Trying to find a vacation spot that gives you the opportunity to be sustainable can prove to be difficult since you are sometimes venturing out to a new place and getting out of your routine.
For the upcoming spring break vacation season, there are so many sustainable spring break destinations to choose from. Each one caters to a unique audience, such as those who like warm, tropical settings or those who enjoy the mountains.
What are the most sustainable spring break destinations?
Costa Rica
Marvelous, tropical Costa Rica is one of many options for a sustainable spring break destination. It offers a variety of options as a leader in ecotourism, which, according to the International Tourism Society, is “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.” Costa Rica offers a variety of sights, such as beaches, mountains, and waterfalls. For example, there are multiple guided tours where visitors can see a variety of wildlife, such as exotic birds.
Southland, New Zealand
New Zealand is another leader in sustainable tourism. Fiordland National Park in New Zealand features forests, mountains, and lakes across 4,826 square miles. Activities that visitors can do include taking a cruise across a lake, taking a helicopter over the park, cycling along a trail, walking about the park, and much more. There are even places to eat and drink around the park, such as food trucks, bakeries, and cafés.
Portland, United States
Portland, Oregon, leader is dedicated to promoting sustainability within the city and is a great sustainable spring break destination. The city offers a 62-acre botanical garden with multiple levels called the Grotto. In addition, there are many plant-based restaurants, such as Daily Fuel and Black Water. Finally, when you are ready to rest each night from visiting these great sustainable attractions, you can stay at a sustainable hotel called Kimpton Hotel Vintage, which aims to reduce its carbon footprint through recycling, composting, and sourcing local merchandise.
Tromsø, Norway
Tromsø, Norway, offers a marvelous view of the Northern Lights, and the Aurora Safari Minibus offers an extensive tour of the area, chasing a view of the colorful Northern Lights. This is a wonderful experience because the Northern Lights can only be seen in certain places around the world. Additionally, Norway offers many trails for hiking, such as a hike to Trolltunga if you are interested in a lengthy hike as this one can take around 8 to 12 hours. Trolltunga is one of Norway’s spectacular cliffs, and it sits 3,609 feet above sea level.
Laamu Atoll, Maldives
If you are looking for more of a tropical, sustainable spring break destination, you may consider Maldives. The beaches are beautiful, and the water is home to a lot of biodiversity. A good place to visit in the Maldives is called Six Senses Laamu, which supports sustainability. This resort offers a sustainability tour that shows guests some of its environmental processes. Visitors can also watch turtle hatching and experience some of the wildlife in the Maldives. To get a closer look at the wildlife, guests can also go snorkeling.
Blinter Magazine 