You want it all, but you don’t want it to come at the expense of the environment. We get you. And so does Mexico. They’ve been in the eco-friendly game for years, so there’s no shortage of sustainable resorts to choose from. Here are a few of our favorites.
1. El Dorado Royale, a Spa Resort by Karisma
You might come for the breathtaking views of the Riviera Maya or the luxury of the Gourmet Inclusive® experience, but either way El Dorado Royale’s Passion for Sustainability program means you can feel good about living the good life. The program ensures that hotel operations follow Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria and both local and national regulations. Plus, the resort’s Green Team manages water, flora, fauna, energy usage, and waste to minimize the property’s impact on the environment as much as possible. Did we mention the resort has a Rainforest Alliance Certified™ greenhouse farm that provides fourteen tons of vegetables per month?
2. Iberostar Playa Mita
This Green Globe Certified gem on Mexico’s west coast is the perfect place to kick back in the breeze. The resort’s Think Green program is all about sustainability. Take that refreshing shower you enjoy at the end of a relaxing day on the beach or the golf course for example. You can thank the sun. And the resort’s forward-thinking to heat half their hot water with solar energy. Extending their care to the ocean, the resort developed a sea turtle conservation program and participates in the International Coastal Cleanup—tidying up miles of public beach.
3. Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa
Since opening in 2014, this luxe resort has made it a priority to be an all-star of sustainability by rigorously recycling, utilizing solar energy, and composting right on site. They’ve managed to keep over three tons of waste out of local landfills, so, even though it’s a pretty big deal, it’s no surprise they’ve been awarded the Travelife Gold certification. To clean up the air, they’ve developed a tree-planting program. Which should help you sleep pretty dang good at night. That, and their DreamBeds™.
4. Hotel Xcaret Mexico
This sleek, nature-inspired resort isn’t in Riviera Maya. It is Riviera Maya. Rivers wind through the lush grounds. Secret coves wait to be discovered. The beach is pure bliss. Hotel Xcaret Mexico blends perfectly into the already perfect Riviera Maya landscape. So even though they’ve only been open since December 2017, they’re already top-dog of sustainable Mexico resorts. A little proof? Not only is it the first resort in Mexico to receive the first EarthCheck Certification in Planning and Design, it’s the first resort in the Americas to receive the certification—they’ve met EarthCheck’s standards before, during, and after construction. And it doesn’t hurt that they grow over 130,000 plants native to southeast Mexico each year for reforestation in and around the Xcaret eco-archaeological parks.
5. Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort
The AMResorts Collection has 25 of their resorts certified with the Rainforest Alliance. Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort is the latest property to join the certification. In order for a company to be certified, they must follow several key principles: Sustainable management planning, quality management, human resource management and a food and beverage safety program. They have implemented Earth Day celebrations, beach clean-ups, on-site recycling to limit excess water, and more to fulfill the certification’s standards. Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort is also certified by Travelife Gold.
6. Sandos Caracol Eco Resort
Swim in a cenote, go on a birdwatching tour, plant a tree—and feel great about it all because this all-natural, all-inclusive hideaway is Travelife Gold certified. Recycling, water conservation, environmental education, organic gardening, composting, and caring for endemic flora in their on-site nursery is all part of a day’s work for Sandos Caracol Eco Resort. In their Royal Elite rooms, the water is heated by solar cells and you definitely won’t find any plastic water bottles around. But don’t worry. They hook you up with drinking water from refillable jugs.
Turns out you can pamper yourself and have a positive impact on the environment at the same time. Plan your all-inclusive, eco-friendly getaway today.
