Mexican ecoresorts take environmental strides with recycling and composting initiatives

TULUM, Mexico (May 16, 2005) - A collection of rustic hotels along Mexico's Mayan Riviera are taking environmental matters into their own hands with recycling, composting and educational initiatives.

EcoTulum Resorts & Spa, one of the original ecologically-minded hotels in Tulum, has started recycling plastics on its premises in cooperation with a local company in the Riviera Maya. All three properties now have strategically placed recycle bins for plastic bottles that are transferred to sacks provided and collected on a regular basis by ECOCE. EcoTulum has introduced a compost program to return organic matter to the earth and nourish the gardens once material is broken down.

EcoTulum is also joining forces with 15 other local hotels and the Mayan Riviera Hotel Association to implement a program designed to reduce the impact of water, energy and solid waste on the environment. Part of the initiative involves the hotels establishing operating practices that conform to the model for sustainable development. The hotels will voluntarily submit their consumptions of water, energy and diesel over the previous year to the committee for analysis and work with onsite environmental inspectors to ensure their hotel operations are at their "greenest".

"We're excited by the community based initiative to develop sound ecological practices that will preserve Tulum in the long run," said co-owner Holly Worton. "The programs are basic from a North American standpoint but it's an important sign that some hotels are taking matters into their own hands."

Cabañas Copal hosts turtle releases
From April until August, Cabañas Copal, the original EcoTulum property, welcomes the return of four varieties of sea turtles to dig their nests and lay their eggs.

Each year, through a natural phenomenon known only to Mother Nature, pregnant female sea turtles head home to the beaches of their birth at night to painstakingly bury hundreds of golf ball sized soft eggs in the moist sand. Turtle watchers during this season either carry no flashlights or use red filters on their lights, and guests are asked not smoke on the beach, as the smoke will make turtles return to the sea.

Join us during these months to witness this spectacular event each night on our beach. Cabañas Copal will be hosting a series of baby turtle releases throughout the season. Check out Cabañas Copal to book a front row seat in nature's amazing feature presentation of the cycle of life: www.cabanascopal.com

ABOUT ECOTULUM RESORTS
Zahra (www.zahra.com.mx) offers 22 remodeled rooms and cabañas with seven completely new cabins nestled between two private beaches. Electricity is provided from sunset until 11pm. Azulik (www.azulik.com), a 15-villa retreat next door carries the concept of rustic luxury to the max with lounge beds and hand carved wooden soaking tubs. Cabañas Copal (www.cabanascopal.com) features 47 rustic cabañas hidden among the jungle on the pristine white powder shores of Tulum in Mexico's Mayan Riviera. The eco-hotel has candle lit cabañas, encourages total wellness, and celebrates spirituality with a clothing- optional dress code. At night under a canopy of celestial stars, hundreds of candles light sandy laneways at all properties.

For more details, please contact:
Mexican Pacific Marketing
press@mexicanpacific.com
US: (949) 340-2602
MX: 011 +52 (314) 335-3207