Glamorous ‘Green’ Getaways
Top 4 Resorts For An Eco-Friendly Destination
Wedding Retreat
One
of the most recent trends in contemporary society is all things green—green
energy cars, green house décor, even green fashion.
This
green trend has quickly swooped into the wedding world—from outdoor venues,
recyclable décor and invites, even vegetarian dish varieties. The green
revolution isn’t confined however, to the wooded acres of the Muskokas.
We’ve
handpicked the top 4 resorts nestled in the gorgeous corners of the Mayan Riviera
and the Caribbean that are taking destination weddings to the next eco-level!
 |
| Hacienda Tres Rios Resort Spa and Nature Park |
1) Hacienda Tres Rios Resort, Spa and
Nature Park
Key
Information
- Located in the Riviera Maya
- It’s the only environmentally responsible luxury resort that offers select access to the Tres Ríos Nature Park in the Riviera Maya through their All Inclusive Plan
- A romantic secluded location only 45 minutes from Cancun airport
Wedding
Features
- 4 event locations to choose—from beachside romance to nature lovers paradise
- Choice of ceremony styles including legal, symbolic and Mayan
- Wedding and bridal party salon services available on location
- Honeymoon packages include spoiling’s such as bottles of house wine, in room sweet-basket deliveries, and incense/essential oils
Green
Highlights
- Hacienda Tres Rios is a leader in sustainable tourism development, focusing all its actions towards the responsible use of resources, the preservation of local ecosystems, the operation of good environmental practices, the creation of high quality experiences for visitors, and the establishment of its social responsibility.
- Nature Park activities include bike, snorkelling, kayak, nursery and Hobie Cat tours
- Environmental Supervision Team on staff to look after resort waste management, environmental education, plant and wildlife management.
2) Sandos Caracol Eco Resort &
Spa
 |
| Sandos Caracol's Complimentary Boat Ride |
Key
Information
- Located in Playa Del Carmen along the Riviera Maya
- Includes 3 sections of inclusive resort – family section, Select Club Adults Only, Royal Elite
- Provides a very local and authentic Mexican experience for those interested in Mexican culture
Wedding
Features
- Weddings allow guests to immerse themselves in the jungles, culture and beaches of Mexico’s Riviera Maya at Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa.
- Gorgeous natural scenery for a tropical wedding experience
- Green Wedding features include;
o
Natural
setup on the deck of the “Cenote Cristalino”
o
Complimentary
honeymoon package for the couple
o
Personalized
service from on site wedding coordinator
o
Complimentary
boat ride with wine and chocolate covered strawberries
o
Celebratory
certificate in the form of the “Sandos Weddings Tree”.
o
Organization
of a donation to the less fortunate on couple’s behalf
o
Organization
to plant a tree to honour your special day
o
Live
Mayan drum music during the ceremony
Green
Highlights
- Resort is located amoung dense jungle and mangrove forests
- Cenotes are beautifully preserved and cared for, as the rest of the property
- Resort thrives on highlighting the natural surroundings
- Innovative in how they preserve communities local resources
- Committed to reducing the impact of the resort’s daily activities
- Various recycling programs used, as well as information to raise awareness with workers, visitors, suppliers and the local community.
- Resort staff works to improve the lives of local school kids in the Playa del Carmen area by suggesting visitors to bring school supplies on their vacation
3) Majahuitas Resort
 |
| Majahuita Resort, Mexico |
Key
Information
- Located 15 minutes South of Puerto Vallarta
- Smaller and more intimate resort
- Located on one the most exclusive beaches in the Bay of Bandera’s and is only accessible by boat
- Best for winter and spring weddings (closed July-September due to extreme heat)
Green
Highlights
- Eight casitas built for each couple to enjoy an perfect ocean view
- Resort run by solar energy and completely void of television and modern conveniences for a more authentic retreat experience
- Resort highlights the use of composting organic materials to enrich garden soils and decrease the need for extra watering
- Features an ecological 3-tiered sewer system that releases clean water for garden.
- Resort built with local materials and through the employment of local craftsmen
- All resort décor is locally sourced.
- Employees come from the immediate community and no less than 50% comes from the indigenous community of Chacala.
- Uses plants on the property that are native to the region, requiring the use of less water.
- Garden features 22 different fruits and vegetables
- Food bought locally such as from local fishermen, ensuring not only the freshness of food but support for the local economy
Wedding
Features
- Majahuitas is the perfect place to host an intimate destination wedding for your closest friends and family.
- The ceremony is performed just steps away from the waves at sunset time, followed by a beautiful beach reception
- Coordination staff to work with couple every step of the way to make sure everything runs perfectly the day of and days leading up
- Staff creative and flexible to making day just as imagined
- All ceremonies are symbolical, perfect for a couple who has eloped and would like family to join for the celebration
- Can host up to 120 guests
4) Chaa Creek, Belize
 |
| Being wildly civilized at Chaa Creek, Belize |
Key
Information
- Located centrally in the Maya civilization in jungle area/private 365-acre nature reserve
- Recognized as one of the Caribbean region’s best sustainable, Green tourist resort
- Includes destination wedding and honeymoon packages
- Perfect for an authentic in-jungle experience
Wedding
Features
- Rainforest wedding day with very affordable packages to chose from
- Choose from 3 intimate all-inclusive destination wedding packages including highlights like horseback riding, romantic sunset canoe trip and couples massages
- All inclusive honeymoon packages from 3-5 nights for more adventurous couples; activities including canoe trips down the Macal River, exploring Belize, and discovering ancient city sites
Green
Highlights
- Chaa Creek is highly involved in their community by continuously offering assistance to local schools, training centres, sporting teams, conservation projects etc.
- Philosophy includes a “give-back” mentality where the resort is committed to maintaining a steward-like relationship with their surrounding environment
- Partners with local conservation projects that centre on preserving wildlife
- Kitchen and organic waste is later used as fertilizer for the garden
- Restaurant leftover given to local farmer as pig feed
For more information on planning your 'green' destination wedding, please contact Romantic Planet Vacations at 1-866-247-8123 or inquiries@romanticplanet.ca
~Laura
Hemming
