There’s nothing more wonderful than traveling the world, but sometimes tourism can ruin it if you don’t follow some basic rules.
It’s no surprise that the world’s most famous places often become overcrowded, which ends up damaging the place itself or its ecosystem.
This is where ecotourism can help. It’s becoming more common, and it may be the only way to save the world without stopping traveling.
If all places tried to be more sustainable and practiced ecotourism, there wouldn’t be a need to close beaches or natural spaces to the public. It’s a pretty drastic decision, but sometimes they have to do it; Otherwise, the place would be destroyed forever.
So, if you’re looking for a better world without exploring anything, we need to identify ecotourism destinations and do a lot of things.
But first, let’s get into detail about what ecotourism is.
What is ecotourism?
The idea of ecotourism is to promote sustainable travel options, contribute to the preservation of places and their environments, and support communities.
Ecotourism has a minimal impact on the places visited by visitors and promotes environmental sustainability.
Unfortunately, this isn’t possible. Some people play a role in the world and are politically inclined when they compromise on ecotourism. Therefore, as soon as possible, you should choose ecotourism destinations or other ecotourism experiences.
Ecotourism destinations contribute to the safety of their accommodations, support their communities, avoid destroying the natural environment, and keep the space clean and safe.
Examples of ecotourism experiences include supporting local communities. You can buy local products or visit local shops instead of international chains.
If you enjoy observing animals while traveling, carefully consider the activities you plan. Always ask yourself if they are suitable for ecotourism. In Thailand, for example, many people ride elephants. While very popular, it is not ecotourism and harms the animals.
An elephant ecotourism experience, on the other hand, means visiting a sanctuary and observing animals in the wild. There are many of these in Thailand.
The 12 Best Ecotourism Destinations in the World
Now that you know exactly what ecotourism is, let’s look at some of the best ecotourism destinations in the world.
You’ll also learn how to visit these destinations on a budget and even get free accommodation. It’s easy: just volunteer at the places you visit and you’ll receive free accommodation in return.
Thanks to World packers, this is easy. The platform connects hosts from around the world with volunteers who want to travel and help local communities in the places they visit.
Read on to learn more!
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of the most well-known and visited eco-destinations. It’s recognized for its sustainable lifestyle, making it the perfect choice for those looking to experience ecotourism.
Costa Rica is a country brimming with nature and forests, and boasts numerous national parks. There’s plenty to explore, and what makes Costa Rica special is that you don’t need to pay an entrance fee or go to an unethical zoo to see animals: they’re everywhere.
For example, the famous national animal, the sloth, is easily spotted on nature walks, as are monkeys and birds. Costa Rica is the perfect ecotourism destination and will provide you with an unforgettable experience.
And if you want to support the local community and help make Costa Rica a sustainable country, volunteer there. There are many opportunities, including conservation activities like this one, where you can help protect the turtles.
Learn more about ecotourism in Costa Rica.
2.Colombia
Colombia remains a remote destination, but it’s perfect for ecotourism. It’s rich in local communities that need support to preserve their cultural heritage. It’s one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, and let’s not forget that Colombia is home to the Amazon rainforest.
Colombia is full of eco-farms and sustainable places. If you’re interested in volunteering and learning about permaculture projects, this is the ideal place.
Discover volunteer opportunities like this one on an eco-farm and experience a new way of life.
3.Norway:
Norway has a very small population and is largely covered in forests and nature. It is the land of fjords and the northern lights. So pack your jacket and visit this fantastic country.
It can be very expensive, so try to get free accommodation by volunteering there and experience the sustainable Norwegian lifestyle.
4.Ecuador:
let’s return to South America and talk about Ecuador, another great eco-destination.
Here, in the land of volcanoes and the towering Andes, you’ll also find the Amazon rainforest. And don’t forget the Galapagos Islands, one of the most impressive places in the world to observe marine wildlife, such as sea turtles, seahorses, and sea lions in their natural habitat.
There are many opportunities for ecotourism in Ecuador. You can simply visit us, volunteer, help a local community, and explore this small but fascinating country.
5.Kenya:
How about a trip to Africa, that unspoiled continent? If we had to choose one destination, Kenya would be the one.
In Kenya, you can enjoy many ecotourism experiences and also help out, as there’s so much to do to support the community and the country.
If you want to get socially involved in Kenya, you can volunteer. You can choose from many different activities, from teaching languages to helping children in school, contributing to the community, and much more.
6.Hawaii:
Hawaii is one of the most popular ecotourism destinations. It offers numerous ecotourism opportunities: hiking through beautiful forests and nature reserves, and observing numerous animals both at sea and on land.
While it’s not the cheapest destination, Worldpackers offers many volunteer opportunities in Hawaii. Choose the one that suits you best and enjoy free accommodation while exploring these beautiful islands.
7.Indonesia:
More and more travelers are choosing Indonesia as a vacation destination, especially eco-travelers.
Bali, for example, contributes significantly to promoting a sustainable lifestyle. There is a large vegan community in Bali, and Indonesian food is predominantly vegan, healthy, and sustainable.
Of course, you can also support Indonesia through volunteering and thus contribute to greater sustainability
8.Australia:
Australia is a huge country, but wherever you go, you feel a great responsibility for the environment and the planet. It’s a fantastic destination for ecotourism.
Imagine how many animals you can only see there because you can’t find them anywhere else, like koalas and kangaroos. And you can experience them in the wild without having to visit zoos or other unethical places.
Australia is expensive, so be sure to check out Worldpackers’ volunteer opportunities to save a lot of money on accommodation.
9.USA:
Many travelers think the US is full of large, polluted cities, but that’s only part of the country. In fact, most of the country is covered in nature and boasts stunning national parks.
The best ecotourism experience in the US is to rent a car or van and tour the national parks. Spend the night in your car or in a tent. The US is a true paradise for this type of ecotourism.
And if you prefer to sleep in proper accommodation but don’t want to spend too much, try volunteering with Worldpackers there to get free accommodation.
10.Brazil:
We’ve already talked about the Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America, but Brazil, where Portuguese is spoken, should also be on your list of ecotourism destinations.
After all, most of the Amazon rainforest is located here. If you want to experience the rainforest in depth, observe unique animals and plants, and enjoy an eco-friendly lifestyle, Brazil is an ideal destination.
Some of the best Worldpackers volunteer projects are located in Brazil. Take a look and find the perfect one for you.
11.Srilanka:
Although it’s not the most visited country in Asia, Sri Lanka is perfect for those seeking ecotourism experiences.
Sri Lanka has fantastic national parks where you can observe animals like elephants and leopards in their natural habitat in a sustainable way.
Sri Lanka is very affordable, but you can make it even more affordable by volunteering there, for example, on an eco-project, to learn new things and help the community.
12.New Zealand:
New Zealand is often overlooked for being an isolated island. But it deserves a place on the list of the best ecotourism destinations. And the reason is simple: New Zealand is a paradise for those seeking unspoiled nature in all its forms.
New Zealand has it all: beaches, mountains, lakes, parks, volcanoes. Generally, all attractions are free, and the environmental awareness of New Zealanders is unmatched.
New Zealand’s only downside is the high cost of accommodation. However, you have two options to deal with this: you can try the popular van life or volunteer with World packers and get free accommodation. Even a host family like this can teach you a lot about sustainability.
Ready to choose one of these fantastic ecotourism destinations or visit them all? You can save a lot of money by volunteering with World packers.
Simply sign up for one of our plans, apply for all the positions that interest you, and enjoy your trip around the world.
You may also be interested in other articles from the World packers community:
After the World Cup: Eco-volunteering at a Sicilian winery with World packers
Manifesto for a More Conscious and Community-Based Tourism
Worldpackers: The Perfect Combination of Sharing Economy and Collaborative Tourism
