SustainableTrip.org Blog : Valentine's Day

It's Valentine's Day and love is in the air... Love for that special someone--and love for the planet! A romantic getaway to a tropical destination is the perfect way to celebrate, and you can make sure your trip has a positive impact on the environment by booking a room at a sustainable hotel. Here are our top 5 picks for romantic and sustainable hotels in Latin America and the Caribbean:

1) Bosque del Cabo Rainforest Lodge, Costa Rica Bosque del Cabo is perfect for the ecotourist couple that wants to be surrounded by nature. Accommodations consist of ten beautifully crafted thatched-roof bungalows, privately set among lush gardens with views of the Pacific Ocean. Each has a modern bathroom with a delightful outdoor garden shower and porch furnished with hammocks and easy chairs. The beach and the rainforest are just steps away from your porch. Set high on a cliff overlooking the confluence of the mighty Pacific and the Golfo Dulce, these romantic bungalows are stirred by warm tropical breezes that echo with the rhythms of the pounding surf below. There are trails through the rainforest that will lead you to secluded beaches--and what could be better than a deserted tropical beach to spend some quality alone time with your Valentine?
2) Hotel Casa Velas, Mexico This luxurious adults-only, all-inclusive resort is on the Pacific coast of Mexico in Puerto Vallarta. The resort is on the Marina Vallarta Golf Course, overlooking Banderas Bay and surrounded by verdant hills covered in lush vegetation. The Bay is famous for its dolphin and whale watching as well as its beautiful sites for snorkeling and scuba diving. Or if you'd rather take it easy with your sweetheart, relax on one of several sandy beaches just minutes away, have a soak in your suite's private Jacuzzi, or book one of their lavish spa treatments. Hotel Casa Velas was ranked as one of the Top 25 all-inclusive resorts in Mexico by Trip Advisor's 2012 Traveler's Choice Awards, and it's certified by the EarthCheck program
3) Hotel Villa Colonial, Guatemala Hotel Villa Colonial is located in La Antigua, Guatemala, the former Spanish capital of Central America. The city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its wonderfully preserved colonial architecture. Many religious and government buildings with their intricate designs, some preserved as ruins after being destroyed in earthquakes, are considered masterpieces of colonial architecture. Exploring the city with your significant other will be a experience neither of you will forget, as you navigate through the cobblestone streets, spotting colorful bougainvillea flowers among the ruins, facades of pastel colors under tile roofs, parks with fountains, all at the base of three volcanoes: Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango.
4) Xanadu Island Resort, Belize Xanadu Island Resort is right on the beach of the beautiful island of Ambergris Caye in Belize. The hotel overlooks the Caribbean Sea and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. All of their gorgeous suites offer fully-equipped kitchens, a dining area, and living room. The unique monolithic domes, thatched roofs, wooden decks, and colorful hammocks provide a luxurious tropical ambiance. If you can tear yourselves away from the beach, rent a golf cart or take a stroll and explore the bustling town of San Pedro. Xanadu was ranked as one of the top resorts by Trip Advisor's 2012 Traveler's Choice Awards in three categories: Central America, Service, and Bargain.
5) Hotel Patio del Malinche, Nicaragua This charming boutique hotel is a restored colonial house that's part of the vibrant history of the beautiful colonial city of Granada. The oldest colonial city in Nicaragua, Granada will charm you with its colorful buildings, friendly locals, and interesting history. You'll spend hours wandering around this small city, seeing old fashioned horse-drawn carts, lovely cathedrals with stories of their own, and visiting the lively local market where you can get just about anything. Nature enthusiasts can explore the islets of Lake Cocibolca or take a swim in Laguna de Apoyo, a crystal clear lake in the crater of a volcano.