Eco-resorts, dream a little dream of green

In the late 70’s, “ecotourism entered the world travel industry. Gradually, interest in ecotourism melded with the environmental movement and increasingly, sustainability. By the early 1990’s, ecotourism was the fastest growing sector of the travel industry.The International Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as: “Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well being of local people.” And never in history have travelers had so many eco-options. From British Colombia to Bali, resort owners are embracing environmental conservation, education and community involvement. So even though we may be tightening our belts in the current economy, lets dream a little dream about sandy white beaches...palm trees swaying in the breeze...clear turquoise water as far as the eye can see...pristine waterfalls...Are we there yet? I wish, but until we do get there, join me in checking out some of the world's most luxurious eco-tourism paradises.

Found midway down the chain of Caribbean islands near Guadeloupe and Martinique,is Jungle Bay Resort and Spa. This Dominican resort is made up of 35 cottages elevated on wooden posts under a jungle canopy. On a seaside cliff, the visitor center perches. A yoga center, a volcanic stone swimming pool,  and live entertainment enhance this tropical eco-paradise.

For more active vacationers, EcoCamp Patagonia features geodesic domes reminiscent of the local's huts for guests to stay in during their sojourn. EcoCamp Patagonia is in Torres Del Paine National Park in Patagonia. Hiking into the Patagonia mountains, fjords, volcanoes and ice fields are sure to keep ecotrekkers happy and awed at the beauty that is Patagonia.

For the more traditional tropical vacationer, CESiaK is a world class treat. Located on the Yucatan Peninsula's Caribbean coast of Mexico, CESiaK borders the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a 1.3-million-acre park complete with tropical monkeys, sea turtles, mangroves and Mayan ruins. And the CESiaK is world class sustainability at its best.The resort is completely off the grid. Wind and solar power energize its buildings. Rainwater is collected, filtered and stored in cisterns for use. Local labor built the resort and its employees are locals. CESiaK leads ecology education tours plus its staff teaches environmental education to more than 800 public school children Tulum and Punta Allen. That's a beautiful way to vacation.

When in Belize, look up the Black Rock Lodge. Located on a bend in the Macal River in the Mayan Mountains, Black Rock Lodge is an off-the-grid rain forest resort with 13 cabins. An on site restaurant serves organic fruits and local delicacies grown on the property. Water is supplied by a nearby mountain spring. Visitors can use local guides for a jungle trek to a waterfall or a cave.  During the afternoon , one can siesta in each cabin's hammock on the hill above the river.

Caneel Bay on the Island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands is an understated resort founded by Laurence Rockefeller in 1956 and is the original "eco resort." Designed to preserve the surrounding environment, Caneel Bay's rooms use native stone and hand-crafted furnishings.Surrounded by pristine waters, this is the type of place one imagines when dreaming about tropical paradises.

Back in the USA, in Montana, 40 minutes from Yellowstone National Park, resides the Lodge at Sun Ranch. This 26,000-acre property is shared by a maximum of 16 guests at a time. Scheduled to open in May, Sun Ranch includes a 10,000-square-foot lodge with six rooms and two free-standing private cabins. Surrounded by Big Sky Country, visitors can fly fish, ride horseback, canoe or go on naturalist-led hikes.

For those looking for a little African type adventure, Conservation Corporation Africa operates Savute Under Canvas a semi-permanent camp in Botswana's Chobe National Park. This preserve is among the largest on the African continent. Guests can gaze at zebras, wildebeests, cheetahs, leopards and lions daily. The light footprint canvas tents have double beds and flushable toilets.

Arenas Del Mar located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, is a new resort merging deluxe accommodations with the highest level of certified sustainability. The resort uses solar power to heat water, recycles its waste water for irrigation and incorporated recycled plastic roof tiles made from discarded bags used in the banana industry. this resort's grounds include tide pools, a rain forest and a beach that connects to Manuel Antonio National Park.

If exotic is more to your eco-tastes, in the center of India bordering Pench National Park is the Baghvan resort. With 12 bungalows surrounded by teak trees and jungle streams, this resort offers calming Ayurvedic massages and yoga or a wildlife safari. Guests can sleep outside under mosquito netting  on your bungalow's rooftop terrace surrounded by the sounds of the jungle.

That should give you a little daydream material for your next big eco-adventure. Isn't it great to know that you can do good while having a great time?

For more info: www.eco-tourism.com