One Hotel In Riviera Maya, Mexico, Seeks To Change The World

Online, August 31, 2010 (Newswire.com) - RIVIERA MAYA, Mexico - It has been said that one person cannot change the world, but one hotel in the Riviera Maya, Mexico, is working hard to become the most environmentally-conscious resort in the industry and hopes that, by example, it will lead to greater efforts among hotels worldwide.

Sandos Hotels & Resorts continues to transform Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa into the number one environmentally-friendly property on the Riviera Maya, Mexico, through the implementation of conservation and preservation programs, activities aimed at raising awareness, highlighting the natural beauty of the region, and executing projects to protect the environment.

Recognizing its responsibility to reduce the use of non-renewable resources as well as sustain the region, Sandos Hotels & Resorts currently carries out the following preservation programs which are monitored internally by an Ecological Committee as well as external auditors to ensure that they maintain a positive impact on the environment:
• Reducing Carbon footprint
• Implementation of a electricity savings program
• Launch of a water conservation program
• Recycling and separating trash
• Use of biodegradable bottles throughout the resort
• Elaboration of compost
• Protecting and reproducing indigenous plants
• Using recycled paper for all printed material
• Improving the flow of the fresh water system
• Wildlife conservation
• Eco-educational activities including an eco tour, snorkel tour, romantic canoe ride and eco workshops in the Kids Club

Through the use of alternative energy, Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa features a unit that uses a pilot system and solar panels to reduce the carbon footprint (CO2 emissions) by 75%. This technology will be used on other buildings throughout the resort in the near future.

Encouraging guests and staff to become a part of their environmental movement, Sandos has implemented an "Extinguish the Light, Ignite the Life" program to save electricity by encouraging everyone to shut off lights and air conditioners when leaving rooms.

"The water that you waste today will be needed tomorrow" is a program that has been designed to reduce water consumption. All personnel are encouraged to engage in practices to conserve water and guests are informed of ways that they can help through the resort's Eco TV channel as well as informational fliers that are placed in guestrooms.

The resort partnered with a local company, Publimedia Recycling, to collect and separate trash. Recyclable materials are brought to recycling centers in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. In addition, Ecolsur, a company located in Northern Mexico, has been tapped to assist the resort in training personal to handle and dispose of dangerous residue from substances such as oils, toners and batteries.

In an effort to reuse and maximize recycling, the resort implemented a project to turn organic material into compost. A compost canister made of recycled material is situated on the hotel property.

Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa was originally built with respect to its surrounding eco-systems in order to preserve the property's pristine nature and wildlife. There is a nursery on property where indigenous plants are reproduced and replanted.

The resort is the only property on the Riviera Maya with 16 cenotes, underwater caves that were used by the ancient Mayans as a place to communicate with their gods. Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa has removed sediment from the natural cenotes to allow the fresh water system to flow better. Better water flow allows nutrients to flow freely to the mangroves and out into the ocean to feed the coral reefs.

Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa has created individual designated wildlife areas to meet the needs of each species which includes pens, corrals, beehives and natural wells. Informative posters are posted near each area to educate guests about the species.

The resort has hired an on-site veterinarian who works full-time to care for the animals that live in secluded areas on the property. An internal rescue building exists for injured animals. Biologists and onsite veterinarians work to rehabilitate injured creatures in order to bring them back to their natural environment.

Wildlife conservation projects include Coco's Cat rescue, which is designed for the cats that live in the hotel. A specific area has been set up where food and water is provided on a daily basis. All the felines are sterilized, vaccinated and de-wormed to ensure a safe coexistence for guests.

The Mayan Bee Project is an effort to preserve beehives around the property and help new colonies form through an ancient Mayan ritual, the ceremony of the "Xuxan Kab Bee." Besides its importance as a native species, the Mayan Bee is known for producing a kind of honey with extraordinary healing powers.

SOS Marine Turtles Project was designed for the annual appearance of marine turtles that come to the area to lay their eggs. During this time, guests can participate in a tour that allows them to observe this fascinating process.

The Iguana Project has allowed the hotel to identify all the different types of species that live on property and help them coexist in the natural surroundings.

Through the Tobías Project, Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa has rescued wild, young or injured animals and successfully integrated them into the resort's natural surroundings.

Providing an atmosphere where guests learn and engage in ecological techniques and practices, Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa offers a variety of eco-educational activities, all of which are included as part of an all-inclusive stay at the property.
Current activities include an Eco Tour, Snorkel Tour, Romantic Canoe Rides and Eco Workshops in the Kids Club.

Guests can enjoy a complimentary Eco Tour which takes them on an interwoven path throughout the property where they can discover nature areas within the eco resort. Guides will help participants observe the extraordinary details that the Mayan jungle holds including treasures such as 16 natural cenotes (underwater caves), indigenous animals and exotic fauna.

A complimentary Snorkel Tour allows visitors to explore one of the region's natural cenotes. Guests can sign up for one of two complimentary Snorkel Tours held daily where they can explore the resort's largest on-property cenote and discover three unique caves below the surface that connect to other cenotes throughout the resort. Each cenote is filled with crystal-clear turquoise waters and home to a few species of small fish.

Couples can enjoy a Romantic Trip where they board a canoe with a personal captain and enjoy a ride through the natural waterways surrounded by mangroves and lush fauna. Reservations must be made in advance at the hotel's front desk.
Children enrolled in the Kids Club will participate in a variety of Eco Workshops to learn more about the wildlife and fauna on the property.

Expanding ecological practices outside the resort, Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa has created an Eco Club, which is comprised of hotel employees who organize events to help the local and surrounding communities of Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa annual ecological and social events include cleaning the beach, mangrove swamps and surrounding areas; supporting local schools, daycare centers and communities; engaging in activities to conserve the local forests, parks, schools and sport centers; and working closely with a center that stores clothing and toys for the DIF (Desarrollo Integral Familiar).

For more information contact Sandos Hotels & Resorts at 1-866-336-4083 in the U.S. or 1-866-941-0851 in Canada, or visit http://www.Sandos.com.