The 10 Most Sustainable Eco-Lodges in South America

For an Ethical and Sustainable Stay in an Eco-Lodge in South America

A Sustainability Ranking in partnership with ETIC Hotels

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You’re planning a trip to South America and you’re trying to be as ethical and sustainable as possible? niood lists you the 10 most sustainable eco-lodges in South America:

1. Mashpi Lodge
Mashpi, Ecuador

From $1,000 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes Mashpi Lodge sustainable?
Mashpi Lodge was built using the latest techniques in sustainable construction, with much of the structure having been preassembled in Quito. It is designed to blend in perfectly with its natural environment, its glass walls making it virtually invisible at times. Stunningly contemporary and featuring modernist design and décor that mixes warm earth tones, steel, stone and glass in striking perspectives, Mashpi Lodge makes for a true cocoon of luxury in the middle of the forest.

Gallery image of this property

Gallery image of this property

Gallery image of this property

2. Explora Patagonia
Torres de Paine, Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena, Chile

From $500 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes Explora Patagonia sustainable?

Puritama Natutal Reserve
Ever since explora was nothing more than a glint in our founder’s eyes, the concept of sustainability and conservancy was already meant to be its backbone. By 1993, when we first opened our doors to the travel community, we had successfully laid down the groundwork for our Sustainability & Conservancy Program.

We specifically refer to this stage as “groundwork” because from then onward, over the past 20 years, sustainability and conservancy have become not only our backbone, but also our eyes, our hands and most importantly our brain, permeating every single aspect of our operation and growing into an independent force of its own.

The Program itself is based on two pillars which work under the same corporate dream of developing a model in which travelers can interact with nature in its wildest raw form whilst also proactively working towards participative natural and cultural conservation.

Gallery image of this property

Gallery image of this property

Gallery image of this property

3. Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica
Puerto Maldonado, Peru

From $500 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes Inkaterra Reserva sustainable?

The Sustainability Policy at Inkaterra aims to preserve the environment, preserve the native cultures, and develop sustainable tourism in Peru. Here are just some of the sustainable targets outlined in Inkaterra’s policy:

  • Define and respect authentic cultural, social and environmental values.
  • Create professional development opportunities and encourage the recruitment and training of local staff.
  • Develop contingency plans for natural, social or financial disasters.
  • Encourage the development of local communities, taking into consideration their environment and culture.
  • Use environmentally friendly products and maintain good communication with suppliers.
  • Use energy and water efficiently, and provide adequate waste treatment.
  • Offset the greenhouse gas emissions generated by the organization’s operations, in order to be carbon neutral.

Gallery image of this property

Gallery image of this property

Gallery image of this property

4. Pikaia Lodge
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

From $2,500 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes Mashpi Lodge sustainable?
Pikaia Lodge is carbon neutral. It provides hot water to guests through solar-powered heaters, and even participates in a reforestation program to offset any CO2 emissions produced by the property.
This luxurious lodge works with the National Park Service to achieve sustainable tourism in many ways, including limiting the areas in which tourists can visit, and managing tourist numbers yearly. 

Luxury Galapagos adventure | Pikaia Lodge

5. Awasi Iguazú
Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina

From $1,000 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes Awasi Iguazú sustainable?

The use of cloth napkins, enameled plates, glassware and metal cutlery, thermoses and Tupperware and paper rather than plastic food wrapping has helped to eliminate one-use plastics and non-biodegradable waste from Awasi’s picnics.

Reusable water bottles are provided to all guests, and whilst bottled water is available on demand, it is discouraged; filtered water dispensers have been installed in common areas to minimize the use of disposable plastic bottles.

At Awasi Atacama and Awasi Iguazu, the kitchen gardens use organic waste to produce compost and fertilizer to help grow more locally sourced ingredients, and we are constantly looking for additional ways to minimise our environmental footprint and reduce waste across all of our lodges – not an easy task given the different restrictions in place at each of our lodges.

AWASI IGUAZU - RELAIS & CHATEAUX - Updated 2021 Prices, Hotel Reviews, and  Photos (Puerto Iguazu, Argentina) - Tripadvisor

6. Explora Sacred Valley
Urquillos – Huayllabamba, Urubamba, Peru

From $1,200 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes Explora Sacred Valley sustainable?

Puritama Natutal Reserve

Ever since explora was nothing more than a glint in our founder’s eyes, the concept of sustainability and conservancy was already meant to be its backbone. By 1993, when we first opened our doors to the travel community, we had successfully laid down the groundwork for our Sustainability & Conservancy Program.

We specifically refer to this stage as “groundwork” because from then onward, over the past 20 years, sustainability and conservancy have become not only our backbone, but also our eyes, our hands and most importantly our brain, permeating every single aspect of our operation and growing into an independent force of its own.

The Program itself is based on two pillars which work under the same corporate dream of developing a model in which travelers can interact with nature in its wildest raw form whilst also proactively working towards participative natural and cultural conservation.

Gallery image of this property

Gallery image of this property

Gallery image of this property

7. Napo Wildlife Center
Quito, Ecuador

From $1,000 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes Napo Wildlife Center sustainable?

Napo Wildlife Center — Galapagos Travel

8. Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa
San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta, Chile

From $350 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa sustainable?

GSTC S Certification

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council has certified Alto Atacama in economic, environmental and socio-cultural sustainability.

Local architecture

We have chosen materials, colors and building solutions that rescue the local culture and patrimony.

Efficient construction system

Our thermal insulation allows us to minimize the use of energy for heating and air conditioning.

Supporting the local community

We finance student scholarships so that youngsters from local communities can pursue and/or further their studies in higher education programs.

Waste treatment

We recycle paper, cardboard, aluminium, glass and we have developed protocols to reduce waste.

Local produce

We prioritize sourcing from authorized local farmers who provide us with fresh, organic, quality products.

Gallery image of this property

Gallery image of this property

Gallery image of this property

9. Yacutinga Lodge, Comandante Andresito, Argentina

From $500 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes Yacutinga Lodge sustainable?
Amongst the green, the lodge is a comfortable shelter in complete harmony with the environment. The buildings, with soft, rounded lines, accompanied by natural terrain slopes, blend in perfectly with the environment.

Materials collected from the site, such as rocks and fallen trees were included in the design, strengthening the conservation philosophy of the enterprise.

Those who want to live this experience, participate in a diversity of activities guided by ecologists and Yoga Professors. Our environmental guides have a high level of training in the interpretation of nature and its processes.

Gallery image of this property

10. Titilaka, Peru

From $700 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes Titilaka Peru sustainable?

Titilaka Boutique Hotel on Lake Titicaca | Best hotels in Puno

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