7 awesome eco-friendly resorts

Ecotourism, sustainable travel, eco-travel, responsible travel…no matter what you call it, more often than ever, people are looking for travel that doesn't hurt the environment. Travelers want resorts, cruise lines and tour operators that support the management of resources that protect essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems. Basically, they want us to locate suppliers and destinations with environmentally-focused practices.

If you're interested in sustainable travel, we can help you book an eco-friendly vacation. From Costa Rica to the Maldives, see where eco-travel can take you!

Costa Rica

El Mangroove, Autograph Collection - Guanacaste  
In 2015, this hotel earned the highest ranking of a level 5 from the Certification for Sustainable Tourism program. Their sustainable practices include water-efficient faucets, dual-flush toilets, irrigation water treated on-site and LED and fluorescent lighting. Most food products are organic and local and the wood of trees that were cut down during the hotel's construction was recycled into furniture and mirror frames.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Lodge - Monteverde  
This ecolodge declares that it is "all about 'GO-GREEN,' meaning it's environment-friendly and nature-friendly and has minimal or no harm on its ecosystems or the environment." It does not use any chemical products and instead uses organic and biodegradable products that don't have a negative impact on the environment. It also has a waste center that is used to recycle solid waste like plastics, tin cans, paper waste and glass to do its part to fight climate change.

Mexico

Azul Ixtapa - Ixtapa
The Azul Ixtapa bills itself as "a majestic luxury resort with an eco-friendly concept." And it really is living up to that. As of 2016, it's an EarthCheck Gold Certified resort and has earned the S Badge from Mexico's Ministry of Tourism, a recognition of sustainable practices in the tourism industry. One of the coolest things about Azul Ixtapa is its EcoGym that has solar-powered fitness equipment that powers the gym and the surrounding community.

Grand Palladium White Sands - Cancun  
The Grand Palladium White Sand Resort & Spa is a luxury eco-hotel that has won a global certification of sustainable tourism by EarthCheck for adhering to the highest standards of environmental conservation and the Travelife Gold Award, an international sustainability certification.

Sandos Caracol - Riviera Maya  
The resort was built around a natural ecosystem and its dedication to low impact on its environment means the monkeys and tropical birds are right outside the door. Guests are given the opportunity to immerse themselves in the region's unbelievable natural beauty while learning about the local landscapes and wildlife.

Maldives

Taj Exotica Resort and Spa - Maldives  
The Taj Exotica Resort and Spa almost has to consider the environment first, based on the delicate ecosystem of the Maldives that it's located in. The resort recently installed a more efficient water heating system to reduce the use of fuel, a rainwater retention system and garden beds with succulents like jade trees and sea hibiscus that reduce the need for daily watering. All of these efforts make "green" the essence of this resort.

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru - Maldives  
Another beautiful resort in the Maldives, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru has a marine conservation lab that regularly conducts research on coral biology and ecology as well as green sea turtle conservation. Resort guests can join in-house divers to assist in coral reef and species inventory checks, and also sponsor their own coral gardens.

And that's just scratching the surface! Huckleberry Travel can book you into any of these fabulous, sustainable eco-resorts, and by bundling your stay with airfare and activities, we can put together a fabulous vacation that won't harm the environment! Let us know where you'd like to go!