Ecotourism is a form of responsible travel that focuses on preserving the natural environment and its cultural heritage. This type of travel encourages travelers to explore and engage with nature in an environmentally sustainable way, while also supporting local communities.
By participating in ecotourism activities, visitors can gain a deeper appreciation for the unique beauty of their destination, while also helping to preserve it for future generations. From cooking classes with local women in Jordan to hiking through Patagonia and engaging in local causes like park reforestation, ecotourism activities offer travelers a chance to explore and discover the world with an eco-friendly mindset.
Whether you’re looking for an active outdoor experience or simply want to immerse yourself in a new culture, there is no shortage of exciting ecotourism activities around the world.
Here are 15 ideas to help you get started!
15 Incredible Ecotourism Activities Around the World
Brazil, Bay of Paraty
Latin America
1. Go boating in Brazil, stopping at tropical islands and deserted sandy beaches in the bay of Paraty while learning about UNESCO nominated World Heritage site dating back to colonial times, exiled Portuguese royalty and the dark past of the slave trade while learning about challenges and triumphs in the region in the present day.
Torres de Paine National Park, Chile
2. Hike through Torres de Paine National Park in Chile, a far less touristic spot than many other Patagonian hubs. Along the journey, engage in local causes including park reforestation & support indigenous peoples in the region.
3. Explore Dominica’s ancient remedies through a medicinal herbs and tea class while learning about the island’s traditional peoples. And while you’re at it, stay in a gorgeous eco-lodge right in the jungle!
Cacao Ceremony, Guatemala - Jennifer Price
4. Take part in a traditional cacao ceremony in Guatemala while learning to make your own healthy cacao treats. In the process, learn about the deep connection of cacao to many aspects of Mesoamerican history, including its cosmetic and medicinal potential, as well as its modern day link to permaculture and reforestation.
5. Participate in a tamale-making workshop in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico while learning about sustainable agriculture in the region and its important role in the local economy and environment. Also learn about the many colors and varieties of corn you probably didn’t even know existed!
Tamale Making Class - San Miguel de Allende, Mexico - Kara Folkert’s
Africa & the Middle East
6. Visit a social enterprise on Jordan’s Meaningful Travel Map. Experiences range from a cooking class with local women, to staying at a Bedouin-owned camp or local eco-lodge, to taking a hike through a forest preserve.
7. Visit a Berber women’s textile cooperative in Morocco and learn how rugs are made from wool to loom to carpet. The crafting traditions that these women work so hard to preserve boost the livelihoods of women throughout their community. You can even shop for one that you can have shipped to your home! There’s nothing better than buying directly from the source.
Beit Khairat Souf - Jordan - Hiep Le
Berber Women’s Textile Cooperative - Morocco - Josh Telles
Asia & the Pacific
8. Stay in a heritage property in India rather than a chain hotel. While India is notorious for many huge, opulent hotels they’re often foreign and corporate owned with little going back to the local community. India’s growing sector of palace hotels and boutique accommodations not only support the local economy but also preserve the heritage and history of the people who live there. And they also give you a beautiful, personalized experience for your visit!
Karauli Palace - India
Slow Fashion - Kampot, Cambodia
9. Learn about slow fashion in Kampot, Cambodia. With a large majority of Cambodians working in the textile industry, the need for fair, safe and ethical working conditions is a major issue. These fashion leaders are out to change that with the use of remnant, chemical-free fabrics and fair trade practices for fulfilling careers for women in Cambodia - and cute, long-lasting clothes for your travels!
Himalayan Salt Pool - Nepal
10. Stay at a 5-star eco-lodge in Nepal, tucked in a regenerative farm complete with a Himalayan salt pool, farm-to-table meals, local hiking excursions, and even yak milk delivered at your door each morning for your (locally grown) coffee!
11. Visit a Māori village in New Zealand and be immersed in a traditional Marae whakatau (welcome) and greeting (Hongi). Discover why this region is so important to Māori culture and see how locals use the hot pools and steaming for daily life as they have done for centuries. Also learn native plants and how Rotorua city utilizes and preserves their natural resources.
Europe
12. Learn about sustainable tourism practices in Croatia to protect coastal communities and natural resources. With such a huge influx of tourists via cruise ships over the last decade here, providing education and tools is critical to protect our oceans.
Reykjavik, Iceland - Jim Hill
13. Visit a community of entrepreneurs in Iceland dedicated to making the fishing industry more competitive, environmentally friendly and wasteless. Learn about the historic fishing industry in Iceland and how today they use new technology to reduce waste and create innovative new products such as medicine and supplements, food products, and even fish leather!
14. Learn about heritage seed saving in Ireland. What is that, you ask? This is a method of saving fruit, vegetable and tree seeds of native and heritage varieties, preserving Ireland’s biodiversity and food security. This also inspires other initiatives centered around education and environmental sustainability.
Olive Oil Tasting - Tuscany, Italy
15. Participate in an olive oil tasting in Tuscany where you’ll learn about the history, variety, and craft involved in creating this “liquid gold.” Italy is on the forefront of the “slow food” movement, encouraging mindful consumption as well as regenerative agriculture practices. What better way to eat your way around the country!
Ecotourism activities offer travelers the unique opportunity to connect with the environment, local communities and cultural heritage of their destination in a meaningful way. By taking part in sustainable activities such as farming, fishing, and conservation efforts, travelers can gain a better understanding of their destination while also preserving its natural beauty.
Participating in ecotourism activities is a great way to make your travels more meaningful and create lasting memories. So why not get out there and explore the world through an eco-lens?
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learn more about our ecotourism trips around the world
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