Hamanasi participated as a pilot Environmental Walk-through project Supported by Conservation International and the Belize Tourism Board and using the Caribbean Association of Sustainable Tourism (CAST) methodology this project served as the first step towards educating ways to reduce negative impacts on the environment. Upon completion of this initial stage Hamanasi initiated a more comprehensive second stage by joining the Best Management Practices of the Rainforest Alliance Inc. We are excited and honored to participate!

Hamanasi Eco Mission Statement
Hamanasi believes in responsible, nature and cultural based eco-tourism. We understand the importance of preserving our environment and indigenous communities. Hamanasi is committed to protecting our ecosystems and their biodiversity by taking continual steps to be more environmentally friendly and aware. We actively encourage all employees and visitors to participate in these endeavors. Together, we can make a difference!

Hamanasi believes in responsible nature and cultural based eco-tourism. So what? Sadly, each day our world becomes a little less green. At Hamanasi, we are taking steps to minimize our negative impact on our environment while increasing awareness and appreciation for nature and diverse cultures. Our policy is to reduce, reuse and recycle! We have a long way to go, but we are implementing our first steps. And yes! We welcome any ideas and feedback that you have. This is a process that we all must do together!

Hamanasi recently was selected to participate in a pilot Environmental Walk-through project! Supported by Conservation International and the Belize Tourism Board and using the Caribbean Association of Sustainable Tourism (CAST) methodology this project is the first step towards educating ways to reduce negative impacts on the environment. Upon completion of this initial stage will be a more comprehensive second stage involving Rainforest Alliance. We are excited and honored to participate!

When building Hamanasi we kept as many trees as possible. Trees are nature’s air conditioners, as well as beautifiers and homes to countless birds, bats, lizards and orchids. They are critical in minimizing erosion and nourishing the soil. We are fortunate to have on property a coastal littoral forest – one of the most threatened types of forests in the world. Usually, these forests are cleared for coastal development. Many birds rely upon these forests for food and rest during migration. Rather than cutting down the forest when we needed to add more rooms we built amidst the trees. You can commune with nature in your very own treehouse!

On the beach we have kept a strip of vegetation roughly 6 feet wide after the high tide point. This greatly reduces erosion and minimizes silting, which chokes the reef. Left alone, Belize’s beaches would be covered with vines, a variety of fruit, sea grape and coconut trees and various flowers. We have kept many of these items in tact and minimized clearing. Don’t worry, there is still plenty of space to enjoy the beach!

Furthermore, we have set aside over 10 acres as a nature preserve. This area is diverse in terrain from ridge to swamp. It is teeming with life – birds, land turtles, Morelets crocodiles, orchids, lily pads and many types of trees. This area adjoins the swampland savannah that overlooks the Maya Mountains.

We compost all of our vegetable and fruit scraps. The resulting rich soil is then used in our gardens. Most of the plants come from cuttings here on property. After they are used in vases around the resort, many of the cuttings are replanted! We collect seeds from our papayas and replant them throughout the gardens. And the top of our pineapples? Yes, those, too, are replanted. They not only are beautiful, but delicious! We minimize our use of pesticides and chemical based fertilizers.

In our rooms we change linens every third day, unless otherwise requested. Old linens are reused as cleaning rags. Louvered windows and ceiling fans minimize the use of air conditioners. Large windows flood our rooms with natural light reducing our energy usage. Most of our vehicles are powered by diesel. Leftover soap is used by staff, given to the community or made into a solution to spray on plants affected by aphids. Jars and containers are reused. Cans are crushed to save space and reduce trips to the landfill. Paper is reused.

The travel industry must benefit and empower local communities. Traditional cultures should strengthen and play a part in tourism. At Hamanasi the vast majority of our employees come from the surrounding communities. We believe in training our staff and promoting from within. The income they earn and the skills they learn help their families and villages. Hamanasi and its guests assist Hopkin’s Village in many ways. Garifuna dancers and drummers perform at Hamanasi. We have helped support a teacher’s aid. We have donated items to the health clinic and provided funding to help various projects, including building a playground. Furthermore, we have assisted a number of locals in learning to dive, many of whom now are employed as divemasters throughout the country. Our Education Fund helps finance the education of some students in need.

During our adventures we aim to educate and appreciate while minimizing our negative footprints. Our guides stay on trails to reduce damage to vegetation. We do not allow guests to touch animal life, especially while diving or snorkeling. We strongly discourage taking souvenirs from nature. All trash is disposed of properly. We want you -- and others – to be able enjoy nature in as pristine a condition as possible!

A long way to go…

Despite steps we have taken already there is much more to do. Some of the things we are doing include:

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