Eco-Destinations

Wild places. They're on every continent, and they offer unforgettable off-the-beaten-path getaways. Whether your eco-fantasy vacation involves steamy jungle, frozen tundra, island paradises, remote mountains or exotic wildlife, ProfessionalTravelGuide.com has the information you need to help you enjoy the great outdoors.

South America

Panama Though less visited than Costa Rica to its north, Panama offers many of the same ecological wonders. Watch for quetzals flying through the rain-forest canopy, take a tour of the Panama Canal, and bask on the sunny beaches. Don't miss watching the sunrise over the Pacific or the sunset over the Caribbean (No, that's not a typo). Hotel Recommendations The Canopy Tower eco-lodge gives birders and nature-lovers tremendous views of central Panama's Soberania National Park. In the midst of a citrus estate in the northern mountains, the Coffee Estate Inn offers a secluded boutique-hotel experience surrounded by wildlife and nature trails. Guests at Hacienda Del Mar are hardly roughing it, but they're still treated to sweeping views of San Jose Island and the Pacific Ocean.

Galapagos Islands The ultimate eco-vacation spot, the Galapagos Islands are home to some of the world's most unique species, including giant tortoises and marine iguanas. Although rules are strict for visitors—both the island and the marine area surrounding them are protected—opportunities abound to hike, swim, snorkel and view the islands' unusual wildlife. Hotel Recommendations The best choice of only a handful of accommodations on the islands, Finch Bay Eco Hotel provides its guests with views of a mangrove-shrouded cove and glorious bird-watching. Most visitors see the Galapagos by way of a guided tour or cruise. For help booking a cruise, contact a tour agency such as Guide2Galapagos.

Patagonia Argentina and Chile The Patagonia area at the southernmost tip of South America encompasses parts of both Chile and Argentina. It may appear vast and desolate, but upon closer inspection, this harsh land is full of pampas, glaciers, elephant seals and birds. The best way to see it all is to walk, but wear your woolies—there's a reason why people don't live there. Hotel Recommendations There are no permanent lodging options in Patagonia; most visitors go with a guided tour. In Argentina, contact Argentina Escapes for a custom itinerary, or try Cascada Expeditions in Chile.

Africa

Tanzania Across the southern border of Kenya's Masai Mara, Tanzania's Serengeti National Park is home to lions, wildebeests and monkeys. Continue to feed your wildlife fix by touring the Ngorongoro Crater and Selous Game Reserve. Climb Mount Kilimanjaro if you dare, or just hike on its lower slopes. Be sure to visit Zanzibar Island on the Indian Ocean. Hotel Recommendations Rough it in luxury at Beho Beho Camp in the southeast's Selous Game Reserve or at the Serengeti Migration Camp. Kigongoni Lodge offers views of mounts Meru and Kilimanjaro and supports a good cause: the Sibusiso Foundation for disabled children.

Madagascar A destination for the truly adventurous, Madagascar is unique in many ways. Remember the funny little lemurs from the film Madagascar? You'll see their real-life counterparts, as well as frogs, small carnivores, baobab forest, tropical coastline and the local Malagasy culture. Be flexible; transportation on the island can be unreliable. Hotel Recommendations Lodging in Madagascar is far from luxurious, but places such as Berenty Lodge in the Berenty wildlife preserve and the rustic Nature Lodge near Amber Mountain National Park offer memorable stays. Setam Lodge in Ranomafana National Park is remote but a bit more upscale, and the Hotel Baobab Cafe in the port city of Morondava has views of the tidal river.

North America & the Caribbean

Alaska It really isn't fair to count Alaska as one destination—it's huge and diverse, full of glaciers, mountains and meadows. The national parks offer hiking and camping, and you may see bears, moose, whales, seals or many other animals during your visit. Witness the northern lights or the midnight sun, and go fishing, skiing or kayaking. Hotel Recommendations Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge's location in Denali National Park makes it a great home base for eco-adventurers looking to check out the park's wilderness. Kachemak Bay Wilderness Lodge places guests in the middle of the Alaska wilderness, with nothing but the local flora and fauna for entertainment. Surrounded by Tongass National Forest, the main focus at Yes Bay Lodge is on fishing, but it also offers hiking, kayaking and wildlife viewing.

St. John (U.S. Virgin Islands) Though it's the smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John has a remarkably varied landscape. Virgin Islands National Park makes up two-thirds of its landmass, where visitors can hike in deep ravines, over tropical mountains and across arid coastal areas. Don't overlook the beaches and coral reefs—it's a Caribbean island, after all. Hotel Recommendations St. John is home to a number of good eco-lodges, including Maho Bay Camps in Virgin Islands National Park and adjoining property Harmony Studios on the north side of the island. Estate Concordia Studios in the southeast is a bit more upscale, and Caneel Bay, A Rosewood Hotel, though not an eco-lodge, is remote and quiet on the west coast.

Europe

Iceland As one might expect from a country whose name is "ice," Iceland's landscape is rugged and harsh. Fish for salmon, trout, cod and herring; hike past lava fields, glaciers and waterfalls; and marvel at the wildlife (puffins) and natural wonders (hot springs and geysers). Don't expect much luxury, but do expect plenty of environmental awareness. Hotel Recommendations One of the nicest hotels in the country, Hotel Budir sits on a peninsula to the north of Reykjavic and offers glacial and water views. Rustic Hotel Ranga is south of the city, and you can see the Northern Lights there fall-spring.

Australia

Every region of this massive country-continent has natural wonders to explore. Whether you visit the Great Coral Reef and Queensland's rain forests in the northeast, Tasmania in the south, the western Outback, the Blue Mountains in the east or countless national parks throughout the country, you'll see nature as it is nowhere else in the world. Hotel Recommendations Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa in Queensland is located in Daintree National Park in a 100- million-year-old rain forest. Freycinet Lodge on the east coast of Tasmania is tucked away in Freycinet National Park. The Northern Territory's Longitude 131 offers luxurious tented accommodations near Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, or explore the Great Barrier Reef from Dunk Island Resort off Mission Beach.

Asia

Laos Visit Laos for a glimpse of southeast Asia as it used to be before the tourism industry exploded. Laos is slow paced, and visitors can view its historic sights, and explore jungle and mountain scenery away from the madding crowds. Bird-watching is excellent, and overnight trekking excursions into the hills may involve rafting or riding elephants. Hotel Recommendations La Residence Phou Vao offers quiet luxury in the hills outside the city of Luang Prabang. Surrounded by mountains and farmland, Santi Resort & Spa is furnished in simple, local style, and the remote The Vansana Plain of Jars Hotel serves local food and wine and offers convenient access to the Plain of Jars archaeological site.

Karen Jordan
Editor
ProfessionalTravelGuide.com