Beyond the Beach and Buffet: Bahia’s Eco-Initiatives Transform Intention into Action

Hydro-therapy circuits, infinity pools, Mayan-inspired culinary delights, a kids club, and even a PGA-sanctioned golf course all await travelers anxious to unwind at The Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal, along Mexico’s pristine gulf coast. An all-inclusive villa-style retreat located directly between Tulum and Cancún, Akumal features exceptional amenities for families of all ages. The property also includes an attentive staff that values the importance of genuine hospitality.

The main lobby serves as a grand entrance to a storied Mayan culture. In partnership with local artists and Indigenous communities, Akumal seamlessly integrates traditional motifs, creating a breathtaking introduction to the region’s history, culture, and people for first-time visitors like me, while reflecting the resort’s deep commitment to honoring and preserving these traditions.

Many travelers book an all-inclusive getaway to enjoy the beach and buffet. However, I was eager to hit the ground running and explore another aspect of the resort—the eco- and cultural side. After all, it’s not often that one gets to enjoy a rich and interactive eco and culture-focused excursion on a property such as this one.

Turquoise waters meet lush jungle–a sanctuary where sustainability and preserving Riviera Maya’s natural beauty lead the way. Photo Courtesy of Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal

Exploring Eco-Bahia

Located within Riviera Maya’s expansive Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal Resort, Eco-Bahia serves as a looped nature trail. Passionate guides meander through the tropical sanctuary, offering a lovely educational respite by showcasing the region’s rich Indigenous traditions. The guides also emphasize the resort’s commitment to protecting its natural resources and unique wildlife today, and in the future.

I’m elated to see Huerto Maya, aka A Mayan Garden, where the resort grows its own herbs and vegetables onsite. Exhibits featuring the Mayan Bee offer a fascinating insight into the importance of our bee population and the measures needed to ensure its survival. A glimpse into a recreated Mayan village renews my appreciation of the strength and resilience of this fabled culture. Learning more about the Brown Basilisk, Boa Constrictor, and Yucatan Jay provides a refreshing reminder that local wildlife is thriving. To top it off, a traditional, hands-on paper-making class serves as a lovely end to an otherwise enlightening look into the resort’s eco-initiatives while respecting local lore.

From protecting stingless Mayan bees to preserving ancestral traditions, Eco Bahia isn’t just about conservation, it’s about honoring culture. Photo Courtesy of Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal

The Eco-Bahia Foundation

Founded in 1999 in Mexico’s Quintana Roo State, the Eco-Bahia Foundation promotes biodiversity protection through conservation, education and ecosystem restoration on land and sea. Workshops, lectures and eco-tours focus on communities at large and schools. The programs highlight initiatives such as native plant nurseries, coastal dune restoration and coral reef recovery. In 2023, the program expanded its mission to the Dominican Republic. In the same year, the Bahia brand signed an agreement with Oceanus, A.C., a coral reef restoration program, which includes protecting the sea turtle population and cleaning of marine waste.

Luxury and nature live in harmony soft light, ocean breezes, and sustainable beauty under the moon. Courtesy of Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal

Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal’s Environmental Sustainability Award

In 2024, the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) awarded Bahia Principe (BP) the Environmental Sustainability Award for Large Hotels, recognizing the brand’s dedication to environmental preservation, community empowerment and sustainable innovation. Here, eco-luxury includes rooftop solar panels, greywater reuse systems, and wellness menus that go beyond your typical avocado toast. Supporting local agriculture and marking World Water Day by donating water to female farmers struggling with limited access rank among its standout initiatives. Meanwhile, in the Dominican Republic, Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo was awarded the Sustainable Tourism Business Award by the Samaná Tourism Cluster. This marked the second time a Bahia Principe property received this recognition. A prestigious award, it celebrates the property’s efforts in resource management, waste reduction, and environmental protection.

In fact, across Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, Bahia Principe aims to teach locals and visitors alike the importance of preserving some of the world’s most biodiverse regions through engaging, nature-based experiences. The Bahia Principe Grand Samana offers both whale and bird watching activities, the Grand Jamaica features native plant nurseries and beach cleanups. Also, the Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal invites guests to take part in their turtle release program. Driven by the “Somos Ecoístas” movement and the work of the Eco-Bahia Foundation, over 198,000 sea turtle hatchlings were released, and nearly 2,200 nests were managed in Mexico alone in 2023.

The Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal Resort has demonstrated a commitment to habitat restoration by planting over 6,000 trees since 2021, contributing to local biodiversity. Courtesy of Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal

Additional Sustainability Efforts

Bahia Principe reduced its overall water consumption by nearly 9% in 2023. The company also anticipates cutting its carbon footprint by 60% by 2030, and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. In 2024, it created a Circular Economy Department with the aim of achieving its zero-landfill goals, all while recycling over 5 million kilograms of waste. In fact, since 2017, the brand diverted over 26,000 tons of waste from landfills. Initiatives like these, through their “We Are Ecocentric” campaign, have been expanded since, all in a concerted effort to continue implementing meaningful, award-winning conservation projects that align with UNESCO’s 2030 sustainability goals.

Whether it’s soaking in the Mexican sun with beachside service, enjoying a cultural theatrical performance, booking a pampering massage, or taking a day trip to the nearby iconic ruins, this Bahia Principe property seamlessly blends luxury with accessibility. As a result, it offers optimal levels of rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. But beyond the beach and buffet, Groupo Piñero, the parent company behind the Bahia brand, prioritizes sustainable and responsible tourism. These experiences remind locals and visitors of the importance of environmental stewardship, not just at Mexico’s Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal, but brand-wide across the Caribbean.

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