5 Eco-Friendly Destinations for Mindful Travelers in the Age of Sustainable Tourism

Discover 5 eco-friendly destinations perfect for mindful travelers. From Costa Rica's lush rainforests to Norway's Arctic adventures, explore stunning locations that prioritize sustainability, conservation, and responsible tourism.
Liv Coning
Marketing Lead
5 Eco-Friendly Destinations for Mindful Travelers in the Age of Sustainable Tourism
Oct 04 2024

5 Eco-Friendly Destinations for Mindful Travelers in the Age of Sustainable Tourism

In an era where overtourism and environmental concerns are at the forefront of travelers' minds, it's crucial to choose destinations that not only offer unique experiences but also prioritize sustainability and responsible tourism. Here are five destinations that allow you to explore the world while minimizing your ecological footprint:
Image Caption

1. Costa Rica: A Pioneer in Eco-Tourism

Costa Rica has long been a leader in sustainable tourism, with its commitment to renewable energy and biodiversity conservation. Visitors can explore lush rainforests, relax on pristine beaches, and engage in wildlife conservation efforts. The country's eco-lodges and sustainable tour operators ensure that your visit contributes positively to local communities and ecosystems.
This 10 day itinerary and adventure guide to Costa Rica is the result of over 1 month spent exploring the country, dozens of hours of planning, and my in-person experience. It covers 3 regions of Costa Rica: La Fortuna, Santa Teresa, and Dominical/Uvita. These areas include a variety of waterfalls, hot springs, hikes, wildlife, beaches and much more which is why I decided to focus on these 3 specifically! The guide includes an fun features such as an interactive map, directions that connect directly to your phone’s Google or Apple Maps app, and the exact coordinates to some of my favorite hidden gems & activities. It lays out instructions to help you plan your perfect trip to this area including over 35 accommodation suggestions plus where I stayed myself, 13 waterfall locations, 4 hot springs experiences, 4 hiking destinations, 7 beautiful beaches, boat tours & island day trips, direct links to every resource you could need, exclusive photos and videos from me, and so much more! It’s mobile friendly when you download the Thatch App for free so you can easily access all of the info right from your phone! While the guide is laid out in a 10-day trip itinerary format, its designed to allow you the flexibility to pick what order you’d like to travel to each destination and choose what you want to do each day. It can easily be adjust for a shorter trip! I have hand-crafted this guide specifically for adventure travelers (like me!) and feel so confident you will have an amazing trip with this guide by your side 😏 As a part of your purchase of the guide, here are a few promises I can make you: 1. This is a LIVING guide: I will update it as I find more information and discover more places which means you have lifetime access to all updated information as it’s added! 2. I only make guides based on areas I have not only been to but know well! I have spent over 4 weeks exploring Costa Rica in order to narrow down the destinations & experiences I share in this guide. I include both activities that I have done myself as well as those that are on my bucketlist for next time I visit! I will always call out the ones I have not done yet and provide you the exact resources you need to experience them yourself! 3. These guides are completely transparent! You can be sure that all unfiltered opinions I provide are my own 🙃 If I include any sponsored information or affiliate links, I will be sure to call these out directly. I will only include these if they benefit you (such as a discount code or coupon!) Finally, this is the first time that I am releasing one of my photo presets!!! The preset comes for free included with this guide so you can edit all of your trip photos with that Costa Rica vibe - think rich blues, deep forest greens, and just a touch of grain. These are exclusively for my travel guides as I do not nor have I ever sold them anywhere else! This guide truly is everything you need to plan your entire trip all in one place. I can’t wait to hear & see your adventure! Feel free to send me a DM with your feedback & tag me in your photos! @katbennettphoto
$28.00
35
Image Caption

2. Slovenia: Europe's Hidden Green Gem

Often overlooked in favor of its more famous neighbors, Slovenia is a paradise for eco-conscious travelers. With its commitment to sustainable tourism practices, visitors can enjoy the picturesque Lake Bled, explore the charming capital Ljubljana (a car-free city center), and hike through the Julian Alps while supporting local, environmentally friendly businesses.
Image Caption

3. New Zealand: A Sanctuary for Nature and Sustainability

New Zealand exemplifies responsible tourism with its commitment to conservation and the "Tiaki Promise," encouraging visitors to care for the environment. From Milford Sound's fjords to Rotorua's geothermal wonders, the country offers diverse experiences while prioritizing ecological protection. Strict biosecurity measures and conservation programs safeguard native species like the kiwi and kakapo.
Visitors can enjoy eco-friendly activities such as hiking Great Walks, wildlife watching in marine reserves, and staying in sustainable lodges. Many Qualmark-certified tour operators ensure that tourism benefits both the environment and local communities.
Image Caption

4. Faroe Islands: Sustainable Nordic Archipelago

The Faroe Islands, an autonomous Danish territory between Iceland and Norway, offer a unique eco-friendly experience. Known for dramatic landscapes and innovative sustainability initiatives, the islands have implemented programs like the "closed for maintenance, open for voluntourism" project.
Visitors can enjoy sustainable activities such as hiking, birdwatching (especially puffins), and experiencing Nordic culture. The Faroese demonstrate a strong commitment to preserving their ecosystem through strict environmental regulations. By including the Faroe Islands, you'll introduce readers to a lesser-known Nordic gem that combines natural beauty with sustainable tourism.
The Faroe Islands are the kind of place you would visit for a maximum of a week, as it is an expensive destination, much like Iceland. Renowned for its spectacular sea cliff formations, puffins, and bird watching, this archipelago is perfect for any nature explorer. Although not as large as Iceland, the Faroe Islands consist of 18 main islands, some of which are easily reachable while others require a private helicopter or special permission. It is necessary to get a car rental to get around, as public transportation is infrequent, and without a car, you may be limited in terms of places you can visit. This itinerary is based on a car road trip. Tips: No cash is needed as everything can be paid for with a credit card. Check the ferry schedule online at https://www.ssl.fo/en/home. Supermarkets are closed on Sundays, except for Mylnan. Always verify the opening hours of takeaways and restaurants on their Facebook pages, as the opening hours on Google Maps may not be up to date. Most cafes and restaurants are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. There aren't many food places outside of the capital Tórshavn, so do plan for your meals, be it eating at cafes or restaurants or simply stocking on basic food necessities from the supermarkets. Purchase alcoholic beverages and soda at the airport for a lower price. Make sure to buy them before leaving the airport! If you have any questions, send me a DM on Instagram or email me at underratedwonders@gmail.com
Free
0
Image Caption

5. Norway: Sustainable Arctic Adventures

Norway offers a unique opportunity to experience the Arctic while supporting sustainable tourism practices. From electric ferry rides through the fjords to eco-friendly lodges in the Lofoten Islands, travelers can witness the Northern Lights, go whale watching, and explore glaciers while minimizing their environmental impact.
This guide covers everything you need to know about how to spend a quintessential 3-6 days in Bergen - a UNESCO World Heritage city! Famous for its Fjords, seafood, and reindeer sausage hot dogs, discover what this coastal Scandinavian gem has to offer! This itinerary & guide combo includes: General Info: 🇳🇴Basics 🌦️Weather 🧳Packing Tips 🏷️Bergen Card, and❓Is it worth it? 🌭Food to Try 🍺Alcohol 📝Game Plan of how to spend 3-6 full days Day by Day Itinerary 📍Days 0-6 ❌What to Skip (hint: this guide costs less than what you’ll save!) 🚗Day Trip Recs (8) Extra Food & Drink Recs ☕️Cafés (3) 🍽️Restaurants (10, including 3 from our local guide) 🍸Cocktail bars (2) 🏨Lodging Recs (3 different price points) 💰Trip Cost Breakdown Psst: I'm not Norweigan, nor do I live in Bergen. BUT, I scoured the internet, TikTok, Atlas Obscura, Viator, ChatGPT, brochures, etc. to thoroughly plan this trip, not to mention asked our local Fjord tour guide for his personal recs. I've done (nearly) everything suggested on this itinerary for Days 1-3. Days 4-6 are suggestions based on my research/time I wish I had! *Some day trip suggestions may require a car. 🌱I travel with sustainability in mind. Bergen (and Norway) is a super green destination! You can do electric, zero emissions Fjord cruises (see my tour rec!), there are electric city buses, most cars are electric, and there’s simple transport by tram from the airport into the city. Norway’s incredible nature is one of the main draws, with lots of low-carbon activities to do like hiking and kayaking. Plus, the beauty of the majestic Fjords will blow you away and remind you how incredible our planet is 💚 This trip was planned for a group of 4 friends (2 couples) traveling together, without a car. Our intentions were to explore Bergen and the surrounding areas, spend time visiting with each other, and not break the bank (while not foregoing iconic experiences).
$25.00
9
Remember, sustainable tourism is not just about where you go, but how you travel. Opt for eco-friendly accommodations, support local businesses, and always follow Leave No Trace principles to ensure your travels have a positive impact on the places you visit.
**
Plan your next trip
with Thatch
With instant access to local expert knowledge in 80+ countries, Thatch makes it easy to plan unique, high-quality trips stress-free.
Get paid to share your
travel knowledge
Thatch makes it easy for thousands of travel creators in 80+ countries to organize and monetize their travel knowledge.
Learn More