Sustainable Travel Guide
While the fuel used to get you to your exotic travel destination is undoubtably bad for the environment, we believe that travel is important for the health of our planet. Experiencing new countries and ways us living gives us perspective, more empathy for others & an appreciation for this beautiful planet that we live on (things that we may have pushed to the back burner over the past 2 years, cough disposable masks, cough cough divisive politics / media). Instead of skipping that trip to Costa Rice over carbon concerns, just make an effort to offset the emissions used en route by engaging in sustainable travel practices. These are our top tips for sustainable, earth-loving travel;
Conserve Resources
When you’re on vacation do what you can to conserve local water and energy. Turn off the lights, TV, alarm clock and air conditioning and unplug any electronics when not in use. Take a short shower (or a dip in the ocean instead! plus that salt water beach wavy hair looks so much better than freshly shampooed) and aim to reuse your towels for the entire trip if possible.
Support Local
The best way to ensure that your host community reaps the benefits of your tourist visit is to support local businesses and entrepreneurs. Book excursions led by local guides or learn a new skill from a resident expert by asking your host where to take the best surfing lessons or cooking class. Well wanderers also seek out locally owned air b & b’s instead of staying at hotel chains or expat-owned accommodations. You can also aim to eat most of your meals at local restaurants, this way you’ll support residents, dine on locally-sourced ingredients and experience authentic foods (just make sure you pop a well wandering anti-everything digestive supplement prior to eating raw veg & meats). We also try to stay at places with a small kitchen and have fun experimenting with home cooking using ingredients found at the market.
Pack Sustainably
Well wanderers always pack the following essentials to leave as small of a foot print as possible when traveling:
Grab a travel towel to avoid over-laundering of those white hotel towels
Travel with a sustainable water bottle & coffee cup, our favourite collapsable Sotjo cups will be available in the shop asap
Pack tiny bottles of Dr. Bronner’s soap, better for your body & the environment
Bring DIY mosquito repellant: 30 drops each lemon balm, tea tree & lavender mixed with water + witch hazel in a 1:1 ratio
Carry around a reusable bag for shopping, we love a classic string bag which makes us feel very Parisian-chic while vacationing
Enjoy EcoTourism
Be sure to visit local protected areas like national parks and marine sanctuaries during your vacation. These areas play an important role in protecting a country’s natural resources and many areas rely on tourism entrance fees to preserve these beautiful natural spaces. Ecotourism generates around $850 billion in annual spending with these dollars helping to fund conservation activities while also providing income to local communities.