A Slice of Paradise

Five years after returning from Alandaluz, I can still close my eyes and I’m lying with Jack on the hammock, gazing lazily at the turquoise waves and golden, soft sandy beach from the deck of our private room, the strong scent of native orchids wafting through the air.

Viva Travel Guide claims that Alandaluz, a beach resort located on the Manabi coast of Ecuador close to the Machalilla National Park, is “one of the few true ecologically friendly lodges along the Ruta de Sol.” Ecuaworld.com states “Alandaluz … the magnificent and innovative ‘hosteria’ … has been internationally recognized for dedication to conservation and improving the quality of life in its surrounding communities through agro-ecological and traditional construction microenterprises.” In my humble opinion, Alandaluz is not only one of the top environmentally-conscious destinations in the world, it’s also one of the most romance-conscious destinations in the world. It’s perfect.

Alandaluz, or the “winged city of light,” was founded with the intention to embody the principles of ecological tourism. The creators strove to find a balance between humankind and nature, with the desire to be self-sustaining with minimal impact on the environment. The architecture is built from replenishable local materials, primarily guadua cane. They use no pesticides on their crops; they maintain compost latrines, and they recycle their garbage into fertilizer for the gardens. An on-site waste water treatment system allows Alandaluz to recover approximately 90 percent of the water consumed at the center. Alandaluz also runs educational workshops on ecotourism, organic agriculture, nutrition, and recycling, and over fifty local communities have adopted more environmentally friendly practices due to the programs Alandaluz provides.

So, you can go there knowing your money is supporting an amazing cause, and you can enjoy yourself without feeling guilty about staying at a tourist resort that exploits native resources and workers. You’ll feel great knowing you’re not harming your environment while vacationing, but you’ll also just feel great.

The fact that I can still clearly feel Alandaluz after a span of five years is a testament to its beauty and charm. I had no idea what to expect when Jack, my beau at the time, told me that we would start our ten-day journey through the mountains and Amazon terrain of Ecuador by first traveling south to an ecotourist resort on the beach. I was a teacher and Jack a medical student, and I was nervous that our budgets couldn’t support what sounded like a grand expenditure.