Planning a honeymoon can be one of the most exciting moments for newlyweds, and one of the best ways to keep things simple, breezy and relaxing is to opt for an all-inclusive getaway. Several luxurious hotels do a great job at keeping sustainability at the forefront of their operations while providing conveniences that only an all-inclusive can offer.
What could be better than an enchanting honeymoon that also benefits the local community and the environment? The following resorts offer everything from farm-to-table fare, elemental eco-design, stunning nature and inspiring social impact initiatives.
Enveloped by the lush forests, beaches and vibrant culture of Costa Rica, this 85-room LEED-certified hideaway originally opened in 2014, then was relaunched as an Autograph Collection resort in 2016.
Located in Guanacaste, El Mangrove overlooks the Gulf of Papagayo, providing guests with gorgeous views of the sea and countless ways to enjoy “pura vida,” Costa Rica’s slogan, meaning “pure life.”
The hotel’s modern design was constructed using local materials, creating an airy, sumptuous experience with elements of water, wood and local flora. Each of the hotel’s two restaurants has views of the Gulf of Papagayo and sources 95% of its produce from local fishermen and farmers.
In addition to its sustainable operations and design elements, El Mangrove leads several community initiatives, from hosting summer English language camps for local children, to beach clean-up days, tree planting initiatives and donating organic waste to a nonprofit pig-feeding project in nearby Playa Panama.
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If divine cuisine is one of your main desires in a conscious all-inclusive honeymoon escape, then El Dorado Royale, a Spa Resort by Karisma, located in beautiful Riviera Maya, may be just the place for you and your love.
The Fuentes-Culinary Theatre offers innovative culinary experiences, featuring a full cooking show in which the restaurant’s head chef and sommelier takes guests through “the melding of textures, flavors, colors and aromas” of ingredients harvested from their Rainforest Alliance Certified™ greenhouse farm and pair them with a premier selection of wines.
The suites at this AAA Four Diamond property, or “Havens of Luxury,” as its website calls them, are adorned in sophisticated Mexican decor with all the amenities one dreams of and more.
The hotel’s sustainable initiatives follow Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria and local and national regulations, and its “Green Team” manages water, flora, fauna, energy usage and waste to minimize the property’s environmental impact.
The Verandah Resort & Spa Antigua
Nestled away on 30 acres of idyllic beachfront and indented coastlines, The Verandah Resort & Spa offers newlyweds a true nature sanctuary.
Aside from the stunning landscapes and property, the resort’s philanthropic programs are enticing enough to lure conscious travelers looking to support community-focused initiatives. There is an inspiring roster of social impact programming that includes buying locally to promote employment and economic opportunities, encouraging guests to bring specific in-kind donations to benefit the people, creating an electrical connection to the local primary school, a well-building project for the village, waste reduction and responsible management.
And as if all that is not enough, the resort also supports students working to complete a two-year tourism and hospitality certification program and participates in an international give-back literacy project in Zanzibar that promotes learning for all ages.
Sandos Caracol Eco Resort, Playa del Carmen
If exotic jungle, ancient cenotes, mangroves, natural lagoons and crystal-clear waters all sound enticing, then Sandos Caracol Eco Resort might be the perfect all-inclusive honeymoon experience you’ve been searching for.
Located on an unspoiled white sand beach in Riviera Maya, this 956-room hotel supports sustainability programs such as environmental education, organic gardening, composting and caring for endemic flora in their on-site nursery.
The resort’s Royal Elite rooms have solar-heated water and are sans plastic bottle. Drinking water is provided just as it should be, through refillable jugs. Activities include photo safaris, bike tours, romantic boat river rides, cenote explorations and planting a tree on the property.
Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba
This AA Four Diamond resort is located on Aruba’s famous Eagle Beach, known as one of the “Dream Beaches of the World.” It’s also Aruba’s greenest hotel and the first CarbonNeutral® resort hotel in North America to have initiated the first Green Globe 21 certification of hotels in Aruba.
Sustainability is incredibly important to owner Ewald Biemans, who has been leading the charge in environmental stewardship in Aruba by investing in eco-technologies and environmentally safe products. The resort also supports an animal sanctuary and several other animal protection initiatives on the island and has reduced its carbon footprint to neutral through water and electricity reduction and sourcing products locally and sustainably.
Technically not all-inclusive, Bucuti offers other conveniences such as a grocery shopping service, a complimentary full American breakfast and a pre-pay lunch and/or dinner “Dine Around” plan.
Author Bio: AAA’s sustainable travel series is written in partnership with Kind Traveler, a women-and-veteran-owned sustainable travel platform empowering travelers to make a positive impact in local communities, and contributing writer, Maria Russo.
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I love Sandos Caracol Eco. I love the cenote and lazy river. The water is so clean and crisp. The beach was cool too. There are places in the ocean (like ten feet from the shore) where the cenote is emptying into the sea. No really, there was forceful water like jets that is the underground freshwater entering the ocean. The entire beach is clean but not manicured. Meaning, there are palm trees right up to the edge of the water. They have boats tied to some of them. What a beautiful resort and location.
I love that you published this article on sustainable resorts, but why do you focus on honeymooners? People of all ages love beautiful resorts and especially folks who are environment-conscious. Would an older crowd feel out of place?
Hi Beverly, thanks for your comment. The tropical locations and all-inclusive pricing make these resorts especially appealing to honeymooners, but everyone is welcome to enjoy them and will feel comfortable. This article is part of a series all about sustainable travel practices and destinations. Check it out! I think you’ll enjoy it. 🙂