Sustainability Initiatives

All the capsules of the Nespresso coffee machines that are used in the resort are deposited in a special container to later be delivered to a brand ambassador who separates and reuses its components: aluminum is recycled to produce other materials and coffee to make compost.

We help maintain our beach clean by organizing monthly brigades with teams of more than 30 employees to thoroughly clean, sweep, dig and sift the sand for extra cleaning. Our beach has been certified with the Blue Flag distinction.

Organic waste is stored in a storage chamber at a specific temperature, which allows the food to be preserved until an external supplier takes it away to feed farm animals. Inorganic waste is separated according to its type, such as plastic, glass (separated by color to facilitate melting), cardboard and paper.

Likewise, the burned cooking oil is stored, which is stored and delivered to an external supplier who uses it to transform it into biodegradable fuel.

Local companies are in charge of processing glass, plastic, metal, cardboard, and toxic material to handle recycling and proper disposal.

We have a garden area designed to place leaf, plant and foliage waste in good condition; it is stored, allowed to dry and mixed with the soil, thus creating a natural fertilizer to later spread it through the gardens and feed the green areas. This process takes approximately 90 days to obtain compost.

We have solar cells that help us preheat the water and take advantage of the good weather in the region; thanks to the sun, the water reaches our tanks at a warm temperature, saving around 45% of gas. This water is kept hot by gas-fired boilers.

We keep the beach area in optimal conditions for our guests to enjoy. On a daily basis, our collaborators go through the area and collect external particles from the sand and garbage; with this we managed to maintain the Blue Flag and "Clean Beach" certification of the IMNC Mexican Institute of Standardization and Certification. On a quarterly basis, brigades of more than 30 collaborators are organized, in charge of giving a deep cleaning; from sweeping, to digging and sifting the sand to leave it completely fine.

Year after year, collaborators and guests are invited to participate in global campaigns such as "Earth Hour", a one-day program that consists of turning off as many lights as possible for one hour. Through personalized letters and announcements, they are notified and invited to turn off the lights in their suite if they are inside it. Likewise, activities are planned where they can participate without using electricity. This campaign is normally carried out in the month of March.

In this campaign, all employees are invited to turn off electronic devices that they do not use in their work area, especially if they will not be there for a long period of time (computers, electricity, air conditioning, etc.).

We recently declared ourselves a "plastic straw free resort." In case our guests require them, we offer biodegradable avocado seed straws.

The amount of single-use plastic was reduced, with the implementation of water dispensers as an alternative; In the pool, water is offered in food-grade plastic bottles and in glass jugs at the restaurants.

Due to the fact that our extension of the beach is classified as a nesting area for sea turtles, the Security team is trained to attend to any event, both nesting and birth of turtles, according to the nesting and release protocol stipulated by the Federal Attorney's Office. Environmental Protection (Profepa).

We have created the Guardians of Wildlife program that seeks to protect the bees' hives and swarms to ensure the preservation of this species. Wooden boxes have been installed, which work as "temporary suites" for bees; these shelters are conditioned with honey and pheromones to attract bees inside. These boxes serve as artificial hives that can be easily moved and relocated, a task we undertake along with apiaries such as AZPER Guardian of Life. At Velas Resorts we promote sustainable commerce and incorporate honey from local producers in our gastronomic offer and in Spa treatments.

Companies that make productive use of recyclable materials that can be disposed of are contacted to donate them; for example, to the civil association "Ángeles en Libertad", to whom soft drink caps are donated to raise funds and support people with health problems and without resources to face them.

Weekly maintenance is given to a median on highway 200 (Tepic - Puerto Vallarta). This route consists of approximately 2 km of grass and palm trees that we keep in good condition so that visitors and residents can enjoy a clean city.

A space for selling handicrafts is provided to the Huichol natives of the area in order to promote their art and cultural heritage.

Velas Resorts is committed to generating jobs within the regions at which the resorts have presence. We maintain a 3:1 staff to guest ratio at Velas Resorts in comparison to maybe 1 employee for every 3-4 guests at other hotels and resorts.

We have adopted stretches of road landscaping in our destinations that support the cities' maintenance for visitors and residents alike.

The staff is periodically trained in environmental initiatives, to create a "green" awareness to be applied not only at the hotels, but also at home.

Within the different services of our Spa, a highly energetic treatment called Grand Cora Massage is offered, which stimulates sensory perception and eliminates nervous tension through a ritual of sounds with natural instruments that represent harmony with nature: caixa (fire), rain stick (water), winchas (air) and cymbals (earth). A warm copal oil is applied that restores emotional, intellectual and spiritual well-being.

Guests are invited to participate in the creation of their own dream catcher, to further appreciate the American tribes. The hoop represents life: the net is one's own dreams or desires; and the center is "the great mystery". One of our body artisans is in charge of imparting it.

One of the most used protection amulets by the Mexican people. It symbolizes the blessing and protection against bad energies. A very common practice is to put it on the wrists or ankles of babies so that they grow up with an aura away from the "evil eye".

The Eye of God demonstrates the artistic skill represented by the Cora and Huichol culture. Its purpose is to provide protection and power. Each color has a special meaning. Black: life, Blue: rain, White: clouds, Red: the life of God, Purple: the life of man

In this workshop, the Spa staff teaches the importance that the Eye of God represents for the indigenous people. First one is created together with the guests and after each treatment they receive one as a gift of protection. The Ojo de Venado and the Ojo de Dios are given as a farewell souvenir to our guests.

Our therapists, with the aim of preserving the Wixárika dialect, use the Airuyeme welcome greeting, which means "welcome", and the Pamparius farewell message, which means "thank you" in the native Huichol language, which gives us identity due to the region where we are located.

Instructor: Karen Vidal
This morning ritual with copal incense channels energy and frees the being from negative vibrations. The copal fragrance connects harmonically with one's own essence, as well as cleanses the body and spirit.

Meditation facing the sea that symbolizes gratitude for life and the renewal of body and soul. Tatéi Haramara, goddess of the sea, is offered a harmonious ceremony that brings prosperity and abundance, according to the Wixárika worldview.

Our kids and teens' facilities and programs are second to none and encourage the use of recyclable material with fun and ingenious crafts that give our youngest guests smart ideas of how to reuse and follow recycling tips at home. Among the activities that can be enjoyed at our hotels, guests can participate on ecological tours to learn more about the onsite flora and fauna. Insuite, guests have a turndown card that invites them to place it on the bed only when they wish their sheets and towels to be replaced.

We also pay major attention to exclusive experiences for guests off property that give back to the community. We offer experiences in everything from our food & beverage and spa to family bonding activities, romance and soft adventure that not only create extraordinary moments for guests but also support local partners. Wherever possible, these are inspired by Mexican history, culture and traditions, which impart a rich sense of place.