Eco-Friendly Bucket List: 3 Experiences You Can’t Miss

Travel gives us so much—new experiences, fresh perspectives, and if you’re lucky, the opportunity to clown around with a clownfish in the world’s largest coral reef system. The least we can do, in return, is approach our adventures with care and respect, because tbh our planet deserves nothing less.

As part of our Responsible Travel initiative, we’re committed to improving the sustainability of our trips by embracing eco-friendly practices and supporting local conservation efforts. If you’re nodding your head in approval, keep reading to discover three eco-friendly experiences you can (and should) have on an EF Ultimate Break trip.

No trip to Colombia is complete without visiting the beautifully diverse wilderness of Chicaque Natural Park. If you’re looking to connect with nature, run—don’t walk—to this cloud-forest reserve near Bogotá. The park is home to an absolutely bonkers number of plant and animal species, many of which only exist in this region.

Conservationists work to protect the park’s plants and animals through habitat restoration and invasive species management. Basically, this place is unlike anywhere else in the world, and we’re lucky to have the opportunity to see it. Wanna come with?

See it with your own eyes on Colombia: Bogotá to Cartagena.

Get a front row seat to Finding Nemo IRL. Trust us, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is even more extraordinary than Pixar makes it seem. With over 1,500 species of fish, the reef is a bustling hub of marine life. When you combine this diversity with crystal-clear water, you’re left with some of the best snorkeling in the world.

As climate change, pollution, and overfishing threaten to destroy the reef, conservation efforts couldn’t be more important. Ongoing research is being conducted to understand and address these threats. Lucky for us, there are still ways to visit this fragile ecosystem in ways that minimize our footprint. And we’d love to show you.

Go for a swim down under on Australia & New Zealand Adventure.

If you’ve ever been to a national park with beaches, mountains, and rainforests, there’s a good chance it was Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica. Fun fact: it’s one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. Monkeys? Check. Toucans? Check. Sloths? Check, but in slow motion. The next time you find yourself in Costa Rica (with us, right?), make a point to stop and explore this one-of-a-kind destination.

Due to its delicate ecosystem, the park has implemented several sustainable tourism practices, including limiting the number of daily visitors and restricting single-use plastic. If you’re a fan of the great outdoors, join us on our Costa Rica trip for a guided tour of this coastal paradise.

Monkey around on Costa Rica Adventure.

Ready to embrace eco-friendly travel? The reality is, as we explore the globe, we leave a footprint, so it’s up to all of us to prioritize responsible travel. And remember, every action makes a difference, from using reef-safe sunscreen and packing reusable water bottles, to supporting local businesses that focus on sustainability. When we treat the planet with respect, the planet treats us right back with experiences we’ll never forget.