Slava Sambu and his wife, Ozge, with a guide at Mashpi Lodge in Ecuador.
Slava Sambu and his wife, Ozge, were looking for more than fine dining and five-star accommodations when they found the Mashpi Lodge, an ecolodge deep in the Ecuadorian rainforest. "It looked like a great opportunity to explore a part of the world we've never seen," says Sambu, a marketing consultant from Fort Lauderdale.
It was. The couple waded through rivers, bathed in waterfalls, climbed mud-slick hills to discover native orchids and found wildlife that is unique to the Andean foothills, like the Mashpi Glass Frog, a tiny, almost transparent amphibian. But the Mashpi Lodge also left the couple feeling better about their vacation choice, with a commitment to protecting the fragile Chocó rainforest and reducing their carbon footprint.
"We wanted to create a lodge where conservation came first," says Dominic Hamilton, a spokesman for Metropolitan Touring, which owns the Mashpi Lodge. "It's taken us years to get here, but we're really serious about it. That's what sets us apart."
Ecolodges like the Mashpi Lodge are having a moment. No one knows the exact number of ecolodges in the world, nor is there a commonly accepted definition of an ecolodge. But there are between 3,000 and 4,000 self-proclaimed ecolodges, estimates Emese Maczko, founder of the ecolodge directory Eco Lodges Anywhere.
"And in 2024, I expect to see more accommodations labeling themselves as ecolodges," adds Maczko.
Why are ecolodges cool? There are more people like the Sambus out there, and they expect more from their vacation than sitting at the beach and sipping mai tais. They prefer to have a meaningful getaway in a place where their vacation dollars can make a difference. That's a tall order for any hotel, but it's an almost irresistible way for a property to start marketing itself if it's anywhere near a rainforest, wetland, or national park.
Call yourself an ecolodge — and they will come.
A room at Playa Viva in Juluchuca, Mexico.
What is an ecolodge?
An ecolodge is a hotel accommodation in an undisturbed, remote natural area where both construction and operation have the lowest possible impact on the environment.
Here are few distinguishing features of an ecolodge:
- They're small. Most ecolodges have 30 rooms or less, and some have as few as two or three.
- They emphasize nature. Ecolodges encourage their guests to hike, climb mountains, and explore wetlands or oceans.
- They protect the environment. Most ecolodges have commitments to recycle or be carbon neutral.
- They support the community. Most ecolodges also give back to the local community through donations or volunteer activity.
- They conduct research. Some ecolodges also have a research component, where they document new species or research the local environment. They may even have trained experts on staff who can help guests gain a deeper understanding of the environment.
But the newest ecolodges are taking the experience to the next level.
The dining room, with its dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows, at Mashpi Lodge in Ecuador.
What should you expect from your next ecolodge experience?
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say ecolodges have upped their game for next year. That's because they're expecting a record number of reservations from guests who are looking for a different lodging experience.
Here's what they're offering:
Their mission is more important than ever
The top ecolodges are not just about profits. At the Playa Viva on Mexico's Pacific Coast, the property aspires to provide what it calls an "ethical travel experience" that benefits the community as much as the traveler. That includes inviting guests to be part of a community-led experience to help regenerate the watershed and working with its women's cooperative to create nutrient-rich food.
They're uniquely resourceful
Ecolodges use their resources wisely. For example, Origins Lodge in Costa Rica is on 111 acres of private rainforest jungle. In addition to an extensive organic garden and a bee honey program, they make all of their own bath amenities in-house. (That pretty much settles the debate about single-use soaps and sustainability.)
You don't have to give up all your creature comforts
The newest ecolodges have all the amenities of modern hotels. At the Camaroncito EcoResort & Beach on the Caribbean coast of Panama, they run their ice makers, refrigerators and fans using solar power, and deliver reasonably fast internet to guests via Starlink. "Going eco no longer means forgoing creature comforts," says owner Sarah Bajc.
Sometimes, they don't even look like a hotel
Often, ecolodges don't look anything like a regular hotel. Consider the newly reopened Flamingo Lodge in Everglades National Park. The original Flamingo Lodge, built in the 1960s, was destroyed by hurricanes. The new Flamingo Lodge and its adjacent restaurant are made from shipping containers that are raised off the ground. But you can still enjoy sunrise and sunset views over the Florida Bay.
They're serious about sustainability
The best ecolodges have been thinking about sustainability since before it became a buzzword. Take the Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino, British Columbia, for example. Since opening in 1996, the Inn has had a "green" committee to ensure it maintains responsible environmental practices. The inn holds a number of environmental certifications, including the Ocean Wise certification through the Vancouver Aquarium, and Green Key under the Green Key Eco-Rating Program, plus a Biosphere certification.
Hikers explore a riverbed near Mashpi Lodge in Ecuador.
Mashpi Lodge is also having a moment
Sambu, the consultant from Fort Lauderdale, said he and his wife stayed at their first ecolodge in Costa Rica several years ago. He liked the way the lodge saw itself as a part of the environment, and that it had a responsibility to protect the land on which it was built. As someone who is on a plant-based diet, he also appreciated the hotel's efforts to feed its guests locally-grown and sustainable food.
He says Mashpi is a special place. The lodge was originally part of a conservation rainforest created to protect land that had been logged for decades. The lodge came years after the land was carefully reforested. And the lodge itself is an architectural marvel, with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer views of the bright green canopy.
During the day, the couple took guided hikes through the forest to discover species found only in the Mashpi area. That's something ecolodges like Mashpi specialize in — giving guests a unique experience.
"That's really what we wanted from our next vacation," he explains. "We wanted it to be special, and not like all the other hotels."
The Flamingo Lodge in the Florida Everglades.
Taking it to the "next level"
Sambu is part of a broader trend, experts say.
"I've seen a big shift over the last several months in my clients looking for more unique experiences instead of going for name-brand hotels and resorts," says Jef Henninger, a travel advisor. "Ecolodges make up a big part of those requests."
He says many of his clients prefer an ecolodge in the jungle to a big resort on the beach.
"They want to be close to wild animals, beautiful flora and fauna, hiking and swimming," says Henninger. "Of course, they are also interested in sustainability, so there's been a lot of questions about solar power, recycling, composting and organic vegetables. Based upon the conversations I've had with my clients recently, it seems like they want to take glamping to the next level."
How to tell if you're at a real ecolodge
With such high demand for ecolodges, experts warn that there are bound to be some fakes.
To separate a real ecolodge from a fake one consider the following factors:
- Sustainable practices. A genuine ecolodge will prioritize sustainable practices, such as using renewable energy, minimizing waste, and supporting local communities.
- Certifications. Look for ecolodges that have been certified by recognized organizations, such as the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) or Rainforest Alliance. These certifications ensure that the ecolodge meets specific environmental and social criteria.
- Transparency. Real ecolodges are transparent about their eco-friendly initiatives and able to show detailed information about their sustainability efforts.
- Local engagement. Genuine ecolodges are committed to supporting and engaging with the local community, such as using local suppliers and employing local staff.
Choosing an ecolodge may take some time and effort, since each ecolodge is unique. But the effort will be worth it. Real ecolodges are an experience worth finding in a lodging industry that is known for blandness and predictability.
