By Mattea Jacobs
For those who have taken on the sustainable lifestyle with the idea not only to benefit their life but the planet as well, understand that going green means living sustainable whenever and wherever. This means that when leaving your familiar surroundings, keeping it green might become a challenge.
As exciting as it might be to go on vacation to a faraway place, it might also bring up some feelings of uncertainty to some as food, people, climate or even culture might be unfamiliar to you. Now imagine a “greeny” finding his or her way while trying to stick to their green standards while traveling.
Luckily, finding green accommodations is not as difficult as it may sound. Certain accommodates are available to those who wish to lessen the impact they have on the environment. Here we bring you some great green accommodation options, so be sure to check them out.
Camping
What else can be more ecological than nature itself? If you don’t mind getting by without luxury and you are a nature lover, camping is definitely the greenest travel accommodation of them all. In Bali, the camping laws are loose which means that you would not have too much trouble putting your tent almost anywhere you please, as long it is not too close to big villages and roads. The fact that Bali has many gorgeous places to see makes it difficult to pick the best site for camping, and we listed only several.
Nusa Penida
If you are looking to get away from the crowd, this Bali’s beach is only a boat ride away. Atuh is one of the beaches located on the place where you can set up camp and make a fire. If you do not wish to explore yourself, you can make use of one of the tour operators or find some company at the nearest village when buying some supplies.
Gunung Agung
How many people can say they stayed over at a volcano? Gunung Agung is the most famous volcano on the island which offers two camping spots on the sides of the mountain. Here you can find the greatest views on the island. Make sure to bring a jacket and sleeping bag as sometimes gets cold there. Bringing fresh water is also a must, but if you are an experienced camper, you will have no problem enjoying the adventure in this spectacular nature where only a few people camp.
Bukit Asah
This is the premier spot for a camp in Bali, and it is easily accessible. With firewood only a stone through away and the village down the road for food and drinks, the most important thing for you to worry about is to enjoy the fantastic views over Nusa Penida.
Stay safe when it comes to making fire, keep your trash in a bag and put it in a garbage bin later, and separate plastics if there are recycling containers nearby. Never feed the animals and be kind to nature.
Hotels
St. Regis Bali Resort
There are some strict rules that a hotel needs to follow to receive an environmental certification. Hotels need to follow certain eco-friendly operation which includes the sustainable treatment of waste, water, and drainage. It can be expected from such a hotel to use energy efficiently and making use of environment-friendly suppliers.
The following hotels in Bali have been accredited for being green and have a good reputation, star rating, and guest feedback. They reduce the environmental impact daily by saving energy and water, take care of the natural habitats and do not pollute, as well as make an effort on giving back to their communities.
The St. Regis Bali Resort is a hotel in the Nusa Dua resort complex. Besides from being luxurious, it has a management system that supports energy savings.
Alilas Vilas Uluwatu in South Bukit has high guest feedback and uses energy-efficient lighting, a water minimization system, they recycled waste product and tried to reuse as much as they can. The design of the villas is beautiful and has a great romantic atmosphere that overlooks the surf breaks of the area.
The Samaya Ubud is another hotel with a Green Globe certificate, as their eco-friendly program manages water saving, through making use of spring water, energy conservation and they stick to a recycling program. Their well-maintained grounds, spa, and private pools make a great getaway for eco-friendly guests.
Off-grid House
Instead of choosing a hotel, you can opt an eco-friendly home in Bali which will not only keep you green, but you’ll also have the chance to experience the Balinese village life. The hideout Eco Bamboo home, located in Selat, Bali is in the mountains hidden from tourist. This house is on the beach with rice fields insight close to a great river. This home is eco-friendly because the electricity and water get provided with an on the site waterwheel, and the construction is made of bamboo. Nothing can’t be greener than being located in the jungle. Exotic houses like this one can be found through Airbnb properties which can help you find the best off-grid home located in nature.
Final Thoughts
It might take a little of extra planning when traveling green, but getting the hang of it is not challenging, and it can improve your trip. Going green on your travels will make you feel better about your trip and leave a great impression on the place of destination which can even give you a more meaningful experience along the way.
Mattea Jacobs is a freelance writer who mostly writes about both interior and exterior home design, and environmentally-friendly ways to improve homes. She is also a green activist and a mother of two beautiful sons. You can reach her on Facebook and Instagram.
