These travelers are camping on the shores of a peaceful lagoon in Cajas National Park, located in the highlands of Ecuador. The name "Cajas" is derived from the indigenous Quichua word that means "gateway to the snowy mountains." Traveling with a sustainable tour operator like Expediciones Apullacta will ensure that you not only enjoy the best trails and camping spots, but also that you won't cause any unintentional harm to these fragile ecosystems.

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This entry was posted on June 14, 2013 at 9:45 AM and has received 350 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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Welcome to Corcovado National Park, the place with the most biodiversity on Earth! Located in Costa Rica's south Pacific coast, on the famous Osa Peninsula, this park has been called "the most intense place on Earth, biologically speaking," by National Geographic, as it is estimated that there is no other place on the planet that is home to such a vast and dense biological diversity. In other words, travelers who visit Corcovado will be treated to a natural spectacle of living creatures that exists nowhere else in the world!

Corcovado is made up of 99,000 land acres and 13,000 marine acres in which 3-4% of the world's biodiversity is found, including 50% of Costa Rica's total species. The park conserves the last existing humid tropical forest of the Mesoamerican Pacific and the largest primary forest of the American Pacific.

The park is home to a considerable number of known wildlife species: 140 species of mammals, more than 360 birds, of which 40 are in danger of extinction, some 180 amphibians and reptiles, including four species of marine turtles, and 40 freshwater fish species. Many beautiful and biologically important animals are among the species in danger of extinction, including the guacamaya or scarlet macaw, the white-lipped peccary, the jaguar, and the American crocodile.

Thousands of plant species also inhabit the park, many of which have restricted habitats or have already disappeared from other regions. It is estimated that there are 2,100 plant species, of which 139 are endemic (meaning they are unique to this location), and some 700 tree species, of which 49 are in danger of extinction.

Apart from being biologically rich, Corcovado is a destination with unique beauty. Its forests have remained largely pristine since the area has never been too populated. When the park was established in 1975, the 300 farmers who lived there were compensated to relocate so that the area could be protected from the harmful effects of agriculture. For almost 40 years, the park has been designated exclusively for conservation, scientific research, environmental education, and regulated ecotourism.

These characteristics make Corcovado a dream destination for nature-loving visitors, including both casual ecotourists and hardcore backpackers. The park has a dozen trails running through its virgin forests, varying between half a mile (1 km) and 12 miles (20 km). If you are quiet and have a bit of luck, it is possible to catch a glimpse of the animals that live here.

Crossing these trails leads to the park's 12 miles (20 km) of beautiful beaches, though swimmers should exercise caution because the shores are quite rocky, the currents are very strong, and the waters are often inhabited by crocodiles and bull sharks. There are four range stations that serve as access points for tourists. All visitors who enter the park must have an admission ticket and register with the rangers. Two of these stations offer lodging, including rooms with bunk beds as well as campsites for adventurous tourists who wish to spend the night in Corcovado and cover more of the park.

The visitors that prefer one-day tours can stay in nearby areas. The tours to the park depart from Drake's Bay, Sierpe, Dominical, and Puerto Jiménez, all ecotourism sites of great beauty in their own right. Drake's Bay is usually the preferred departure point for tourists because of its beautiful beaches. Those who choose to depart from Sierpe have the advantage of crossing the scenic wetlands and the Térraba-Sierpe forest mangroves, the second largest wetland in Latin America. Sierpe is also known for its stone spheres, a set of more than 500 petroshperes created by the Indians more than 100 years ago. These are considered unique in the world for their number, size, perfection, and abstract organization.

The Osa Peninsula offers various sustainable hotels and ecolodges that you can find listed on SustainableTrip.org.

This entry was posted on June 12, 2013 at 9:06 AM and has received 719 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Did you know that chocolate grows on trees? Those green and yellow pods you see in the picture above are hanging from a cocoa tree, and the seeds they contain will be fermented, dried, roasted, and turned into chocolate you can buy at the grocery store! As agritourism rises in popularity, cocoa farms like this one in Nicaragua are welcoming more and more travelers who are curious about where their food comes from--and it doesn't hurt that cocoa is grown in beautiful tropical destinations! On a farm tour, you'll meet local farmers and their families and get a glimpse into authentic rural life.

This photo was taken on a tour with Vapues Tours.

This entry was posted on June 6, 2013 at 4:32 PM and has received 649 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Belize is a small Central American country teeming with wonderful travel experiences for both beach-and-sand tourists as well as eco- and adventure tourists. Read on to find out why Belize should be at the top of your travel bucket list!

1. No habla español?

Unlike the rest of Central America, Belize was a colony of Britain, not Spain. Consequently, the official language of Belize is English. That means everyone from your taxi driver, to your waiter, to the local shopkeeper will speak English – and no need to haphazardly guess when reading maps, signs, or menus either!

2. World-class diving

Belize is perhaps most famous for being one of the world's best scuba diving and snorkeling destinations. Just offshore in the Caribbean Sea lies the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second longest coral reef system in the world. Underwater explorers will feast their eyes on many beautiful, colorful, and rare marine species such as West Indian manatees, whale sharks, and loggerhead sea turtles. Also check out the Blue Hole – a 400-foot deep underwater sinkhole and a mesmerizing natural wonder that is famous among divers.

3. Surf & turf

The former fishing village of Placencia boasts long stretches of soft sand and turquoise water and also serves as a great base for day trips to nearby lagoons and nature reserves. Ambergis Caye and Caye Caulker are two islands off the northern coast of Belize with a characteristic, laid back island vibe. All three destinations offer easy access to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.

Travel inland and you'll find lush rainforest ecosystems with rich biodiversity. The Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve and Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary are particularly well-known for their vast array of wildlife, especially birds. Hiking, cave exploration, canoeing, and waterfalls are all part of the experience in the jungles of Belize.

4. Mayan ruins everywhere

They say you can't throw a stone in Belize without hitting a Mayan ruin. The area that is now known as Belize was actually the heart of the Maya Empire during its peak. There are hundreds of archeological sites within the country, most of which have yet to be excavated. Read our blog entry on the Mayan Jewels of Belize to discover the country's best Mayan sites.

5. Say goodbye to the crowds

Caribbean beaches, world-class diving, lush rainforests, and Maya culture – surely such a spectacular destination will ensure a constant battle for the last spot on the beach/bus/tour? Guess again! Not only does Belize have the lowest population density in Central America, it receives only about 250,000 tourists each year. In comparison, Nicaragua receives four times as many tourists annually, while Costa Rica receives a whopping 8.7 times as many! So, no need to worry about crowds, traffic, or waiting in line after line. In Belize, you'll finally have that peaceful and relaxing vacation you've always dreamed of.

Sustainable hotels and tours in Belize »

This entry was posted on June 5, 2013 at 10:39 AM and has received 933 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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In 1991, Laurent Richardier traveled from France to Nicaragua to finish his studies in tropical agronomy and local development. A few years later, his education, career, and personal goals led him to stay in that country to somehow help it reemerge after the devastating civil war that had left violence, sadness, poverty, and much underdevelopment.

Richardier now owns DETOUR Viajes y Cultura, a Rainforest Alliance Verified™ tour operator that is this month's winner of our "Making a Difference" award.

He tells us more about his company's work and how he has helped his adopted country advance through sustainable tourism.

Question: How did you come up with the idea of opening a tour agency as a tool for helping local development in Nicaragua?

Richardier: In 2000, the country began offering tourism products, primarily in rural community tourism, and that's when I thought this could be the most effective vehicle for local development. This type of tourism involves local communities, it was ideal for exposing the living culture and the warmth of the Nicaraguans, and it would be a channel to help them rescue, use, and protect their natural and cultural resources. In 2001, as an inbound operator, I developed itineraries that involved experiences with community residents -- staying in their homes, fishing with local fishermen, riding with cowboys ... Thus DETOUR Viajes y Cultura was born.

Q: What is your motivation to adopt and promote sustainable tourism?

R: It's a matter of conscience. DETOUR's mission is based on the desire to maintain hope and build a better future. To do this, we must carry out more responsible economic activities, protect ecosystems, ensure that culture and local economic development exists in harmony, and that communities can endure thanks to stable local development.

Q: What inspired you to become Rainforest Alliance Verified?

R: We thought it would help us gain visibility and effectiveness as a company, and we believed that Nicaragua had the perfect conditions for offering sustainable tourism and promoting this image globally. We also needed technical assistance to work in a more sustainable and orderly way. Personally, I wanted to expand my knowledge and achieve a high level of professionalism through the training that the Rainforest Alliance offers. In addition, I knew that with this training, my company could motivate local suppliers and community partners to be more aware, more professional, and more sustainable. In the end, they could gain more benefits and receive more responsible visitors!

Q: What are some of DETOUR's key sustainability initiatives?

R: Our work on sustainability consists of many small details. Two days a year, we train freelance guides on sustainability, quality of service, and tourist awareness. We are implementing a new tool with our transportation providers to control fuel consumption and we promote "zero-carbon" tours. In Granada, we give $5 incentives to those who use bicycles instead of taxis to get to the port where they start their tour of the islands, and we encourage other hoteliers and tour operators to promote the use of bicycles to their customers.

We focus on designing increasingly sustainable excursions with packages for low environmental impact and high socio-economic impact, such as new treks and multi-day expeditions in kayak, on horseback, or by bicycle. We also analyze our itineraries each year to eliminate unnecessary travel and we include more hotels that participate in sustainability programs, particularly those that are verified by the Rainforest Alliance. In addition, we try to convince the hotel owners with whom we have worked for a long time to adopt sustainability, and we seek communities that are starting to work in tourism to help them and include them in our "cultural adventures" packages.

Finally, we are developing solidarity tourism. We have partnered with two local NGOs that work on sustainable development and poverty reduction to integrate visits to the communities and schools where they work into our itineraries. As a result, many tourists have become involved in their activities, providing volunteer labor and money for projects such as digging a well or installing a solar-powered home lighting system in a rural area. DETOUR also contributes $100 per month to a volunteer who is doing social work in the community.

Q: How do you support the sustainable development of local communities in Nicaragua?

R: We believe that the best way to help them is by generating sustainable rural tourism activities. Our duty is to include their rich cultural and natural heritage in our tourism activities, so that they can generate income and get jobs and self-employment, while we help them to make use of this heritage with the least negative impact and protect it. In the Rio Escalante-Chacocente Wildlife Refuge in Nicaragua's southern Pacific region, there is a tourism cooperative composed of former turtle egg hunters and gatherers who now protect the reserve, so we include them in all the itineraries we can! We also promote and help numerous existing social and environmental initiatives in the communities. For example, our tours include visits to women's groups that make and sell crafts, we take tourists to eat at a restaurant run by deaf-mute young people, and at the end of their stay in the country, all of our groups attend a mime and comedy show performed by children rescued from the streets.

Q: Do you collaborate with other tour operators in Nicaragua?

R: Along with our eight colleagues that belong to the Tour Operators Promoting Sustainability (TOPS) program in Nicaragua, we aim to be a lobbying force before the National Assembly and the Ministry of Tourism from the perspective of sustainable businesses in order to inform policymaking or projects that promote the adoption of sustainability as a general policy for the country. This year, we developed a collaborative project that includes a plan to train national guides and tourism transport companies in sustainability; financial support to hotel suppliers who wish to obtain Rainforest Alliance verification; the creation of 100% sustainable packages and a TOPS catalog; participation in the Green Summit, a conference on sustainability in Nicaragua that will be associated with the upcoming Central American Travel Market Fair 2014; and trips with foreign journalists to show them the country's sustainable destinations and products.

Q: What are the main challenges that tour operators face in operating sustainably?

R: Positively influencing colleagues, suppliers, and community stakeholders who still have little awareness. Isolated efforts do not have major effect and so we must promote a sustainable travel collective for the country as a destination, and for that we need to talk and promote ourselves and these ideals. Our challenge as a sustainable operator is to promote and support local policies for sustainability, working together as a sector and closely with local governments.

This entry was posted on May 29, 2013 at 11:13 AM and has received 666 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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This might be the most beautiful volcano photo we've ever seen! Concepción Volcano is one of the two volcanoes that form Ometepe Island, a popular ecotourist destination in Nicaragua. Hikers can explore the rich forests of its lower reaches, while the more adventurous can complete the 10-hour ascent to the summit and earn a spectacular 360 degree view that allows you to see both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.

This entry was posted on May 24, 2013 at 10:02 AM and has received 482 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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The travel off-season (or "low season") typically coincides with summer and fall in the United States and Europe. Savvy travelers know that traveling during this time of the year usually means lower prices and fewer crowds, particularly in warm weather destinations like Latin America and the Caribbean. This is especially convenient for family vacations, as you don't have to worry about the kids missing any school. Many airlines, tour operators, large hotels, and small lodges offer significant discounts for off-season travelers, some with rates that are half the price compared to the high season! Read on for country-specific tips for off-season travel, including sustainable hotels with discounted rates.*

Mexico

If you're heading to the famed Riviera Maya, you'll find cheaper rates from May after the spring break rush though early December before the holidays, and the beaches of this popular tourist destination will be considerably less crowded. The restaurants and shops of Cancun and Playa del Carmen will also be cheaper, as will tours to nearby attractions like the Maya ruins of Tulum.

Note that late summer typically coincides with Mexico's rainy season. Depending on the year and your particular destination, this could mean anything from an hour of moderate rain in the afternoon to a hurricane passing through -- so be sure to do your research and be aware of the risks before booking your trip.

A few sustainable accommodations to consider:

• Hotel Rosewood Mayakoba is a gorgeous all-inclusive resort on the beach in Playa del Carmen. Rates start at $475/night in the low season (compared to $750/night in the high season).
• Hotel Barceló Costa Cancún is a Mediterranean-style all-inclusive resort in Cancun. Rates start at $157/night for a double room in the low season (compared to $340/night in the high season).

Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, May through November is considered the rainy season. The air is still warm even if it's raining, so most tours will run regardless of the weather. Less customers means you'll get more personalized attention during activities such as zip lining and kayaking. There will be fewer people at the beach and everything from hotels to restaurants will be cheaper.

The low season is also a great time of year for wildlife watching. Flocks of migratory birds pass through in autumn along their journey south for the winter. If you want to see sea turtles, peak nesting season is in April and May for leatherbacks and August and September for green turtles on the Caribbean coast, and in August to November for olive ridleys on the Pacific coast. Peak season for humpback whale watching is from August through October on the Pacific coast. Keep in mind that the whale watching tours themselves will be more expensive during their peak season, but you can still find cheaper prices for accommodations, amenities, and other activities in the area.

A few sustainable accommodations in Costa Rica:

• La Laguna del Lagarto Lodge is a rainforest ecolodge in northern Costa Rica. Double rooms are $40/night from May to October (compared to $72/night in the high season).
• L'Acqua Viva Resort & Spa is a high-end hotel in Playa Nosara, on the north Pacific coast near prime olive ridley turtle nesting sites. Deluxe rooms are $199/night from May to November (compared to $240/night during peak season).
• Lapa Ríos is a luxury ecolodge on the Osa Peninsula near humpback whale calving areas. Single rooms are $350/night from May to October (compared to $510/night in the high season).
• Esquinas Rainforest Lodge is a rainforest ecolodge in Piedras Blancas National Park in southern Costa Rica. Single rooms are $100/night from May to June and $139/night from July to October (compared to $161/night in the high season).

Belize

Belize's rainy season is from May to November and is generally characterized by a passing afternoon shower. Average rainfall is significantly higher in the south. Hurricane season is from August to October, so be sure to keep your eye on weather news if you're planning on benefiting from the steep drop in prices during those months.

Some sustainable accommodations in Belize:

• San Ignacio Resort Hotel is in the Cayo district of Belize on the western bank of the Macal River. Single rooms are $144/night from May to November (compared to $168/night in the high season).
• Black Orchid Resort is on the banks of the wildlife-rich Old River. Double rooms are $115/night from July to November (compared to $140/night in the high season).
• Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort is a beautifully constructed high-end hotel on the central coast. Double beachfront rooms are $251/night from June to mid-December (compared to $398/night in the high season).

Caribbean

The low season in the Caribbean is roughly from mid-April to mid-December but price drops vary greatly depending on the island and even the individual hotel. The beaches will be far less crowded even though the weather is still hot and sunny. Hurricane season peaks in August to October, so check weather forecasts before you choose your dates. In some areas where visitation drops sharply, restaurants and other businesses will close for the season and hotels will offer fewer amenities. Be sure to ask what will be available during your stay before you book!

Some sustainable accommodations in the Caribbean:

• Hotel Mocking Bird Hill is a luxury boutique hotel in Port Antonio, Jamaica. A garden view room is $230/night from May to December (compared to $345/night in the high season).
• Sea-U Guest House is a charming bed & breakfast in the small village of Bathsheba on Barbados. Studio apartment-style accommodations cost $144/night from mid-April through October (compared to $184/night in the high season).

* All listed rates in USD and current as of May 2013.

This entry was posted on May 22, 2013 at 10:42 AM and has received 629 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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Would you like to visit some of Costa Rica's most popular eco-attractions? The Rainforest Alliance's annual "Picture Our Planet" photo contest gives you the chance to win a trip for two to Arenal Volcano, the famous Monteverde cloud forest, and the stunning beaches of Manuel Antonio.

Search through all of your travel photos and submit your best under any of these categories: iconic destinations, forests, water, wildlife, people and culture, or adventure tourism.

Don't miss the chance to visit Costa Rica and enjoy its lush forests, beautiful lagoons, hot springs, breathtaking cliffs, and white sand beaches. To submit your photos and to get more information, visit the Rainforest Alliance photo contest page. All photos must be submitted before June 30, so start digging through your photo archives!.

This entry was posted on May 17, 2013 at 3:41 PM and has received 236 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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There are many reasons to visit Mexico: its beautiful white sand beaches and turquoise waters of the Caribbean; on the other coast, the Pacific embellished each year with impressive gray whales; its towering mountains covered with green forests rich in biodiversity; the Aztec and Maya legacies that live on in wonderful archaeological ruins; the exquisite cuisine; and, last but not least, beautiful colonial cities and majestic haciendas, which have gained much fame among tourists.

Haciendas started to spring up in Mexico in the 17th century, mainly in eastern and southeastern Mexico: in Jalisco, Yucatan, Hidalgo, Campeche, Puebla and Tlaxcala. They started as strategic points for local and regional farm markets in areas that were rich in natural resources and had an available work force. These large, grand houses played a key role in the history and economy of Mexico during Spanish colonization as places where agribusiness was negotiated. Some specialized in producing livestock, sugar, cocoa, coffee, grains, agave or other crops.

Despite the passage of so many years, more than a hundred "hacienda farms" remain in operation in these regions, and many have even continued their agricultural activities, complete with the charm and traditions of rural Mexican life. Recently, in order to leverage their natural, historical, and cultural wealth, many owners of these colonial buildings have chosen to rehabilitate them and turn them into luxury hotels.

The haciendas have opened their doors to tourists interested in rural tourism, history, and reveling in splendid colonial architecture. Upon arriving at a farm, the visitor is greeted by a huge house with spacious gardens and terraces, pools, stone fountains, chapels and monasteries, and charming décor with antique details. Its corners are filled with stories of the past and impressive histories. If you look carefully, it is even possible to stay in homes where important conquerors and public figures of the era slept, such as Hernán Cortés, Emperor Maximilian, General Santa Ana, Pancho Villa, and Emiliano Zapata.

The experience of staying at a hacienda includes a wide variety of entertainment activities related to rural life: horseback riding for several hours from one hacienda to another, visiting bull-fighting arenas and iconic local churches, practicing cattle herding, milking cows, taking classes for a famous sport called charro, horseback riding and lassoing, and of course, enjoying typical rural Mexican food.

But there are also options for adventure tourists or those seeking modern comfort and facilities. In the areas surrounding many haciendas, you can take tours on bicycles or all-terrain vehicles, go rappelling or zip-lining, or simply relax in modern spas that include traditional hot baths called temazcal.

Also, many haciendas are also located near pre-Columbian sites and indigenous communities where you can appreciate another rich historical, architectural, and cultural legacy of Mexico.

With such varied opportunities, it is no wonder why tourists are turning their gaze to the haciendas of Mexico. These sites have become preferred destinations for weddings, corporate events, and even sets for movies.

At SustainableTrip.org we have a superb list of Mexican haciendas that also offer a sustainable tourism experience. Get to know them all and decide which ones will be a part of your next vacation:

• Hacienda Puerta Campeche
• Hacienda Santa José
• Hacienda Santa Rosa
• Hacienda Temozón
• Hacienda Uayamón

This entry was posted on May 16, 2013 at 5:57 AM and has received 574 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

High in the Isabelia Mountain Range in northern Nicaragua, there is a tropical cloud forest whose giant oak and fern trees date back to Jurassic times. These ancient trees provide shelter for a multitude of rare and exotic wildlife, including golden-winged warblers, pumas, and mountain lions. As World Migratory Bird Day approaches this weekend, we are celebrating this bountiful region as a haven for thousands of migratory birds that arrive each winter to escape colder northern climates.

Twenty years ago, as forests in the region were being destroyed to be replaced by coffee plantations, two people decided to save this important region. Lili Chavarría, an avid bird lover and ornithologist, and her husband Georges Duriaux, an organic coffee farmer, bought the 260-acre (120-hectare) tract of land from Lili's brother and named it the El Jaguar Private Wildlife Reserve and Organic Farm. Their vision was to create a model of sustainability based on three principles: environmental protection, sustainable production, and social responsibility.

Today, they welcome tourists and researchers to stay at their Rainforest Alliance Verified ecolodge and experience the beautiful flora and fauna that abounds in El Jaguar. Visitors have a choice of staying in one of the two-bedroom cabins or one-bedroom bungalows, or in the biological station with bunk beds. All of the accommodations have hot water and are powered by solar energy.

Visitors can see take tours of Georges and Lili's family-run sustainable coffee farm that produces high quality coffee using environmentally-friendly methods that enhances habitat for wildlife. You'll be able to check out the trees that coffee beans come from--they might look different than you'd expect! Their farm has been certified for sustainability by the Rainforest Alliance and their product was the first coffee selected by Whole Foods Market to receive the Authentic Food Artisan seal. The farm was also designated an "Important Bird Area" by the bird conservation organization BirdLife International.

El Jaguar is home to an abundance of biodiversity, including hundreds of birds, mammals, butterflies, orchids, bromeliads, and dragonflies. Researchers have catalogued all of the species they've come across in El Jaguar – which includes 285 bird species alone -- and the entire list is available on El Jaguar's website. The sheer size of the list gives you an idea of what a biologically rich area this really is! The nearby Lake Apanás is also a wonderful location for bird watching and boat tours.

For a cultural experience, travelers can visit the workshops of the black pottery artisans in Las Cureñas or make the 10-mile hike the picturesque town of San Rafael del Norte.

Georges and Lili were honored by the Rainforest Alliance as stewards of the forest for their work actively safeguarding the "lungs of our planet."

"We realized that in order to conserve our land, we needed to earn income from it," explains Georges. "I had experience with organic coffee production... [and] my wife is fascinated by ornithology and has always been a nature lover. So everything fell into place."

This entry was posted on May 10, 2013 at 11:38 AM and has received 1175 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.