Looking for a vacation spot that's relaxing AND eco-friendly?  Try Playa Del Carmen, in the Quintana Roo state in Mexico.   Located about 45 minutes south of Cancun, Playa Del Carmen not only offers a great Mexican getaway, but is an affordable eco-friendly option as well.  Recently in Playa to check out environmentally-friendly businesses, I found eco initiatives everywhere, from Playa Del Carmen, all the way down to the beaches of Tulum.

  Playa offers true traditional Mexican fare, as well as great beaches and nightlife.  Eco initiatives abound with recycling containers located on practically every street corner, along with wind turbines installed and in use along the state highway from Playa  to Tulum (even waterless urinals can be found in some places in Playa).   The annual "Think Green Eco Expo" along Fifth Avenue and Benita Juarez Avenues (which is in its 3rd year), is right in the heart of Playa.   Sponsored by major companies and organizatons in Mexico, it has become a much anticipated annual event.  You can find everything from organic foods, eco-friendly clothing and accessories, to an eco kids court and sustainability conference.   I was able to see many initiatives in place, which was not only refreshing, but inspiring, as Mexico is embracing the steps necessary to set in place environmental awareness.

Many hotels offer eco lodgings along the coast, including the newly updated  Sandos Caracol Eco Resort and Spa (sandos.com), which now offers guests an eco experience at the all-inclusive spot in Playa.  Newly updated to be a green resort, you can relax in the sun knowing that you are staying in an energy efficient, eco-friendly resort.  If you want to head south, there are many boutique hotels in the quiet and sedate Tulum area.  Many of these intimate "hotels", or "boutiques" as they are known,  have green initiatives in place like small wind turbines for energy-efficiency, and you can enjoy the peace and solitude of hearing the waves crash on the quiet beaches of Tulum.

While in Playa, we were pleased to find the many gift  shops offering reusable bags, just like state side, as well as many recycling and refuse containers easily within reach of patrons, keeping the streets not only clean, but "green" as well.   If you are looking for a great place to travel, that's eco-friendly, definetely consider the Playa Del Carmen area.  You won't be disappointed.  I am eagerly anticipating my next business trip south of the border.  See our blog at
 www.genuinelygreen.wordpress.com for pictures of our Riviera Maya finds.