{"id":678,"date":"2021-10-12T12:19:58","date_gmt":"2021-10-12T12:19:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.lovecuba.com\/?p=678"},"modified":"2026-05-04T05:25:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T05:25:00","slug":"5-reasons-cuba-is-one-of-the-most-sustainable-countries-in-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lovecuba.com\/blog\/5-reasons-cuba-is-one-of-the-most-sustainable-countries-in-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"5 reasons Cuba is one of the most sustainable Countries in the world"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you\u2019re passionate about sustainability and want to travel to destinations that promote eco-friendly tourism, Cuba is the Caribbean destination to head for. With world-class beaches, swaying palms, verdant forests, and mangroves, plus a host of beautiful hotels in the heart of the city or beachfront \u2013 this stunning isle is a rare slice of paradise that gives back to the planet, too.<\/p>\n

The country isn\u2019t necessarily recognised for its efforts in sustainability or eco-friendly policies, despite this always being in leader Fidel Castro\u2019s plans. Castro bet on the isle becoming an attractive tourism destination, minus the damaging consequences \u2013 in the 1990\u2019s the Cuban government started introducing new policies to protect the environment, aiming to reduce the waste of natural resources and minimise carbon footprint. The outcome? The country didn\u2019t know it yet, but Castro\u2019s anti-globalisation movement would start to latch on, setting the precedent for the rest of the world. By 2006, Cuba was the only nation in the world that met the World Wildlife Fund\u2019s (WWF) definition of sustainable development.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”680″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]World\u2019s Most Sustainable Country<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cuba has officially been ranked as the world\u2019s most sustainable developed country by a recently published Sustainable Development Index report, curated with figures from 2015. The report considered 163 countries from around the world and measured each country\u2019s environmental impact by recording its C02 emissions per capita, alongside parameters linked to human development, such as education, before concluding that Cuba had the highest sustainability score across the board \u2013 closely followed by Costa Rica and Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n

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Community Projects <\/strong><\/p>\n

A host of community projects helped the country obtain such an accolade, with the Cuban government encouraging locals to grow their own fruit and vegetables, use available land for growing crops, among other initiatives. There\u2019s also a fantastic network of protected natural areas, including the beautiful region of \u00a0Vinales<\/a> Valley, which promotes eco-tourism with popular \u201cpaladar\u201d experiences \u2013 whereby tourists can indulge in fresh, local, farm-to-table produce at an intimate family-run restaurant (which, in some instances, is hosted at the family home).<\/p>\n

Similarly, southwest of Havana is Las Terrazas, Cuba\u2019s only pioneering eco-village. Thanks to the community\u2019s efforts to protect and preserve the local forests, flora and fauna, the area now boasts UNESCO biosphere status and is an excellent example of eco-tourism \u2013 with many visitors travelling from the bustling capital to explore the area\u2019s stunning natural landscape.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”681″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Recycle & Upcycle <\/strong><\/p>\n

The country is big on recycling too, with many of the locals transforming their non-biodegradable waste into something new. Plastic bags are re-used as bin liners, and empty fizzy drink bottles are re-filled with homemade yoghurt, juice, or oats.<\/p>\n

Similarly, the Cubans are huge DIY fans and believe in mending broken goods themselves, rather than paying out for a replacement. Furniture will generally be upholstered, shoes re-heeled, and clothes repaired by a seamstress \u2013 or simply anybody handy with a needle and thread! This positive attitude towards recycled goods encourages locals to make eco-friendly changes in their own homes, which naturally expands into bettering the community, region, and country.<\/p>\n

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Eco Tours<\/strong><\/p>\n

There\u2019s no better way to explore a destination than by signing up to a tour, right? Well, sustainable sun-seekers are in for a treat, as there\u2019s a host of exciting eco-friendly tours available to book if you want to learn more about the isle and its natural beauty. Whether you like to pull on your walking boots and hike through the scenic forest, visit local farms and learn about agriculture, or catch sightings of endangered species and beautiful birds, you\u2019ll find something for everybody here.<\/p>\n

Adventure seekers can discover a host of tours<\/a> available at Love Cuba, where you can admire destinations including Havana<\/a>, Cienfuegos<\/a>, Vinales<\/a> Las Terrazzas, Trinidad<\/a> and Santa Clara<\/a> on excursions including a Mi Case Es Tu Casa Tour, Cuba Fly Drive, a Cuban Heritage Experience and beyond.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”682″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Eco-friendly Accommodations<\/strong><\/p>\n

While there are some truly spectacular beachfront hotels on the island, the Cuban government did not build mass beach resorts specifically to attract tourism, like many other Caribbean islands have, instead focusing on utilising the country\u2019s natural beauty.<\/p>\n

Luckily for you, Love Cuba have some of the country\u2019s most beautiful, sustainable hotels available to book, including:<\/p>\n