ecotourism

Australia’s Thala Beach Lodge is not just an everyday ecotourism resort. It’s a five star eco resort that has been awarded the prestigious Eco Tourism accreditation. It’s located on almost 150 acres, near the Great Barrier Reef. Surrounded by forests and beach, eco-tourists have plenty to do here: birdwatching (over 400 species of birds), starwatching, kayaking, nature walks, and exploring the Great Barrier Reef and nearby rainforests. If you want to do something more relaxing, try yoga or all day pampering at Thala’s Luxury Waterfront Spa.

There are different types of rooms you can stay in. The Jungle Walk bungalows are situated within Thala’s peninsula rainforest, while the Eucalypt Bungalows have wonderful views of treetops, with plenty of birds and butterflies flitting by. The Coral Sea Bungalows have a great view of the ocean, yet they’re very private. Whichever accommodations you choose, you’re sure to enjoy yourself and the natural beauty at Thala Beach Lodge.

A highly rated wildlife resort by the British Tatler’s Travel Guide, the Kabini River Lodge is set in the Nagarhole National Park of India. As its name implies, the Kabini River is nearby, as well as a lush jungle you can trek through. Bring your camera as you explore, because you’re bound to see all sorts of wildlife: elephants, spotted deer, sloth bear, wild boars and dogs, and maybe even a tiger or a panther. Hunting is not allowed here since this is an ecotourism destination.

Since you may run into a few less than benign creatures, it’s best to take an open top jeep safari throughout the Nagarhole National Park. You can also boat along the River Kabini to catch the elephants and other wildlife as they quench their thirst during the evening. It’s not unusual to see around 200 elephants during the months of March, April, and May. This is because the dry season is in full swing and with the Kabini River still full of life-sustaining water, the elephants will stay nearby - much to the delight of eco-tourists!

Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge is an “ecofriendly multisport jungle experience” in Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica. All kinds of outdoor activities, from kayaking to rain forest hiking, can be found at this lush eco-tourism destination. If you want to relax or do a little yoga, I can’t think of a more natural place than this to do so. You can even spot the diverse wildlife here, such as toucans, monkeys, and dolphins.

The owners, Michael and Donna Butler, designed the lodge with an eye on being harmonious to the Osa Region. Fallen trees and recycled materials were used in its construction. Sustainable practices keep up the daily maintanence, such as solar power, composting, recycling, and supporting local markets. Located in a remote rainforest, you can only reach Playa Nicuesa by boat. You’ll not only have exotic views of Costa Rica’s largest and densest rainforest, but you’ll also see the mountains that surround the Pacific Coast gulf.

It’s been rated one of the best ecotourism spots by Frommer’s and Fodor’s. One look at their photos, and you can see why!

Photo credit: PlayaNicuesa.com

There are several discount travel sites on the web, but there are only a couple that have an ecotourism category. One such ecotourism travel site is Rez Hub, the place where you can “feel good about travel.” Not only do you get a sense of satisfaction by going green, but when you book a hotel, flight, or car rental through Rez Hub, 20% of the proceeds goes to an eco-friendly organization. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is; RezHub is doing just that!

Through RezHub, you can book reservations at over 35,000 hotels. About 1,000 U.S. hotels and 2,000 international hotels have been given a green score by RezHub, with more hotels being added regularly. RezHub’s green score is based on a hotel’s recycling, water and energy conservation, serving organic food, donations to non-profit organizations, and other criteria. The full list of what earns a higher green score on Rez Hub is detailed in their Green Travel Ratings Checklist.

RezHub, which began in September, 2007, lets you search more than just their database; they direct you to suppliers’ websites. This is certainly a rarity, since most travel sites want you to stay within their domain. Hopefully travelers who are directed to a green hotel or car rental will remember to return to RezHub to book their ecotourism plans, so RezHub can get some credit for being so unselfish! As I said, that’s a rarity, and I hope they’re rewarded for their generosity and concern for the environment.