Baja California in Mexico is booming! More and more travelers are discovering this desert piece of paradise, and like myself, never want to leave anymore. There is just something about the energy in Baja that makes you want to stay forever. Fortunately, this rise in tourism came around the same time as the desire to travel more sustainably, and many eco-friendly hotels are popping up everywhere nowadays.
If you’re looking for sustainable hotels in Baja California Sur in Mexico that are not greenwashing, you have come to the right place. The stays in this list are not only very eco-friendly, they also nourish your Soul. These are not mega-resorts, but boutique stays with local owners.
Playa Balandra, La Paz, Baja California Sur
When coming to Baja California, it’s important to keep in mind that you’re visiting the desert. This means that water is scarce and tourism affects the local community greatly. Many popular Baja places are overflowing with tourism, making it hard for locals to enjoy their own natural environment. Especially in places like Cabo San Lucas, this has a negative effect on the surroundings. Big resorts with swimming pools and 24/7 parties are not very eco-friendly, as you can imagine.
Besides that, the local infrastructure in Baja is often not ready to receive such large amounts of travelers. Tourists shower a lot, swimming pools need excessive cleaning, and the electricity demand of those resorts is huge.
As a responsible traveler, you can make a difference by choosing the right place to stay. The following hotels are unique because they help the environment: they reduce pollution and support the local community. They don’t have many rooms and their design is focused on blending in with the environment.
The best sustainable hotels in Baja California Sur
We curated this list with the sustainable travel goals in mind. This means the hotels take care of the environment, support the local community, bring awareness to travelers and their type of building is as eco-friendly as possible. If you’re interested in learning more about Sustaying’s perception of a sustainable hotel, we wrote this article about our sustainability ratings.
1. Hotel So Far So Good, Cerritos
Hotel So Far So Good, Cerritos
Hotel So Far So Good is powered by 100% solar energy, which they generate on-site and store in batteries for nighttime use. They take care of their used water, treating it and then reusing it to water the gardens. When guests want warm showers, the sun does the work. The hotel’s soap, shampoo, and hair conditioner come from local sources, and they refill the bottles to reduce waste.
So Far So Good is committed to being eco-friendly. Their cleaning products break down without harming the environment, and they limit the use of plastic, especially single-use plastic. And, they’ve set up water filters everywhere around the premises, so guests can enjoy safe drinking water without needing to buy plastic bottles.
Another big plus: the hotel offers a plant-based menu that features mostly local ingredients, and the staff makes sure to buy things without unnecessary packaging. They use the sun’s energy to heat their washing water and choose recycled materials for the seating areas. And when it comes to the things they don’t eat, like food scraps, Hotel So Far So Good composts them to give back to the earth.
2. Casa Tara, La Ventana
Casa Tara Retreat in La Ventana
Nestled in La Ventana, Baja’s kite-boarding paradise, you’ll find Casa Tara Retreat. It’s a wellness escape that has a little bit of everything – from yoga sessions, to sound healings and more. Teachers from all around the world gather here to share their wisdom and help you find your inner peace. It’s truly an oasis for your mind and body.
What sets Casa Tara apart is their commitment to sustainability. They’ve gone the extra mile to design a space that respects and nurtures nature. From eco-friendly materials to solar power lighting, everything here is in harmony with the environment. The attention to detail is truly impeccable. They went as far as bringing in a Feng Shui expert to create a harmonious space that truly resonates with the surrounding environment.
So, if you’re looking for a place where you can unwind, reconnect with nature, and discover your inner calm, Casa Tara is worth checking out.
3. Baja Nomads Resort, Pescadero
Baja Nomad Resort in Pescadero
True sustainable travelers choose their places based on the impact on nature, and Baja Nomads Resort shows how it should be done. This eco-friendly glamping focuses on soulful experiences to connect with Mother Earth, so your desire to protect ‘Pachamama’ will grow even deeper.
Choose between teepees, tree-houses or a suite, all built with sustainability in mind. There is a solar plant to provide energy, and you can fill your water bottles with drinking water, so you don’t have to buy plastic bottles.
What sets this resort apart is the experiences they offer. From yoga, meditation, ecstatic dance, sound healing and concerts to private dinners, cooking classes, wine and tequila tastings – there is something for everyone. There is also a traditional Mexican Temazcal, a sweat lodge, which is a unique experience to connect with your body, mind, soul and the Earth.
4. Acre Tree Resort, San Jose Del Cabo
Acre Tree Resort in San Jose Del Cabo
This eco-friendly ‘grounding’ resort was named number 3 of the sexiest hotels in the world by Cosmopolitan, and for a good reason. It’s one of the most romantic wedding venues in this part of the world, and the natural tree houses will give you all the privacy you need.
Acre Tree Resort has its own animal sanctuary on the premises and many organic fruit trees that are watered by the grey water from the resort. The ranch uses solar energy and all the architecture is designed to blend perfectly well with the green jungle environment.
The farm also hosts workshops to educate guests about the importance of sustainable farming and how they can implement similar practices in their own lives.
The on-site award-winning restaurant cooks delicious farm-to table meals with organic veggies grown on the premises. This gastronomic experience is the heart and soul of Acre Tree Resort, and the reason why the owners, two Canadian friends, bought this piece of land in the first place.
6. The White Lodge, East Cape
The White Lodge in 9 Palms
Discover eco-friendliness at The White Lodge – a boutique hotel that does sustainable luxury perfectly. Their commitment to the environment is evident in every aspect of the establishment.
As pioneers in sustainable building, they harnessed the power of local resources. The unique straw clay construction, using three distinct techniques, shows their dedication to innovation. The White Lodge is completely off-grid, which demonstrates their commitment to minimizing their environmental impact.
The White Lodge is more than a retreat – it’s a gateway to extraordinary experiences. At the ZENICA Spa, there is more to offer more than relaxation – it’s about nourishing the soul. Their offerings, rooted in ancestral wisdom, encompass rituals and ceremonies that heal the body, soothe the mind, and elevate the spirit. With the guidance of their medicine woman, who brings traditions from Mayan, Aztec, Lakota, and Inca cultures, their spa experience is a journey of heart medicine.
The White Lodge’s sustainability journey is ongoing. Composting is on the horizon, along with plans to desalinate water, further enhancing their commitment to giving back. Currently, the water is treated using biodigesters before being returned to the land.
6. Desierto Azul, Todos Santos
Desierto Azul in Todos Santos
Welcome to Desierto Azul, where sustainability is a way of life. In the heart of Baja’s breathtaking landscape of Todos Santos, this green hotel designed a place that’s kind to nature and inviting to you.
The setting of Desierto Azul is simple and natural, and fits in perfectly with the desert. They are proud to be powered by the sun, which means the energy they use comes from sunlight. This helps keep the environment clean and saves energy.
Start your day with an organic Mexican coffee and the comfort of the natural spaces in this hotel. Desierto Azul cares deeply about the planet, which is why they’re careful about things like single-use plastic. Even the water they use to nourish the plants is recycled, making sure nothing goes to waste.
Desierto Azul is more than a retreat – it’s a place where you can relax while also making Earth-friendly choices.
Be careful not to fall in love with Baja (but I don’t blame you if you do!)
I came to Baja California four years ago, with the intention to stay only two months. But the desert with their incredible Cardon cacti just did something to me. Baja is a magical place not yet on the big tourism radars (apart from the big resorts in Cabo San Lucas).
There are endless activities to discover here, and the barren landscape has a beauty of its own. I chose this part of the world as my home base, and that’s not a small decision for me after traveling to over 45 countries and never being able to settle.
In fact, all the people I met here share this feeling. So, if you’re planning your next vacation to this part of Mexico, make sure you experience the full range of emotions. And these sustainable hotels in Baja California Sur will definitely help you with that.
Our aim at Sustaying is to make it easier for travellers to discover sustainable accommodation, but we need help filling up our database. Have you been to a stay that you loved? Please consider adding it to our website. “
About Sustaying
Sustaying is on a mission to inspire and empower digital nomads and travelers worldwide. We want to create a platform with conscious co-livings, events, and sustainable stays that embrace responsible tourism practices.
About the author
Yvette van den Brand
Yvette is the founder of Sustaying. She has lived abroad for seven years of her life, while travelling and working in 45 different countries. Originally from The Netherlands but now residing in Mexico, where she manages Sustaying and enjoys a kiteboarding lifestyle.
