Vacations are for relaxing, but there’s no reason you can’t blend that with a little goodwill when choosing your hotels. When planning your next trip, here are several sustainable hotels in Mexico that are taking the lead on sustainability and supporting the local community, so you can feel good about drinking those margaritas on the beach.
Budget $
El Patio 77 is the first sustainable B&B in Mexico City, a mansion from the 19th century adapted to a hotel and completely renovated in 2009 to improve sustainability. El Patio 77 is a sought after space for photos, commercials and recordings. It’s a space where history, art and hospitality come together.
Rainwater collection, solar water heaters, grey water filters and energy saving bulbs make this a feel good property. Complimentary drinking water is served in handmade jugs. Any discarded pieces are combined with reclaimed wood to make decorative items such as lamps. El Patio 77 creates work for the local community through fair trade partnerships with Mexican artisans, who decorate the rooms with their art and sell their crafts onsite.
Midrange $$
Hotel Akumal Caribe is located on the Caribbean coastline of the Yucatan Peninsula. Here you can expect a relaxing environment while appreciating the beauty of the local wildlife and flora. If the season is right, guided night tours to observe nesting turtles is even possible!
Bungalows are built with regional materials, amenities are biodegradable and handmade locally. Cleaning products are environmentally friendly, made with herbs and vegetables grown pesticide free. When it comes to the swimming pool, chlorine is out and natural salts are in.
Protecting the water quality and sea-life in Akumal Bay is a priority at this hotel, making it one of the most sustainable hotels in Mexico. Conservation is encouraged through community programs and employees are enriched through training and education.
Hotel Xixim is a unique Mayan hotel located within the Celestun Biosphere Special Reserve on the Yucatan Peninsula. Satisfy your urge to escape civilization by sitting back and immersing yourself in nature. Spy a spawning hawksbill turtle. Or keep an eye out for swallows and herons gliding overhead.
Feel confident that responsible consumption and production are standard at Hotel Xixim. Onsite recycling and water filtration are the norm. All of the water in the hotel goes through a filtering process before going back into the environment. That way, no harmful chemicals ever enter the drains.
Similarly, in an effort to adhere to the strictest ecological standards, they use as many natural products as possible and have only built on 3% of the land.
Luxury $$$
Olas Tulum is tucked away along a private stretch of pristine beach in Tulum. Here you will experience only the sounds of gentle breaking waves, swaying palms and exotic birds. The property is the only Platinum LEED certified property in the country, making it one of the most sustainable hotels in Mexico. LEED certification is globally recognized as the premier mark of achievement in green building, so you know they are legit.
Completely running on solar power, all energy is clean and efficient. Everything from cleaning products to bathroom amenities are both organic and biodegradable. And of course, food is locally sourced from family farms, as it should be.
Ahau Tulum is located in the beautiful Tulum area on the beach. Based on the principles of Mother Nature, this is a place where nature is the new luxury. Rooms are more like magical 20 foot palapas with stunning ocean or nature views.
The property received the Green Key Certification, a standard of excellence in environmental responsibility and they are so committed to the Sustainable Development Goals that you can read more about how they are working towards each one individually.
JESSICA PALMER
