Photo by Vyas Abhishek at Shutterstock
Embarking on a journey to explore our world isn’t just about sightseeing. It’s about embracing a lifestyle that preserves and cherishes the Earth we call home. Beauty meets responsibility at these eco-conscious travel destinations.
In a world where environmental troubles are at the forefront of our collective consciousness, these places beckon you with promises of breathtaking landscapes and a commitment to preserving them for future generations.
Imagine yourself among pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and awe-inspiring mountains, all while knowing that your presence protects these natural wonders.
From Nicaragua’s lush biodiversity to Switzerland’s pioneering eco-tourism initiatives, each destination offers a unique blend of adventure and sustainability.
So join Must See Places as we journey through 7 eco-conscious travel destinations, where every step is a testament to our commitment to a greener, more sustainable world.
Arosa is where you can stay at Hotel Valsana, Switzerland’s first hotel to be warmed by an “ice battery,” an energy retrieval system that reuses excess heat energy that would otherwise have been forfeited to the surrounding atmosphere.
This charming alpine resort village is supporting the environment in other ways, as well. Many of the hotels here have electric car charging points, and there’s even a charging point downtown that’s free to use.
This eco-conscious travel destination has also been given Alpine Pearl status, recognizing its “green mobility” and eco-conscious practices by the tourism association.
The EU-funded organization was set up to support and promote communities going above and beyond concerning sustainable tourism.
This eco-conscious travel destination’s long dry season, from June to September, is the most popular when people visit.
But, the shorter dry season, from December to February, will allow you to enjoy the country’s magnificent ecotourism locations and offerings without all the crowds.
The main attraction here is the Mountain Gorillas of Volcanoes National Park, which was made famous by late primatologist Dian Fossey. Ten habituated gorilla families are available for tourist visits, so permits are limited to 80 daily.
Being surrounded by massive Silverback gorillas is an experience you won’t soon forget. That’s not all, though. There are many other ecotourism attractions in this country.
From the spectacular scenic vistas of Lake Kivu to tracking monkeys in Nyungwe Forest National Park and incredible wildlife safaris in Akagera National Park, Rwanda has a ton of opportunities for wildlife and nature lovers.
Sukau Rainforest Lodge in Sabah is one of the top eco-conscious travel destinations and home to one of the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World. This is where you can see how eco-lodges work.
They use everything from rainwater and cooking oil to the electric engine for the motorboats. And they do it all without sacrificing any comfort for guests. They have also won the 19th Malaysia Tourism Awards 2014/2015 for Best Hotel Services.
Its location on the bank of Kinabatangan River means easy access to the floras and faunas of Borneo, including the proboscis monkeys, orangutans, Bornean pygmy elephants, and rare birds, including the hornbills, in their natural habitat.
You might not even have to leave the premises to see a Bornean pygmy elephant because they have a trail inside the compound of the Lodge itself!
Although not among the most well-known eco-conscious travel destinations, Auroville is an experimental, fascinating township near Puducherry in Tamil Nadu.
Also known as the City of Dawn, it was established in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa and developed by architect Roger Anger.
The idea behind the creation of it was a universal town where men and women from everywhere could live in peace and progressive harmony, above all politics and nationalities.
Aurovillians run various projects ranging from schools and IT to renewable energy, organic farming, and handicraft production, using about 4000-5000 villagers. It’s one of the destinations promoting ecotourism projects like no other in the country.
The economy is self-sustained, and there are various volunteering programs in ecological practices, alternative healthcare, building maintenance, renewable energy, and so on, which are ongoing in the township.
This eco-conscious travel destination in the Philippines is a paradise for those searching for an eco-friendly escape. It’s a private island resort that’s dedicated to supporting the local residents through economic enterprises.
One such initiative is teaching local women the traditional art of weaving, the effects of which are then sold at the hotel.
There’s also a nature conservation program that oversees coastal clean-ups twice a month, measures to fend off illegal fishing, the installation of Eco Reefs to help renew damaged marine environments, and mooring buoys to avoid anchor damage on coral reefs as well as a turtle conservation program.
While here, you can join in the efforts to protect newborn hatchlings as they make their way to the ocean and further your knowledge with an expert-led speech on wildlife and conservation.
To keep this ecosystem thriving, the staff here are also urged to submit proposals for environmentally friendly initiatives, which are then trialed by the resort.
Nicaragua has been an up-and-coming eco-conscious travel destination on travelers’ radars for a quite a few years now.
It’s even more promising than more popular ecotourism destinations like Panama and Costa Rica because it’s less crowded, relatively undiscovered, and much more affordable to travel within this beautiful country.
One of the best places to take advantage of sustainable actions is in Ometepe. A long list of ecotourism activities is available here. For instance, you can grab a kayak and float through the isthmus, where you’ll see many animals and flowers without crossing a single soul.
Many endeavors are being put into place to ensure that wildlife is well protected. You’ll be impressed by Nicaragua’s green philosophy, eco-responsible initiatives, availability of recycling bins, and the people’s passion to keep their country safe.
Even though this country can be enjoyed all throughout the year thanks to changing temperatures in each part of the land, May is a fantastic month to visit, right between the dry and wet seasons. You’ll see the greenery coming to life without all the endless rainfalls.
This is the first entire region to receive the Biosphere Responsible Tourism certification, a project supported by Unesco and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, in recognition of the symbiotic relationship between nature and humans in this eco-conscious travel destination.
And it’s easy for visitors to go green here. Simply look for businesses with an EU Ecolabel, a certificate that highlights environmentally friendly, high-quality products and services.
Some of the area’s most outstanding attractions include former lead, coal, and salt mines that have been repurposed into renewed environmental and cultural areas.
You can even walk in the fossilized former footsteps of dinosaurs in the former open-air coal mines of Fígols-Vallcebre Fumanya, now a paleontology site.
Another fantastic site is the Cardona Salt Mountain Cultural Park. After the mine closed in the 90s, the park offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the territory’s unique natural geology.
Have you ever been to any of these eco-conscious travel destinations? Let us know about it in the comments below. And if you haven’t, don’t forget to pack a camera to capture all your memorable experiences!
But in the meantime, Must See Places has many more ideas for your next travel adventures. For instance, did you know about the 11 Best Farm Destinations in the US Where You Can Book a Getaway?
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