The 8 Best Honeymoon Eco-Resorts

Palmaïa, on Mexico’s postcard-perfect Riviera Maya, is a beachfront retreat that's introducing a new way of thinking. At the forefront of planning this resort was sustainability, and it was conceptualized without disturbing the original landscape, with the goal of becoming one of the first carbon energy neutral resorts in the world.

Unique oceanfront suites were designed sustainably, without animal products, and all of them have private Caribbean-view terraces with biodegradable amenities. Some even permit swim-out access to one of four infinity pools.

A Nomadic Guide assigned to you and your partner helps shape the experience at Palmaïa, which could include activities like, curated experimental music, temazcal ceremonies, beach club sunbathing, mood-based custom cocktails, and cuisine from four distinctive restaurants, serving ethically sourced food and gourmet plant-based menus. Plus, an in-house shaman leads yoga, sound healing, and more.

At Origins, the property is made up of six lodges, with handcrafted canopy beds and hot plunges on the terraces. There's even an incomparable three-bedroom Villa Vertigo—named for the dizzying height of its treetop perch, which is far more elegant than what’s expected of an eco-lodge.

Vegetation-covered roofs at the location were designed to blend in with the existing flora. There’s no plastic—nor chemical pesticides—used on the 45-hectare primary forest site, which they’re actively reforesting by planting new trees. Honeymooners can dive right in with medicinal plant tours, waterfall hikes, horseback rides, whitewater rafting, chocolate-making, and organic treatments in the open-air spa.

Edible flowers and organic veggies from the onsite garden—a beneficiary of composting—make their way into fusion dishes that encompass vegan and vegetarian diets. And, you'll find garden-to-glass cocktails at Skyview Lounge, where each sunset is best spent.  

Sustainability and sumptuous luxury unite at this remote, private island resort, where dolphins routinely spin around. At Six Senses Laamu, there are 96 thatched-roof beach and overwater villas (crafted with local sustainable materials) that bring the extreme beauty of the environment indoors. You can enjoy features like sunken glass bathtubs and private overwater infinity pools, too.

You and your sweetheart can choose to spend your days indulging in the resort's seductive digs, or by cruising, island-hopping, diving, kayaking, windsurfing, or watching turtles hatch. The sustainability initiatives include conservation of the latter, plus, they include seagrass meadow protection and manta ray conservation.

In half a dozen dining and drinking outlets, chefs serve healthy, fresh, and local fare, including seafood, caught sustainably by local fishermen. There are plenty of places to feel the romance, too. Enjoy destination dining (think lobster barbecue on the beach or dinner sunken into the sand), or stargazing with your love.

The jungle of Belize is calling from this 16-suite eco-lodge hidden within 12,000 acres of rainforest preserve in the Maya Mountains of Punta Gorda. The space, located in southern Belize, is a zone that's known for some of the best hikes in Central America. So, there's plenty of nature to explore.

At Copal Tree Lodge, the spa-style bathrooms fit in with their surroundings, thanks to their floor-to-ceiling tropical views. It’s a veritable playground for lovers of nature, who can hop aboard peaceful cruises on the Rio Grande, or plunge into the Caribbean for snorkeling or fishing adventures.

It’s not only a hotel and spa: It’s also a 3,000-acre sustainable, organic farm, allowing guests to get hands-on learning about the production of coffee, chocolate, and other culinary traditions.

Of course, you can expect a lot of local liquor at The Garden Table Restaurant and Rum Bar, considering the lodge recently launched its own farm-to-flask rum distillery. Swim it off in the infinity pool that boasts views so killer, you might stay all day. 

It’s rare that extreme luxury is matched with true environmental sensitivity, but The Brando pulls it off beautifully.

The all-inclusive Polynesian private island is a model for sustainable tourism, with LEED Platinum Certification, innovative Sea Water Air Conditioning, cooking oil biofuel, and other technologies that are reducing its carbon footprint. Naturalist guides and environmental scientists are on-hand for a closer look.

For ultimate privacy on your honeymoon, snag a new 6,000-square-foot Teremoana Residence with a private pool, otherwise, one of 35 plush lagoon-edge villas will certainly do. There’s paddleboarding, canoeing, tennis, biking, and even arts and crafts sessions. And if none of that is of interest, find some time to relax with the holistic treatments available at the Varua Te Ora Polynesian Spa.

When it comes to dining, most fish served comes from local waters, and many ingredients are grown organically on the island, specifically for three restaurants.

This resort doesn’t just respect its natural environment; it strives to become invisible within it.

At Nayara Hangaroa Eco Village & Spa, the location boasts architecture inspired by the Rapa Nui ceremonial center, with curved walls, natural light, and grass roofs. Tiny, volcanic Easter Island is more than 2,000 miles from Chile’s long coastline—about as removed as it gets for newlyweds with an adventurous spirit.

Still, as sustainable as the 75 rooms are at Hotel Hangaroa, they have all the hallmarks of luxury, too. You can expect oversized, handmade, clay bathtubs, stone showers, wide, picture windows, and ocean-facing terraces. Behind the scenes, operations focus on minimizing environmental impact.

The natural connection is evident in the hotel's expeditions as well. During your stay, try scuba diving, horseback riding, ATV-ing, and enrapturing Rapa Nui (the island’s native name) history, and culture. Enjoy some downtime at the swimming pool or the Manavai Spa, when you’re not indulging in one of the two restaurants.   

If any resort truly fits the word magical, Bambu Indah is it. There’s nothing to compare to this eco-boutique hotel in Bali’s rainforest-coated valleys surrounding Ubud. Made up of singular Javanese teak cottages, treetop tents, and houses with curved bamboo (a highly sustainable building material), Bambu Indah is simply one of a kind.

For newlyweds, the romance of this location is off the charts, with a never-ending supply of intimate nooks, hanging chairs, suspended nets, and cushions for lounging. You and your sweetheart can also feel like Mowgli by exploring natural pools and paths. The restaurant, designed by innovative local architect Elora Hardy, serves local Indonesian cuisine made with organic produce from the retreat’s permaculture gardens.

If you're looking for some relaxation, book a treatment in the bamboo massage pods or take a yoga class.

An eco-resort in the middle of Miami? It exists. Adorned with tropical gardens and palm trees, sustainability reigns supreme at The Palms Hotel and Spa, making it a truly transportive experience. The hotel's big focus: Eliminating all single-use plastics from the property.

Honeymooners can feel good about the light footprint of their ocean-view stay, thanks to the Inspired-by-Nature program that includes reducing, reusing, and recycling. The hotel is a Green Globe certified property, uses eco-friendly toilets and showers, and is 100% disposable plastic free.

When dining, breezy terrace restaurant Essensia Restaurant dishes out fare using ingredients from sustainable farm purveyors.

For the ultimate honeymoon touch, don’t miss out on fruity cocktails at the poolside Tiki Bar, followed by a trip to the Aveda spa for holistic massages and treatments, featuring eco-friendly products.