Rooted in Care: Topia’s Ethos for Sustainability and Community
People often ask about our sustainability practices at Topia. The short answer? We do our best every day to minimize waste, respect the land, and educate our guests on how to visit this delicate ecosystem with care. We’re not perfect, but we’re intentional—because Baja’s beauty deserves to be preserved.
One of the biggest challenges here is that many visitors don’t realize how fragile the infrastructure is. Water is scarce, waste management is complicated, and single-use plastic is everywhere. That’s why we take a lot of pride in leading by example, showing guests a more mindful way to experience Baja Sur. Many of our guests return to this area, and we hope their time at Topia inspires them to tread more lightly—not just here, but wherever they travel.
Our Approach: Intentional Choices, Every Step of the Way
- Water Conservation: Baja Sur is dry, and water is precious. We use low-flow sinks and toilets, filter grey water for plants, and encourage guests to reuse linens and take shorter showers to conserve.
- Waste Reduction: We minimize landfill waste by repurposing non-recyclable materials into EcoBricks and encouraging mindful packing—removing unnecessary packaging before traveling to reduce onsite waste.
- Plastic-Free Commitment: We don’t just reduce plastic—we reject it. We buy in bulk, work with vendors to eliminate plastic packaging, and offer container-free bathroom products and filtered drinking water. Guests are asked to bring reusable bottles and avoid bringing outside food and drinks.
- Onsite Kitchen & Sustainable Food Practices: Having our own onsite kitchen allows us to source food locally, cut down on packaging, minimize food waste, compost kitchen scraps, and create meals that nourish guests and the planet. It also means we can support local farmers and food producers directly.
- Our Team Commitment: All Topia staff are hired locally, provided with fair wages, and offered healthcare. We believe in treating our team like family—showing through action that their wellbeing matters, just as much as the wellbeing of the land.
- Mindful Travel: We encourage guests to share transportation whenever possible, helping to reduce emissions and avoid over-traffic in our small neighboring communities.
- Support for Local Providers: We partner with trusted local service providers—from yoga instructors to excursion guides—ensuring guest experiences directly support people who live and work here.
- Locally Made, Sustainably Built: From furniture to decor, we prioritize reclaimed, repurposed, and locally sourced materials that honor the spirit and resources of Baja.
- Wildlife Protection: We dim outdoor lights to protect sea turtles, honor quiet hours, and do our part to respect the natural rhythms of the land.
Beyond the Retreat: Learning, Evolving, and Growing
Topia isn’t a resort or a hotel—it’s a living, breathing community. We live onsite, we’re part of this land, and every day is an opportunity to live closer to the values we believe in.
Topia is a place of learning—where visitors deepen their awareness of how their choices ripple outward, touching the places and people they encounter.
Want to visit with intention? Learn more about our ethos and availability at TopiaRetreat.com.
