| With the recent "green movement" eco travel and eco | | | | local natural materials such as palm fronds, sustainable |
| resorts are quickly increasing in popularity. Hotels | | | | teak wood, plant vines, natural stone and hand woven |
| around the world are adopting "greener" practices like | | | | fabrics. |
| linen reuse programs and energy saving light bulbs. | | | | What is an Eco Resort? |
| Taking a vacation to an eco resort is just as appealing | | | | More than just a haven for the discerning traveler, eco |
| as an extravagant trip to Paris. | | | | resorts often sponsor eco programs like Turtle |
| One particularly popular destination for eco travel is | | | | Release Programs. With these programs, travelers |
| Central America. Countries like Costa Rica and El | | | | have the opportunity to aid in safely releasing newly |
| Salvador beckon travelers with lush tropical forests, | | | | hatched sea turtles into the ocean. Since El Salvador |
| indigenous animals and plants, beautiful beaches and | | | | has many endangered creatures, resorts sometimes |
| many other natural wonders to explore. Costa Rica is | | | | sponsor species reintroduction program. La Cocotera |
| well known for its exotic environment, but El Salvador | | | | sponsors one such program for the Scarlet Macaw, a |
| is a lesser traveled area that is also home to beautiful | | | | bird that has been extinct in El Salvador for over 50 |
| scenery and a few charming eco resorts perfect for | | | | years. |
| those who seek to mix luxury travel with eco travel. | | | | An eco resort is a hotel or accommodation that is built |
| La Barra de Santiago is a small town located on the | | | | and operated using natural and/or environmentally safe |
| Santiago Peninsula with long sandy banks created by | | | | materials and methods. Typically, eco resorts also |
| the currents of the estuary. It is not a highly populated | | | | support the local people, culture and environment. La |
| area, with only a few locals and surfers enjoying the | | | | Cocotera was built following the "green leaf" system |
| beach life. The area attracts nature lovers as there is | | | | utilized by the Certification for Sustainable Tourism |
| much to see. A short walk will take you to the tip of | | | | (CST). Some examples of its eco features are the |
| the peninsula, giving you a view of the volcanic | | | | use of solar energy, energy saving light bulbs/ |
| mountain chain from the Volcan de Agua in Guatemala | | | | kinesthetic power flashlights, biological (not chemical) |
| all the way to the Santa Ana and Izalco volcano in El | | | | waste water recycling treatment plant, environmentally |
| Salvador. | | | | safe products, shampoos, soaps and cleaning |
| This charming area is home to the eco resort La | | | | products, a recycling program, and ionization pool |
| Cocotera, a secluded beach front hotel in El Salvador. | | | | filtration rather than chemical pool cleaning. |
| It is a notable eco resort because it was built using | | | | |