Ecotourism is often considered a luxury. That might be because 62% of a 2023 survey stated that they are willing to pay more for eco-friendly travel options. But many travelers forget that practices like backpacking or camping are also part of ecotourism and usually combine the benefits of ecotourism and lower costs.
But even if you aren’t into backpacking or camping and are looking for a slightly more luxurious but still budget-friendly way of traveling in a sustainable way, we have gathered some important tips for you.
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Understanding Ecotourism
Ecotourism is a form of sustainable tourism that aims to protect the environment, promote local communities and provide environmental education and cultural understanding. It is a travel practice that aims to have minimal impact on the environment while having a positive impact on the natural surroundings and local people.
Ecotourism is based on several basic principles. Some of them are:
- Environmental protection
This principle includes the protection of endangered ecosystems, the preservation of biodiversity and the minimisation of negative impacts on the environment. Such as the reduction of waste and the use of renewable energy.
- Community involvement
Ecotourism aims to involve local communities in the tourism process and bring them direct economic benefits. This can be done by creating jobs, promoting local businesses and involving the community in decision-making in the tourism sector.
- Interpretive learning
Ecotourism offers travelers the opportunity to learn more about the environment and local culture. This is often done through guided tours, interactive workshops and direct contact with locals. The aim is to promote awareness and understanding of environmental issues and to strengthen the appreciation of natural and cultural diversity.
Planning Your Eco-Friendly Trip on a Budget
Ecotourism is often perceived as expensive. Which is why many don’t even consider doing ecotourism trips, as it is not seen as budget-friendly travel.
The costs associated with ecotourism vary depending on the destination and type of activities. Especially eco-friendly accommodation and sustainable transport methods can result in higher costs as they may have to meet specific standards or be less profitable.
On the other hand, ecological destinations off the beaten track can often offer more affordable alternatives. As they are less developed for tourism and the cost of accommodation, food and activities can be lower. In addition, ecological activities such as hiking or birdwatching can often be done for free or at low cost, which can lower the overall prices of an ecotourism trip.
So basically, the cost of ecotourism depends heavily on your individual choices and priorities while traveling. We will give you some tips on how to have an affordable ecotourism adventure. So you can be part of this movement and have unique travel experiences while making a positive contribution to the environment and local communities.
Select the Right Destination
Starting off our tips and tricks for cheap ecotourism, we need to talk about the best budget-friendly destinations. Because the choice of destination is crucial when it comes to saving money on ecotourism. Here are some tips to help you find a suitable destination:
- Get off the beaten track: Instead of choosing popular tourist destinations, explore lesser-known places. These can often be more affordable as they are less touristy and prices are correspondingly lower.
- Rural areas and national parks: Rural areas and national parks often offer a variety of natural attractions at a lower cost than urban destinations. Campsites and hiking trails are usually cheaper than expensive city hotels.
- Inform yourself: Before booking a holiday you should inform yourself about the average income, economy, quality of life and prices at different destinations. This helps to find more affordable options.
Traveling During Off-Peak Seasons
If you are lucky enough to be able to take some days off from work during the low season, you should take advantage of this opportunity. Traveling outside the high season can be an effective way to save money on ecotourism. Here are some tips to make the most of the low season:
- Flexible travel planning: Be flexible when planning your trip and choose periods outside of peak holiday periods. Flight and accommodation costs are often significantly lower in the low season.
- Reduced prices for activities: Many attractions offer discounted admission prices or special offers during the low season. Take advantage of these opportunities to visit popular attractions at a fraction of the normal cost.
- Enjoy quieter surroundings: Off-season travel not only offers financial benefits, but also the opportunity to experience nature in quieter and less crowded environments. Enjoy the relaxation and natural beauty without the crowds of tourists.
Eco-Friendly Lodging Options
When planning your cost friendly vacations you will probably realize that accommodation can make quite a big part of your budget. But don’t worry. Choosing sustainable accommodation can actually help you save some money.
- Eco-lodges and eco-certified hotels: Look specifically for accommodation that supports eco-friendly practices such as recycling, energy efficiency and using local products. Not all eco-lodges and eco-certified hotels are automatically super expensive. Some have great deals and offer affordable options for eco-conscious travelers.
- Hostels and guesthouses: Hostels and guesthouses are often cheaper alternatives to large hotels and often offer a more personalized and authentic experience. Many hostels prioritize sustainability and offer recycling facilities, eco-friendly cleaning products and energy-saving measures.
- Camping and glamping: Camping is a cost-effective way to experience the outdoors and it offers the most flexible accommodation options. Glamping (a luxury version of camping) can be a slightly more expensive but still environmentally friendly alternative that combines the comfort of hotel accommodation with the experience of camping.
Sustainable Transportation Methods
Since we are talking about budget and environmentally friendly holidays, we will not talk about finding cheap flights. Since this is, generally speaking, not a very sustainable way of traveling. However, there are methods to move around during your vacation that can reduce your environmental impact.
Using public transport such as buses, trains and metros is without a doubt an environmentally friendly option to get around. The prices highly depend on the country you are in. Make sure to look at all options when it comes to different tickets,as tourist tickets are often not the cheapest version available. Sometimes there are also discounts for students, adolescents or elderly people. Maybe you can benefit from some of them.
Carpooling and car sharing can be a great option, when there is no other way of getting around by public transportation. This way you can share the cost of gas and tolls. There are several websites and apps that allow travelers to connect with others and travel together to cut costs and reduce environmental impact. One of them being BlaBlaCar.
The cheapest way to get around is by simply walking. Also renting a bike and cycling can be a very affordable means of transportation. For short distances in urban areas or in the countryside, cycling and walking can be ideal and (almost) free methods of transport.
Free or Low-Cost Eco-Activities
Believe it or not, there are quite a few very affordable activities available for your next budget-friendly vacations. Many cities all over the world offer free walking tours. These are usually sightseeing tours with a local guide that are for free. You can afterwards choose to leave a tip but this is up to you and you can also decide on the amount you are willing to pay.
When you take budget-friendly trips to more rural areas hiking is a great way to get to know the area and have a rather low cost activity. Explore hiking trails and nature trails in the area to experience the natural beauty and discover the wildlife and plant life. Many hiking trails are free and offer a great way to enjoy nature.
In case you get hungry, you can just buy some goods in a local supermarket, pack a meal and enjoy a picnic in a local park, in the mountains or on the beach. This way you can save money while eating and exploring another destination’s culture.
Saving Money While Eating and Shopping
Eating during your vacation also usually leaves a question mark when it comes to saving money. But there are actually some pretty easy ways to save money and still enjoy the local cuisine:
- Local markets and farmers markets: Buy fresh food at local markets and farmers markets to save money and support the local economy. Fresh fruit, vegetables, bread and cheese are often cheaper than supermarkets and have a smaller environmental footprint. At many markets you can also get street food which is usually very affordable, tasty and also part of a country’s culture.
- Self-catering and cooking: Book an accommodation with cooking facilities and prepare your own meals instead of eating out every day. You can even buy local ingredients and try making regional dishes yourself to experience the culture and cuisine of the destination.
- Avoid single-use packaging: Avoid buying single-use packaging and opt for reusable containers and bags instead. Bring a water bottle and a reusable shopping bag to save money and reduce your environmental impact.
As always we hope these tips are helpful to you so you can have the best budget-friendly trips that also make a difference for our planet. If you have any further tips on ecotourism on a budget, let us know in the comments.
