Dreaming of a Green Vacation | 5 Minutes For Going Green

Those who read my site Pitstops for Kids know I’m a big fan of family travel, and when planning a trip and choosing accommodations, I do look at the environmental impact of my choices. We do a lot of backpacking and camping, yurt camping in the off-season, and stay relatively local to explore our own area more often than not. That said, there are certainly times when I catch a glimpse of pristine, tropical waters on a website or brochure and yearn for a stay at a luxury resort somewhere with palm trees and balmy weather. This year, I’m looking forward to staying home for the holidays, but that doesn’t stop me from adding to my dream list of family vacation destinations.

I’d like to introduce you all to an eco-resort that’s been on my short list for a very long time: Maho Bay on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Maho Bay, U.S. Virgin Islands

Maho Bay is truly unique in the eco-resort category: when it opened in 1976, the term ‘ecotourism’ didn’t even exist. Because the resort is placed within the boundaries of the U.S. Virgin Islands National Park, visitors are surrounded by pristine beaches and rainforest, and the resort itself blends beautifully into the landscape. Owner Stanley Selengut uses all recycled materials and has consistently received the most prestigious environmental awards for innovation in sustainable resort development.

Best of all, the resort is built above the fragile rainforest eco-system in the form of treehouses:

Because of the relatively rustic accommodations, Maho Bay is one of the best deals I’ve found anywhere while researching Caribbean vacations. Starting at $80 a night, the price cannot be beat.
It’s also received a lot of great press, which you can access here.You can read about Maho Bay and other stunning eco-resorts at Green Planet: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/travel-outdoors/cheap-stunning-ecotourism-destinations.html

Is there a particular eco-resort you can recommend? What’s your definition of an eco-vacation?

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Amy Whitley is excited to be writing bi-weekly for the 5 Minutes for Going Green team! You can read more about her attempts at eco-living at her blog The Never-True Tales and find great places to travel with children at her review site Pitstops for Kids!.

in Conservation, Green Holidays, Green Travel, The Green Consumer

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