Clearly there are many eco-friendly and sustainable locations around the world, so we’ve picked our favourite five from across all the lists and recommendations we’ve seen.
Ojo del Mar, Costa Rica
On Nokia Maps here.
via About.com
Of Costa Rica’s many eco-resorts, the Ojo del Mar (or Eye of the Sea) looks to be about up there with other places you can relax guilt-free, without worrying about your environmental footprint. With no telephones, televisions or air-conditioning, they are truly ‘off the grid’. The cabanas are made from renewable materials and powered by solar energy, we couldn’t put it better than they do themselves when they say they like to be ‘living large on a small ecological footprint’.
Udzungwa Forest Camp, Tanzania
On Nokia Maps here.
With a ‘low impact, eco-friendly ethos’, Hondo Hondo (as it’s known locally due to the large number of hornbill birds in the area) uses solar power to heat the water, and the few electrical appliances will soon be powered by a mini-hydro generator. As they say themselves, they are using ‘recognised best practice methods of keeping our footprint on the earth as low as possible’.
Arenas Del Mar, Costa Rica (again)
On Nokia Maps here.
via Arenas Del Mar
A 5 leaf award winner, Arenas Del Mar define their vision of sustainability as ‘Responsible travel that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people’. Their list of sustainable initiatives is impressive and includes the conservation of the local biodiversity and advanced waste water treatment facilities. Looks like a great place to relax, too.
Paradise Bay, Australia
On Nokia Maps here.
via Paradise Bay
According to the guys at Paradise Bay, they have ‘proven that we can create an environmentally conscientious tourism destination without sacrificing the comfort and quality of the guest experience.’ Making the resort suit the surroundings – and not over developing – coupled with a family-run atmosphere (with the family really caring about the environment, they believe they have coupled sustainability with luxury. Just waiting for my invite to go find out for myself…
Centro Ecologico Sian Ka’an (CESiaK), Mexico
On Nokia Maps here.
via Away.com
Located right next to ancient Mayan ruins, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve looks to take the eco-resort one step further. It ‘operates using ecologically responsible technologies, including systems for wetland waste management, rainwater collection, and solar and wind energy generation. It also operates educational outreach programs and biological research’. And it look beautiful. Always a bonus.
So there’s our top 5. Have you stayed anywhere that is worthy of inclusion in the list? Do you consider the environmental impact of your vacations? Will you in future? Let u know in the comments or drop us a note on Twitter.