, and it takes real skill to get the texture and finish right regardless of whether it’s going on a pool wall or a bathroom. It’s a specialty trade — not something most general contractors or tile installers do regularly, which is part of why it’s still relatively uncommon in South Florida compared to how established it is in Mexico. We’ve focused on this finish specifically because we think it deserves to be more available to homeowners here, in every room it fits.
Maintenance is simple
Once installed and properly sealed, Chukum doesn’t require anything unusual. In wet areas like pools, showers, and bathrooms, an occasional reseal keeps it performing the way it should. On interior and exterior walls that don’t see constant water contact, it needs even less — just the normal care you’d give any painted or plastered wall. Either way, it’s far less upkeep than regrouting tile.
Whether you’re renovating a bathroom, adding texture to a living space, or planning a pool that doesn’t look like everyone else’s, we’re happy to walk you through whether Chukum is the right fit for your Miami home. Call us for a free estimate.