The Eco Traveler’s Guide to Colombia

Finding the balance between exploring the world and minimizing our impact on the planet is a difficult one. But with the rise of eco-tourism, there’s a greener way to travel. Colombia has embraced a more sustainable tourism approach, where visitors can appreciate food, culture, and the environment, without leaving an impact.

Colombia is one of the few countries in the world which has a Sustainable Tourism Policy, showing their commitment to a future that’s more responsible, fair and resilient. The public policy recognizes that tourism isn’t just fun for travelers, but it can actually stimulate economies – locally and nationally – and fund social, cultural, and environmental preservation.

With that in mind, here’s a guide to sustainable travel in Colombia and how to play your part as a conscientious traveler.

Eco-tourism caters to people who want to experience the world around them without negatively impacting it. Any eco-tourist location should be “untouched” or give back to the local environment and economy rather than take away. For example, will vacationing in the area harm wildlife or bring pollution to it? Is your hotel limiting or reducing its waste and using local resources wisely? There are many ways to embrace eco-tourism.

What makes a hotel eco-friendly?

When looking for an eco-friendly hotel, it’s important to look beyond how close it is to nature and search for key information. A truly eco-friendly hotel will clearly state what it is doing in terms of sustainability and community impact.

Ecolodge El Almejal in Bahía Solano, Chocó, is a fantastic example of an eco-friendly place to stay. The hotel has significant sustainable credentials, such as 383 kilos of trash collected from nearby beaches, the creation of five micro-businesses to support the local community, and 935 trees planted in the hotel’s nature reserve. Additionally, the hotel runs on renewable energy, grows its organic food for meals, and purifies the water it uses.

Cortesía — **Image** **Courtesy of ProColombia**

Nature Reserve Palmarí, based in Leticia, Amazonas, offers trips into the Amazon rainforest and contributes to forest maintenance and recovery. Guests can enjoy local cuisine cooked with seasonal produce. An on-site shop features products made by the community out of locally sourced materials. The hotel is committed to preserving the environment it educates guests on, enabling sustainable cohabitation.

Of course, it’s not just where you stay that makes your trip eco-friendly, it’s what you do when you’re there.

Low impact activities that protect the environment

Colombia is full of national parks which are committed to protecting the natural world. By booking tours with official guides and learning more about the locations you’re visiting, you can provide tangible support.

A great example of this is whale watching. Travel to Chocó in the west of the country and visit a paradise for Humpback whales and sea turtles. The Utría National Natural Park is a protected area, which also preserves the coastline and nearby waters. Humpback whales journey to the vast shallow lagoon to give birth to their calves. Visitors can watch as newborn whales play together while learning about the ecosystem and knowing they are helping preserve this important area.