Eco-Friendly Destinations in the Caribbean

The Caribbean offers some of the most beautiful natural places in the world, from white sands and blue waters to lush jungles and a riot of exotic flora and fauna. And while a good amount of many urban areas have become quite developed to service an expanding tourism industry in the region, there are still a number of essentially undisturbed places in nature. So it’s no surprise that eco-tourism is an increasingly popular industry among Caribbean countries, with visitors who embrace a green lifestyle preferring to enjoy eco-friendly vacations in these inspiring destinations.

Whether it’s through the adoption of renewable energy policies or citywide recycling initiatives, these Caribbean destinations are making big strides towards reducing their impact on the environment. If you’re prioritizing eco-friendliness when it comes to your next vacation, consider one of these Caribbean destinations for your trip. In addition to being green, they also have plenty of eco-friendly activities for everyone to enjoy!

Dominica

This lushly forested island, both mountainous and surrounded by clear waters, is a popular destination among contemporary eco-tourists. Their efforts in conservation and preservation are among the best in this region, and their dedication to taking care of their precious natural resources is foremost in policy and planning initiatives. In addition to offering plenty of eco-friendly activities like hiking and kayaking, Dominica also boasts some really green resorts. Built on sustainable guidelines, these buildings are working towards 100% energy efficiency and already have made big improvements in their reduction of wastewater, electricity usage, and food waste.

St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Much of this small island is devoted to National Parks (about 60%!), which means that you’ll find plenty of natural spaces to explore here. They also offer miles of pristine beaches, with excellent snorkeling opportunities in the clear waters over vibrant undersea settings. A visit to St. John is also a good option for those who prefer a more earthy lodging experience: they offer modest, eco-friendly campgrounds that do much to minimize human impact on the local environment. Additional green activities include hiking, horseback riding, swimming, and kayaking.

Bonaire

This southern Caribbean island is known mostly for its water-based activities. With a warm and mostly dry climate, they have less in the way of rainforests and much more to offer when it comes to expansive natural beaches (although there is a lovely mangrove forest to explore). They’re especially popular for scuba diving, with their bright and well-preserved coral reefs. Another beloved eco-friendly activity in Bonaire is wind surfing, and this island actually attracts windsurfers from around the globe. As far as the island’s green practices go, they’ve also made an invaluable commitment to green living across the board. They aspire to power much of the island with wind-energy, making up the slack with bio-diesel. Visitors will also find eco-friendly lodgings in various places.

Belize

Belize is a country with natural wonders galore. Offering everything from jungles and rainforest to mountains and beaches, nature-lovers will find something to enjoy here that suits their interests perfectly. Swimmers will adore the warm waters, and divers and snorkelers will marvel at the fascinating barrier reefs below the waves. Their nationwide investment in conservation and preservation has also meant widespread adoption of green policies, such as legislation classifying 36% of the land and 13% of the surrounding waters as protected territory. Lodging options range from sustainable hotels to independent resorts that feature locally sourced materials.

Costa Rica

This verdant country is full of lush rainforests, much of which has been preserved from logging or development efforts. In fact, a large part of tourism in Costa Rica is eco-tourism designed specifically around environmentally sensitive tours of these expansive forests. Their conservation efforts are particularly important because of the country’s impressive biodiversity: there are many rare flora and fauna that exist in few other places around the globe. Costa Rica also has a number of eco-resorts that cater to green tourism, offering everything from sustainable architecture and recycling practices to green energy policies and organic, local fare.