April 22 is Earth Day, when people around the world celebrate their support for protecting the environment. Even if your a frequent flyer or globetrotting vacationer, you can do your part to protect our planet while still enjoying the benefits of travel. Here are a few ways to do so when planning Latin America travel.
1. Pay attention to Sustainability
An organization called Sustainable Travel International partners with a variety of destinations and companies to help them be more eco-friendly. Among their featured projects is a Sustainable Destination Management program in Cozumel, Mexico, which aims to protect the region’s natural resources.
2. Fly Eco-friendly Airlines in Latin America
United Airlines, which is a partner of Sustainable Travel International, allows passengers to calculate the carbon footprint resulting from their travel plans, and choose from several carbon reduction projects offered by Sustainable Travel International, including forest conservation, renewable energy and prevention of deforestation. You then choose to contribute to the designated project, through the purchase of units at the time of booking.
Nature Air, which is based in Costa Rica and also flies to Panama and Nicaragua, bills itself as the world’s first carbon-neutral airline; the first airline to compensate for 100% of its carbon emissions from flight operations through the conservation of tropical forests.
3. Stay at Eco-friendly Hotels in Latin America
A Website called SustainableTrip.Org lists hotels, tour operators and other travel companies in Latin America that have been verified by the Rainforest Alliance or certified by third-party programs recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. It’s a fast, convenient way to find multiple listings for a variety of eco-friendly hotels and travel companies.
4. Take Time to Enjoy Nature When You Travel
A variety of hotels around Latin America make it easy to enjoy nature. Here are a few ideas:
Hilton Papagayo Resort, Costa Rica
At the all-inclusive Hilton Papagayo Costa Rica Resort & Spa (pictured left), nature lovers can enjoy morning walks and sunset hikes on the resort’s two hiking trails, and eco-focused services await at the world-class Spa Vida. For those looking to experience some of Costa Rica‘s natural attractions, the resort in Costa Rica offers kayaking and snorkeling at Playa Arenilla, where guests may explore and interact with marine life.
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CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort, Mexico
The Ohtli Spa at CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort in Mexico bills itself as one of the very few resorts in the world that grows its own agave azul on property and produces its own proprietary brand of tequila. Maintaining a farm-to-spa table approach, the harvested agave is also used in spa treatments such as the Agave Syrup, Cornmeal & Sea Salt Scrub, a gentle exfoliation consists of some of nature’s most plentiful and powerful resources. Light grains of cornmeal and coarse sea salt remove dead skin cells while the agave syrup in a light coconut oil base seals in moisture and soothes the skin.
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Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino
The Zen Spa at this Puerto Rico hotel boasts an earthly coffee-infused treatment for travelers called “The Executive Man.” Designed to relieve stress from head to toe, the treatment includes a “Cappuccino Buff” that uses a ground coffee exfoliating scrub, an aromatherapy deep tissue massage, a deep-cleansing facial, the signature gentleman’s manicure, a callus-reducing pedicure as well as a sauna and steam treatment. The Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino is centrally located in San Juan, near many attractions.
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