Feeling Eco-Friendly in Playa Del Carmen: Hipmunk City Love

It’s easy to be green in Playa del Carmen when the majority of your vacation will likely include lazing on the beach, eating local foods, and slowing down the pace.

Spend Some Time With Nature

The Sandos Caracol Eco Resort and Spa takes pride in being the top eco-hotel in the whole Mayan Riviera. If you’re looking for a hotel that cares about the well-being of the Earth and yourself as much as you do — search over!

Surrounded by mangroves, cenotes, and local wildlife, you will learn conservation methods all while being immersed in the sights and sounds of the jungle.

“Caracol” means “snail” in Spanish, and that’s exactly the tone this resort sets: a slow pace with an emphasis on relaxation. Spend a few hours relaxing by the pool, or indulge in their world-class spa services.

If you’re in the mood to be active, take advantage of the on-site tennis courts, or use the hotel sports center and book a windsurfing, kayaking, or boogie boarding adventure. The rooms are lavish and the grounds are massive, so don’t be surprised if you never even leave the property.

Image courtesy of Giorgio Galeotti from Flickr

Get a Glimpse Under The Sea

EcoDiving Tours is one of the best tour operators in Playa Del Carmen. They’re known for being an eco-conscious company, and this carries over into all of their tours. If you already have your open water certification, there’s plenty on offer for you. Dive among barracudas, giant groupers, and eagle spotted rays to Mama Viña, 81 feet deep.

Try the five-hour Yucatan Cenote tour and explore beautiful underground rivers and surrounding caverns. You will learn about the way Earth’s geology has continued to evolve over thousands of years; you’ll also get a glimpse of underwater fossils. The groups are limited to four people, so you will get a personalized tour experience while soaking up plenty of knowledge.

Taste Typical Foods at Kaxapa Factory

This humble, Venezuelan-style restaurant is famous for its specialty dishes: the cachapa and arepa. Both are made from fresh, stone ground corn and filled with tantalizing local ingredients such as black beans, tofu, fried plantains, and yummy avocado. These are topped with local cheese and served piping hot. One serving is quite large, so this makes it a perfect budget lunch for two!

Image courtesy of Giorgio Galeotti from Flickr

Say This Three Times Fast: Titi Panini

When the heat is weighing on your appetite but you still crave nourishment, look to Titi Panini (without giggling!) to fill you up and cool you down.

They offer a large variety of fresh fruit smoothies; try their signature berry blend or invent your own. The strawberry basil offers the perfect balance of sweet and savory and is enough to work as a light lunch. If you’re craving something a little more, try their selection of paninis like the grilled tomato and avocado, and for dessert tuck into the pumpkin pie, which is dusted with cinnamon and served with a dollop of dairy-free whip cream. This is the perfect place to get a healthy fueling any day of the week!

One word to remember for your Playa Del Carmen trip: “tranquilo.” It means “chill” in Spanish, and it’s the perfect tone for your trip. Enjoy!
Please note : This is part of a series for #HipmunkCityLove. Hipmunk.com is low-cost and budget travel service that I use while planning budget travel, and am thrilled to write for. I know you will find the articles as well as their services useful.

Remember, you are my first priority and I only work with or support companies whose products and services I believe in. For all the nitty gritty on this check out my disclaimer. It’s even got pictures of monkeys.