EcoTourism
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Colombia boasts huge mountain ranges, large portions of the Amazon, and endless coastline and surf breaks. But can a country come back from a civil war to become a mecca for adventure?
If you're planning a trip to Kiwi country, take these tips from someone who's lived there
A national park conservation advocate shares his advice on how to avoid crowds, get off the beaten path, see wildlife, and find adventure
Heather Hansman’s new book is a must-read for anyone who loves rivers or is concerned about the future of the West
You don't need to destroy something to experience it
New Mexico lawmakers in pursuit of tourism dollars could help push the niche sport into the mainstream, as well as boost visitors to one of the country’s great, overlooked long-distance routes
For a picturesque Tibetan village, an increase in tourists represents a complicated past and an uncertain future
After three days of climbing and bolting in this area, we headed home, convinced that rural Indonesia has the potential to become a dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts
In the wake of the widely publicized near-failure of the country’s tallest earthen dam last month, locals in Oroville, California, are wondering how to leverage the disaster as a tourist attraction
As Arctic sea ice melts, business for Alaskan passenger ships is booming. Can the fragile region handle the traffic?
Canadian Derek Kesek has set about making the first airplane made almost entirely of hemp. That’s right, Cannabis. (Don’t bother with the “flying high” jokes, he’s heard them all.)
Don't plan any vacations before reading this year's Best of Travel winners.
That's what they call the southern Indian state of Kerala, a laid-back tropical paradise where you can paddle hidden backwaters, trek the rugged Western Ghats, look for tigers, indulge in Ayurvedic treatments, and chill out on unspoiled beaches. Just leave your manic Western self behind.
A nonprofit aims to publicize never-before-seen footage of marine life in its natural, undisturbed habitat. The goal? Develop the ultimate marine observation tool.
Can't get to the slopes yourself? There's a virtual reality goggle for that.
Canadian Kate Harris' sure-fire two-step guide on how to become a modern explorer.
Mountains, water, and Incan myths collide in this Peruvian playground.
From nearby to far-flung and exotic, we've got seven islands to cure your winter wanderlust. Turns out one of the most spectacular is right around the corner.
Think you know a deserving lodge, guide, or service? Show us your best.
Explorer Daniel Fox has paddled some of the world's wildest places in search of images that can reconnect us with nature—but not humanize it. His startling Wild Image Project brings wildlife up close and personal, asking viewers to reconsider their relationship with the environment. "Nature is raw, rough, cruel, pretty, beautiful, inspiring, but above all, a humble experience," Fox says. And that's a great thing.
For one young chief, protecting his people means embracing ecotourism.
Climate change is opening up more than ice fields—it's stoking a new tourism economy.
Think you're ready for the world's longest stand-up paddleboard race? We'll be the judge.
On the 100th anniversary of Ernest Shackleton's legendary expedition, a writer retraces the explorer's steps to one of the cruelest, most gorgeous wildernesses on earth.
I want to explore the best of what nature has to offer. Where can I find some up-and-coming ecotourism sites?
A photo is only worth 1,000 words if you know how to capture the right one. These six programs can help.
If we’re actually concerned about climate change and our contribution to it, should we really be flying all over the world to visit places for fun? The simple answer is no. The International Council on Clean Transportation, a nonprofit that helps transportation industries around the world become more…
The Pennine Way, England’s first national trail, turns 50 this year. Even if it’s literally over the hill, the 268-mile route of rolling terrain is as popular as ever, especially this weekend. July 12 marks the annual National Trails geocache release, during which new coins…
From long flights to backpacking treks, one of the ugly universal truths of travel is a condition known as stanky bottom. Toilet paper is no match for this. In fact, it often exacerbates the problem, causing chafing and other issues. When stanky bottom strikes—and strike it will—you’re going to need…
Ragsdale and her family find that it's impossible not to leave a trace in an isolated Amazonian village—and for the village not to leave something with them.
In the Sundarbans region of India and Bangladesh, some of the world's last wild tigers roam free and ravenous. An expedition to film these elusive predators is tricky business. You may not see them, but they almost certainly are watching you.
The most wholesome flip-flops in the world?
It’s true that Costa Rica stopped being a traveler’s secret sometime during the Reagan Administration. But who cares? Its relative popularity doesn’t diminish the untouched beauty and adventure that this Central American country offers travelers—especially if you go off the beaten path. Follow these tips for planning the ultimate…
Amy Ragsdale learns to appreciate life's simple beauties through her children's eyes
Is there a more abused word in the travel writer’s lexicon than “escape”? But it really does describe a Belizean vacation. Belcampo: Room 1 and the room of your dreams. The Central American country has all the makings for a timeout from reality, including multiple ecosystems to explore (swampy planes,…
There are few species more in need of a helping hand than the sea turtle: All seven species are on threatened or endangered lists. And thanks to the turtles’ penchant for secluded, sandy beaches, altruists planning volunteer trips have exotic vacations in store—bonus! Most volunteer work involves working at a…
I want to ride an elephant, but I also want to ensure the animals are cared for well. Where should I go?
Hey, why shouldn't sweet holiday swag help save the planet? Here are 5 gifts that give back.
A clean, green, LEED-certified hostel in south Chattanooga where athletes of all stripes feel at home.
I’m headed to Hawaii, but lying on the beach is not my thing. What hikes would you recommend?
Tomorrow, on World Water Day, a new start-up is launching a program that aims to raise $1 billion to improve clean water infrastructure by convincing resorts around the world to stop importing plastic bottles
Using source-to-sea boat trips and an ultramarathon, Rivers for Change is trying to cast rivers as arteries, not just playgrounds
The first of a new Adventure Ethics feature wherein we profile those whose work places them at the intersection of adventure and environmental issues
Metallic mining in Wisconsin used to be tightly regulated. Mining Bill SB 1, signed into law by Scott Walker on Monday, is changing that.
Where can I find a cheap private island?
Until all is perfect on the Yucatan front, tourists must do their part to be a responsible addition to the ecotourism equation. How?
The Patagonia founder dishes on environmental activism and the outdoor apparel industry at a sustainable business conference in San Francisco
Costa rica is basically one giant, overrun eco-resort, right? Not here.
There is no explicit definition of ocean or marine wilderness anywhere in the world, but there are about a dozen generally-agreed-upon places in the United States where you can—and should—see it
I'm a pretty sustainably minded person and for my next vacation, I want to go to a low-impact resort that's not too insanely far from home. What are the best eco-lodges in North America?
I want to ride the best rapids in the Caribbean. Where should I start?
Need to get away? Far away? Where you, and maybe someone else, can spend some time on an endless beach and in a whole lot of water? Here you go.
Decades after the Soviet-era meltdown drove 60,000 people from their homes in the Ukraine, a rebirth is taking place inside the exclusion zone. With Geiger counter in hand, the author explores Europe's strangest wildlife refuge, an enchanted post-apocalyptic forest from which entirely new species may soon emerge.