Many people go to the Florida Keys because of the beauty and quiet.  But there is another reason to vacation in the Florida Keys; it is a great place to go if you want to keep your vacation green.  There are opportunities for green transportation, green accommodations and even eco-attractions.

First, you have to get to Key West, FL, which is closer to Havana, Cuba, than to Miami.  Since Key West is one of a group of islands off the Florida coast, you have a beautiful adventure ahead after you pass Miami.  You can take a “puddle jumper” airplane or drive across bridges on US-1.  Once you’re there, you might be able to do without a car, so consider alternative methods of travel such as a bike or scooter.  There are also hybrid taxi cabs and public transportation that make getting around Key West  very easy.  The Florida Green Lodging Program provides environmental guidelines for water usage, energy saving techniques, reduction of solid waste and preventing pollution.  Some lodgings provide additional energy saving measures such as energy efficient light bulbs, towel and sheet changing options, guest room recycling baskets and food related waste control.  There is also a new Water Conservation Hotel and Motel program in which enrolled establishments commit to reduce water usage.  These hotels and motels use high efficiency aerators in all the faucets and encourage customers to use linens more than once prior to replacing them.

There are multiple eco-attractions that can be found in the Florida Keys.  Conservation museums and preservation museums are popular ways to appreciate the Keys and learn about the history as well as current environmental efforts.  The John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was established to protect a portion of the Florida Key’s barrier reef.  It is America’s first underwater preserve and was established in 1963.  The Marathon Wild Bird Center is another interesting eco-attraction it is one of the leading wild bird rescue centers in the Keys.  Other unique and interesting eco-attractions in the Florida Keys are the Dolphin Research Center, the Turtle Hospital and the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center.

Another important part of vacation is eating!  And Florida’s restaurants are also becoming more green.  Restaurants in the Keys have programs for recycling, use of biodegradable take-out containers, use of eco-friendly cleaning products and the installation of low-flow bathroom fixtures.  You can make you dinner a little greener by choosing local sustainable seafood like spiny lobster, Key West Pink shrimp or stone crabs.

If you enjoy your green vacation so much that you decide to make the Florida Keys your new home,  the person to contact is Margarita Villoch.  She is an excellent local resource on Florida Keys real estate.  Call Margarita and start packing!