Top Budget-Friendly Eco Stays

Recently, we have seen a growing trend in ecotourism. The past year has opened up our eyes to the fact that how we travel and where we travel has a direct impact on the environment. Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean we are advocating for staying in, quite the opposite! Because we know that eco-lodges can easily set you back a pretty penny, we have rounded up the best budget-friendly eco-stays around the world. That way you can feel good about traveling green without breaking the bank.

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North America

The Roost! — Greensboro, North Carolina

Have you ever wanted to be like the Swiss Family Robinsons and sleep in a treehouse? Well, your dreams can finally come true! This treehouse is located right in the heart of Greensboro and was community-built using eco-friendly materials. Suspended nine feet above the ground, you can sit on the deck and enjoy the cool breeze of the trees and catch a spectacular sunset. Whether you need a quick getaway or a longer stay, The Roost! is the perfect combination of calm, comfort, and creativity. Prices average $110 per night excluding taxes and extra fees. Please note there is a three-night minimum.

Eco-Beach House in the Trees! — Waveland, Mississippi

Nestled in an oak tree 14 feet off the ground, this small coastal retreat is perfect for those wanting to recharge. The surrounding garden is a bird watcher's paradise, and the beach is located only two blocks away. To top it off, it is located only an hour's drive from New Orleans, so when you are finished relaxing you can easily enjoy the city. The average price per night starts from $119, excluding taxes and extra fees. Please note there is a three-night minimum.

Taos Goji Farm & Eco-Lodge Retreat — Arroyo Seco, New Mexico

Nestled in the Sangre De Cristo Mountains of New Mexico, Taos Goji Farm & Eco-Lodge offers a cozy environment with rustic country cabins. Located on a 40-acre Goji berry farm and surrounded by a national forest, the retreat was once occupied by some very well-known writers, including Aldous Huxley and D.H. Lawrence. Today it is home to free-range chickens, goats, and alpacas. Nearby is the city of Taos, as well as Taos Ski Valley and Red River. The eco-lodge uses eco-friendly cleaning and laundry detergents, as well as a greywater system. Their water is sourced from four wells that are fed by mountain aquifers and each cabin is complete with a wood-burning stove as well as solar-powered heating. Cabins start from $120 per night, excluding extra fees.

South America

Rara Avis Rainforest Lodge and Reserve — Horquetas, Costa Rica

Located in a lush rainforest, getting to Rara Avis is an adventure in itself. Take the half-day’s journey by horseback or tractor up a steep, muddy hill from Las Horquetas de Sarapiquí before arriving at the eco-lodge where food will be waiting for you. While the journey itself is not for the faint of heart, views of the nearby waterfall and relaxing at the lodge are certainly worth the effort. The lodge describes their rooms as “simple but comfortable,” and indeed they are quite rustic. Equipped with only the bare necessities, it excludes such luxuries as electricity and windows. The average price per night including taxes and extra fees is $89 and includes three meals and two guided walks a day. Please note that the hotel is only open seasonally and on request.

Europe

JETpak Eco Lodge — Berlin, Germany

Located only 20 minutes away from the famous Zoo Station in Berlin, JETpak Eco Lodge sits directly within the Grunewald forest. While the name suggests something a bit more glamorous, it is actually a hostel that offers dorms and private rooms. The hostel uses 100% green power using renewable sources; including a wood-burning, CO2-neutral heating system, and solar panels. You can even learn to recycle like a true Berliner! The average price per night starts at $18

Eco-Friendly Villa — Fuerteventura, Spain

Located just outside the center of the village of Villaverde at the foot of an ancient volcano, this villa is the perfect spot to disconnect. Panoramic views of the volcanic landscape can be enjoyed from the private pool or terrace. The average price per night including taxes and extra fees is $63 per person when booking with a group of four. Booking early will result in a 3-5% discount.

Asia

Bamboo Eco Cottage — Ubud, Bali

Sleep in the open air under a basket-weaved roof in this charming bamboo cottage. While only a short 5-minute walk from central Ubud, this secluded eco-retreat is located in the middle of lush rice fields giving you the ultimate Bali experience. Their breakfast and dinner services, which are offered for an extra charge, utilize wild and fresh organic ingredients harvested locally. The average price per night including taxes and extra fees is as low as $25 if you go with a group of four.

Eco Palms House — Sapa, Vietnam

Need an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life? Head to Sapa and stay in this romantic eco bungalow with sweeping views of the Hoang Lien Son Mountain and the Muong Hoa River Valley. Eco Palms House has nine private bungalows and two private chalets, each of which are made of natural materials and designed to represent a local minority group found in Sapa. They also offer various tours and activities such as mountain trekking, market tours, and cooking classes. The average price per night including taxes and extra fees is $60 a night per person when booking as a group of three. While staying here is slightly more expensive than an average hotel in the city, we believe the unique experience and views from the bungalow more than make up for the price.