Ecotourism in Guatemala: Travel Tips
Traveling is one of the best things in life; it is food for the soul. As visitors, it’s ideal to leave a place better than we found it, and your actions while traveling abroad are just as important as they are at home.
Hopefully, after an amazing trip, you’ll feel full of inspiration, stories, and delicious food. In addition to having an incredible camera roll that captured the memories and experiences of adventures that you’ll cherish for the rest of your days…or at least until your next trip!
The “how” of travel is almost as important as the “why.” So, come along with us, at Naturally Smart Travel, as we explore ecotourism in Guatemala with practical tips and tricks on how to be a conscious traveler.
Travel Tips for Leaving No More Than a Footprint
Sustainable travel means being mindful of the economic, environmental, and cultural impacts of traveling. The goal is to become respectful, responsible, and conscious travelers. The answer isn’t to stop traveling, but learning how to travel better.
There’s no getting around the fact that air travel has a negative impact on the environment. So, here are some ways we can responsibly offset our ecological footprint: Calculate your carbon footprint, or book a flight with an airline that already offsets CO2 emissions and has sustainable business practices. (Shout out: Blue Islands, Emirates, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific).
This means shopping for your pre-travel supplies at local retailers in your hometown, too, and actively avoiding big chain stores. It’s not as convenient as online shopping, but your local store owners and economy will thank you!
PREPLAN YOUR PACKING LIST
They say being prepared is half the battle, so it’s best to go into your travels with a planned-out packing list. It’s not about overpacking, but about packing wisely!
What kind of trip are you taking? A relaxing holiday in Mexico? A business trip to Costa Rica? A surf trip to El Salvador? A little ecotourism in Guatemala? No matter where you’re going, you need to know what the weather forecast is.
When you plan ahead of time, you’ll be prepared for most situations, and you’ll have the appropriate equipment! It’s always a good idea to invest in quality travel gear.
Packing Tips List
Reusable Containers: great for personal care products (under 100ml or 4oz).
Packing Cubes: a fantastic way to keep organized and maximize space.
Bring Your Own: utensil set, water bottle, reusable bags, and take-out containers!
Buy eco-friendly personal products.
Invest in the right gear. It’s not about quantity but quality!
Support conscious companies that are environmentally-minded, like Patagonia.
Read more like this: Weather Update: What to Pack for Guatemala's Ever-Changing Climate
ECOTOURISM IN GUATEMALA: PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT
If you’re in a natural reserve (or anywhere) abide by the motto: Pack In, Pack Out. This means that everything you brought into that environment, you are responsible for taking back out with you!
Let’s leave places better than we found them because there’s nothing worse than seeing a beautiful natural environment that’s littered by human negligence. Keep in the forefront of your mind to protect nature.
When it comes to ecotourism in Guatemala or anywhere else in the world! Consider going plastic-free!
Bring reusable items, like a refillable water bottle, to-go containers, reusable straws, and eco-friendly cutlery. By avoiding single-use plastic, you won’t have to worry about the country’s policies regarding trash, recycling, and composting, as each place has different sets of rules and practices.
Enjoy your food in a sit-down restaurant, pack your own gear, and avoid single-use plastics at every turn.
Indulge in a few vegetarian meals! Adding in fruits and veggies positively impacts both your health and the planet. Be conscious of your meat intake. Bonus: Eating vegetarian is often cheaper, so your wallet will benefit from the healthy choices too!
Read more like this: A Traveler’s Guide to Eating Vegan in Guatemala
SUPPORT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
At Naturally Smart Travel, we are all about supporting the local community and ecotourism in Guatemala. This means shopping local, eating local, staying local, and supporting local. We curate group and private tours in Latin America while utilizing sustainable travel practices and supporting the local communities.
Vote with your dollars.
While traveling in a foreign place, support places that are owned and operated by the local people. In this way, you’ll directly help the local economy, and you might even meet some interesting people, too! Plus, if you need the inside scoop, you just need to ask a local, and they’ll point you in the right direction.
Plan an adventure with a small tour company that offers authentic connections to local communities with a guided, safe, and organized itinerary. Specialized tour companies often have long-standing relationships with local communities and organizations, providing immersive and educational experiences.
WALK, HIKE & BIKE
One of the best parts of being in a new place is stepping outside your comfort zone and allowing the place and experience to influence you. While on your travels consider walking when you can, it’s one of the best ways to get to know a place.
Combine exercise with your sightseeing adventures. Seek out bike rentals or take a hike instead of jumping in that cab. You’ll get a better lay of the land, you’ll snap better photos, and it’s beneficial to your health and the planet. This is the fastest way to participate in ecotourism in Guatemala or wherever else you’re traveling to. When in doubt, walk it out!
ECO-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATIONS
When looking for a place to lay your head to rest after a long day of adventuring, look for an eco accommodation. Eco resorts use sustainable practices and support the local community.
At Naturally Smart Travel, we blend comfort and hospitality, while also meeting the needs of any budget. Whether you’re looking for resorts built into Mayan ruins or stunning panoramic views of the Costa Rican countryside, we’ve got you covered. You will have an exceptional experience in eco-friendly accommodations while enjoying ecotourism in Guatemala or elsewhere in Latin America!
A little help can go a long way in decreasing our ecological footprint! During your stay, turn off the lights when you leave the house, and be conscious of your electricity and water usage.
SAFE TRAVELS
Let’s aim to have a positive impact on the world as we experience adventure and travel. No matter where you decide to adventure, we wish you a safe and inspired journey.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our tips for traveling green!
Let us know if you have any other tips or tricks for leaving no more than a footprint while traveling and exploring ecotourism in Guatemala or across Latin America! We’d love to hear from you!
As always, happy traveling, friends!
-
The rainy season is from May to October, bringing frequent afternoon showers. This means slippery, muddy trails and more mosquitoes. However, traveling during the rainy season also translates to lush greenery, fewer crowds, and lower prices!
-
Travelers can exchange money at currency exchange offices (casas de cambio), banks, and some hotels. Be sure to compare rates and fees before making transactions.
ATMs are widely available for withdrawing Guatemalan quetzales using international debit or credit cards. However, keep an eye on withdrawal limits and exchange rates. It’s advisable to check with your bank and inform them of your travels before departing.
-
Yes, getting around Guatemala is relatively easy.
Guatemala offers several public transportation options. Tourist shuttles are the safest and most comfortable option, while the colorful chicken buses (local buses) are cheaper but require more caution. There are also public buses, rideshare apps, taxis, and private transfers available.
Around Lake Atitlán, boat taxis are the primary mode of transport between towns. And, Tuk-Tuks are a great way to get around on dry land.
