Picture relaxing after your adventure in environmentally-sensitive accommodations, in which locals are welcome and involved. Envision dining on fresh foods from local farmers and fishermen, shopping in vibrant markets, and sensing the wealth of pride among locals who are genuinely happy to meet you and share their world. In Brazil, an ecoresort on the coast of Bahia helps to save the Atlantic rainforest, one of the most endangered on earth. Off the coast of Western Samoa, a Pacific island known for its authentic Polynesian culture and exotic South Seas scenery, lies a small island where the local villagers still fish in the early dawn and weave their nets during the day. Visitors are warmly welcomed by the villagers, offered freshly-prepared local seafood and invited to take part in a ceremonial dance on the beach under the stars.
Local guides are ready and willing to translate and interpret.
After the ceremony, retire to a locally-owned lodge and enjoy the sounds of the South Sea surf. While ecotourism focuses more on the experience than the destination, it is still important to choose your travel destinations mindfully. Many locations like those above offer informed travelers the opportunity to follow their passions in a responsible, purposeful way.