Trip – Eco Karen

7 Ways to Make Your Trips Safer

While traveling can be an exciting experience, it is easy to get caught up in all the fun and thrill and neglect safety. Visiting an unknown country can also be exciting but overwhelming. Especially when traveling alone, taking into consideration a few safety measures is of utmost importance for you to enjoy your trip without putting yourself in danger.

1. Research the Destination:

Just because you have heard of a place that is good to visit does not mean it is safe for travelers. When you finalize your destination, check online if it is safe for solo travelers. You can find all the information online. You should learn everything about the destination before you arrive. Read travelers’ reviews to learn about the safest neighborhoods where you should find accommodation. There might be a few areas where you may get cheap accommodation, but it might not be safe for you to stay there.

Also, get the contact information of the nearest embassy, police station, and other local emergency departments of that place. You should always know whom to call during an emergency.

2. Drink Responsibly:

Wine — Sustainable wine presentation at a winery

The most crucial safety tip for travelers is that many of you might enjoy exploring the local nightlife when you travel. Though nothing is wrong with it, you must remember that it is an unknown place. Hence, you must drink responsibly, especially if traveling alone. When you are away from home, you are most likely to get lost or end up in dangerous neighborhoods if you are not in all your senses. Especially for ladies, it is a golden rule to always drink safely in public and never leave your drink unattended.

3. Don’t Draw Attention:

If people identify you as someone not from the town, you may be vulnerable to crime, so it is best to blend in as much as possible. Choose to clothe appropriately for the place you visit that will not attract much attention. Learn a few local phrases to communicate with the people when you walk on the streets. Be discrete when you look at your maps continuously or approach people to ask for directions so that it does not look like you have no clue where you are headed.

Also, wear clothes with protective pockets, making it difficult for pickpockets to steal money or your other belongings.

4. Stay Connected Always:

If traveling alone, no matter where you are headed, always inform your family and friends before going to any location. You can send a copy of your itinerary, cab number, the phone numbers of a few trusted people you have met on the journey, and so on. Also, let them know what time you are expected to return and give them a call so that if they do not get a callback from you, they can take the necessary actions immediately to find out if you are safe.

This is possible only when you quickly switch to a cellular service with the help of eSIM when you reach your destination, which is reliable, cheap, and offers unlimited data so that you can turn on your GPS and keep sharing your location with your friends and family.

5. Make Copies of Important Documents:

When traveling internationally, certain documents, such as your passport and identity card, are essential. Though you must be very careful by carrying this around, it is still best to have a soft copy of these identifications on your phone and a few hard copies that you keep in your luggage. This can help to get you out of several situations if, by chance, your important documents get lost.

7. Avoid Accessing Public Wi-Fi:

Two girls are talking to each other while using computers in a cafe

When traveling, you will often find public areas that offer free Wi-Fi. Though it may seem very appealing, you can turn off your cellular service to save money. But you should be aware that it is very easy for hackers looking to steal valuable information from mobile phones if you connect to such common Wi-Fi networks. It is better to seek a reliable and cheap cellular service by using eSIM when traveling rather than accessing such public Wi-Fi.

The Bottom Line:

Apart from all the tabs mentioned above, the most important thing you should do when traveling is to trust your instincts. If you meet someone or have visited a place that makes you uncomfortable, there is likely a reason behind it. Do not ignore your instincts, as your subconscious may pick up things you aren’t consciously aware of. If your gut feeling says something, listen to it. Even if it is false, it will keep you safe, and only that matters.

Top EcoTourism Destination Around the Globe

With ecotourism on the rise, more and more locations around the world are adopting the principles behind this environmental movement.

With ecotourism on the rise, I did a little research to find the top destinations around the world for an all-out eco-vacation. Each of these places offers visitors something uniquely different. So, consider these locales for your next environmentally friendly getaway.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica has made a name for itself in the ecotourism world due to its well-protected natural beauty. It offers coastlines on both the Caribbean and Pacific, not to mention it is nearly one-fourth rainforest. One of the main draws of this incredible natural location is the chance to see volcanoes up close and personal, aside from the many low-impact hotels and resorts.

Norway

Norway is well known for its sustainable living practices, especially in the Fjords. Fjord, Norway is one of the four pilot destinations of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, possibly due to the government’s strict regulations on fishing, hunting, and even drilling for oil.

Australia

Australia is home to some of the most diverse species of flora and fauna that are yet to be grown or encountered in Europe and the Americas.

Australia is one of the most popular choices for summer vacation, visiting alpine villages like Thredbo, pristine beaches, cycling, routes, hiking or even mountain biking.

Galapagos Islands

Home to some of the most diverse and distinct species of fauna in the world, the country’s Directorate of the Galapagos National Park implements a strict visitor management system to ensure the natural area remains protected. With a heavy focus on sustainable tourism, this eco-destination is easily one of the most awe-inspiring locations to travel to.

Palau

This island nation in the Western Pacific is part of Micronesia and offers more aquatic sights than it does ones on land. Coral reefs are home to hundreds of species of fish, which makes them perfect for snorkeling and diving. The Palau Project, a part of Blue Planet United, brings in university students to learn about the island and aspects of ecotourism.

On land, the country does offer untouched shorelines and forests filled with diverse plants and animals. The country recognizes its natural beauty and strives to preserve it at all costs.

Portugal

Ecotourism in Portugal is beginning to take hold in this beautiful land. Many places are overbuilt, but some of Portugal’s coastal areas have been recognized as protected landscapes. Their areas include the resorts of Esposende, Sintra and Cascais and southeast Alentejo, near Cabo de São Vicente.

Other areas, especially in the interior are being preserved and set aside for future generations to enjoy.

If I were headed anywhere in the world, these ecotourism destinations would be the top spots on my list. What unique and environmentally friendly places have you visited in your travels? Did I miss any wonderful locations that should have been on this list?

Cuba

Cuba has become a regional model for all other Caribbean islands with regards to sustainable economic development. The small (yet quickly growing) ecotourism industry is helping to stimulate investment and create jobs and wealth for the local community. What’s more, these important steps are helping to preserve the coral reefs and big fish that make Cuba such a special destination. The best Cuban educational tour providers offer immersive socio-cultural experiences so you can meet members of the local community, visit their community projects, and contribute in meaningful ways.

The Best Ecotourism Destinations in the U.S.

Looking to take an eco-friendly vacation without wasting precious fossil fuels while saving money? There are more places in North America than you might think!

Countries like Africa, Australia, and South America offer a plethora of eco-lodges that offer low-impact tourism centered around the indigenous peoples of the area. In the United States, however, ecotourism seems to be a scarce and rarely heard of phenomenon. It isn’t impossible to find wonderful destinations in our country though.

If you are starting to plan your next eco-trip, consider some of these beautiful locations!

Eco-Tourism in the U.S.

I had to do a little digging to find eco-tourism locations in the country, or even its neighbors, which prompted me to find out why this wonderful way of traveling hasn’t taken off here like it has in other countries. The main reason stems from the fact that environmentally-responsible tourism has its roots in developing nations. A large part of the movement is giving back to local communities that are just beginning to blossom.

The U.S. does not have a national, government-run tourism board like many other nations have. This has led to smaller community-based organizations heading the movement. While North America might not have the same scale of eco-tourism that other countries do, you can still experience rapidly evolving eco-destinations in the country.

Most of them are far from perfect, but I picked out the top two locations based on the principles of eco-tourism.

El Monte Sagrado

This resort made entirely of adobe-styled structures, constructed from fly ash, can be found in Taos, New Mexico. It runs on what they call the “Living Machine”, which consists of plants and sea life that treat water for reuse. That, and photovoltaic solar cells that power the electrical components of the Living Machine as well as heating and cooling.

The resort collects rainwater, composts, recycles, and even uses water from their Living Machine to irrigate crops. They transport treated water back to the city of Taos, and have even founded a local school.

Sadie Cove

Located in Homer, Alaska, this wilderness lodge features off-the-grid coastal cabins in Kachemak Bay State Park. Using hydroelectric power from a nearby stream, each cabin effectively runs on alternative energy. They offer meals from their organic vegetable garden, and focus heavily on their “leave no trace” philosophy.

I found their benefits to the local ecosystem interesting. They are actively working to have the area officially declared a mountain goat sanctuary, which means you can definitely observe the adorable creatures in their natural habitat.

Have you ever been to either of these locations? Do you know of any other great eco-tourism locations in the U.S.?

Your Guide to Ecotourism

If you’ve ever wondered what this growing trend is, then these 5 steps can help you make the most of yur next vacation.

Ecotourism goes by many names, like green travel or ethical travel, but what exactly is it and how can you go about doing it? While though I understand the concept behind it, even I had a tough time figuring out how to leave nothing but my footprints behind when traveling.

I decided to take some advice and a well deserved trip to the Grand Canyon. These are the five sustainable steps I followed to keep things as green as possible.

1. Keep it Simple

Packing light is the first step to making your travels as eco-friendly as possible. A lighter load means better fuel efficiency for the plane you are flying on. While it was difficult to pick and choose only the necessities, I found that the money saved on baggage was well worth it.

2. Conserve Water

This is one you can do at home as well, but save water everywhere you can. I took shorter showers, turned off the faucet while brushing my teeth, and even re-used my towels for a few day instead of washing them.

Honestly, I didn’t find this part all that challenging. Sure, I didn’t get to take a luxuriously long shower but I did my part to not waste a precious resource. Plus, I didn’t even have to use the hotel’s laundry service.

3. Conserve Energy

These are things I do at home already, but they certainly help to keep things green. The easiest way to accomplish this step is by turning everything off (AC, TV, lights, everything) and putting the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door. That keeps housecleaning from using up energy to run the vacuum while keeping my room free from harsh cleaning chemicals.

4. Reuse and Recycle

While it might be common sense to not throw your trash wherever you’d like, I actually found it difficult to break a few old habits for this one. For instance, returning brochures and maps when I was done using them took some getting used to. Things like refilling the same water bottle all week and using only one bar of soap for both my shower and hand washing routines also took a little more conscious thought than I’d like to admit.

5. Leave Only Footprints

I’m a huge fan of adventure. but straying from hiking trails can harm the native flora, which can have negative consequences to the rest of the ecosystem. By not straying off on my own path, I was helping preserve local wildlife!

The Hidden Final Step

I would like to add respecting the culture and the area to this list. While Arizona isn’t exactly exotic to us here in the states, it adds to the traveling experience when you immerse yourself in the ways of a people.

How do you stay green when travelling? I’d love to hear about your travels and experiences!