Traveling Green in the Yucatan
by Melissa Evans
From the moment you arrive in the Yucatan Peninsula, you’re greeted by crystal blue waters, white sandy beaches, undeveloped jungle, and friendly people. The party is always on in Cancun. Visitors can relax off the beaten path in Tulum or Akumal, or for those who like it somewhere in the middle, there’s Playa Del Carmen. Mexico is a destination that could truly suit any traveler. Regardless of your personal vacationing style, the array of natural treasures you’ll find in Mexico will be a constant reminder to tread lightly on the environment as you go.
Since the beautiful surroundings are seemingly endless, no visit to the Yucatan would be complete without participating in some kind of outdoor adventure. The area offers jungle zip-line canopy tours, ecological theme parks
Since the beautiful surroundings are seemingly endless, no visit to the Yucatan would be complete without participating in some kind of outdoor adventure. The area offers jungle zip-line canopy tours, ecological theme parks
like X’caret and Xel-Ha, historical ruins of the Mayan Civilization, coral reefs to scuba dive and snorkel, underground rivers and cenotes (Mayan ritual wells), and on and on. While there are plenty of tours, parks, and activities from which to choose, it’s important to support the community by selecting businesses run by locals.
One favorite is a 20-acre natural paradise in the jungle of the Riviera Maya called The Jungle Place, run by a native, Joel, and his wife, Heidi. The grounds of The Jungle Place are a sanctioned reserve for the endangered spider monkey and royal toucan. Here, the couple rescues and provides a home for sick and injured animals, and they offer a one-hour tour which includes an opportunity to meet the monkeys face-to-face. The emotional experience of directly interacting with these remarkable
animals is memorable, and 100% of the cost goes directly to care for the animals. Traveling green here does not have to translate into camping out in the Mexican jungle. The top three green hotels in the Yucatan are luxurious properties that don’t require you to give up any pampering. Each of these hotels has earned at least a four branch Green Score on RezHub.com.
The Hacienda Tres Rios is a 4-star luxury resort near Playa Del Carmen that began as a nature park and has been developed to preserve that unique environment. Tres Ríos was recognized as a “regional and national model for sustainable tourism development” by SEMARNAT (Secretaría de Medio
Ambiente Y Recursos Naturales) in 2006. The resort was one of only three national tourism projects to receive a unique environmental seal of approval by the highest Mexican environmental authority. The resort is located on 326 acres of land with 90 animal species, 120 plant species, 10 cenotes and a native plant nursery. Tres Rios has reforested more than 50,000 plants in forests previously impacted by hurricanes. The property also has an eco-unique cooling and heating system. The air conditioning systems are cooled by water from a deep well. The heat generated from those air conditioning systems is used to heat the property’s water. All suites incorporate local materials, low-flow water devices, and energy-efficient appliances. Interested travelers may learn more about the hotel and book a stay here.
Traveling Green in the Yucatan
Issue 7 | Feburary 2009
The Hacienda Chichen is a green boutique hotel located in Chichen Itza, a major Mayan historical site. For three generations the owners of Hacienda Chichen have taken the utmost care to preserve the hacienda’s natural environment, its historical legacy, and its cultural value. Hacienda Chichen offers Eco-Spa Wellness Retreats and Mayan Holistic Eco-Retreats that include outdoor eco-cultural activities, gourmet 
organic menu selections, holistic wellness programs, nature walks, meditation, and personal Mayan Spa healing care. The resort is secluded within lush, native, tropical gardens and there’s even a Bird Refuge on the property. The staff is extremely sensitive to the surrounding land. They use non-toxic cleaning supplies, recycle everything possible, compost food waste, and conserve energy and water. Interested visitors may learn more about the hotel and book a stay here.
The Fairmont Mayakoba is located in the heart of the Riviera Maya on a 240-acre complex surrounded by canals, shoreline, and mangrove forests. It is accessible via one main entrance point. The hotel has had a long-standing commitment to the environment and the local Mayan culture. Mayakoba’s restaurants offer vegetarian, organic, and locally-grown products, including organic wines. The resort purchases locally-made goods whenever possible. Recycled materials are sold to local recycling facilities and all profits are used to fund local environmental initiatives. The hotel implemented a vegetation rescue project to relocate the property’s garden plants and, to date, has relocated more than 1,500 trees and 10,000 plants. The hotel even offers eco-adventure tours including a voyage through the property’s water canals
The Fairmont Mayakoba is located in the heart of the Riviera Maya on a 240-acre complex surrounded by canals, shoreline, and mangrove forests. It is accessible via one main entrance point. The hotel has had a long-standing commitment to the environment and the local Mayan culture. Mayakoba’s restaurants offer vegetarian, organic, and locally-grown products, including organic wines. The resort purchases locally-made goods whenever possible. Recycled materials are sold to local recycling facilities and all profits are used to fund local environmental initiatives. The hotel implemented a vegetation rescue project to relocate the property’s garden plants and, to date, has relocated more than 1,500 trees and 10,000 plants. The hotel even offers eco-adventure tours including a voyage through the property’s water canals
where the local Tatich Ha (tour guide) educates guests about the different ecosystems found on-property along with the exquisite flora and fauna native to the Yucatan Peninsula. Interested visitors may learn more about the hotel and book a stay here. As you can see, traveling green in Mexico is no different than doing so in the United States. The main idea is to keep your eco-conscience running at all times. Ask yourself, “How will my vacation affect the surrounding environment and the residents of the area?” It really is that simple!
To find more green hotels around the world, to learn how these hotels earned their Green Scores, or to find tips on planning a green vacation, visit www.RezHub.com. With each booking, 20% of the proceeds are donated to the environment.
Traveling Green in the Yucatan
Issue 7 | Feburary 2009
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