Alright, let’s talk about finding places to holiday that don’t mess up the planet too much. I got a bit fed up with the usual massive resorts and crowds, you know? Started feeling like I was part of the problem. So, I decided I’d try and find something different, something a bit more… well, green.
Digging Around for Ideas
First thing I did? Hit the internet, obviously. Typed in stuff like “eco holidays” or “sustainable travel”. Man, there’s a lot out there. Loads of places claiming they’re eco-friendly. It was kinda overwhelming. Lots of fancy marketing talk, you know? Hard to tell what was genuine and what was just trying to get my money.
I spent a good few evenings just scrolling, reading blogs – yeah, kinda like this one, I guess – and looking at reviews. I tried looking for places with actual certifications, but honestly, that got complicated fast. Too many different labels. So, I simplified. I started looking for smaller places, locally owned if possible. Places that talked about具体 things they were doing, like using solar power, managing their waste properly, protecting local wildlife, or hiring local people.
Talked to a few mates as well. One friend had been to Costa Rica and kept banging on about it. Said it was amazing for nature and they were really serious about conservation. That kinda stuck in my head.
Picking a Place and Getting Ready
So, Costa Rica went on the list. I also found this interesting spot in Slovenia, kind of a farm-stay setup that focused on local food and hiking. Decisions, decisions.
In the end, I went for Costa Rica first. Seemed like a good place to start. I looked for lodges that were a bit out of the way, not the big chains. Found one near a national park. The booking was straightforward, just emailed them directly. They mentioned stuff like rainwater harvesting and supporting local guides, which sounded good.
Packing was a bit different too. I thought more about what I was taking.
- Packed my own reusable water bottle, obviously.
- Got some reef-safe sunscreen, just in case I ended up near the coast.
- Took solid toiletries – shampoo bars and stuff – less plastic waste.
- Tried to pack light. Less weight on the plane, right? Felt a bit virtuous about that.
Actually Going: The Costa Rica Trip
Getting there involved a long flight, which, yeah, isn’t great for the environment, I know. That’s the tricky bit with this whole thing. But I tried to make up for it once I was there. Used local buses where I could, shared shuttles instead of private taxis.
The lodge I stayed at was pretty basic, but clean and friendly. And wow, the nature! Woke up to monkeys outside my window. Seriously. Spent days just hiking in the rainforest with a local guide they recommended. He knew everything about the plants and animals. It wasn’t some polished tourist tour; it felt real.
Things I noticed:
- They were serious about recycling. Different bins for everything.
- Food was mostly local, simple stuff, but really fresh and tasty.
- No air conditioning, just fans and natural breezes. Took a night to get used to, but it was fine.
- Showers were solar heated. Worked great… mostly. Had one lukewarm shower after a cloudy day, but hey, small price to pay.
It wasn’t perfect luxury, but it felt good. Felt like I was actually experiencing the place, not just looking at it from a bubble.
Tried Somewhere Else Too
A year later, I decided to try that Slovenian farm stay. Totally different vibe. Flew into Ljubljana, then took a train and a short bus ride. The family running the farm were lovely. Helped out a bit with collecting eggs (felt like a right city idiot at first). Went on some amazing hikes in the Julian Alps.
Again, it was all about local. Local food, local wine, learning about their way of life. They used wood heating, grew most of their own veg. Simple living, really. It rained quite a bit, but honestly, sitting by the fire reading a book after a long walk was pretty great.
So, What’s the Verdict?
Look, finding these places took a bit more effort than just booking the first package deal I saw. You gotta do your homework. And yeah, sometimes “eco-friendly” means slightly less convenient – like that solar shower moment.
But was it worth it? Absolutely. The experiences felt more authentic. Met some great people, both locals and other travellers looking for the same thing. And honestly, knowing I was trying, even in a small way, to travel a bit more responsibly? That felt pretty good too.
I’m definitely going to keep looking for places like this. It’s not about roughing it completely, unless you want to. It’s just about being a bit more mindful, choosing places that care. Give it a go, you might be surprised.
