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Sandos Hotels & Resorts continues to transform the Caracol complex into the first Eco Resort & Spa on the Riviera Maya, Mexico, through the implementation of self-sufficient structures, designated wildlife areas, and highlighting the natural cenotes, gardens and streams on which the property was built.
The Caracol Eco-Resort & Spa aims to be an Eco-Versity in which guests will view, learn and engage in ecological techniques and practices. Transformations begun in the fall of 2008, and are projected to be complete in 2010.
Through the use of alternative energy technologies, Sandos Hotels & Resorts now features 12 hotel rooms (housed within the same building) with a 75% CO2 emission reduction. The goal is to transform this structure into the world’s first "zero emissions" building. Upon completion, this technology will be used on additional buildings within the property.
Accommodations and facilities are interwoven across approximately 65 acres and separated by bridges, streams and gardens. There are a total of 996 rooms, all housed within villa-style buildings, each no more than three stories high. The unique layout of the property ensures that guests never feel crowded.
In an effort to uncover the natural beauty of the property through excavating many of the resort’s "jungle-like" areas, a number of natural cenotes were discovered. Each cenote is filled with turquoise blue fresh water that is as clear as the Caribbean Sea located off the shore of the Riviera Maya. Of particular note, the Caracol complex is the only resort on the Riviera Maya with 16 cenotes – the most of any resort in the region.
To allow guests to interact with indigenous creatures, the resort is pioneering a concept whereby each area of the property will be designated to a type of animal including bird species such as Toucans, Macaws and other parrots, deer, donkeys, peacocks, iguanas, mapaches and tejons that roam freely throughout the resort, and Sea Turtles and tropical fish that live within the streams and cenotes.
Many of the chosen species have been endangered in the area, and the resort will work with universities and other agencies to implement breeding programs to re-establish the species population.
Once the chosen species settle in, guests will have the opportunity to attend free lectures and tours in order to learn about the wildlife at the resort. Guests will also be able to interact and feed certain animals.
Sandos Hotels & Resort will implement an interactive educational system whereby guests will have the ability to participate in ecological activities to earn points that can be redeemed for free nights at the property. Sample activities include beach clean-ups, saving tortoises in Akumal, and setting exotic bird species "free" into the wild.
The Caracol complex is situated five minutes from the quaint village of Playa del Carmen. Located directly off the beach of the resort is the world’s second largest living coral reef, the Meso-American Barrier Reef, a fascinating underwater environment perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving.
An all-inclusive Sandos Hotels vacation features: accommodations, all meals and beverages; sporting activities; daily activities program; supervised "Kids Club" and "Teen Club;" nightly entertainment and entrance to the disco; and all hotel taxes and service charges.
Additional activities and services can be arranged for guests including: babysitting, golf at the nearby Playacar Golf Course, and other excursions such as deep sea fishing, visits to archaeological sites like Tulum, Coba, Chichen Itza, Ecological Park Xcaret and Xel-Ha, and scuba diving and snorkeling trips. Prices vary according to activity.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
