Yucatan, located in southeastern Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula, is one of 31 states in the country. Merida, Yucatan's capital city, is one of the most visited cities in the country, and the state is filled with various Mayan archaeological zones, including Chichen Itza. Known for its regional cuisine, a mix of Mexican and Caribbean influences, Yucatan is also home to several responsible resorts for ecologically minded visitors.
Designed with its ecological surroundings in mind, Hotel Eco Paraiso has a social and ecological commitment to the Celestun Eco Preserve (Ria de Celestun) and nearby town of Celestun. Many of the resort staff comes from the local town and the resort utilizes local products and agriculture as much as possible. Water for the resort comes from a salt well and water is recycled. The hotel is committed to limiting its purchase and usage of individually packaged products and trash is separated for recycling and composting. With three miles of white sanded beach, plenty of water activities are available and guests visiting April through June will have the opportunity to see sea turtles nesting at the beach.
Hotel Eco Paraiso
Municipio de Celestún
Yucatán, México
+52-988-916-2100
ecoparaiso.com
For over 50 years, the Hacienda Chichen Resort, located next to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, has been welcoming guests and billing itself as an eco-friendly hotel. Each of the resort's 28 rooms are housed in one of 12 cottages and offers a spacious terrace overlooking a garden setting. The resort specializes in giving guests an authentic Mayan experience. Among the resort's amenities are a protected, private bird refuge, biodegradable cleaning and laundry products and an eco-spa offering a full menu of traditional Mayan healing arts and a Mayan Natural Cave and sweat bath. The resort has its own organic farm which produces much of the fresh produce served at the hotel. Hacienda Chichen Resort has several dining options for guests as well.
Haciendar Chichen Resort
Km 120 Carretera Merida-Puerto Juarez
Zona Hotelera de Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza 97752, Mexico
877-631-4005
haciendachichen.com
Located on the Yucatan Peninsula, Casa del Miel, a 16 room village-like resort located in Tulum, Quintana Roo, advertises rustic luxury for its guests. All rooms have terraces with ocean views and the hotel restaurant serves local fresh fish and produce.
Casa de Miel
Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
+52-998-185-7428
casademiel.com
Also in Quintana Roo but at the southernmost end of the Yucatan Peninsula, Rancho Encantado is situated on Laguna Bacalar, a forty mile long lagoon. 12 cottages each have a living room and kitchenettes. Papaya Plaza, also located in Tulum, offers four distinctive villas and five cabanas, each with ocean views. Cabanas offer shared bathrooms while villas each have their own bathroom. The resort offers two open air dining palapas and guests may also order dinner at the beach.
Rancho Encantado
77930 Chetumal
Quintana Roo, Mexico
877-299-2046
encantado.com
