Karen Edwards | 25 April 2023
Green sleeps: 12 sustainable places to stay in Latin America
We've carefully selected some of the best sustainable accommodation options in Latin America...
We've carefully selected some of the best sustainable accommodation options in Latin America...
(Mashpi Eco Lodge)
The land for the hotel was bought in 2006 to safeguard the cloud forest of Mashpi Reserve from deforestation. Today, the area is home to 500 plant species, 400 species of bird, 300 moth and butterfly species, monkeys, ocelots and pumas. Another 12 new species have been identified in the years since. Three-quarters of all hotel staff employed here are locals.
Booking information: mashpilodge.com
(Estancia Los Potreros)
With energy generated from wind, water and solar power, Estancia Los Potreros also promotes a farm-to-table ethos, providing guests with responsibly reared beef, free-range eggs and seasonal fruit and vegetables.
Booking information: estancialospotreros.com
Set in Torres del Paine NP, this camp has been carbon neutral since 2007. Around 95% of the energy for its 33 dome stays comes from micro-hydro turbines and photovoltaic panels. Any remaining carbon emissions are offset.
Booking information: ecocamp.travel
(Pacuare Lodge)
The main – and most fun – way to reach this remote forest-set lodge is by whitewater rafting in on the Pacuare River. Open-air suites with hand-woven thatched roofs were built without logging any trees, and run on 100% renewable energy harnessed on the property using water turbines, solar power and a biodigester. Staff include members of the Indigenous Cabécar community, along with people from Bajos del Tigre, Turrialba and other neighbouring villages.
Booking information: pacuarelodge.com
(Shutterstock)
Located in Madidi National Park – one of the most biodiverse protected regions on Earth – Chalalán was founded by the Indigenous Quechua-Tacana community to help escape poverty. The lodge has since created jobs and funded schooling, health clinics and water supplies.
Booking information: chalalan.com
(Pousada Trijunçäo)
Set on a conservation farm in the Brazilian Cerrado, the largest savannah in South America, this eco-lodge was built to help protect local ecosystems from negligent agricultural practices and support threatened species such as the jaguar and maned wolf.
Booking information: pousadatrijuncao.com
(Isla Palenque)
Just eight casitas and one super-villa make up this private island resort, where the furniture, dishes and even the pool loungers were all crafted by local Chiriqui and Indigenous Ngäbe-Buglé carpenters.
Booking information: islapalenque.com
This Torres del Paine eco-lodge was one of the first in South America to produce solar-powered electricity, with staff accommodation successfully running on renewable energy. Rainwater is collected, treated and used throughout the hotel, and grey water is also recycled for irrigation. Plans for a kitchen-garden and farm-to-table menus are in motion.
Booking information: tierrahotels.com
(Kev Steele)
In south-west Mexico, trailblazing Playa Viva’s luxury treehouses (pictured above) and casitas operate on a 100% off-grid solar system; it also provides English, art and conservation classes to local Juluchuca people. This year, Playa Viva was awarded the highest B-Corp certification score of any qualified hotel to date.
Booking information: playaviva.com
(Naviva®, A Four Seasons Resort)
An impressive 80% of luxury resort Naviva, whose 15 tents are immersed within the native forest, is powered by solar panels, and hydro panels are used to extract clean drinking water.
Booking information: fourseasons.com
(Shutterstock)
In the heart of the driest desert in the world, this inn is dedicated to community and conservation, and donates funds to the Andean Boarding School and Rapa Nui Terevaka Archaeological Outreach.
Booking information: explora.com
(Rosewood São Paulo)
Situated in the historic enclave of Cidade Matarazzo, this elegant city hotel is built of 100% locally sourced, upcycled and recycled materials. Additionally, it is powered entirely by solar energy.
Booking information: rosewoodhotels.com
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