Three Years of EarthCheck Silver: A Commitment That Goes Beyond Certification

"Protecting paradise isn't achieved in a single day. It's built through thousands of everyday actions."

When you arrive at El Cid Resorts, you probably notice the crystal-clear pools, lush tropical gardens, pristine beaches, and welcoming hospitality.

What you may not see is everything happening behind the scenes to help preserve the beauty of Riviera Maya for generations to come.

We're proud to share that El Cid Resorts has earned the EarthCheck Silver Certification 2026 for the third consecutive year—an international recognition that reflects our ongoing commitment to responsible tourism and sustainable operations.

While we're honored by this achievement, what makes us proudest isn't the certificate itself. It's the people, the dedication, and the daily actions that made it possible.

 

Sustainability Is More Than a Goal; It's How We Operate Every Day

Unlike many environmental recognitions, EarthCheck isn't based on promises or one-time initiatives.

It is an internationally recognized certification program that independently evaluates how tourism businesses manage their environmental, social, and economic impact.

Every year, our performance is measured, audited, benchmarked, and compared against international standards. That means every certification must be earned again, not simply renewed.

This third consecutive Silver Certification confirms that sustainability isn't a project. It's part of who we are. For us, sustainability is a conviction that grows every day.

Thousands of Small Actions Create One Big Impact

There isn't one department responsible for sustainability. Every team contributes.

• Our Maintenance team continuously improves water and energy efficiency.
• Our housekeeping team carefully manages resources while maintaining impeccable standards.
• Our landscaping specialists protect native vegetation and care for the surrounding environment.
• Our purchasing team evaluates products with sustainability in mind.
• Our food and beverage teams work to reduce waste of food supplies and improve operational efficiency.

Behind every guest experience are hundreds of employees making thoughtful decisions every day, many of which happen without ever being noticed. Together, those decisions create meaningful environmental change.

This Year's Results Tell an Incredible Story

One of the best ways to understand our progress is through measurable results. We achieved one of our most significant environmental improvements yet.

Less Waste Sent to Landfills

In preparation for our 2026 certification, we are evaluating performance from the previous period to reinforce this environmental commitment. Progress is evident in our 2024 results: we achieved a 63.4% reduction in waste sent to landfills compared to 2023, dropping from 4.2 liters per guest night to just 1.5 liters per guest night.

This reduction was made possible through improved waste sorting, recycling programs, process optimization, and more efficient resource management.

This means fewer materials ending up in landfills, more resources being recovered, and a smaller environmental footprint for every stay.

But what does this mean for our guests and the destination?

Various types of waste are generated during a stay. Certain materials resulting from our operations, such as specific plastics, aluminum, cardboard, and glass, can be separated for recovery and recycling. Similarly, organic food waste requires specialized handling to ensure it is utilized effectively.

Proper sorting allows materials to be recovered and entered into the recycling system, thereby decreasing the volume of waste sent to landfills. This also reduces environmental impacts related to air, soil, and water pollution.

Smarter Products, Healthier Spaces

Our commitment to sustainability also extends to the products we use throughout our resorts.

In the 2024 assessment, both our pesticide management and cleaning product management improved from 3-Star to 4-Star ratings under EarthCheck's evaluation.

These improvements reflect our ongoing efforts to choose products that are safer for our guests, our employees, and the ecosystems that surround us, without compromising the quality and comfort our guests expect.

This aspect is particularly important in a destination like the Riviera Maya, where we coexist with ecosystems of great environmental value and where water conservation is a fundamental responsibility.

For this reason, we aim to select products that generate the least possible impact on water resources and the subsoil.

Sometimes sustainability isn't about using more. It's about choosing better.

Our Guests Are Part of This Achievement

One of the things we love most about sustainability is that everyone can participate.

Every guest can contribute to this commitment through simple yet important choices during their stay: using water responsibly, reusing towels whenever possible, properly sorting waste (including food scraps), respecting local flora and fauna, and consuming responsibly.

Proper waste sorting is essential during your stay. By placing each item in the correct bin, you directly contribute to its proper subsequent handling. We also invite you to join this initiative by practicing responsible consumption, taking only the food you will truly enjoy to avoid waste. Each of these decisions is part of a broader system of shared responsibility.

Caring for the destination depends on more than just our behind-the-scenes operations; it also depends on how each of us chooses to inhabit, enjoy, and respect the place. Every stay can help strengthen a model of responsible tourism that seeks to protect the destination we all enjoy.

Small actions, repeated by thousands of visitors throughout the year, create a meaningful collective impact.

Your vacation helps support a resort committed to protecting the destination you came to enjoy. In many ways, this certification belongs to you as well.

Building a More Sustainable Tomorrow

Receiving our third consecutive EarthCheck Silver Certification isn't the finish line. It's motivation to keep improving.

Every year challenges us to find new ways to reduce our environmental footprint, adopt better practices, and create unforgettable vacations more responsibly than ever before.

Because sustainability is not a one-time achievement. It is a conviction that grows, a decision we make every day, and a commitment that strengthens with every action. And we're proud to continue that journey, with our employees, our partners, and every guest who becomes part of the El Cid Resorts family.

 

Thank You for Helping Us Make a Difference

To our incredible team, whose dedication makes achievements like this possible…

To our partners who share our commitment…

And to every guest who chooses El Cid Resorts and supports responsible tourism…

Thank you.

Together, we're proving that unforgettable vacations and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.

Here's to another year of protecting the places we love and to many more milestones ahead.