{"id":104,"date":"2009-03-31T11:20:08","date_gmt":"2009-03-31T16:20:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2009\/03\/go-green-eco-friendly-mexico-vacations\/"},"modified":"2016-12-17T12:42:42","modified_gmt":"2016-12-17T18:42:42","slug":"go-green-eco-friendly-mexico-vacations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2009\/03\/go-green-eco-friendly-mexico-vacations\/","title":{"rendered":"Go green: eco-friendly Mexico vacations"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Mexico<\/a> By Lena Katz<\/em><\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re heading straight to Cancun or taking a jeep to an undeveloped beach village, Mexico vacations<\/a><\/strong> have endless eco-travel<\/a><\/strong> adventures that will amaze and engage. And since you can\u2019t see everything — in one trip or a thousand — here are some I think are the best, just to inspire you in time for Earth Day.<\/p>\n

The Riviera Maya is best known for Cancun, but moments away from that highrise heaven, some of Mexico\u2019s biggest and best \u201cgreen\u201d attractions await. Taking the spotlight this year is Tres Rios<\/strong>, the ecological preserve eight miles outside Playa del Carmen. Though Tres Rios has existed for 8 years, it\u2019s garnering worldwide attention right now because of the opening of Hacienda Tres Rios<\/a><\/strong>, a beautiful and tranquil eco-hotel located right on the beach<\/strong>, at the convergence of three rivers and the Pacific Ocean. <\/p>\n

Hacienda Tres Rios sets a new standard for \u201cgreen\u201d luxury: no longer defined by furnished \u201ctent-alows\u201d or boutique spa retreats, this category now encompasses large properties with gourmet restaurants, shops and wonderfully comfortable guest rooms featuring mini-bars and balcony hot tubs. The property was designed and constructed from the ground up to conform to rigorous sustainable tourism standards; the developers conducted studies and observation for four years before breaking ground. Now nearing completion, the 326-acre Tres Rios property includes 150 acres of nature preserve<\/strong>, much of whichis open to visitors. Features include ten cenotes<\/strong> (natural spring pools fed by underground rivers), a kayak-able river, interpretive nature walks and an offshore reef<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Long before developers considered \u201cgreening\u201d Playa del Carmen, the tiny island of Isla Mujeres<\/strong> (Isle of Women), just a stone\u2019s throw off the eastern coast of the Riviera Maya, was destined for sustainable tourism. This idyllic little island was sacred to pre-Columbian Mayans for centuries\u2026and after Europeans discovered it, it was used primarily as a pirate getaway and a fishing village. These days, it\u2019s a very popular daytrip destination, with the main activities being snorkeling<\/strong>, beach volleyball, exploring on foot or by golf cart (there are no cars), and swimming with whale sharks<\/strong>. Popular visitor attractions are El Garrafon Marine Park<\/a><\/strong>, the sea turtle farm on Sac Bajo, and  the ruins of an ancient Mayan temple<\/strong> to the moon goddess, Ixchel.<\/p>\n

\"Mexico<\/a> Though most people only think of Cozumel<\/strong> as a cruise ship stop, this island is actually a renowned diving destination<\/strong> that\u2019s determined to keep its on- and off-shore landscapes pristine — and also to protect its rare flora and fauna. Dedicated conservation programs within the island\u2019s parks and preserves protect the marine turtles, crocodiles, nesting birds and mammals. Chankanaab<\/a><\/strong> is the largest park on Cozumel. Faro Celarain<\/a><\/strong> is an eco-reserve known for its sea turtle sanctuary. San Gervasio<\/a><\/strong> is the site of Mayan ruins — like Isla Mujeres, sacred to the moon goddess Ixchel.<\/p>\n

Though among the most crowded of the Riviera Maya\u2019s attractions, the ruins of Chichen Itza<\/a><\/strong> outside Tulum are absolutely amazing and belong at the top of every Mexico vacation \u201cmust-see\u201d list. Ditto for the Gran Cenote<\/strong> that\u2019s next-door-neighbors with Tulum. Annoyingly, motorized transportation is the only logical way to reach the ruins or the cenote — and tour buses seem to be most people\u2019s favored vehicle. Have patience, head a little further south, and you\u2019ll reach 1.3 million acre Sian Ka\u2019An Biosphere Reserve<\/a><\/strong>, the largest reserve on Mexico\u2019s eastern coast. Massive Sian Ka\u2019an has five public entrance points, 23 archaeological sites, and is an official UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/strong>. Here, you\u2019re fully surrounded by the jungle, the sea and the legacy the Mayans left behind.<\/p>\n

Xel-Ha<\/a><\/strong> and Xcaret<\/a><\/strong> are two aquatic theme parks that are family-friendly in the extreme, ecologically and culturally conscious, and easy to spend a day in apiece. The multi-faceted natural glory of the Riviera Maya is neatly collected and presented for guests of Xel-Ha. Enjoy the River Float, the Turtle Camp<\/strong>, the Grotto El Dorado, the Mayan Cave<\/strong>\u2026 At Xcaret, a Mayan village has been re-created at the water\u2019s edge. By day, guests swim in the natural lagoon, play with dolphins<\/strong>, and float down underground rivers<\/strong>. At night, they witness a one-of-a-kind stage spectacular performed by a cast of hundreds.<\/p>\n

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