Be a responsible traveler!!

Ecotourism is a form of tourism that involves a responsible and conscientious manner, with nature and the environment that surrounds it, including the local community.

Traveling in Harmony: Research your intended destination prior to travelling. A better understanding of the country you are visiting will hold in far better stead for all aspects of your trip.

Remember that not all the countries have the same level economy or development, so try not to expect same facilities or services you are used to in your country. Not only will it give a broader understanding of the culture and history of your chosen destination, but it will also help you to appreciate the 'world view' of the nation you choose to visit.

Through a little reading, you will learn a number of the ' do's and don'ts' of the region you have chosen to visit. Every country has different social taboos. Through researching the area you are visiting, you will be less likely to accidentally offend those in your host country.

With conscientious travel comes the responsibility to try and assimilate into the culture you are visiting. Through learning even a few words of the local language you will be making a huge step towards showing that you have an interest in the area you are visiting, by showing that you have made an effort to be a part of their culture.

There are endless resources available in all mediums to research your chosen destination.

Water: some people somehow waste bucketloads of water while they´re on vacation. Being on vacation doesn´t mean you are allowed to waste resources from other countries.

Recreational activities: when boating, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, tubing or diving; please be very careful not to damage ecosystems by littering, polluting, or stepping on fragile aquatic habitats (such as coral reefs in Riviera Maya)

Archaeological zones: While visiting or climbing archaeological zones be very respectful , one or two tourist may not cause visible harm, but hundreds over time can do substantial damage.

There are some simple steps you may follow to be a responsible traveler:

1. Use the same linens and towels in your hotel room throughout your stay. It's like when you're at home, you probably don't change your sheets and towels everyday, so while do it while you're on vacation? Average hotel room consumes more than two hundred gallons of water per day!

2. Travel in groups. A party of four in a taxi, reduces fuel consumption, instead of traveling by your own in a cab. And if you take a bus, that's even better because for the amount of fuel it takes for you to go a mile in a car, you can go five miles in a bus.

3. Pack lightly. Every additional ten pounds per traveler requires an additional 350 million gallons of fuel per year, which is enough to keep a 747 flying continously for ten years!!

4. Adventure Travel. Adventure travel is a way to become actively engaged with new cultures and environments, as well as hopefully becoming more aware and respectful of the outdoors. Stay on paths when you tour or hike. In delicated habitats, vegetation destruction and rock slides can easily be caused by trampling of too many people.

5. Camera. Use digital camera instead of one that needs film, avoid disposable cameras that become trash. Use rechargable batteries.

6. Hotels. Look into visiting eco-friendly hotels. They offer prices that are similar to regular hotels, but have facilities and programs to conserve energy and water.

7. Time of year. Try traveling during off season. Besides you'll get great hotel deals and travel packages, you will avoid crowds and lines at sites and attractions.

8. Toiletries Pack your own shampoo, soap, and toothpaste instead of relying on those provided in most hotels. Why? Because you'll get the product you want and you'll create less plastic waste.

9. Lights. Turn them off when you leave the hotel room. Unplug your adapters when you're on the road. And also unplug your appliances at home when you are going to leave on vacation.

10. Souvenirs. Buy souvenirs from local manufacturers, it helps support the economies of the sites you're visiting, besides it's more original to get a local souvernir rather than trinkets made somewhere else.