Ecotourism can be an untrustworthy business. Greenwashing, vague claims, and questionable accreditations abound while some excursions put local people or animals at risk.
Costa Rica stands as an exemplar for environmental efforts: their rainforests, fjords and beaches are carefully protected while their “pura vida” lifestyle means nature remains at the core of everything they do.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica, known for being an eco-pioneer, takes great pride in its expansive network of national parks and protected zones, eco lodges and sustainable development practices, yet remains conscious of balancing tourism’s impact with environmental conservation.
Ecotourism’s central goal is to benefit local communities, tourists and the environment while inflicting minimal harm upon fragile outdoor ecosystems. Furthermore, profits must be reinvested back into conservation efforts as part of its overall goal.
Costa Rica achieves this by means of reforestation and private conservation projects, which have helped the country attain some of the highest biodiversity rates worldwide. If care is not taken however, Costa Rica could quickly lose its green status.
Travel with an informed tour operator who has been certified by the Certificate of Sustainability (CST), which evaluates businesses on their social and environmental impact; higher CST ratings indicate more sustainable businesses.
Costa Rica boasts some of the most biodiverse rainforest in the world. At the core of its ecotourism efforts are national parks like Tortuguero – home to endangered green turtles who come here each June-November to lay their eggs – providing visitors with an ideal place to explore on foot through hiking trails, suspension bridges and zip-line tours – or taking in views from above with zip-line tours.
Arenal Volcano, a dormant giant that towers over northwestern Costa Rica, serves as one of the main draws to this area. Lake Arenal and La Fortuna Waterfall make for excellent ecotourism attractions nearby while Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve should not be overlooked for ecotourism enthusiasts due to its maze of hiking trails, treetop canopy walkways and abundant biodiversity.
Be sure to bring a waterproof camera or smartphone for taking pictures of the abundant wildlife, but never touch or disturb any sleeping animals. Furthermore, do not litter or leave food waste behind in the forest, and make sure that indigenous cultures are respected by wearing appropriate footwear.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico, known as the Isle of Enchantment, draws visitors in droves each year due to its stunning beaches and vibrant culture. But eco-conscious visitors can take their experience one step further and benefit from responsible travel with sustainable activities and accommodations available throughout Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico, an island situated in the Caribbean Sea, boasts six distinct ecosystems ranging from rainforests and wetlands to dry forests and coral reefs – providing an incredible diversity of landscapes perfect for ecotourism.
There are various ways to appreciate Puerto Rico’s breathtaking natural scenery and wildlife, from hiking and kayaking trips to visiting one of its bioluminescent bays. El Yunque National Forest provides a lush rainforest environment about an hour from San Juan; Guanica State Forest provides cool dry forests nearer the coast.
Cycling is another fantastic way to explore the island, as its roads and bike trails offer scenic views of rainforest, wetlands, mountains and ocean. Plus, due to the island’s relatively flat topography, cycling can be enjoyed by cyclists of all ages and fitness levels!
Puerto Rico boasts not only stunning natural surroundings, but an amazing food scene that relies heavily on locally sourced cuisine. From farm-to-table restaurants to tours like Spoon, foodies have plenty of chances to have an impactful impact on local economies while tasting delicious cuisine.
An excellent way to support local economies and gain insight into traditional agricultural practices on the island, visiting Vaca Negra dairy farm is an ideal way to do both. There, you can witness cheese being produced before purchasing some aged cheese to take back with you as souvenir.
Tourism may seem counter-intuitive to Puerto Rico’s recovery after Hurricane Maria and COVID-19; however, choosing eco-friendly hotels, visiting local restaurants, and forgoing souvenir purchases from chain stores will do much to revive its economy.
Iceland
Iceland’s breathtaking landscapes of volcanic rock, icy glaciers, and other natural wonders captivate an increasing number of eco-tourists each year. To accommodate them while simultaneously protecting its beauty, the island nation is working hard to accommodate more visitors while maintaining the island’s ecological systems – including policies designed to limit tourism’s environmental impact like limiting how many people visit certain areas at any one time.
Many of the country’s top attractions prioritize sustainability, such as national parks and geothermal pools. Visitors are encouraged to practice Leave No Trace principles that emphasize leaving nature undisturbed while limiting impactful wildlife species such as butterflies. Furthermore, hotels in many cases embrace green initiatives by using renewable energy sources for accommodation purposes.
Iceland encourages responsible travel through its Choose or Stay campaign. This initiative encourages tourists to spend at least one night in each town they visit instead of driving around the country day trips – with this goal in mind, it aims at reducing congestion caused by large tour buses in popular tourist spots like Snaefellsnes National Park.
Iceland makes another contribution to sustainable tourism through community-based experiences. These provide tourists with a chance to immerse themselves in Icelandic culture while supporting communities disproportionately affected by overtourism. Activities like knitting workshops in small villages help locals earn extra money for their families while teaching tourists traditional Icelandic skills and homestays with friendly hosts provide authentic connections to Icelandic life and culture.
Guided eco-hikes offer an ideal way for visitors who prefer exploring on their own to experience Iceland’s rugged volcanic landscapes without leaving an imprint behind. Guides will point out lava sculptures and geothermal hot spots which would otherwise be difficult to locate without assistance from local guides. Iceland’s famed black-sand beaches also make an appearance; although swimming might not be in your agenda here, their haunting shorelines offer stunning views sure to take your breath away!
Icelandic dining culture is rapidly adopting sustainability, with restaurants serving locally-sourced ingredients and offering vegan dishes, while some use renewable energy solutions to power operations. For an eco-friendly walking tour experience or festival that celebrates Icelandic culture, participate in eco-friendly walking tours or events showcasing it – these activities will deepen your understanding of this vibrant nation while protecting its traditions for future generations.
Palau
Palau is not just committed to protecting its pristine landscapes and animals; it makes this commitment part of their visitors’ experience. Every traveler arriving is required to sign the Palau Pledge upon arriving – a stamp in their passport that requires them to “explore mindfully, be kind, do no harm, and leave only footprints that will wash away”. With such forward thinking practices in place, it’s no wonder why it has quickly become one of the leading Eco-tourism hotspots.
As an island nation, Palau relies heavily on tourism as its primary industry. But to maintain its idyllic nature while simultaneously mitigating environmental impact, the destination is striving hard to preserve its idyllic status while mitigating their footprint. For example, to reduce waste, their government has banned single-use plastic items like bags and straws while encouraging more eco-friendly options like reusable alternatives for waste reduction. Furthermore, tourists are being encouraged to support local communities through meaningful interactions like attending a traditional dance performance or visiting sustainable farms.
An additional key initiative involves educating tourists on the significance of protecting coral reefs and oceans, with Palau National Park having developed an online educational resource and offering education to schoolchildren on Palau island. Furthermore, strict regulations that limit divers per dive are in effect while any reef-damaging sunscreen products must not be used during diving activities are banned from use by divers.
Palau has also implemented some of the world’s most forward-thinking marine conservation laws, such as banning plastics and restricting market fishing to allow mackerel and tuna populations to recover. Unfortunately, Palau’s environment remains at risk from rising sea levels, illegal dynamite fishing practices, sand dredging practices, as well as rising sea levels.
To address these challenges, the National Park Service Denver Service Center is working closely with the Ministry of Finance and Bureau of Tourism on creating a sustainable tourism plan for Ngardok Nature Reserve as well as terrestrial and marine demonstration sites. A team from this service center has also been hired by government to facilitate facilitation services as well as technical assistance and training sessions.