Planning a family vacation isn't always easy. You're trying to find activities to please every member of the family, book the right kind of accommodations, squeeze in time to relax, AND stay within your budget--so making eco-conscious choices on top of it all can seem like a challenge. To help ease your mind, we're featuring a list of Top Sustainable Family-Friendly Hotels in Latin America and the Caribbean in every price range. So whether you're looking for adventure, something educational and fun (it's possible, we promise!), a tranquil beach oasis, or all of the above, you can make it happen and also know that your vacation is helping to protect the environment and support local communities. To learn more about what these hotels are doing to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, check out the "Making a Difference" section on their SustainableTrip profiles.

So without further ado, here's the list--organized by price range, from high to low. Enjoy!

Club Med Cancún Yucatán and Club Med Ixtapa Pacific, Mexico

These two Club Med resorts located along Mexico's Caribbean coast on the beautiful Yucatán Peninsula feature children's clubs, babysitting services, and dedicated activities for different age groups (ages 2-18). Fitness programs, flying trapeze circus school, scuba diving/snorkeling, waterskiing, kids pool, and more are also available.
Rates: $150. All-inclusive packages.

The Lodge at Chaa Creek, Belize

This hotel offers an intriguing mix of tropical forests rich with wildlife, majestic mountains, mysterious Maya temples, and diving and fishing experiences beyond compare. Here, you can go horseback riding through jungle trails, canoeing, bird watching, visit Mayan ruins, and relax at an on-site spa.
Rates: $100 - $150 (higher for all-inclusive packages). Chaa Creek has two vacation packages specifically geared towards families – find out more on their Packages page. They've also got some great deals on their family packages, valid until December 2011.

Rainforest Aerial Tram Lodge, Costa Rica

Soar through the rainforest canopy on a zip line or aerial tram! This lodge offers canopy tours, has a butterfly & frog garden, snake museum, trekking tour, and award-winning bird watching opportunities. Activities are also available to visitors not staying at the lodge.
Rates: $100 - $150 (price is for accommodations only; activities not included). Special prices are offered for groups larger than three people and discounts for children.

Mar y Selva Ecolodge, Costa Rica

A major destination for whale and dolphin watching, this hotel has a semi-Olympic pool; mountain bike and kayak rentals; horseback riding; bird-watching; hiking; canopy tours; and visits to butterfly farms, orchid gardens, and local Boruca Indian communities.
Rates: $85 - $120

Tambopaxi, Ecuador

The Tambopaxi hotel and restaurant is located near Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. It also has a view of five other volcanoes, highlands, lagoons, flora and fauna endemic to the Andean highlands. Easy to advanced hiking tours, mountain climbing, mountain biking, and horseback riding are available, all with breathtaking scenery.
Rates: $75 - $150. Children under 12 get a 50% discount.

Alandaluz Inn, Ecuador

At Alandaluz, you can take excursions to Machalilla National Park, the Cantalapiedra wildlife refuge, and go on whale-watching tours. This destination also features a beach, rainforest, snorkeling, zip line, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, sport fishing, and visits to ancient ruins and local indigenous communities.
Rates: $24 - $124. Choose from campsites, simple beach cabañas, or large luxury cabañas. Discounted prices for children under 12.

GreenLagoon Falls Park & Lodge, Costa Rica

While staying at GreenLagoon Falls Park & Lodge, you and your family can go hiking on an active volcano or to natural hot springs; explore a wildlife refuge from a raft, canoe, or kayak; take an aerial tram through the tropical forest; go horseback riding; and rappel down beautiful waterfalls.
Rates: $65 - $102.

Hotel Mono Azul, Costa Rica

Mono Azul is located right by Manuel Antonio National Park, where you can see squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys, and sloths in the rainforest. Fun family activities include: white water rafting, canopy tours, horseback riding, sport fishing, biking, mountain climbing, scuba diving, and snorkeling. The hotel also features "Kids Saving the Rainforest" camps for children aged 7-17.
Rates: $26 - $50

This is just a sampling of your choices for sustainable family-friendly accommodations – for many more options, you can go to our Search for a Trip page and use the menus on the left-hand side to search by Activity, Destination, and Price Range. Don't hesitate to email us at and we'll help you find your perfect sustainable trip.

Looking for high-end sustainable accommodations? Check out the blog entry on our Top 5 Sustainable Luxury Destinations.

This entry was posted on July 29, 2011 at 8:52 AM and has received 1763 views. There are currently 3 comments. Print this entry.