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Clients’ increasing awareness of their environmental impact, combined with a growing desire to stay in accommodation surrounded by nature, could see Latin America’s eco-lodges rise in popularity when travel returns, says Madeleine Barber
Latin America is a pioneer when it comes to offering sustainable accommodation, with its growing portfolio of eco-lodges allowing clients to experience the region’s dense rainforests, lush landscapes and rich biodiversity while at the same time respecting nature.
“Sustainable travel has been a growing trend in Latin America in recent years, and the continent’s eco-lodges have grown in popularity,” says Danny Calaghan, chief executive of the Latin American Travel Association.
“We expect [sustainable tourism] to grow significantly post-pandemic, as consumers have become even more aware of their impact on the destinations they visit, highlighted by the benefits of reduced human activity.”
An Abta survey conducted in October found more than half of consumers believed the travel industry should re-open in a greener way. So with travellers likely to make more responsible choices when planning holidays, Latin America’s eco-lodges look set to be on more clients’ wishlists. Here are a selection of luxury lodgings and basic boltholes to inspire earth-loving clients.
Sustainability is the core value at Lapa Rios Lodge, located on the fringes of the Pacific Ocean and Corcovado national park. The buildings are constructed with renewable materials, all products are biodegradable, the food is organic and staff are drawn exclusively from the local area. While the lodge completed extensive refurbishments last year and is perfect for kicking back in the rainforest, there are also excursions and activities available such as dolphin and whale watching, kayaking, surfing, birdwatching and yoga.
Evie Oswald, a Journey Latin America travel expert who visited Lapa Rios in 2019, recommends the lodge for “clients with a healthy budget who are really looking to get off the beaten track and are interested in birds and wildlife, as this is the best place in Costa Rica for it”.
Book it: Journey Latin America offers a 10-night holiday, with four nights at Lapa Rios full-board, from £4,798pp, including accommodation, flights and transfers. journeylatinamerica.co.uk/travel-agents
Caiman Ecological Refuge isn’t just a sanctuary for travellers, it’s a sanctuary for wildlife too.
The site, which is home to two guest lodges, is spearheading eco-tourism in the area by monitoring hyacinth macaw nests and helping them breed; tracking blue-fronted parrots; and working with The Oncafari Association for the conservation of Pantanal jaguars.
“Guests can pre-book one- or three-day private jaguar Jeep safaris with the Oncafari team – the rate of sightings is extremely high – or they can choose to spend a day with the Arara Azul hyacinth macaw project,” says Lloyd Boutcher, director at Sunvil Latin America.
Caiman Ecological Reserve also runs an educational programme for local children to teach them about the importance of protecting the environment.
Book it: A 15-night itinerary incorporating four nights at Caiman Ecological Refuge costs from £5,499pp based on two sharing, including accommodation, flights, transfers, guided tours and some meals. sunvil.co.uk/agents
Located in the wetlands of the Los Llanos region, Corocora Camp is made up of four luxurious guest tents and the Social Tent, where visitors can order cocktails at the bar, curl up on the sofa with a board game or gather round the campfire for a barbecue. The solar-powered lodge funds local wildlife tracking and conservation projects, and works with the region’s cowboys to implement sustainable livestock production.
“Los Llanos is perfect for those with an adventurous spirit,” says Neil Sealy, head of trade sales at Exsus Travel. “Activities at the camp include outings with naturalist guides, birdwatching, canoeing, horse riding and conservation initiatives. Plus, Unesco has recognised the region for the protection of the Llaneros, or cowboys, and their traditional way of life.”
Book it: Exsus Travel offers a 12-day trip featuring three nights at Corocora Camp on a full-board basis for £3,895pp, including accommodation, flights, all transfers and activities. Based on November 2021 departure. exsus.com
Offering an “eco-luxury” experience on Isla Holbox, north of Cancun, Hotel Las Nubes is made up of 29 rooms in the Yum Balam nature reserve, with a Go Green programme encouraging guests to get involved with environmentally beneficial activities. The new beach club is a great place for sundowners, or visitors can venture out on bikes, on foot or on pre-arranged tours to explore the state of Quintana Roo.
“Isla Holbox is a great place to visit in Mexico’s typical high tourist season [November to April] but is also a good choice for shoulder season trips, as clients can see whale sharks from June to September,” says Anna Scrivens, Mexico product manager at Audley Travel.
Book it: A nine-day tailor-made trip to Mexico with Audley Travel includes three nights’ B&B at Hotel Las Nubes, priced from £3,999pp based on two sharing. Includes accommodation, flights and transfers. audleytravel.com
Surama Eco Lodge is home to an Amerindian community and made up of eight basic “benabs”, or rustic cabins. The resort is managed by the Makushi people and powered by solar energy, with all tourist activities based in the surrounding savannah, Iwokrama rainforest and Buro Buro River. Visitors can go in search of wildlife such as toucans, brown capuchin monkeys and tapirs.
“A highlight of any stay is a sighting of the rufous-winged ground cuckoo, which can be really tough to find,” says Jack Brooker, a Rainbow Tours product manager.
At the end of the day, guests can return to the main benab to tuck into traditional dishes made with local ingredients.
Book it: Rainbow Tours’ 11-day Birdwatching in Guyana holiday includes two nights at Surama Eco Lodge and costs from £4,479pp, including accommodation, flights, transfers, and activities. Based on travel in 2021. rainbowtours.co.uk
The 19 wooden over-water cabins at Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel in Guatemala’s Peten region have been designed to blend in with the lagoon landscape and have the smallest environmental footprint possible. The water management system keeps usage to a minimum, the hotel has planted native trees in the area, while furniture made by artisans gives back to local communities. Las Lagunas also manages an animal reserve on Laguna Quexil, caring for endangered species of monkey.
“A must is taking a boat trip one morning to see the monkeys being fed on Monkey Island,” says Charlotte Wells, senior product manager at Abercrombie and Kent.
Book it: A seven-night B&B stay in a lagoon-facing Queen suite at Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel costs from £2,500pp, including accommodation, flights, private transfers and a £50pp contribution to a Covid-19 test. Based on two sharing. abercrombiekent.co.uk
