James Ellsmoor

James Ellsmoorhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/about/contributors/james-ellsmoorJames Ellsmoorhttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/caribbean/responsible-travelSustainability expert James Ellsmoor offers his tips for minimizing your impact, encouraging ecotourism, and helping the local economy.2019-12-20T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/caribbean/responsible-travelhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#ecotourism">Ecotourism vs overtourism</a></li> <li><a href="#responsible">Making responsible choices</a></li> <li><a href="#economy">Supporting the regional economy</a></li> <li><a href="#podcast">Listen to the World Nomads Podcast: Caribbean</a></li> </ul> <p>From conservation success stories to unprecedented environmental degradation, tourism can be a double-edged sword but, more and more travelers are embracing more responsible forms of travel. In the Caribbean, that often means looking beyond the typical cruises and all-inclusive resorts and exploring the region’s <a href="/explore/caribbean/nomads-share-their-favorite-festivals">unique cultures</a> and <a href="/explore/caribbean/dominican-republic/the-hidden-dominican-republic">incredible landscapes</a>.</p> <p>A global biodiversity hotspot home to many endemic species, Caribbean ecosystems are admired by scientists, locals, and visitors alike. Sustainable tourism is a growing industry in the region, and it contributes to both economic development and successful conservation efforts.</p> <p>When traveling throughout the Caribbean nations, you’ll notice that the region is slowly emerging as a leader in sustainability, through efforts such as adopting renewable energy and banning single-use plastic. It offers countless opportunities to actively participate in responsible tourism and help drive the environmental movement.</p> <h2 id="ecotourism">Ecotourism vs overtourism</h2> <p>The Caribbean has been a victim of its own success in attracting sun, sand, and sea vacationers. In 2016, 46.7 million people experienced the islands’ lush rainforests and coral reefs, but overtourism, a polluting cruise industry, and climate change have had a negative impact on the Caribbean’s sustainability. From coral bleaching to <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/how-to-reduce-plastic-use-while-you-travel">plastic waste</a> and large deposits of sargassum algae washing ashore, the Caribbean has been the first to witness the detrimental impact of climate change on the environment.</p> <p>But the region is also taking action, taking the lead in environmental efforts such as cleaning up the oceans. Most of the islands have already taken the step to preserve their local environment by banning plastics. As Cheryl Carter the UK Director of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. explains: “Banning single-use plastics goes some way to ensuring the protection of our pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters that we are famous for. As a destination, however, we realize that our sustainability efforts cannot stop there, and we are proud to say we are embracing many conservation projects and methods across the island, from driving electric cars to biodynamic farming. We are excited for a more sustainable future.”</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/caribbean/responsible-ecolodge.jpg" /><figcaption>An ecolodge in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Image credit: Getty Images / DamoceanCreative</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="responsible">Making responsible choices</h2> <p>Helping to preserve beautiful landscapes and rich biodiversity doesn’t have to be left to scientists and politicians – as a traveler, you can contribute by making responsible choices.</p> <p>Air travel has been put under the spotlight as a major source of carbon emissions, but there are solutions for the eco-conscious traveler. Buying carbon offsets for flights is one popular option, as it enables you to donate to various projects based in the region, ensuring your contribution stays local.</p> <p>If you’re looking for an experience that you won’t find within the all-inclusive resorts that dot the beachfront, there are many alternative forms of retreat that blend tourism and sustainability. Evident in Guyana becoming the world’s top ecotourism location, and Aruba pioneering agroforestry-based tourism, the region is adding an environmental flair to its breathtaking panoramas and rich cultural history.</p> <p>As an ecotourist, the responsibility to protect the environment is shared between you and your host community. By choosing environmentally friendly resorts, joining local conservation efforts such as <a href="https://conserveturtles.org/">The Sea Turtle Conservancy</a>, and learning about the region’s ecology, you not only expand your knowledge of sustainable practices, but also help to drive conservation efforts.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/guides/caribbean/hog-island-hero-new.jpg" /><figcaption>Hawksbill sea turtle. Image credit: Getty Images / Brandi Mueller</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="economy">Supporting the regional economy</h2> <p>As a result of the increasing popularity of ecotourism in the Caribbean, more and more eco-conscious travelers have visited the region. However, a 2017 report by the World Travel & Tourism Council notes that despite the region’s popularity, misconceptions regarding the severity and location of storms in the Caribbean have discouraged tourists from traveling to the area. The destruction caused by Hurricane Dorian and Tropical Storm Humberto in 2019 serve as a stark reminder of the problems facing the various nations that make up the region, but these events are rare and should not put off potential visitors.</p> <p>Sensational headlines tend to be rife on those occasions that severe weather does occur, so ensure that any information you heed comes from local sources that are aware of the current conditions at your destination. Tourism makes a vital contribution to the region’s economy, so it’s important to make informed decisions, as your choice to cancel does not just affect you, but can have serious local repercussions and cause further economic damage.</p> <p>The tourism industry and the environmental sector have not always been on the same page, but they are intertwined. Ecotourism is not only protecting the local environment, but also the economy, by ensuring that future generations can enjoy the same natural beauty that has long defined the Caribbean. Responsible tourists are driving the sustainable development of the region, one vacation at a time.</p>Getty Images / Cavan Images 1961470928 Getty Images A woman standing at the edge of a lake in Puerto Rico.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/caribbean/when-to-go-and-how-to-get-aroundFrom avoiding tropical storms to the challenges of moving between destinations, a trip to the Caribbean can take some planning. Check out these useful tips from an expert on the region.2019-12-20T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/caribbean/when-to-go-and-how-to-get-aroundhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#climate">Climate and weather</a></li> <li><a href="#time">Best time to visit</a></li> <li><a href="#getting-around">Getting around the Caribbean</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="climate">Climate and weather</h2> <p>From Jamaica’s steamy mangrove swamps to the occasionally snowy top of Pico Duarte in the <a href="/explore/caribbean/dominican-republic/the-hidden-dominican-republic">Dominican Republic</a>, the Caribbean’s weather is as diverse as its natural environment.</p> <p>The entire region benefits from its proximity to the equator – from about 1,700mi (2,735km) in the northern Caribbean to around 621mi (1,000km) on Panama’s Caribbean coast – leading to warm temperatures usually between 25-33°C (77-90°F). That being said, there’s marked variation in climate across the thousands of islands and the surrounding mainland nations.</p> <p>Exotic wildlife inhabits the rainforests and reefs that abound throughout the Caribbean, which is considered a biodiversity hotspot. Finding activities that help you explore the environment is easy, and can provide valuable information regarding local conservation efforts and projects aimed at safeguarding the region’s natural capital for future generations.</p> <p>Many islands and mainland nations, such as <a href="/explore/caribbean/puerto-rico/7-things-to-know-before-visiting">Puerto Rico</a>, in the eastern Caribbean, and Costa Rica and Belize, in Central America, feature warm, humid tropical weather. Meanwhile, the southern Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao tend to have a drier tropical climate, evident in their savannah-like landscapes and broadleaf forest. More temperate climates can be found on the elevated terrain of mountainous islands such as Dominican Republic, Haiti, or Jamaica.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/caribbean/getting-around-tropical-storm.jpg" /><figcaption>Stormy weather in Puerto Rico. Image credit: Getty Images / Bloomberg Creative</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="time">Best time to visit</h2> <p>The Caribbean experiences a period of dry, warm weather from December to April, and a wet season, which stretches from May to November, with the highest risk of <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/how-to-survive-a-hurricane">hurricanes and tropical storms</a> occurring between June and November. Transport options, including flight or ferry schedules, can be affected by inclement weather, so it’s important to stay updated and trust the decisions made by local operators.</p> <p>Caution is always warranted when booking holidays during the wet season, but remember that the region is vast, and that a severe weather event occurring somewhere in the area is not always likely to affect your own destination. Responsible travelers should monitor reports from the <a href="https://www.gdacs.org/">Global Disaster and Coordination System</a> (GDACS) and other official sources. But refrain from instantly cancelling your vacations when a hurricane hits the news, and instead contact your hotels and listen to local authorities and advice.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/caribbean/getting-around-taxi.jpg" /><figcaption>Vintage taxi in Havana. Image credit: Getty Images / zodebala</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="getting-around">Getting around the Caribbean</h2> <p>While all-inclusive package holidays are ubiquitous in the Caribbean, travelers who want to explore their own way will get to experience the region from a totally different perspective. Backpackers are still infrequent, but for the adventurous traveler with an open mind, it can be a highly rewarding opportunity.</p> <h3>Flights</h3> <p>Many flights to the region transit through Miami/Fort Lauderdale or Panama, but there are direct flights from various US, Canadian, and European cities to some islands. Traveling between islands can be surprisingly difficult and expensive, meaning any multi-island trip requires advanced planning. The regional carrier LIAT links some destinations in the Eastern Caribbean, but you’ll often hear the joke that the acronym stands for “Leave Island Any Time”, serving as a playful warning to travelers<em> (note: as of November 2020 the airline has been operating at a reduced capacity)</em>.</p> <h3>Island transport</h3> <p>Transport within the islands tends to be relatively easy, but can sometimes be expensive. Taxis are usually a safe option but require the same common sense that you would employ at home. Local buses on many islands provide an affordable alternative, but you may have to ask around to work out the schedules and routes. In Jamaica, the <a href="https://www.knutsfordexpress.com/">Knutsford Express</a> provides a reliable, comfortable option with air conditioning and Wi-Fi, and serves most major towns on the island.</p> <h3>Ferries</h3> <p>Despite its beautiful waters and the short distances between islands, the Caribbean lacks an extensive ferry network. Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Freeport, Grand Bahama is the only regular ferry link between the region and the United States, and services departing from South or Central America are available from only a handful of ports to nearby islands.</p> <p>Domestic ferry links are common within countries to their smaller islands, such as from <a href="/explore/caribbean/trinidad-and-tobago/indo-caribbean-culture-in-trinidad-and-tobago">Trinidad to Tobago</a>, Grenada to Carriacou, <a href="/explore/caribbean/saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines/la-soufriere-hiking-st-vincents-active-volcano">St. Vincent</a> to the Grenadines, and within the <a href="/explore/caribbean/the-bahamas/native-boat-regattas-in-the-bahamas">Bahamas</a> archipelago. One of the best options for an international island trip is with the L'Express des Îles ferries running frequently to connect the islands of Dominica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St. Lucia.</p>Getty Images / Westend61 11190939283 Getty Images Ferries, Bequia, St. Vincent.