Palmaïa - The House of AïA in Mexico
The world is full of many wonders, and who can blame one for hoping to see them all?
Travel is one of life’s greatest pleasures. It brings us closer to our fellow humans, connects us via culture and expands our point of view—but travel can also be a bit destructive to the natural world around us.
Ecotourism is a movement that aims to meld green behaviors and sustainable practices with the utter joy of exploration. Specialized resorts, villas and retreats have been designed with their natural habitats and surroundings in mind, while many offer up-close-and-personal excursions with native plants, animals and experiences, often-times aiding a helping hand in the process.
See also: 20 Of The Best Spas Across The U.S.
If you’re ready to up the ante of your next adventure, we suggest checking the calendars of these six extraordinary ecotourism spots around the world.
Campechen Lagoon, Riviera Maya / Website
This beachfront villa is situated on the famous Biosphere Reserve of Sian Ka’an, in the fan-favorite destination of Tulum. Complete self-sufficient via solar and wind power systems, this breathtaking vacation home sleeps eight comfortably in four bedrooms and boasts four bathrooms, an infinity pool, a green garden terrace and more. Because it’s available via luxury travel company Onefinestay, all bookings include 24/7 concierge services, which in turn off housekeeping, chauffeur, private chefs, fitness instructors, babysitters and private butler services and more upon request. Interested in traveling somewhere other than Mexico? Onefinestay also offers extravagant ecotourism opportunities in St. John and Santorini.
Ha Manzana 1 Lote 1, Playacar, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.; 863-485-8268 / Website
Since 2020, The House of AïA has offered guests a beachfront getaway that packs unparalleled experiences alongside conscious cultural connectivity. Not only is the resort green in its energetic and design practices—featuring swim-up suites amid a lush jungle environment—but so are the activities and on-site offerings. Palmaïa’s five on-site restaurants are fully plant-based with menus curated and crafted by staff members with Michelin-star training. Even more incredible are the excursions that take part in the company’s DEPTH Program, which helps support the surrounding Mayan community and culture via experiences that include visits with a local beekeeper, an organic farmer, a jam producer and a seasonal “jungle-to-table” dinner prepared and served by locals among a traditional Mayan home.
Km 2 Camino a Willoq Ollantaytambo, Cusco; +51 947 299 499 / Website
Located halfway between the former Incan empire capital of Cusco and the beloved Wonder of the World that is Machu Picchu, this sustainable boutique hotel invites guests to experience the majesty of the Peruvian landscape while having a positive—or at worst neutral—impact on the environment and local inhabitants. Founded by Herman van den Wall Bake in partnership with sustainable tourism expert Carlos Gonzales, Las Qolqas was designed and outfitted with locally sourced materials, from the bedsheets to the shampoo and everything in between. The on-site restaurant is also a functional greenhouse, and all the food served is made with locally sourced ingredients grown less than one kilometer from the grounds. The on-site compost system supports the region’s specific biodiversity, and there are no single-use plastics permitted on property. Only 50 guests may visit this lush location at a time, to keep all systems efficient and in line with the eco-conscious goals.
333 Rarkang Road, Deep Creek, South Australia; +61 0415 095 644 / Website
Who said eco-tourism wasn’t futuristic? The Futuro spaceship spa on the grounds of this gorgeous South Australian retreat definitely says otherwise. Situated on the cliffs edge of a 200-acre sheep farm, this self-sustainable resort puts you right in the middle of nature’s beauty. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer panoramic views of the Fleurieu Peninsula coastline and surrounding landscape, while dolphins, sea turtles, kangaroos and other wildlife make regular appearances.
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1.800.255.4347 / Website
This jaw-dropping vacation destination is family-owned and operated, offering a unique boutique experience to guests who stay in one of its 14 beachfront villas. Play along Turtle Island's 12 private beaches, explore more than 500 acres of tropical paradise, and feast on meals from fresh produce and ingredients cultivated right there on the island. The resort runs on solar panels and provides scholarships to island locals, and it also reintroduced 250 species of native flora and fauna during its tenure. Make the most of your stay with all-inclusive accomodations, a personal concierge, activities from scuba diving to mountain biking, nightly Fijian kava ceremonies and more.
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Sandy Bay, Montego Bay; +1 876-956-5660 / Website
Nestled among 1,000 acres of forests, ridgelines, buffs, cliffs and streams, Jamaica’s Tryall Club brings you closer to the natural beauty of the island than the average resort. You're not just staying in a sumptuous hotel, but renting your own stylish villa, though the grounds come complete with amenities from golf to tennis, on-site dining and entertainment, an organic garden to roam and plenty of valuable experiences. Book a bird watching excursion or informative hike with Tryall’s Environment and Conservation Manager Shaku Ramcharan to learn more about the rare and unique flora and fauna or the land; then rest easy knowing Tryall was specifically designed to support the 45 specific of trees and 60 species of birds housed in its surrounding forests, meeting the strict Gold certification requirements of Green Globe’s standards.
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Are you inspired to take an adventure? Remember that your footprint is more than just the hotel you stay in and the transportation you take to get there. Keep your travels and your lifestyle green with one of our favorite reef-safe sunscreens or looks from one of these super-chic sustainable fashion brands.
Photography by: Palmaïa - The House of AïA; Onefinestay; Palmaïa - The House of AïA; Courtesy of Las Qolqas, Courtesy of Luxury Villas Australia - Naiko Retreat
