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Imagine staying at a hotel surrounded by the most delicious fruit trees and plants--where every trail you explore offers a sweet, natural snack. This is what you'll find at Fond Doux Holiday Plantation, on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, which features a delicious "edible landscape."

Oranges, bananas, starfruit, coconut, coffee, nutmeg, cinnamon, and giant pods of cocoa grow all over this 19th century colonial plantation. In this picture, you can see their home grown cocoa beans drying in the sun after the fermentation process. These are used as the main ingredient for many delicious recipes, like their famous cocoa tea!

This entry was posted on January 24, 2014 at 1:39 PM and has received 320 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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One of the architectural jewels of the beautiful city of Antigua in Guatemala is the Hotel Museo Casa Santo Domingo, a historical relic that housed one of the largest convents in the Americas: the order of the followers of St. Dominic de Guzmán.

Casa Santo Domingo promises to "transport you to another time and place" from the moment you pass through its doors. The property includes 128 rooms that showcase elements of the 16th century Baroque period. It also offers a "Museum Walk" tour that connects the city's five museums. On the tour, you'll visit extensive collections of pre-Columbian and colonial objects as well as a contemporary art gallery.

This photograph shows one of Casa Santo Domingo's beautiful gardens on a clear night, the stars and a nearby volcano framing the shot in the distance.

This entry was posted on November 1, 2013 at 5:14 PM and has received 629 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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Manual Antonio is one of the most idyllic destinations in Costa Rica. Located on the central Pacific coast, it is famous for its white sand beaches, calm and warm waters, the surrounding rainforest that is rich in biodiversity, and the amazing panoramic ocean views that you can enjoy from many hotels located atop the hills.

One of these hotels is Si Como No Resort Spa & Wildlife Refuge, a stunning boutique hotel that combines nature, sustainability, luxury, and a breathtaking ocean view. Si Como No is a little oasis with 58 rooms nestled in the jungle, two full-service restaurants, two pools, a THX movie theater, a world-class spa and a 30-acre private wildlife refuge.

This entry was posted on June 21, 2013 at 10:23 AM and has received 473 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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There are many reasons to visit Mexico: its beautiful white sand beaches and turquoise waters of the Caribbean; on the other coast, the Pacific embellished each year with impressive gray whales; its towering mountains covered with green forests rich in biodiversity; the Aztec and Maya legacies that live on in wonderful archaeological ruins; the exquisite cuisine; and, last but not least, beautiful colonial cities and majestic haciendas, which have gained much fame among tourists.

Haciendas started to spring up in Mexico in the 17th century, mainly in eastern and southeastern Mexico: in Jalisco, Yucatan, Hidalgo, Campeche, Puebla and Tlaxcala. They started as strategic points for local and regional farm markets in areas that were rich in natural resources and had an available work force. These large, grand houses played a key role in the history and economy of Mexico during Spanish colonization as places where agribusiness was negotiated. Some specialized in producing livestock, sugar, cocoa, coffee, grains, agave or other crops.

Despite the passage of so many years, more than a hundred "hacienda farms" remain in operation in these regions, and many have even continued their agricultural activities, complete with the charm and traditions of rural Mexican life. Recently, in order to leverage their natural, historical, and cultural wealth, many owners of these colonial buildings have chosen to rehabilitate them and turn them into luxury hotels.

The haciendas have opened their doors to tourists interested in rural tourism, history, and reveling in splendid colonial architecture. Upon arriving at a farm, the visitor is greeted by a huge house with spacious gardens and terraces, pools, stone fountains, chapels and monasteries, and charming décor with antique details. Its corners are filled with stories of the past and impressive histories. If you look carefully, it is even possible to stay in homes where important conquerors and public figures of the era slept, such as Hernán Cortés, Emperor Maximilian, General Santa Ana, Pancho Villa, and Emiliano Zapata.

The experience of staying at a hacienda includes a wide variety of entertainment activities related to rural life: horseback riding for several hours from one hacienda to another, visiting bull-fighting arenas and iconic local churches, practicing cattle herding, milking cows, taking classes for a famous sport called charro, horseback riding and lassoing, and of course, enjoying typical rural Mexican food.

But there are also options for adventure tourists or those seeking modern comfort and facilities. In the areas surrounding many haciendas, you can take tours on bicycles or all-terrain vehicles, go rappelling or zip-lining, or simply relax in modern spas that include traditional hot baths called temazcal.

Also, many haciendas are also located near pre-Columbian sites and indigenous communities where you can appreciate another rich historical, architectural, and cultural legacy of Mexico.

With such varied opportunities, it is no wonder why tourists are turning their gaze to the haciendas of Mexico. These sites have become preferred destinations for weddings, corporate events, and even sets for movies.

At SustainableTrip.org we have a superb list of Mexican haciendas that also offer a sustainable tourism experience. Get to know them all and decide which ones will be a part of your next vacation:

• Hacienda Puerta Campeche
• Hacienda Santa José
• Hacienda Santa Rosa
• Hacienda Temozón
• Hacienda Uayamón

This entry was posted on May 16, 2013 at 5:57 AM and has received 850 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Our Making a Difference award winner this month is Harmony Hotel, a high-end hotel in Costa Rica that has demonstrated a strong commitment to the environment and local community. The hotel, steps away from one of the best surf spots in the region, cultivates a vibe of relaxation and laid-back, low-key luxury. We spoke with Marisol Yglesias González, the "Experience, Learn, Connect, & Relax (ELCR)" Manager, about what a stay at Harmony Hotel is like, what specifically the hotel is doing to implement sustainability, and how they're getting their guests involved in sustainable practices.

Q. How would you describe the atmosphere at Harmony Hotel?

González: We offer complimentary yoga and surfing lessons that are quite popular and part of Harmony's relaxing experience. When we ask our guests what were the most special moments of their stay, they often refer to these lessons, along with the sunsets at the beach, food and drinks, our amenities (outdoor shower, hammocks, and chlorine-free pool), and the friendliness of our staff.

Q. How can your guests connect to the environment and the community?

G: Visitors have the chance to see our sustainability initiatives first-hand through our "Green Living" tour. They can also participate in beach clean-ups organized by the hotel. After the clean-up, all the waste is collected and taken to the recycling center at the hotel, where it is weighed, registered, and classified.

We want our guests to connect with our culture as well, so we invite them to join local activities such as soccer matches at the beach with our staff members or Nosara's civic festivals that celebrate Costa Rican folklore.

Q. What kinds of wildlife can guests expect to see at your hotel?

G: Our guests often see many different types of animals during their stay at Harmony Hotel, including coatis, howler monkeys, raccoons, iguanas, skunks, squirrels, armadillos, and several species of birds (parrots, hummingbirds, sparrows, and magpies). Furthermore, Guiones Beach is part of the Ostional Wildlife Refuge, which is one of the most important nesting sites in the world for olive ridley sea turtles. Lucky guests will have the chance to see a couple of these turtles at Guiones!

Q. Why is sustainability so important for Harmony Hotel?

G: Harmony Hotel is part of a hospitality chain that develops its operations and services under the philosophy of sustainability. We want to offer our guests a high-end experience that is supported by sound environmental practices. We believe that sustainability is not just a lifestyle - it's a concept that can be implemented across any industry, especially tourism. Costa Rica's economy depends greatly on the tourism industry. At Harmony, we firmly believe that we have a valuable ecological heritage to look after, and sustainable development is the right way to maintain our economy as well as our natural resources.

Q. Can you talk a bit about what you're doing specifically to promote sustainability at Harmony Hotel?

G: In addition to our beach clean-ups,we have a "Plant a Tree" carbon offset program, in which guests can sponsor a native tree species grown in our nursery and plant it in our garden. This can partially or entirely compensate for the carbon footprint of their flight to Costa Rica. We also recently participated in a study that determined our own carbon footprint, which included several recommendations for mitigation, and we're currently developing a mitigation plan for greenhouse gases.

Our initiative to protect howler monkeys addresses the positioning of Nosara electrical lines. Howler monkeys try to use power lines to access their habitat, which has been fragmented by the building of roads and the clearing of land for development. Our initiative aims to prevent electrocution of the monkeys by positioning the power lines outside of areas where they live.

We abide by "The Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism," and our staff has been trained to face any circumstance related to the sexual exploitation of minors. We require all of our providers sign our "Code of Ethics for Providers," where we explicitly state our zero tolerance policy in regards to human exploitation of any form, especially the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents.

Harmony also has a reforestation program in which thousands of trees are planted during an annual three-day campaign in alliance with the Costas Verdes Foundation. These efforts are combined with environmental education for both the staff at Harmony and for local community members in Nosara.

Q. How are you supporting the local community?

G: Harmony Hotel partners with two organizations to help our local schools: Pack for a Purpose and Equilibrium. We have developed environmental education campaigns at local schools that promote sustainable practices and environmental awareness, covering topics such as conservation of flora and fauna, climate change, and organic waste management, among others. We contribute to improving the infrastructure of local schools and participate in local committees related to culture, art, and sustainability. We've also helped provide dental appointments for local children and have held lectures related to public health topics in order to promote health and avoid diseases.

At least 60% of our staff members live in surrounding communities. Harmony not only offers job opportunities, but also trains the staff. For instance, we provide scholarships for English classes to staff members who only speak Spanish, offer training in topics of interest to the staff, and have a corporate program that allows the staff to visit other hotels in the chain to get trained.

Q. Of all of the hotels in the Nosara area, what makes Harmony Hotel special?

G. Harmony Hotel offers our guests a unique and customized experience. Ideal for a total escape, Harmony is surrounded by vibrant gardens where guests mingle with hummingbirds and howler monkeys.

On the other hand, Harmony is ideal for a surfing adventure--we are the only hotel in the area that has direct access to Guiones beach, a pristine surf break with consistent, year-round waves. Harmony combines deep relaxation, low-key glamour, and sound environmental practices. When we ask our guests to describe their experience at Harmony in one word, most of them say: relaxing, peaceful, perfect, blissful, unforgettable, and, of course, harmonious.

This entry was posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:21 AM and has received 1298 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Ecuador may be best known for the famed Galapagos Islands, but its many diverse cities are fun and exciting in their own right. Each city has something to offer -- Quito with its beautifully preserved colonial center and majestic mountain surroundings, Baños with its famous natural hot springs, Guayaquil with its tropical, laid-back vibe, and Otavalo with its world-renowned artisan market. Read on for a brief overview of what some of Ecuador's top cities have to offer. You just might change your plans for your next vacation!

Quito

The capital of Ecuador is a big, diverse city that boasts a spectacular natural setting. Flanked by majestic Andean mountain peaks, Quito is spread out across a expansive valley at an altitude of about 9,200 feet (2,800 m), making it the second highest capital city in the world. It might take you a few days to get fully used to the thin mountain air as you explore the city's treasures, both old and new. Quito was the first city (along with Krakow, Poland) to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.

The "Old City" district, one of Quito's biggest draws for tourists, is the largest and best-preserved in Latin America. A massive restoration effort completed in 2006 rejuvenated masterpieces of colonial and independence-era architecture, which can be seen in the numerous old churches, historic theatres, town squares, museums, convents, and monasteries that fill this area. Quito's historic district is so vast that you'd need more than one visit to see it all!

To the north, the "modern" district is also a fun place to visit. The Mariscal Sucre neighborhood is especially popular with tourists, as it has many hostels, multi-story hotels, trendy cafés and restaurants, parks, museums, music shows, and nightlife. This is a great place to visit or stay in if you want to be immersed in the young, international backpacker community.

Sustainable accommodations in Quito

Baños

Known as the "adventure capital" of Ecuador, Baños is situated on a hillside of the active Tungurahua volcano and offers easy access to the Amazon rainforest. Baños is named for its "baths" of sacred water--that is, its hydrothermal springs. People travel from near and far to soak in the natural hot springs and go horseback riding, trekking, mountain biking, climbing, and river rafting. A popular route to take by bike or train is from Baños to Puyo, which offers spectacular views of the upper Amazon Basin.

If you want to tap into the cultural identity of the city, visit the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Agua Santa (Church of the Virgin of the Holy Waters), a neo-Gothic cathedral that houses a colorful collection of murals depicting local miracles attributed to the Virgin throughout history. Every year in October, the locals celebrate their city's spiritual protector with a street festival filled with music, dancing, food, and drink.

Sustainable accommodations in Baños

Guayaquil

The "Pacific Pearl" of Ecuador is also the country's largest and most populous city. Guayaquil, a port located at the convergence of the Daule and Babahoyo rivers, only very recently begun to attract tourists, giving it a very authentic and unpolished "local" feel. The tropical weather, waterfront, and friendly locals contribute to what some travelers have described as a pseudo-Caribbean vibe.

City residents flock to the Malécon 2000, the modern riverfront area that offers monuments, museums, fountains, shopping malls, restaurants, bars, docks, and scenic viewpoints. At the end of Malécon 2000 is the historic district of Las Peñas, home to quaint and colorful wooden houses, cobblestone streets, and a multitude of small art galleries.

Otavalo

This small city is famous for the culture and talents of its indigenous people, the Otavaleños. They're easily spotted by their traditional attire -- short white pants, dark ponchos, and long braided hair for the men, and intricately embroidered white blouses, long dark skirts, and layers of beaded necklaces for the women. The world-renowned Otavalo market features beautiful traditional handicrafts, jewelry, weaving, street food stalls, herbal and "magical" remedies, fresh produce, and much more. While the bustling market scene is not to be missed, you'll gain a much richer cultural experience by going beyond the market and taking the time to visit the surrounding villages where most of the Otavaleños live. You'll support and perhaps even meet the artisans who handcraft your souvenirs, bypassing the middle-men who sell at the market and often pay their suppliers a mere pittance for their goods.

Sustainable accommodations in Otavalo

This entry was posted on November 21, 2012 at 1:24 PM and has received 1665 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

You've heard us say that sustainable travel doesn't necessarily mean "roughing it" – if you weren't convinced before, just check out this luxurious suite at Don Ramon Spa Relaxante in Canela, Brazil. Kind of takes your breath away, doesn't it? After a long day of exploring village streets, hiking through tropical forests, and seeing waterfalls, wildlife, and panoramic canyon views, it would certainly be a relief returning to a room like this. Just imagine soaking those travel-weary bones in your private in-room Jacuzzi, and then cuddling up with your significant other in the soft canopy bed. Paradise!

An adventurous traveling couple doesn't need to rough it to explore the world's most beautiful places while having a positive impact on nature and local communities. Just browse our list of sustainable luxury accommodations in Latin America and the Caribbean – there's over 100, and counting!

This entry was posted on November 7, 2012 at 12:51 PM and has received 791 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

For many years, hotels served the purpose of providing a roof with a basic level of convenience and comfort to travelers who came to spend the night while working or traveling by day. But those days are long gone; now increasing numbers of guests are seeking hotels that are experiences and adventures in themselves, far removed from an association with the term "standard."

Boutique hotels are the answer to this new demand. It is said that this new type of accommodation emerged in the 1980s in the United States and Great Britain, to please the most discerning tourists seeking a personalized experience distinct from those offered by the big hotel chains.

The term "boutique hotel" refers precisely to those known for offering personalized service in a unique and often luxurious setting. They are also small hotels with fewer than 100 rooms; in Latin America, the average is 30 rooms or less.

Upon arriving at a hotel of this class, it is common to find buildings that have high architectural value, and properties that were once charming family residences. Their interiors often sport original signature designs, or classic styles (Tuscan, Caribbean, rustic). The rooms usually also offer unique décor with personal touches like paintings by local artists and beds and accessories made by local craftsmen.

Guests can expect other exclusive amenities, like CDs with a selection of local music and personal hygiene products including natural soaps, shampoos, and creams sometimes made by local women or community groups, while some places offer products from prestigious and well-known brands. Many hotels also have renowned chefs and bartenders, menus that can be adjusted to the dietary needs of customers, foods with added value such as gourmet coffees, organic fruits, and vegetables, and even produce from their own garden! Many of these also offer luxurious spa services.

Thanks to their growth and positioning, boutique hotels can be found at most destinations, including beaches, forests, cities, rural areas, etc. Similarly, there are sustainable options that will ensure you a unique stay in a way that is responsible to the environment and communities:

Casa Ceibo Boutique Hotel & Spa, Ecuador: located in Bahía de Caráquez, in the coastal region, this hotel features 18 luxurious rooms which have been decorated with furniture of the finest wood of the area, made by local craftsmen.

Gaia Hotel and Reserve, Costa Rica: this is a luxury boutique and five-star beach hotel and resort, and a member of "Preferred Boutique" of the Preferred Hotel Group. Its 20 suites and villas are nestled in the magnificent coastal forests of Costa Rica.

Boutique Hotel Casa Naranja, Nicaragua: this small hotel is located in a distinctive colonial Nicaraguan home and it's committed to create an atmosphere that shows the talents of Nicaraguan artisans and artists.

Venture out for your boutique lodging experience. See the complete list of sustainable boutique hotels at SustainableTrip.org.

This entry was posted on October 30, 2012 at 10:44 AM and has received 723 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

When you think of Cancun and the Riviera Maya, the first thing that comes to mind may be dozens of megahotels and the sprawling, enormous infrastructure that's required to accommodate millions of tourists - in 2011 alone, 3.6 million people vacationed in this region of Mexico.

However, this region is more than enormous cruise ships, spring breakers, and huge hotels. Off its magnificent beaches lies the Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest in the world. Also nearby are majestic, ancient Maya archaeological sites such as Chichen Itza, Cobá, and Ek'Balam, as well as the charming colonial city of Valladolid and other Mexican towns rich in culture and history.

Unfortunately, the ecosystems in the surrounding area have suffered from negative impacts due to an overdeveloped tourism industry, such as depletion of natural resources, pollution and destruction of coral reefs, and habitat fragmentation.

Many tourism businesses have recognized the need to transform their business practices to alleviate some of these negative impacts, and have made a commitment to take steps toward creating a more sustainable industry.

One such effort is the Mesoamerican Reef Tourism Initiative (MARTI), formed in 2006 by stakeholders from the tourism industry (hotels, cruise ship companies, and more), several conservation NGOs, and the government of Quintana Roo, where Cancun is located. The goal is to transform tourism in the Riviera Maya, Cancun, and Cozumel. MARTI encourages the region's hotels to meet strict international standards for sustainability by adopting best practices such as protecting coastal habitats, conserving electricity and water, protecting wildlife, and supporting the economic and social development of local communities.

The initiative also works with stakeholders working in marine tourism, such as cruise ships, navigational services, marine protected areas, and tour operators by developing tools such as treating wastewater, educating passengers, and setting up guidelines for activities like snorkeling, in order to protect fragile marine habitats.

After receiving training, technical assistance, and incorporating best practices, 21 hotels and large hotel chains in the Mexican Caribbean have adopted the MARTI Environmental Management System and some also have acquired sustainable tourism certifications from Green Globe, Earth Check and the Mexican Standards for Ecotourism, as well as the Rainforest Alliance Verification for tourism businesses, all of which are aligned with the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria.

Thanks to this work, it is estimated that some 30,000 hotel rooms are already managed sustainably, more than 60 marine recreation companies are participating in MARTI's Environmental Walk-Through program, more than 900 dive and snorkel guides are trained in MARTI's best practices, as are more than 300 construction professionals, among others.

If you have thought twice about visiting the Mexican Caribbean, it's time to consider it again! There are many beautiful, luxurious, and most importantly, sustainable hotels and tour operators to choose from. Visit SustainableTrip.org's hotel database to find many of the hotels in Cancun and the Riviera Maya that are participating in MARTI, and/or are certified, or Rainforest Alliance verified.

This entry was posted on October 2, 2012 at 12:03 PM and has received 972 views. There are currently 1 comments. Print this entry.

This entry was posted on July 3, 2012 at 8:49 AM and has received 881 views. There are currently 2 comments. Print this entry.