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Tulum is one of the best cities to stay in Mexico. If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, there’s no better place than Tulum. This Mexican town is known for its stunning beaches and lush jungles. It’s a great relaxing place and is home to some fantastic sustainable hotels and restaurants. These places are committed to preserving the environment and offer guests a unique experience that won’t be found anywhere else.
While there are many lodging options in this jungle oasis, we’ve narrowed it down to 7 of the most luxurious and sustainable hotels that showcase the exquisite culture of Mexico in a beautiful environment. From private beaches and meditation rooms to organic restaurants and recycling programs, these hotels go above and beyond regarding eco-friendly initiatives. So, if you’re looking for an unforgettable sustainable getaway, look no further than Tulum!
Azulik
-for a luxurious retreat in nature
Nestled in the Mayan jungle, you’ll find peace and luxury at the Azulik hotel. This unique eco-friendly resort’s goal is to conserve the natural environment and culture. Built entirely of sustainable materials, boarding the serene shoreline, you won’t want to leave. The resort offers a variety of upscale amenities, including a spa, infinity pool, and a beautiful beach club.
There are four restaurants on the property, all unique and inspiring in their own right. The Kin Toah is Azulik’s tree house restaurant, serving three-course journeys of a starter, main, and dessert. All the holistic Myan-Mexican dishes are local and organic. Tseen Ja is the hotel’s Japanese restaurant where guests have the unique experience of dining in floating nests overlooking the jungle. Make sure to climb to the terrace and enjoy a magical sunset evening with live music and drinks. Immersed in the jungle, Jungle Cuisine is Azulik’s medicinal gastronomy restaurant. The haute-cuisine dishes are inspired by nature, and every dish presented is a work of art. Here you have a 5 step personalized experience where dishes are prepared based on the preferences you choose and dietary restrictions. In addition, beautifully crafted cocktails are prepared with superfoods, medicinal plants, and natural juices. There is also Mantli; a beautiful space crafted explicitly for mezcal tastings. This special place allows guests to reconnect and experience a magical Oaxaca tradition. Whichever space you choose to dine at, we are sure it will be an unforgettable experience.
The spa at Azulik is the best spa in Tulum. The holistic therapists utilize organic products and ancient Mayan traditions for complete relaxation and purification therapies that will make you feel rejuvenated long after you leave. You can enjoy daily yoga, pilates, and HIIT workouts in the dome. Or book a meditation ceremony or private yoga session to further your practices.
What makes Azulik truly special is its lack of electricity. You’ll enjoy candle-lit walkways without the distractions of TV, radio, or WIFI. You’ll enjoy mineral water baths from the cenote nearby. While Azulik Tulum day pass is not available for those not staying at the hotel, depending on the season, the beach club may be accessible. The restaurants on site are always open to the general public. Azulik is the perfect destination for the luxury traveler looking to unwind sustainably.
Casa de las Olas
-for an elegant off-grid experience
You’ll find tranquility and sustainability in every detail at Casa de las Olas. One of the best boutique hotels in Tulum, the property runs 100% off of solar energy and uses its own water and waste systems. They compost all organic waste and have eco-friendly septic. The rooms were designed by a naturalist architect so that the ocean breeze would cool rooms naturally.
Casa de las Olas strives to be a place of community. Their food is sourced from local communities and highlights Mexican cuisine. All produce is from regional farms, eggs and cheese are from the Mennonite community, and the seafood is from local fishers in the Caribbean. Here you will find the best breakfast in Tulum, completely organic and complimentary for guests. You can expect crunchy housemade granola with fresh whipped coconut yogurt, and even chilaquiles or huevos rancheros will debut on the changing menu. Their lunch menu highlights regional dishes from local producers such as freshly line caught tuna, tacos, flautas, and condiments like Yucatan honey.
You can also enjoy the yoga classes and massage on-site and choose between oceanfront or oceanview suites when booking your stay.
Alaya
-for a beachfront retreat in a Green Key hotel
If you’re looking for a yoga retreat in the jungle of Tulum, Alaya is the perfect place. Alaya is a luxury beachfront resort boasting treehouse guest rooms, a yoga shala, a sound healing space, and bike rentals for your leisure. The hotel was designed and built entirely with locally sourced materials by David Graziano, one of the driving forces behind the rise of Tulum as a world-class destination for luxury travelers. The hotel is named after his daughter, Alaya.
As a Green Key certified hotel, Alaya is committed to sustainability, local economic growth, and eco-friendly initiatives like eliminating food waste and protecting marine life. Green Key certification is awarded to those establishments that adhere to strict criteria in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainability within the tourism industry.
Alaya features several restaurants on its grounds highlighting the local flavors of Mexico, the Mayan culture, and the Mediterranean. Dine either ocean front, in a garden setting, or have your meals delivered to your room. The hotel also offers private dining experiences where you’ll have a personal chef prepare your meal. The hotel has cultured relationships with local organic farmers to bring in produce for the property’s seven restaurants onsite.
Daily yoga classes let you connect with like-minded individuals, or you can choose to further your practice with 1:1 sessions. The outdoor gym features wood, stone, and bamboo equipment that you can use while taking in the breathtaking view of the Caribbean. You can also reset with sound healing meditations or enjoy a massage.
Sueños Tulum
-off-the-grid luxury
Sueños Tulum is a beachfront boutique resort situated right on Tulum beach. It’s an excellent option for eco-conscious travelers who want to be pampered during their stay. Guests can enjoy the ocean breeze from a beachside bungalow or penthouse suite, each decorated with a unique Mayan flair. The eco Myan resort is self-sustained, with ecological practices at every turn. They run exclusively on solar panels, have rainwater collectors, and limited plastic consumption. They’re also on a mission to achieve zero emissions and zero contamination.
Your electricity options in your room are limited so that you can truly live in the moment. Their recycling program and wastewater treatment plant make this ideal for the eco-tourist.
You’ll enjoy the private beach access as you soak up the sun. In addition, the property offers full-service spa treatments with organic ingredients and a variety of wellness and yoga programs.
Their laid-back restaurant uses local and organic ingredients. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are catered exclusively for guests.
Papaya Playa Project
-for multiple organic and vegan options in a Tulum hotspot
Papaya Playa Project is a hot spot for influencers and eco-conscious travelers alike. They are committed to sustainability in everything they do.
Papaya Playa is on a mission to be a zero emissions and zero contamination resort while preserving as much of the jungle as possible. All their water is recycled as well.
You can choose from Cabañas, Casitas, Lofts, or Villas for your stay. Each has access to the 900 yards of private beach. The resort has multiple restaurants to choose from, featuring ingredients locally and organically grown, a raw vegan bar, and a 24-hour coffee shop, which has some of the best coffee in Tulum. There is also a wine bar featuring organic and biodynamics wine from small producers.
Guests will love relaxing in the full-service spa and participating in the wellness activities offered at the resort. Papaya Play Project offers many immersion programs for artistic, spiritual, and wellness awakenings. Don’t miss out on their monthly full-moon party.
Sanara
-for a tropical oasis with the famous The Real Coconut Restaurant
Sanara is an eco-oasis in Tulum and the flagship location of the famous The Real Coconut restaurant. Pick from private ground-floor suites, king-size rooms, and villas all steps away from the Caribbean. Described as a barefoot luxury hotel, Sanara features a private beach, tropical jungle sanctuaries, a Wellness Center, and daily yoga on the beach.
Sanara is committed to sustainability with no single-use plastic on the property and a microbe-based wastewater system. All guests have a complimentary wellness kit to participate in programs and the spa comfortably. Guests that choose one of the programs will find a regenerative vacation that includes nourishment, movement, and reset.
Perhaps the most significant draw is The Real Coconut, an Ayurvedic restaurant featuring plant-focused, gluten, grain, and dairy-free meals. The ingredients are locally sourced and organic when possible.
Habitas Tulum
-for sustainable Mayan-influenced experiences
You’ll wake up in paradise every day with the sound of lapping waves of the Caribbean and a calming ocean breeze at Habitas Tulum.
This hotel is committed to sustainability, from its commitment to the United Nation’s Sustainability Development Goals for 2030 to its organic gourmet cuisine. Habitas Tulum doesn’t use any single-use plastics. They received the Oceanic Champion Badge for removing all single-use plastics. The hotel also has a recycling and compost program. They’ve even partnered with a local organization, Cooperativo Ambio’s Scoletl’te Program, to offset their carbon emission by planting trees.
Their full-service spa offers all the treatments you’d expect, plus more. Influenced by the Mayan culture, they also provide unique cleansing, detoxifying, and naturopathic therapies.
Their innovative menu centers on local and organic ingredients and includes many plant-based options.
Habitas Tulum offers multiple experiences for the eco-conscious luxury traveler, so there’s sure to be a package that suits your needs.
The number of sustainable hotels in Tulum makes this destination a no-brainer for the luxury eco-conscious traveler. Which one speaks to you the most?
