Salema Eco Camp

Salema Eco Camp, near Praia da Salema in the Algarve, is the first hotel unit in southern Portugal committed to a regenerative tourism model. It is a candidate for the Zero Waste business certificate. The camp calculates its carbon footprint every year and keeps investing in decarbonisation projects to cut its impact. Guests can pick from Tipi tents, Woody tents, Domes and the Willow Tree Dome for glamping, rustic Eco Lodges with valley views, Mobile Homes, camping pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes, or apartments and studios for anyone who prefers conventional comfort in a natural setting. Long-stay guests and remote workers are welcome too, with facilities and connectivity for staying on in nature. An on-site wastewater treatment station recycles all the water used in the facilities, which counts for a lot in an Algarve short of water. The sewage treatment relies on natural inputs and bacteria that support the local ecosystem rather than disrupt it. Guests can also use a composting system, which turns organic waste into material used within the grounds, and the camp plans to share that output with local entities in the near future. The cleaning team uses only natural or eco-certified products. The restaurant on site, Nazari, displays the carbon footprint of each dish and sources its ingredients within 150 km. An Eco Store sells sustainable products. Activities include a Magic Garden, weekly butterfly tours, night moth observation sessions, workshops in empreita (traditional Algarve basketry) and air-dry clay, guided hikes and conservation events, all meant to celebrate natural and social diversity and to contribute to ecosystem recovery.