7 Best Ecotourism Travel Destinations To Travel To In 2023
This page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon and Rewardstyle affiliate, we may earn a small commission for any purchases made through these links. Click here for the disclosure statement.
I find few things as thrilling as traveling to a new, exotic place–breathtaking views and delicious new food are just the tip of the iceberg. But with commercial airlines being one of the top contributors to climate change, is there a way to travel to foreign lands responsibly?
The short answer is yes! With ecotourism booming in recent years, traveling sustainably has never been easier. Before you book your summer vacation to Hawaii, consider branching out to visit a destination better known for its ecotourism options. There are plenty of new places for you to see that are equally as breathtaking.
What is ecotourism?
Before diving into the ecotourism hot spots, let’s get one thing clear: what really is ecotourism? To put it plainly, ecotourism is a specific type of travel industry that focuses on responsible travel in combination with sustainable practices for both the locals and the surrounding environment.
Generally, ecotourism focuses on the beauty of nature, rather than man-made cities. Since ecotourism has truly blown up as a travel option in the past several years, this means previously unreachable destinations are now easier than ever to travel to. Get excited about all the options that are now available to you, because there are a lot you’ll want to put on your bucket list.
““Ecotourism is a specific type of travel industry that focuses on responsible travel in combination with sustainable practices for both the locals and the surrounding environment.””
Hunt the Northern Lights in Iceland
Witnessing the raw and all-encompassing beauty of the aurora borealis is a pleasure far few get to experience. With the phenomena only being visible for certain parts of the year (and in specific areas of the globe), picking the right time and place to go hunting for the northern lights is key.
Luckily, the lights are visible in many areas of Iceland from September to April. This is far longer than many areas receive, so there are already several ecotourism excursion options for seeing the lights. You can hop on a tour bus in Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital city, for an overnight driving tour of the countryside and potential aurora borealis sightings. Or, for more adventurous travelers, take an overnight boat trip for a chance to spot the lights. Plenty of tour companies offer guaranteed sightings or your money back–a chance I am more than willing to take!
Climb a Volcano in Guatemala
If you are truly into rugged excursions, then visiting Guatemala to hike one of its three active volcanoes might be the choice for you! Out of the three, the most popular is Pacaya Volcano, located about an hour and a half from Guatemala City. Although the weather is always beautiful in Guatemala, try to schedule your trip in the dry season–between April and November.
Locals offer guided tours and hikes of each volcano out of Guatemala City, Antigua, and Lake Atitlan. In fact, many tour guides bring materials to roast marshmallows and s’mores on the open flames of the lava flows. Some even bring pizza dough for hikers to build their own pie. What could be better?
Camp in the Sahara Desert in Morocco
Before you write this option off completely, let me clarify: camping, in this sense, is used rather loosely. Taking an excursion into the Sahara Desert, the largest and most inhospitable desert in the world, can be as nice as any five-star hotel. With plenty of glamping opportunities, some encampments even offer free WiFi.
While many tours originate from the capital city of Morocco, Marrakesh, you can also start your journey into the desert from Ourazazate. Some tours take you to your desert oasis via car or even helicopter, but for a more eco-friendly option, you can take a camel out to camp. During your stay, be sure to soak in the starry nights and luxuriate in the blissful Saharan sun. Make your plans to visit in late autumn or early spring to avoid the harshest of the sun’s rays.
Snorkel in the least visited National Park
With over 1.3 billion annual visitors in 2022, the US national parks rarely have an issue stirring up guests. The National Park of American Samoa, however, barely scratched 1,800 guests for the entire calendar year. Cross this national park off your bucket list and up the visitation numbers all in one visit.
Traveling to this archipelago is tricky, which is probably what contributes to the small number of visitors each year. Direct flights leave twice weekly from Honolulu, and certain cruise lines stop by the islands on their voyages. With the national park spanning three islands and over 13,000 acres, you will find plenty to do in this tropical paradise. Nearly 30% of the park’s area is made up of coral reefs just off the coast, so don’t forget to bring your bathing suit and snorkel!
Stay on a farm in Montana
A subtype of ecotourism, agritourism focuses on agricultural excursions. Most of the time, these getaways involve staying on a farm or ranch. With plenty of farmland and breathtaking views, Montana certainly makes the list for ecotourism destinations.
Although every farmstay is unique, often you can find beautiful ranches with plenty of livestock to keep you company. Montana has the added benefit of hosting not just one, but two of the most visited national parks: Glacier and Yellowstone. In between walks through apple orchards and hayrides, be sure to stop by these parks to experience some of the classic big sky Montana is known for.
Take an orangutan trek in Indonesia
Sumatra is one of the westernmost islands that make up Indonesia. Although it is a bit out of the way, it makes a perfect destination for your next overseas adventure. Known for beautiful beaches and delicious seafood, Sumatra is also home to one of the last jungles where you can find orangutans in their natural habitat.
Local guides offer plenty of overnight trek opportunities to seek out the orange primates. These hikes can be tailored to your experience level, so you can feel at ease when stepping into the jungle. Since the guides are born and raised in Sumatra, they are not only incredibly familiar with the flora and fauna, they also recognize the orangutans and even have names for them!
Find a bit of everything in New Zealand
Although New Zealand spans approximately the same area as the state of Colorado, the country has plenty of outdoor activities to meet anyone's needs. From glacier hiking in the south, volcano chasing in the north, and beautiful views at every turn, you will not grow bored.
And, because New Zealand is one of the world’s leading users of sustainable energy, eco-conscientiousness is at the forefront of many tours that you can take across the country. Once you make it to Auckland, the biggest airport in New Zealand (and generally the most accessible), you can figure out which ecosystem most tickles your fancy. Will you choose to hike waterfalls in the Te Urewera rainforest or kayak through fjords along the southern coast? Why not do a bit of everything!
Keep in mind, this list is not exhaustive! This is only a small sampling of the ecotourism destinations you can take advantage of. We want to help you feel well-informed and responsible when traveling this year (or next!). But our number one goal is to make sure that you have fun! I hope you are feeling inspired and excited for all the places you can see in the year ahead.
