The 16 Most Sustainable Hotels in Mexico

A Sustainability Ranking in partnership with ETIC Hotels

You’re planning a trip to Mexico and you’re trying to be as ethical and sustainable as possible? niood lists you the 16 most sustainable hotels in Mexico:

1. Azulik Resort
Tulum, Mexico

From $600 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes Azulik Resort Tulum sustainable?
All of the villas are hand-built from wood with eco-friendly materials sourced locally.
All of the villas are free from electricity, television, radios, Wi-Fi and lights.
Moreover, the lack of air conditioning will enhance the alluring feeling of disconnection as you unite with nature.

2. Alaya Tulum
Tulum, Mexico

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

What makes Alaya Tulum sustainable?
Alaya adopted the UN’s 17 sustainable development areas and are endeavouring to address each one of them.
Alaya Tulum Hotel in Mexico shows a strong commitment to the surrounding communities by creating employment opportunities and by promoting sustainable development among the local region.

3. Hotel Nueva Vida Tulum
Tulum, Mexico

From $220 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes Nueva Vida Tulum sustainable?
Nueva Vida Tulum avoids using gas-powered generators by relying on a comprehensive system of alternative energy.
Solar panels and wind generators supply the property with power 24 hours a day.
They also have structures in place to prevent sewage contamination of Tulum’s underwater river system.

4. Sueños Tulum
Tulum, Mexico

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

What makes Sueños Tulum sustainable?
Suenos Tulum uses Solar energy, a recycling program, locally-sourced products, wastewater management plants, rainwater collection, and limits the consumption of plastic.

5. Zamas Hotel
Tulum, Mexico

From $250 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes Zamas Tulum sustainable?
The Zamas Hotel is a mostly electricity-free property, although a generator does supply limited lighting and Wi-fi in common areas. Zamas is owned by a family from California who have operated the establishment since 1996.

6. Diamante K
Tulum, Mexico

From $180 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes Diamante K Tulum sustainable?
Diamante K hotel utilizes an ecological smart energy concept, the electricity is turned off throughout the evening time.

7. Maya Tulum Retreat & Spa
Tulum, Mexico

From $250 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes Maya Tulum Retreat & Spa sustainable?
All Maya Tulum guest rooms are cleaned daily. If you choose to re-use your towels, you can leave them hanging on the towel rack. The fresh bed linens in your room are not changed daily unless you request it.

Maya Tulum offers a specialty bottled water product – Sky Ha’ Rainwater. Locally bottled and packaged in 100% biodegradable and 100% recyclable bottles, Sky Ha’ Rainwater collects local rain falling in Mexico’s Caribbean tropical jungles before it ever touches the ground, then purifies the water through a rigorous filtration process.

8. Xinalani Retreat
Quimixto, Mexico

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

What makes Xinalani Retreat sustainable?
Xinalani is committed to the sustainable development of the local community. They offer scholarships, training in hospitality careers, and great job opportunities. They respect nature and built Xinalani with organic local materials, approach energy and water consumption with care, found efficient alternatives to air conditioning, and are proud to share their space with local fauna.

9. Hacienda Tres Rios Resort, Spa, & Nature Park
Playa del Carmen, Mexico

From $220 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes Hacienda Tres Rios Resort sustainable?

1. All of the resort’s buildings were constructed on more than 780 stilts which protected and maintained groundwater flow , which plays a fundamental role in the balance of the mangrove ecosystem.
2. Thanks to the use of heat interchanger systems, only 30% of the fuel that would normally be required to heat the hotel’s water is used. Therefore, instead of using large boilers, only small heaters are needed, using the cleanest fossil fuel currently available, natural gas.
3. As part of the Flora and Fauna Rescue Program, each and every one of the plants under threat or in danger of extinction was carefully removed from the site before construction and taken to the Tres Ríos Plant Nursery for safekeeping.
4. Waste is separated in the kitchens and used for compost.
5. Plastic, aluminum, glass, and cardboard items discarded in rooms and public areas are separated in the waste area for recycling. Grease residue from the kitchens is sent to a certified processing company.

10. Cuixmala
Careyes, Mexico

From $450 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes Cuixmala sustainable?
The Cuixmala Ecological Foundation (FECx) is a non-governmental organization established on May 25th, 1988, to promote activities related to environmental conservation and restoration in Mexico. A particular aim of the Foundation was to promote the creation of the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve on the coast of Jalisco, given the ecological importance of the area and the variety of environmental services which it offers.

11. Sandos Caracol Eco Resort
Playa del Carmen, Mexico

From $250 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes Sandos Caracol Eco Resort sustainable?
They have implemented the following programs and standards to care for their surroundings and make sure that their guests can experience a true eco vacation:

• Programs for energy-saving and alternative energy sources
• Water-saving programs, including a water treatment plant
• Recycling programs and containers
• The “Plant a Tree” program so guests can commemorate their stay by planting a native tree at the resort
• Environmental education programs for our guests and employees

12. Ahua Tulum
Tulum, Mexico

From $450 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10

What makes Ahau Tulum sustainable?
Through its commitment to the environment and the three pillars of sustainability, environmental, sociocultural, and economic, three members of the Ahau Collection hotels in Tulum have achieved Green Key certification in Mexico. In addition to our resorts’ focus on sustainable hospitality and eco-friendly initiatives the Ahau Collection is committed to improvements and projects in the local community and in nature. From stimulating economic growth and creating jobs for local residents in Tulum to protecting marine life and nature preserves to limiting food waste and ending hunger, the Ahau Collection strives to bring goodness to the world.

13. Mukan Resort
Tulum, Mexico

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

What makes Mukan Resort Tulum sustainable?
In keeping with the responsibility of the biosphere, Mukan’s sustainability efforts are implemented through eco-friendly systems for energy generation and water purification. The use of solar panels, a wind turbine, water filtration and local materials for all construction needs are just some of ways Mukan is committed to reducing its ecological footprint.

14. Olas Tulum
Tulum, Mexico

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

What makes Olas Tulum sustainable?
For Olas Tulum, sustainability is making long-term commitments to the land and fostering long-term connections with the people of Tulum – those who live here, and those who visit. It’s the guiding principle in everything Olas Tulum does and a measurable standard evident from the platinum reviewed LEED building to the care and respect they give to their staff and guests.

15. Casa Malca
Tulum, Mexico

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

What makes Casa Malca Tulum sustainable?
Casa Malca’s buildings were constructed by local craftsman with sustainable materials like organic, pesticide-free cotton, and there is a focus on serving only homegrown vegetables and local produce in their on-site restaurant.

16. Kore Tulum Retreat and Spa Resort
Tulum, Mexico

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

What makes Kore Tulum Retreat & Spa sustainable?
“Enjoy a sustainable holiday in one of the most special boutique hotels in Tulum. At the Kore Tulum Retreat & Spa Resort we work every day to guarantee that the activity of our hotel and our guests is committed to the environment and protects its natural resources, its socioeconomic richness and its traditions. We value our destination and we have to work together to preserve it as rich and beautiful as it is today.” – Kore Tulum