where should I travel
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ecotourism in Latin America
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best ecotourism?
1
The Peruvian Amazon
Why There?
Why Now?
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Traveler Tip:
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LINK: How to travel Peru sustainably
2
Puerto Rico
Hurricane Maria left Puerto Rico with an estimated $80 billion dollars in damages, and recovery efforts will take years, if not decades. Short of volunteering or donating, the best way to aid the recovery process is to help jumpstart the island’s tourism industry, which has taken a big hit in the storm’s wake. Though some country roads are still inaccessible, one could argue that now is the best time to visit Puerto Rico, as you can tour many of Puerto Rico’s best destinations, from El Yunque National Forest to the Bioluminescent Bay, without having to battle scores of other tourists.
A visit to El Yunque — the United States’ only rainforest — has to top your list of things to do in Puerto Rico. El Yunque boasts some of the best ziplining, camping, and hiking in Puerto Rico, and many locally owned adventure companies, eco lodges, and eco resorts in the region are eager for visitors to help re-establish El Yunque as a prime destination for ecotourism in the Caribbean.
Where To Stay in El Yunque National Forest: El Yunque Rainforest Inn
Where To Stay in La Parguera: Turtle Bay Inn
Where To Stay Near Bioluminescent Bay: Finca Victoria
3
New Zealand
Whether you’re backpacking New Zealand, living the IG-friendly #vanlife, or spending time in one of New Zealand’s cities, there are plenty of places to visit and things to do in New Zealand for sustainable travelers. A big reason why? The New Zealand Sustainability Commitment, which was introduced in 2017 with the intention of getting every tourism business throughout the country to commit to sustainable practices by 2025. Many lodges are already leading the way — you can choose from crashing in converted grain silos at SiloStay, enjoying free access to a wildlife recovery and arts center at Lochmara Lodge, or taking in ocean views from a treehouse at Hapuku Lodge. Hard to go wrong.
4
Iceland, Beyond The Golden Circle
Iceland’s reputation as a sustainable destination has taken somewhat of a hit in recent years, largely due to complaints of overtourism at popular sights within the country’s famous Golden Circle. So, instead of spending too much of your time in the most densely touristed corner of the country, venture out onto Ring Road to take in Iceland’s vast, empty spaces and awe-inspiring swathes of unspoiled nature like Dettifoss Waterfall and Lake Myvatn. Sustainably built and operated hotels including Ion Adventure Hotel, Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel, and Hotel Eldhestar dot the Ring Road, but if you’re looking to travel Iceland on a budget, wild camping — responsibly — may be the way to go.
5
Colombia
Tourism at its best can be transformative for a country’s reputation, and as a result, can create opportunities for its most disadvantaged people. Take Colombia as an example: considered a no-go for many travelers not long ago, Colombia has seen a welcomed influx of tourists in recent years — and not just at its long-popular historic port city of Cartagena. Whether you’ve heard about the simple but stunning Sierra Nevadan village of Minca or the Medellin’s locally-run, eye-opening tours of its once notorious Comuna 13 district, chances are, you’ve heard somebody gushing about their recent trip to Colombia. Why? Most likely because everyone who’s visited knows that Colombians have a rich, complicated story to tell, and the best way to hear that story isn’t to watch a show in Netflix — it’s to visit Colombia yourself.
Where To Stay In Medellin: Los Patios Hostal Boutique
Where To Stay Near Parque Tayrona: EcoHostal Yuluka
Where To Stay In Minca: Mundo Nuevo
Where To Stay In Bogota: Biohotel
LINK: How to travel Colombia sustainably
6
Huasteca Potosina, Mexico
Believe it or not, it’s plenty possible to take in Mexico’s natural beauty without having your view obstructed by tequila-swigging coeds. You can get off the beaten path in La Huasteca Potosina, a region within San Luis Potosi, Huasteca Potosina offers some of the best ecotourism in the entire country, complete with waterfalls, canyons, caves, and eco-friendly, family-run lodges, including Eco Hotel Casa Kima and Hostal Casa Huasteca. For a deeper look at the region, check out our friends at Deer Traveler’s in-depth guide to the Huasteca Potosina here.
7
Madagascar
Madagascar boasts some of the most unique wildlife on the planet — roughly 90% of its flora and fauna is endemic. Unfortunately, deforestation has plagued much of the country, due in large part to widespread poverty and the relative financial value of the country’s natural resources. By traveling to Madagascar, your tourism dollars can provide an economic boost to the island that will reduce the incentives of deforestation.
Because Madagascar can be somewhat difficult to travel through on your own — especially if you do not speak French — a tour with a sustainably operated company like G Adventures or Intrepid Travel may be the best choice to ensure that you get an authentic view of Malagasy life while properly supporting local communities. And be sure to visit Madagascar’s many nature sanctuaries to enjoy the island’s wide array of lemurs, chameleons, fossas, and more.
8
Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way
Some 450 years ago, this cove behind Granuaile’s Castle on Clare Island might have been where the island’s pirate queen Grace O’Malley went for a tranquil moment — when the coast was clear, of course.⠀⠀
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Nowadays, a traveler willing to climb a bit off the beaten path can do the same.⠀⠀
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Time seems to stand still in the most remote corners of Ireland. And while a handful of sites — like the Cliffs of Moher and the Blarney Stone — welcome tourists by the busload, Clare Island is a perfect example of what makes Ireland so special, combining untouched, rugged nature with remnants of a complicated past.
driving in Ireland
Ireland’s wild coast
west coast of Ireland
touring Ireland by car
how to drive in Ireland
9
Sa Pa, Vietnam
Guest writer: Ben
10
Slovenia
best time to visit Slovenia
best places to visit in Slovenia
Slovenia tourist attractions
Lake Bled in Slovenia
Julian Alps hotel
11
Ghana
Long a beacon of peace and progress in West Africa, Ghana still qualifies as a well-kept secret within the travel community. You can brave a ride through Accra in a tro-tro, Ghana’s DIY take on public transit, seek sanctuary in Mole National Park, and visit Elmina Slave Castle on Ghana’s Cape Coast for an arresting view of the region’s role in the international slave trade. This history looms large over much of Ghana — but what looms just as large is the local people’s continued march towards a brighter future. A Ghana vacation through a locally-run tour company like Blas Tours
can provide a first-hand view of a country still well off the beaten path — perhaps not for long.
12
Huaraz, Peru
laguna 69
peru hiking tours
13
Dominica
dominica resorts
dominca beach
things to do in dominica
trafalgar falls dominica
14
Ecuador
places to visit in Ecuador
ecotourism destinations
ecotourism in Ecuador
Guest writer: Justin Ratra
15
Denali National Park
Denali bus tours
Guest writer:
16
Uruguay
Guest writer: walkscapesomewhere
