Ecotourism tips

The story of the Forest of Immortal Stories begins not so long ago, in 2019, when Elena-Mirela Cojocaru, beloved wife of Ion Cojocaru, mayor of the hamlet of Nucsoara, died after a struggle with cancer. Mr. Cojocaru himself soon fell ill with a heart ailment; as a remedy his doctor told him to walk in the countryside, 6,000 or more steps a day.

Located in the eastern reaches of Sub-Saharan Africa, the verdant nation of Uganda has cemented itself as one of the region’s foremost destinations for ecotourism, with no shortage of fascinating native species to discover during a visit. While birds like the broad-billed roller, brown snake eagle and red-chested sunbird serve as a prominent draw for avian aficionados, the country is best known for its large population of mountain gorillas—and for those hoping to marvel at these gentle creatures in the flesh, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge serves as the perfect base.

Equipped with vast swathes of tangled rainforest and both a Pacific and Caribbean coast, the Central American nation of Panama is rife with spectacular natural beauty all across its borders—and the province of Veraguas is no exception. Spanning from the western reaches of the Azuero Peninsula up to the nation’s northern shore, this sprawling region offers a wide array of dazzling attractions for visitors to enjoy. As you plan your next trip to Panama City, be sure to save some room on the itinerary for a trip to Veraguas, a gorgeous region that’s rife with top-tier attractions for nature lovers.

While North America is home to its fair share of fascinating animals—the grizzly bear, American bison and American alligator, to name a few—this sprawling nation is no slouch when it comes to plantlife, either. Across the colder reaches of the continent, the icy grip of winter is beginning to thaw, ushering in a new round of colorful flowers for tourists to admire. From native superblooms to carefully-manicured lavender gardens, the following regions offer a spectacular array of flora that are perfect for a memorable spring vacation.

While the coastal Mexican city of Cancun is equipped with a massive array of lavish resorts across its Hotel Zone, you don’t have to travel far to find an idyllic escape that’s far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. Located just north of Playa del Carmen, the all-inclusive Sandos Caracol Eco Resort serves as a bastion of Latin American biodiversity just past the downtown area, offering lavish accommodations for visitors and vast swathes of pristine forest for the region’s native fauna.

Tired of tourists, long lines, smoggy cities, and commercialized entertainment? While those options have a place in our vacation plans, more and more travelers are moving away from tourist-heavy destinations in favor of quieter, nature-loving adventures.

We haven’t even set foot off the dock before we spot a white shark. “Eleven o’clock, two boat lengths,” says Paul Garganigo, one of the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s (AWSC) private charter captains.

While the Caribbean is home to its fair share of wildlife-filled islands—Saint Lucia, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico, to name a few—one of the region’s most underrated ecotourism destinations measures in at just a mere thirteen square kilometers in area. Known as Saba, this dazzling Dutch overseas region holds a king-sized level of biodiversity in spite of its small size, packed full of fascinating fish, reptiles, and birds for visitors to marvel at—and when it comes to avian life in particular, the Saba Bird Fest is one of the island’s most unmissable events.

Let’s face it: it’s not easy coming up with adventure trips that will satisfy the most ambitious travelers. These are people who’ve “been there, done that” and are asking, “What’s next?” Coming up with fresh and intriguing ways to see a new part of the world or visiting a well-trodden destination — but in a different way — takes enormous creativity and planning. Here are 5 new adventures for 2024 that should appeal to the well-traveled adventurous spirits out there.

South America’s Guyana, one of the most densely forested areas in the world, has piqued the interest of U.S. adventure seekers with its remote expedition appeal. 

Egypt is making measurable progress in sustainable travel and tourism efforts, with two towns dedicated exclusively to sustainable travel. A recent report by Bain & Company highlights the small “eco-village” of El-Qula’an and the resort town of El Gouna as two locations within Egypt centered around environmental practices.

The term “safari,” which comes from the Swahili for “journey,” is now used to describe ecotourism experiences beyond those in Africa. When English speakers adopted the term, it originally referred to bush hunting trips; as those waned in popularity over the 20th century, “safari” became less associated with hunting, and more associated with what professionals today refer to as photographic safaris. We now see the term “safari” apply to ecotourism experiences like tiger safari in the jungles of Ranthambore, India; puma safari in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park; polar bear safari in sub-arctic Canada. And while I haven’t yet heard any Massachusetts locals explicitly use the term yet, I would like to proclaim here and now: a shark safari in the waters off Cape Cod—which is estimated to have the highest density of white sharks in the world—should now be counted on that list.

Located at the confluence of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, Isla Mujeres serves as a treasure trove of North American biodiversity, with bottlenose dolphins, sailfish, and green sea turtles all thriving in its surrounding waters—yet one animal in particular has long suffered due to human activity. Though they play a prominent role in the local marine ecosystem, sharks are often unnecessarily culled due to their reputation as mindless killing machines, and in the Quintana Roo area, the animals have historically been targeted by the local fishing industry as well.