Trying to travel more sustainably? If your next trip takes you to the tropics, consider Saint Lucia’s Calabash Cove Resort and Spa, where seasonal vegetarian and vegan options are now featured on the menu. The resort has eliminated plastic water bottles and offers guests a choice of still or sparkling water served from glass bottles. At Windsong Restaurant, an all-vegan dinner menu includes items such as tempura cauliflower bites, pan-seared tofu, vegetable stroganoff and grilled cinnamon pineapple.
© Calabash Cove Resort & Spa
The property comprises 26 tranquil villas that showcase traditional Caribbean design while incorporating multiple green features. Hot water is provided by solar heating, and energy-efficient LED lighting reduces electricity use. An on-site water treatment system enables recycled water to be reused for landscape irrigation. Produce is sourced locally when available, and used kitchen oil is collected and repurposed to heat laundry water. Grass clippings are mulched and composted on-site, and kitchen scraps are redirected to local farms as animal feed, helping close the resource loop.
© Courtesy of Las Catalinas
If Costa Rica is on your itinerary, Las Catalinas is a car-free destination village designed around sustainable living and community-led conservation. The town maintains a comprehensive composting program and offers nature-based activities that connect visitors with the local environment, including horses and backyard poultry. One notable offering is the guided La Estancia Equine Experience, a two-hour horseback ride that follows trails through tropical dry forest to the coastline. Along the route, guides share information about Las Catalinas’ Collective Impact initiatives, which focus on climate resilience, regenerative agriculture and regenerative tourism. The equine experience typically includes refreshments and a stop at a local chicken coop, giving guests a hands-on look at community efforts to live more sustainably.