Because let’s be honest. Responsible tourism is a necessity. Why?

Because tourism destroys. It’s a simple fact.

Cruise ships pollute. Airplanes pollute. Hotels pollute. Tourists add to the seas of plastic and waste all around the world.

The definition of responsible tourism is to travel and make a positive impact on the environment and local culture.

And so today, we are going to learn together! Keep reading for ways to master responsible tourism and ethical travel, and tips to help you spot animal abuse and exploitation from a mile away.

Tia Does Travel contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For full information, take a look at our disclaimer here.

Why are we responsible?

In this day and age, we are hugely responsible as tourists and travelers of the world to sustain the natural wonders of our planet and protect the exploitation of animals. Full stop.

Not only for our benefit but to ensure there is a planet for other generations to travel to.

I have personally seen so much of the devastating effects of irresponsible tourism around the world and I am here to tell you that this is simply not ok. We can, and must do better!

But how can we, as simple tourists practice responsible tourism?

What can we do to protect the planet and its animals from harm? Can we really change the world with every trip?

My Journey to Responsible Tourism

I haven’t always practiced responsible tourism. I was once young naive and uneducated on the subject.

But then, I traveled a lot. And the effects of the human race on nature and animals shocked me to my core.

I have witnessed beaches so polluted with garbage they are deemed unfit to swim in. Forests burned to the ground from a single cigarette bud. Thousands of miles of coral life were wiped clean and Jungles with no trees left.

I have seen tigers dragged, declawed, and defanged for photo ops. Whales self-harm and die in misery and captivity.

Baby cubs are forced away from their mothers and starved so they can be bottle-fed by tourists.

Monkeys with chains around their necks and elephants are beaten to perform ”circus tricks”.

Have you ever heard a monkey screech in terror? An elephant mother crying and searching for her child? I have… ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

How can you say you love these places? Travel there, tour around, have a great time? But then leave them behind and just think somebody else will take care of them?”

So what do we do that is so bad for the environment? And how can we do better?

Throwing our rubbish away anywhere we feel convenient is one of the main ways in which we are ruining our planet.

Going plastic-free isn’t always easy when you are traveling I know! But a few simple and cheap adjustments can make a HUGE difference in the grand scheme of things.

Easy ways to master responsible tourism.

1. Replace your disposables with reusable items.

For example, cotton rounds, cotton swabs, and tissues. We use trillions of them! I swapped to reusables 2 years ago, and haven’t looked back since!

In particular, I picked up swabs for my ears, pointy ones for my make-up, cotton rounds for skincare, and even tissues.

Yeap, all reusable, from the incredible Last Object, which by the way, delivers from various warehouses – both Europe, Canada, and the US, so you don’t have to pay loads for delivery!

Just ONE of these eco-friendly swabs replaces over 1000 cotton swabs that end up in our oceans! They come in gorgeous colors, are durable, and are super easy to clean! Use code TIA for 10% off all purchases!

2. Get a portable ashtray

Cigarette butts are the single greatest source of ocean pollution, with more than 60 million collected over 32 years! Yuk!

To save our oceans, just carry a portable ashtray like this one in your backpack!

This pack of two can be fastened to any backpack! With every use, you are taking a huge step towards responsible tourism.

3. Carry a water bottle and straw

A simple reusable cup and metal straw are the best, and contribute a lot to the solution; trust me!

This filter bottle is great as it reduces chlorine and micro-particles. You can fill it up from any tap, or at your hotel to avoid buying a million plastic bottles when you travel.

100,000 marine creatures and 1 million sea birds die from plastic entanglement in a year.

Personally, I have tried paper straws and pasta straws too, but I really hate them! This stainless steel straw set comes with a handy pouch, and a brush to clean too!

4. Switch to shampoo and conditioner bars

There is no need to carry plastic bottles that you will later throw away. Not when you can get top-quality shampoo and conditioner in a bar!

This shampoo and conditioner set smells like heavenly lemon and eucalyptus, and don’t laugh, but mosquitos hate the smell of lemon so this is a WIN for me!

Tips for FREE that all of us should practice!

• Recycle. Save your plastic for the recycle bins and for the love of God please STOP throwing trash in the ocean!
• Eat local food, and carry a takeaway box to take back any leftovers! Local food is most often delicious, and you are also supporting the local food vendors!

Responsible tourism and ethical travel tips – Saving the animals

1. Stay away from zoos and aquariums

A whopping 75% of zoos and aquariums and zoos around the world offer services directly linked to animal cruelty.

In zoos, animals are kept hungry, defanged, and declawed just to be used for tricks and photo ops.

In aquariums, the animals are poached from the wild or bred in captivity. They are basically forced to swim in the same closed encounters until they die.

Your money directly funds this cruelty and it needs to stop!!

At Seaworld aquariums in the States, 38 orcas, over 100 dolphins, and at least 58 belugas have died – how heartbreaking is that?

2. Research before you visit

A great way to practice responsible tourism is to do a little research before you visit, and read up on the establishment.

Do animals have freedom or are they in cages? Does this establishment offer close encounter photos with the animals?

Is there any type of animal show involved? If so, AVOID.

Stop visiting zoos and aquariums and instead opt for rescue and rehabilitation centers.

There are so many organizations out there doing their utmost to keep animals safe, and they deserve our support! Search online to find one close to you.

3. Say NO to Elephant trekking and shows

This particular part is a matter extremely close to my heart.

Elephants are my spirit animals, I adore everything about them. I always dreamt of meeting an elephant up close, and in my travels in Thailand, I was overjoyed to be granted the opportunity.

So I bought a full day sightseeing tour of Koh Samui…and in my excitement to see the island’s treasures …I naively and stupidly didn’t notice that it included an animal show.

To this day, I remember crying my eyes out watching these poor beautiful creatures forced to stand on stools, dance, and play football. I also witnessed monkeys being forced to peel coconuts with chains around their necks.

Worst of all, I remember the dozens of tourists and their young children laughing, taking photos, and enjoying this ”show” !!!

I truthfully have never felt more disappointed in myself and our cruel human race.

From then on out, I vowed to NEVER fund a single activity that puts animals in danger and pain. And I have kept my vow!

Why is elephant trekking bad for the animals?

It’s a common misconception that this is ok, seeing as elephants are so big in size- surely they can carry our weight!

But sadly, no. Elephant trekking is extremely painful for elephants.

Firstly, because it’s a wild animal, and it has to be beaten to be ”broken into submission”.

Secondly, because their skin needs constant moisture, or else it creates blisters from the sun.

In the wild, they bathe in muddy lakes – the mud is what keeps their skin safe- it’s their natural sunscreen!

In captivity though, they are simply not given the chance, resulting in agonizing skin blistering and torture.

4. Say YES to elephant sanctuaries

Fear not, you can meet these majestic and gentle giants in elephant sanctuaries, all around Thailand, Asia, and the world over!

One of my articles on elephant sanctuaries in Thailand got picked up and published by Adventographer. It is packed with useful information so go ahead and read it to find the best and most ethical elephant sanctuaries in Thailand!

5. Take no pets

Sloths, Reptiles, and other exotic animals are not our friends. And as a result, they do not want to live in a cage in our living room!

They belong in the wild!

Disturbingly, studies have shown that sloths, monkeys, and reptiles have a much higher rate of dying within 6 months of captivity than they do from living in the wild.

If you are traveling and you come across an exotic animal in need of help, please take it to a sanctuary. Not your living room!

6. Do not eat the world’s Endangered species

Actually, we have had an endangered species act since 1973…so how are animals STILL going extinct?

Well, firstly, the black market is thriving. Secondly, we are eating away the endangered animals of our planet.

The biggest offenders in this regard are Japan, China, Vietnam, Africa, and Canada.

There, you’ll find illegal delicacies like shark fin soup, Chinese salamander, Caribu, and even mountain Gorilla dishes.

Needless to say, responsible tourism and eating your way through endangered species do not go hand in hand!

7. Safely Dispose your Covid Masks

This pandemic started by doing nature a favor – beaches were less polluted, marine and wildlife were thriving.

2 years after the fact though, and we have a ridiculous amount of waste in the oceans again. This time, it’s from plastic gloves, masks, and self-test sticks.

To help, simply dispose of your rubbish in bins, and always choose recycling bins where they are available!

Some interesting research

Did you know that some of the earth’s most breathtaking gems are either ruined or greatly suffering from extinction?

China is the biggest marine polluter in the world, and Indonesia follows second, contributing 10% of global marine pollution.

Famous islands and beaches ruined by irresponsible tourism:

• The Outer Banks, North Carolina – Human development (construction of hotels and beach houses) has resulted in dangerous rising sea levels.
• Maya Bay, Ko Phi Phi Island, Thailand. The famous beach used in Leonardo Di Caprio’s blockbuster ”The Beach” is now closed indefinitely to tourists. The reason? Its marine ecosystem suffered devastating damage from tourism. Phi Phi islands, in general, are suffering greatly and I witnessed the effects myself.
• Kuta Beach in Bali, Indonesia Covered in garbage left by tourists. Especially bad during rain season when the sea washes away thousands of tonnes of rubbish on this former little paradise.

Paradisical destinations that are almost destroyed

• Boracay Island, the Philippines With over 1.7 million visitors per year, Bocarray island is now in ruins. Like Maya Bay, the beaches are so polluted and dirty, the island is now closed off to tourists. Officials are hoping that nature will manage to restore itself from the damage.
• Kamilo Beach, Hawaii, United States. Now considered one of the dirtiest beaches on the planet! Thousands of plastic debris – from bottles, containers and even hairbrushes wash up every year. 
• Cozumel Island, Mexico. This paradise is suffering from high temperatures in the waters. This is due to a large number of cruise ships and boats, carrying visitors to visit. As a result, it has almost wiped clean its coral reefs and marine life.
• Pig Beach – Bahamas. An entire colonies of wild pigs were found dead a few years ago. Investigations found beer, rum, and sand in their bellies. Apparently there are morons out there who think feeding wild pigs sand and booze is a good idea!

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I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read this article.

If you are a traveler already practicing these responsible tourism tips then I applaud you! And I honestly thank you.

If not, I sincerely hope I have given you food for thought…and the right solutions to travel better and more ethically.

What do you, as travelers do, to travel more ethically? Join the discussion by following my Instagram account

And remember, together we can do it! Every little helps!

Love, Tia

The post Responsible Tourism – How To Travel And Save Our Planet appeared first on Tia Does Travel.

And although this way of travel can be applied to any country, there is no place better than Costa Rica – one of the most beautiful, eco-friendly countries in the world.

So what exactly does Green Living mean? How does it apply to travel? And why is Costa Rica perfect for it? Keep reading to find out!

Tia Does Travel contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For full information, take a look at our disclaimer here.

What is the definition of Green Living?

As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says and i quote; ”Green living means making sustainable choices about what we eat, how we travel, what we buy, and how we use and dispose of it. We can implement sustainability in our workplace practices, and by greening the buildings we inhabit. Our everyday choices can create a sustainable lifestyle.”

So you see, Green Living is a philosophy that links our relationship to our environment.

Earth is our living, breathing, support system. What we eat, the air we breathe, and the wonders of the world we leave untouched depend solely on how WE treat it.

It also extends to eating less or no meat, choosing organic, local produce, reducing plastic, carbon footprint, and littering.

If you aren’t aware of what we are doing to our planet, and how you can help, my Responsible Travel guide, has some great and easy ways for you to reduce your footprint on this world!

Of course, by visiting Costa Rica you have to play your part to keep the earth clean, and plastic-free!

Below, please find some easy, cheap ways that I use to travel without harming the planet!

Green Living – How is Costa Rica excelling in responsible, green travel?

By the early 1990s, Costa Rica became the poster child for ecotourism and Green Living.

Costa Rica was a pioneer in this type of tourism and is recognized as one of the few with true ecotourism values.

And yes, many will tell you that this developing nation has used ecotourism as a way to cash in on the hot green travel topic.

But you know what? I take my hat off to them.

They have developed a successful, environmentally friendly industry while keeping the nation’s treasures intact.

I mean, if you are clever enough to cash in on tourism, sustain and grow a developing nation and keep it green… then yeah, take my money!

Green Living Tourism In Costa Rica

 Thousands of tourists (and myself) visit Costa Rica for the breathtaking jungles, extensive national parks, and 1/2 million acres of protected land.

In fact, tourism in Costa Rica has skyrocketed in the past couple of decades and is one of the main sources of income in the country.

Ecotourism in Costa Rica also educates and encourages green living in the individual eco-tourist.

Informed tour guides and educational pamphlets throughout the country have a clear goal – to promote conservation efforts worldwide. To make us stop, think, and re-evaluate our choices.

For Costa Rica’s location, budget, climate, and more are right here in my Costa Rica tips guide.

10 Amazing Reasons To Practise Green Living In Costa Rica

1. Over a quarter of the land is dedicated to conservation.

The Beautiful natural landscape and bustling biodiversity are some of the few things you will witness when visiting.

Tourists and locals alike are drawn to Costa Rica’s natural beauty—and are committed to preserving it.

With 20 national parks, 8 biological reserves, animal refuges, and protected areas, 26 percent of Costa Rica’s land is protected.

Amazingly, the country has doubled its forest cover from 26 percent in 1984 to 52% in 2017.

There are no zoos no animal shows, and no aquariums. The wild belongs in the wild. HALLELUJAH!

2. It holds more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity!

Do you realize how incredible that is?  

While Costa Rica only occupies .03 percent of the world’s surface, it boasts the globe’s highest biodiversity density.

The country is home to more than 500,000 species!

And, with nearly 3 percent of the world’s biodiversity contained in its borders, Corcovado National Park has been deemed “the most biologically intense place on the planet.”

3. It uses renewable energy for electricity

Costa Rica has become a worldwide leader in renewable electricity.

Clean or renewable energies are those generated from natural sources–readily available in nature–such as wind, water, and soil.

To follow a pro-environment agenda, Costa Rica has bet on the use of renewable energy since 1994.

They have pledged to cease carbon dependency entirely by 2021 – a piece of news that is music to my ears!

This plan looks to be highly possible too, considering they used 99% renewable energy sources in 2016 and 2016.

4. The first country to ban Single-use plastic

Costa Rica is the first country to ban single-use plastics!

This ban was made in an effort to meet its goal of eliminating them entirely from the country by 2021.

It, of course, includes straws, cutlery, bags, bottles, and cups made from plastic.

For ideas on how YOU can reduce your plastic waste (water, cosmetics, and more) read my Responsible Travel Guide

5. It promotes boutique hotels

Green living is continued throughout the country, extending to a fully sustainable service provided by boutique hotels.

This is to ensure that the local population receives the tourist income generated.

A move that also makes the locals strongly committed to caring for the environment.

It really is a domino effect, and Costa Rica has nailed it- something I only wish Thailand did.

Boutique hotels across the country follow many green living practices.

They typically avoid buffets – and provide a la carte service to reduce waste.

Additionally, have strict fines for littering and smoking.

Boutique hotels mean that you get a real slice of local flavor in your stay- and they are usually so charming and unique!

6. Costa Rica is home to four Unesco Heritage Sites.

These sites are chosen by their universal cultural and natural value.

The designated four World Heritage locations in Costa Rica are

• La Amistad National Park
• Cocos Island National Park
• Area de Conservación Guanacaste
• Precolumbian Chiefdom Settlements with Stone Spheres of the Diquís.

7. It boasts over 200 volcanic formations.

These fascinating volcanos are a joy to explore.

Out of the 200, 112 of them are active to some degree, with the Arenal volcano being the most active volcano in Central America!

Check out Poás – the second widest volcanic crater in the world, and Irazú, which is Costa Rica’s tallest volcano.

8. You will never see more butterflies in the world; ever.

Seriously—there are SO many butterflies!

Costa Rica contains approximately 90% of the butterfly species found in all of Central America!

66% of all neotropical butterflies and 18% of all butterfly species in the world are happy residents of Costa Rica.

You can observe these incredible creatures here:

• Butterfly Observatory in El Castillo, near Lake Arenal and the Arenal volcano
• Monteverde Butterfly Gardens which is open 365 days a year
• La Paz Waterfall Gardens
• The butterfly farm

9. It is absolute heaven for bird enthusiasts

In Costa Rica, you will have plenty of chances to observe and admire over 50 hummingbird species. Of the 338 known species of hummingbirds, about 50 live in Costa Rica. You will also see many macaws and parrots- – the most majestic looking birds i have seen in the most vibrant colors!

Did you know? Scarlet macaws always fly in pairs of two. That is because they mate for life. If something happens to their other half, their life expectancy of 60 years falls dramatically. They simply cannot survive without their mate!

10. Snakes, snakes, snakes everywhere!

There are over 22 types of venomous snakes in Costa Rica – with approximately two snakes per hectare. Reptile lovers rejoice!

Amazing Activities in Costa Rica

Whether you are a nature lover or an adrenaline seeker, there is so much to do!

• Hiking. the various rainforests, where you can sight numerous exotic birds. There’s a plethora of wildlife such as jaguars, pumas and four other types of wild cats and other exotic creatures.
• Dive, freedive and snorkel. Relax at the incredible beaches – and take the time to snorkel and dive! There, you will witness a huge variety of marine species and coral life.
• Surf it up. Surf to your heart’s content! Costa Rica boasts some awesome waves – but not in all parts of the country. To understand which part to visit, read my Costa Rica guide. It explains the differences between the Caribbean and the Central American side, and provides info, climate, and budget for both!
• Go horse riding on the beach! Riding through the thick jungle, only to end up on an empty beach that stretches for miles! Nothing to hear but the wildlife, the soft footsteps of the horse and the crushing sound of the waves. Sounds like a dream? Think again – this is a reality in Costa Rica!
• Pura Vida Learn the true meaning of Pura Vida. According to recent galops, the people of Costa Rica (locally known and Ticos and Tikas) are the happiest people in the world – with a life expectancy of 79 years. And you know why? PURA VIDA. Pura Vida translates to happy, pure life – a motto that all locals live by! People will always happily greet you (not everyone speaks English- in fact, the official language is Central American Spanish) with a smile and a heartfelt ”Pura Vida”!

Easy ways to be Green Living Traveler

1. Replace your disposables with reusable items.

For example, cotton rounds, cotton swabs, and tissues. We use trillions of them! I swapped to reusables 2 years ago, and haven’t looked back since!

In particular, I picked up swabs for my ears, pointy ones for my make-up, cotton rounds for skincare, and even tissues.

Yeap, all reusable, from the incredible Last Object, which by the way, delivers from various warehouses – both Europe, Canada, and the US, so you don’t have to pay loads for delivery!

Just ONE of these eco-friendly swabs replaces over 1000 cotton swabs that end up in our oceans! They come in gorgeous colors, are durable, and are super easy to clean! Use code TIA for 10% off all purchases!

2. Get a portable ashtray

Cigarette butts are the single greatest source of ocean pollution, with more than 60 million collected over 32 years! Yuk!

To save our oceans, just carry a portable ashtray like this one in your backpack!

This pack of two can be fastened to any backpack! With every use, you are taking a huge step towards responsible tourism.

3. Carry a water bottle and straw

A simple reusable cup and metal straw are the best, and contribute a lot to the solution; trust me!

This filter bottle is great as it reduces chlorine and micro-particles. You can fill it up from any tap, or at your hotel to avoid buying a million plastic bottles when you travel.

100,000 marine creatures and 1 million sea birds die from plastic entanglement in a year.

Personally, I have tried paper straws and pasta straws too, but I really hate them! This stainless steel straw set comes with a handy pouch, and a brush to clean too!

4. Switch to shampoo and conditioner bars

There is no need to carry plastic bottles that you will later throw away. Not when you can get top-quality shampoo and conditioner in a bar!

This shampoo and conditioner set smells like heavenly lemon and eucalyptus, and don’t laugh, but mosquitos hate the smell of lemon so this is a WIN for me!

Green Living Conclusions

Through green living and successful ecotourism, Costa Rica has proven that conservation and economic growth go hand in hand.

Their investment in ecotourism should provide us ALL with inspiration to follow suit!

Every little helps sure, but bold moves like this from governments have a HUGE impact on green living and go a long way to preserving our precious earth!

Have you been to Costa Rica? I want to hear your opinions, so please let me know in the comments!

Don’t forget to click that subscribe button down below and share this post with your friends!

While you are at it, come say HI on my Instagram and join my travel family!

Love, Tia

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The post Green Living in Costa Rica- one of the world’s most eco-friendly countries appeared first on Tia Does Travel.