Tel. +44 (0)1273 600030 (UK)
This itinerary includes 2 nights at Eco Paraiso Lodge.
In the middle of the Celestún Biosphere Reserve this Lodge is nestled in a coconut grove, perched on it's own beach. A visit to Eco Paraíso is a must for any bird lovers as you can observe the numerous birds that inhabit and reproduce in the area, as well as dolphins and sea turtles that nest during the months of April through to July (hatching two months later).
All of the 15 roomy and comfortably furnished cabins have beautiful views of the emerald green Gulf of Mexico, which you can see from your hammock on the balcony of your room. The hotel itself is fully oriented towards environment protection. You will also find a freshwater swimming pool, spacious gardens with exotic coastal dune flora. There are no TVs or telephones in the room making this remote place a true getaway. The hotel also offers bird watching, and turtle nesting tours, fishing, hiking trails, and bicycling.
Construction: The hotel has been carefully planned to only take up 1.2% of the land it is built on and has been constructed from the second dune on, so that the first dune and the beach are intact. This is very important, as it is in this first dune, the sea turtles come to hatch. The topography of the land has also been kept intact; that is, the land has not been leveled out during construction. The dunes were left as they were. Great care was taken in the lay out of the resort - all the bungalows blend into the surrounding nature. The garden has been replanted with plants that grow in the region
Recycling: All water is biologically recycled. The grey waters (showers and washbasin) go to a biological filter that has a stone (antracita) and bacteria - this filtered water is then used to water the garden. The black waters (W.C.) are pumped to an integrated organic recycling system - there it sediments and is used as an innocuous for the compost pile. The remaining water goes to a perfectly sealed jardiniere. The greasy waters of the kitchens and soapy waters of the laundry each have special filters with sand, gravel, stone and bacteria - this water is also used for the garden. All waste is separated accordingly in organic waste, recyclable and not recyclable waste.
The hotel does not buy individual packed products. Jam, butter and cereals are served in bulk and toilet amenities like soap, shampoo and conditioner have dispensers.
Resources: All water comes from a salty well. This water is filtered with sand, gravel and activated carbo. The lighting is powered with low voltage bulbs. To avoid the little sea turtles getting confused and not finding their way to the sea, illumination is kept as low as possible in the resort. Solar panels heat the water in the swimming pool.
Education: From the moment of check in, guests are educated to respect nature. Everyone receives a welcome brochure, where they can read about the hotel's efforts towards conservation. Guests can help by avoiding the ritual of laundering sheets and towels every day and putting the lights and ceiling fans off when they leave the room.
Social: The nearby town, Celestun, also profits from the resort: most of the staff comes from the town; the hotel uses the services of the local boatmen to make the Celestun inlet tour; and the hotel buys local products like fish, seafood, vegetables and bread; etc.
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