iStock International
Top 10 Ecotourism Destinations
Honor Earth Day with a green getaway at these top ecotourism destinations
ShermansTravel Editorial Staff
ShermansTravel.com
In honor of the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day (April 22, 2012), our editors have rounded up 10 ecotourism destinations to get you thinking green. Two on our list may seem like obvious choices (the Amazon and Galapagos), but you'll also find some up-and-comers, like the Caribbean island of Dominica, which is turning itself into the region's primo environmental destination; Australia's Blue Mountains, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site just over a decade ago; and Botswana, a model of sustainable tourism in Africa. If staying at eco-friendly lodges in the midst of a rainforest sounds appealing, consider Borneo or Costa Rica. If getting up close to wildlife and glaciers is more your speed, Alaska and Antarctica offer intrepid travelers the chance to experience both from the deck of a ship or an inflatable zodiac. And if you'd rather sleep in the great outdoors and trek to some of the world's highest plateaus, plan a camping trek in the Himalayas (and be sure to take your trash back to base camp with you). For a list of environmentally friendly tour operators, hotels, and more, visit the International Ecotourism Society website (www.ecotourism.org). Get a preview of our favorite green getaways with our Ecotourism Destinations slideshow.
Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, packages, and more travel deals.