4 Romantic Rainforest Retreats

Environmentally sustainable, socially responsible and casually luxurious. The eco-lodges and resorts featured in this Valentine’s Day travel roundup are good for the planet, support local communities and offer romantic rainforest experiences year-round.

Costa Rica

Nestled in the unspoiled jungles of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, Bosque del Cabo Rainforest Lodge is a dream for romantics and naturalists alike. This 750-acre forest reserve features private bungalows perched atop the cliffs of Cabo Matapalo and opportunities for spotting an assortment of local wildlife including macaws, toucans, monkeys and peccaries. Guests can hike trails on the property, swim in natural pools and waterfalls, zipline or relax by the pool with a tropical drink—all while knowing that they are supporting a hotel that has earned the highest rating by Costa Rica’s Certification for Sustainable Tourism.

Guatemala

With its cobblestone streets, stunning ruins and colorful bursts of bougainvilleas, a trip to Antigua can feel like traveling back in time. Set in the center of the city, Hotel Villa Colonial is one of five hotels in the Villas de Guatemala chain—all of which earned Rainforest Alliance verification in 2011—and the perfect spot for a romantic getaway. Guests can enjoy delicious local cuisine, adventure sports, horseback riding, yoga, meditation and an assortment of other activities.

Mexico

Voted the Most Romantic Hotel by TripAdvisor.com for two consecutive years, Secrets Capri Riviera Cancún is set before a backdrop of white sand beaches and crystal clear water. With the world’s second largest coral reef in its backyard and the Rainforest Alliance Verified™ stamp of approval, Secrets Capri is the perfect destination for couples who enjoy scuba diving or snorkeling—and care about the protection of the precious natural resources that make these activities possible.

Nicaragua

Situated in the heart of the historic district of Granada, Hotel Casa San Francisco boasts warm, romantic rooms and stunning views of the nearby Mombacho Volcano. With convenient access to many of Nicaragua’s lakes, cultural sites and forest reserves, the hotel is the ideal destination for guests who want to merge nature with culture. The Rainforest Alliance Verified™ hotel has also demonstrated an impressive commitment to sustainability: reducing water and energy use; producing organic fertilizer; using natural cleaning products; and donating recyclables to low-income residents.

These are just four of more than 300 standout hotels in 18 countries listed on SustainableTrip.org, the Rainforest Alliance’s database of hotels and tourism operators with proven commitments to social, environmental and economic sustainability.

Visit EcoWatch’s TIPS and page for more related news on this topic.

[source: http://ecowatch.com/2014/02/13/4-romantic-rainforest-retreats/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=4-romantic-rainforest-retreats]