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
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.
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.
2.
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.
3.
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.
4.
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.
5.
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.
6.
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.
7.
From $1,000 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10
What makes Napo Wildlife Center sustainable?
The Kichwa Añangu people employ a sustainable eco-tourism model. All proceeds are re-invested into community projects such as renewable energy, education, and health care.
8.
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.
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.
10. Titilaka, Peru
From $700 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10
What makes Titilaka Peru sustainable?
At Titilaka, all of us understand the need for responsible travel and are deeply committed to both minimizing our ecological footprint and being the best possible neighbour we can to the local communities that have welcomed both us and our guests with open arms. CALTUR is the Peruvian government certification for tourism quality, which incorporates both environmental and social standards; Titilaka has qualified every year.
Titilaka’s social commitment is focussed on supporting the sustainable economic development of the villages around the lodge. Starting by offering local community members a stable, well-paid job that is all too rare in this part of the world, these jobs complement their traditional lifestyle focused on small-scale agriculture. Three-quarters of our staff come from local communities and we source ingredients locally as much as possible, providing the families with an important market for their products, from food crops to Andean textiles.
Titilaka also works hand in hand with a non-profit organization that supports the communities around the lake. We make a donation on behalf of every guest. Guests will also have a chance to give back personally by making their own donation or visiting a local village.
