Responsible Travel | Don't Forget To Move

How To Travel Responsibly (And Why You Should Care)

How to Travel Responsibly

Responsible. Blech. That word makes me think of parental lectures on the importance of doing my dishes and walking the dog, most of which fell on the deaf ears of my brother and I growing up. Responsibility seems like a stuffy, uptight and boring word that contradicts the fun, carefree spontaneity of travel. So, is responsible travel actually an oxymoron?

Hell no! In fact, we’d argue that traveling responsibly gives us way more of an authentic and fulfilling experience. Responsible tourism doesn’t have to be a certain type of travel. Rather, it should be embedded in the way that every single person travels, regardless of destination, budget and interests. And it’s not difficult to make a positive impact on the world while having a lot of fun along the way! We’re not here to judge, simply to inform, so we hope this guide serves as a useful insight to help you start traveling responsibly.

What is Responsible Tourism?

Quite simply, it’s traveling with an awareness that we, as travelers, have an effect on the people and places that we visit. Then it’s making decisions about where to visit, who to book tours with and what activities to do based on that awareness.

And this doesn’t mean you have to miss out on things because they have negative effects. It means finding alternatives that not only preserve the destination, but also have a positive effect! As more and more companies and destinations become socially responsible, the tourism industry is booming with plenty of opportunities to do good. After all, wouldn’t it be great if you could go to a place, have an amazing experience and also give back to the communities that are welcoming you to their home?

Being a responsible traveler doesn’t necessarily mean volunteering (although if you’re interested in volunteering, here’s some tips on finding the best program for you). Instead, it can mean supporting local tourism boards that work hard on preserving the natural beauty of a place, rather than allowing overdevelopment to ruin what was once the original appeal. We’ve all been to those over-touristy spots. The kind of spots where maybe 5 or 10 years ago it was a pristine paradise, but then an influx of people and foreign investment turned it into yet another destination crammed with huge resorts and littered beaches.

Authentic culture is often diminished in these locations as local customs and traditions are pushed out in favor of Western interests. If local culture is preserved then it’s often influenced, re-packaged and marketed as a tourist attraction to curious travelers. Environmental concerns are disregarded in the quest for ‘development’. Animals are often subjected to exploitation as an exotic attraction. Local economies suffer as money is leaked out of the country through foreign investment.

Pretty depressing stuff, huh?

But do you want to hear the good news?! There’s something that we can do about it! We as travelers have the power to shape the world that we explore, by choosing destinations, tour operators and experiences that prioritize the care and protection of local culture. We make a choice every time we hand over our hard-earned money. By choosing responsible and ethical hotels, tours and locations we help support sustainable tourism and the integrity of the places we visit!

It doesn’t have to be super complicated. It can be as simple as choosing small mom and pop shops and hole-in-wall restaurant stalls over chain stores. Seriously, we really don’t need any more McDonald’s in the world.

Sometimes it can be a little confusing figuring out which companies really prioritize responsible travel and which ones are just BS. One way to measure this is to see if the company focuses on the triple bottom line of responsible travel: people, profit and planet. Normally companies have the “bottom line” of only profit. Responsible travel means buying from companies and organizations that value profit (hey, gotta make that $) equally as much as the welfare and prosperity of the locals, as well as the sustainability of the environment and animal populations. Win/win/win!

Responsible travel can be broken down into three main categories

People

The travel industry can be misleading. You would think that by visiting a destination, you would be supporting the local people by spending money. Unfortunately, a lot of the time there is a problem called a “leakage economy.” Basically, when a place really starts to pick up with tourism, foreign investors come in and start buying up hotels and tour companies, and a lot of the money that customers spend in those businesses doesn’t even make it to the locals. Keeping an eye out for small local-owned business and big businesses that fund community projects ensures that locals will benefit off your tourism. This helps keep local culture and tradition alive, which is one of the main reasons we visit a foreign country in the first place!

Environment

Who doesn’t like to gaze in awe at a gorgeous scenic landscape when they travel? Unfortunately, these natural resources are not always respected. Jules and I have seen some truly horrific things while traveling, including bags of trash being dumped into the gorgeous Amazon River and rubbish thrown from bus windows. As a traveler, you really want to scream at the perpetrator, but we have to remember that in a lot of countries there isn’t an emphasis on protecting the environment. In the United States, it’s drilled into our head from a young age to not litter and to recycle every bottle and can (although there are still many who disregard this). That’s why environmental education initiatives are so, so, SO important! Volunteering or contributing to organizations that focus on educating locals about the importance of environmental education is one of the best things we can do to help keep these destinations beautiful.

It can be tempting as a traveler to want to interact with exotic animals that you could never interact with at home.

Animals

Exposés on the exploitation of animals have made travelers much more aware of the problems associated with animal tourism. Documentaries like Blackfish, which show the abuse of marine mammals at SeaWorld, have helped educate and influence where people choose to spend their money. Around the world however, especially in developing countries, there is little regulation on how animals are treated for tourism attractions. It can be tempting as a traveler to want to interact with exotic animals that you could never interact with at home. From riding elephants, to petting tigers, to swimming with dolphins, these sound like an animal lovers dream! But the fact is, these animals are wild and in order to interact with humans safely, it most likely means they are abused, drugged or both. Our rule of thumb: unless we’ve found a reputable sanctuary or are witnessing these animals in their natural habitat, we skip it. But even still it’s worth doing some research behind the organization or sanctuary to see what the real story is.

If you’re thinking, “jeez, being a responsible traveler sounds like a lot of work!” Don’t worry. No one is perfect 100% of time. Traveling responsibly is all about doing what you can. We’ve all had our moments of weakness at 2 am after a night of Changs and end up stuffing our faces with Burger King hash browns. So we’re not going to preach about being perfect, but we are trying everyday to travel with a conscious.

At the end of the day, traveling responsibly is about enjoying new destinations like you normally would, but just staying aware of your impact. It shouldn’t be too hard to find the most ethical and sustainable companies in the travel industry, it usually just requires some research. Lucky for you, dear reader, Jules and I travel the world doing the research for you! We connect with companies that understand and respect their impact on local communities, as well as provide the best experience to travelers. Then we pass this info off to you, so you can travel responsibly and ethically while having a seriously fun time! Sound good? We think so too ☺

If you’d like to learn more about responsible tourism or for more tips on traveling responsibly, get in contact with us through Facebook or Twitter. We’re always happy to chat!

Swim With Turtles On Apo Island and Support Marine Conservation

As Jules and I planned our 3-week road trip itinerary around the Visayas, we compromised with each other to squeeze in everything we both wanted to see. My non-negotiable was Apo Island! As long as I got to swim with the sea turtles, I would be happy. For me, turtles are just about the coolest thing in the ocean. Super elusive in most other parts of the world, they are basically the celebrity of the sea. I have to admit though, I was a bit skeptical. We usually steer clear of tourist attractions involving animals, as they tend to be exploitative, overdone and just plain cruel. But everything we read online and heard from friends who had been confirmed that you really do get to swim with wild sea turtles.

And I can say now with full confidence, that if you go to Apo Island, you will indeed swim with just about as many turtles as you want.

That should be enough for you to book a ticket immediately and come out to the Philippines. Here, I’ll help you out: Cheap Flights to the Philippines.

And when I say swim with turtles, I don’t mean oh hey look there’s a turtle over there in the distance. I mean they get right up in your grill. The government has created a marine sanctuary where you can only enter with a local guide. The turtles are highly protected, with a 5,000 peso fine for just touching one. Because of this protection the local turtle population, which was decimated about 10 years ago, has repopulated. Now it’s a fairly popular spot with tourists, so the turtles are comfortable being around humans. They come into the shallow water and feed on the algae, while us lucky humans get to gaze in awe. Win/win! Here’s how to make the most out of your time on Apo Island:

How Long To Stay

If you have a limited time in the area, Apo Island is totally doable as a day trip. There are a ton of companies that will take you out for a day of snorkeling or diving. If you have a couple days, however, we recommend staying over night. Most day trippers don’t even make it on shore, which is a shame because Apo Island is really lovely. Staying a couple of days gives you time to explore the rest of the island and gives you the opportunity to avoid crowded times to have the turtles all to yourself!

How To Get There

If you’re coming from Dumaguete, there are several boats that can take you down to Apo Island. We recommend coming over with the boat from Harold’s Mansion, a popular Dumaguete hostel. They do daily snorkel and dive trips, but you can also grab a one-way ride to the island for 250 pesos. Their boat is huge and makes for smooth sailing. Liberty Lodge, where we stayed on Apo, also has a boat, but they charge 300 pesos and the boat is tiny. Jules and I barely survived the rough trip back without losing our lunch. Go with Harold’s.

What To Bring

Apo is a small island, so there is limited selection of places to eat and buy things. In true budget style we brought over some food from the mainland to make simple breakfasts and lunches. The Robinson’s in Dumaguete is a great spot to stock up on food, as is the local market in town. Be sure to bring enough money for however long you’ll be staying, as there’s no ATM on the island. Heads up: there is a 100 peso charge to enter the island. We also recommend traveling with your own set of snorkeling gear to save money on rental costs, but a set can be rented from your hotel or on the beach for a couple hundred pesos.

Where To Stay

Apo Island is pretty damn small. Where your boat pulls up is the main area of town. There is no running water on the island and electricity only runs during certain hours of the day. Be prepared for bucket showers (exactly how it sounds) and don’t expect air conditioning. The first accommodation you’ll see is Liberty Lodge right on the shore. After you pay your island fee the ladies will direct you to this accommodation; we’re not sure if they make a commission or if they’re just friends. Liberty Lodge is one of the nicer spots to stay on the island. We rented a beautiful private room with a small balcony overlooking the ocean for only 500 pesos (low season price, without meals). They cater to most budgets, with nicer rooms and dorm beds available. More budget accommodation can be found just a short walk from shore including Mario’s Homestay (which we also heard good things about), Ronors Guesthouse and H – H rooms for rent. We saw private rooms advertised for 500 peso with breakfast, but you’re a short walk from the beach.

What To Do

If you’re going to Apo Island you better be there to snorkel or dive. If you’re there for a beautiful white sand beach, you’ll be disappointed. That being said, the snorkeling is AMAZING! Did I mention the turtles?! There are also gorgeous coral, a plethora of fish and some incredibly clear blue water. This marine sanctuary is a testament to what happens when local governments choose to protect and respect their resources rather than exploit them. As travelers it’s easy to fall into tourist traps like riding elephants or playing with tiger cubs, but it’s crucial that we do our homework and think critically about how these animals are actually treated. Swimming with turtles on Apo Island is one of the few ethically and environmentally sound opportunities we’ve found to interact with animals. Knowing that the turtles are protected and able to live in their natural habitat makes the experience just that much more special.

While Jules and I didn’t dive, we heard the scuba sites were some of the best in the country and very reasonably priced.

Besides the snorkeling and diving, Apo is a great spot to get a taste of local island life. We recommend walking over to Cogon on the other side of the island. This walk takes about half an hour and sees you walking over two mountains (there are concrete steps). On top of both peaks there are spectacular views of either side of the coast. To get to this side just follow the concrete path toward the interior of the island and ask locals along the way.

The people of Apo are super friendly and love to chat. Be on the look out for groups of kids engaging in paaway ug damang (spider fights). The first time we stumbled across this we could barely make sense of what we were looking at. Think real life Pokemon! These young kids collect non-venomous spiders from the forest and keep them in little matchboxes divided into cells by folded banana leaves. They bring them out and fight against other kid’s spiders by putting the two on a long stick and having them battle it out. The spider that falls 3 times from the stick loses, or the spider that can wrap the other in a web wins. It’s pretty crazy to see the finesse the kids have for directing their spiders. It’s something you really have to see to believe, so make sure to ask some local kids to take their spiders out, undoubtedly they’ll have them waiting in their pocket.

On a final note, this should go without being said, but don’t forget that these turtles are wild animals! They do not want to be touched, poked, harassed or held on for a wild ride through the sea (as awesome as that sounds). Treating them with respect means that future generations will be as lucky as we are to have a close up look at these gorgeous creatures!

What do you think? Is swimming with turtles on Apo Island on your bucket list? Drop us a comment below or find us on Facebook and Twitter!

4 Tips for Being a Tool in Thailand (What Not To Do)

So you’ve just landed in Thailand on your first trip overseas and you’re pumped! And so you should be, Thailand is a hub of excitement along the backpacking trail and a perfect place for backpacking newbies and seasoned veterans alike.

It’s a country full of adventure, cultural experiences and other travelers, so naturally you’re chomping at the bit to get stuck into it. But before you hit the road you should have a think about how you want to be perceived along the way. Are you going to be the culturally aware traveler, or the tourist who treats this new country like your own personal playground?!

To hell with all that, you’ll do what you want! You’ve earned this trip, so no one is about to tell you what to do. Forget the local’s advice, here’s the only tips for Thailand travel you need!

Treat the Whole Country Like a Beach Resort

You’ve been lazing about the beach for the last week, working on your tan and now it’s time to show it off. Board shorts or bikinis have been your main go-to since you arrived, and you’re not about to change that for anyone. Rock up to that Wat or sacred temple baring more skin than a Miley Cyrus video clip, the Thai people won’t mind. Surely they’re used it by now.

Ride a Scooter Like It’s a Toy

Back home your country works tirelessly to reduce the road toll by enforcing strict rules like drink driving, wearing a helmet and such. But hey, you’re on holidays and in Thailand now, none of that matters anymore. It’s not like Thailand has the highest road tolls in the world anyway (actually it’s ranked 2nd), so why should you worry.

Forget about protecting that head with a helmet, you know how to handle the chaotic roads of Bangkok or the anarchic give-way system at roundabouts. Take the scooter to a bar, down a dozen shots and then drive home. Surely all those other bandaged travelers just don’t know how to ride as good as you!

Assume No One Speaks English

You’re in a foreign country, so naturally no one is going to understand English. Forget the fact that English speaking tourism has dominated the country for decades and the business savvy Thai are surprisingly handy with their English. If you get to a restaurant and it looks a bit different or funny compared to back home, feel free to bad mouth it willy nilly. Comment on the weird food that the locals are eating while you chow down on some French fries and a Starbucks coffee. If you do need to communicate with Thai people, make sure you speak really loudly. They only understand English at an extremely high volume. Just yell and they’ll understand you.

Skip the Cultural Crap and Get Drunk Everyday

Forget the fact that you’ve come half-way around the world and that you could get drunk everyday back home if you wanted. Now beers and shots are so much cheaper, so what else are you going to spend your money on? A visit to the Grand Palace in Bangkok costs 500 baht, that’s at least 8 beers at Happy Hour! Besides, walking around in the sun when you’re hungover sucks, you’d be better off staying in that cool bar and nursing your head with a few extra brews.

If you can’t tell, this article was written in jest, based off some of the outrageous things we saw while traveling through Thailand. Even though this article is a joke (and we ourselves have had our fair share of cheap beers and scooter rides) it’s important to remember that when you come to a foreign country you should be respectful of local customs and laws. After you’ve come and gone, real people with real lives are still here. Do your part and travel responsibly 🙂

What do you think about our tips for Thailand travel? Got any others? Drop us a comment below or find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Travel To Cuba Now, And How To Do It Responsibly

Updated May 2016 after Jules’ second four week trip to Cuba. All information is based on our own personal travel experiences and investigations to provide you with the most up-to-date Cuba information.

I’d been meaning to write this article ever since we stepped off the airplane in Cancun, fresh off our 4 week adventure in Cuba. Cancun, an over-the-top flashy tourist playground, could not have been more different from the old school vibrancy of Havana. As soon as we got back to internet we screamed the praises of Cuba, urging everyone we knew to get to the island before the trade embargo is lifted and Cuba completely changes! Little did we know that day would come so soon!

Okay, so the embargo hasn’t been lifted, but the US and Cuba have opened formal talks for the first time in over 50 years. Guys, this is HUGE. Like, historic stuff right here. I’m not going to get too political because this a travel blog, but this decision on the part of President Obama is the potential beginning of an incredibly new and bright future for Cuba.

This also doesn’t mean the US and Cuba are now besties and Obama’s going to be posting selfies with Raul Castro on his Instagram (although that image in my head is pretty awesome). Americans are still restricted on travel to Cuba unless you have a specific purpose that fits in certain categories (visiting family, working as a journalist, performing, etc.). Back in 2011 Obama loosened restrictions on travel and deemed specific, government approved educational tour companies the right to take a limited number of Americans to Cuba. With restrictions already laxed, it seems like only a matter of time until general tourism is allowed.

What This Means for Cuba

Like I said, I’m not going to get too political here because I am by no means an expert on the subject and this is a travel blog. There’s a ton of really useful information out there if you’d like to learn more.

Whether you agree or disagree with America’s use of the trade embargo as a pressure tactic for a change in Cuban political climate, you have to admit its not working so well. Cuba and the US have had a stalemate for the past 50 odd years and much of Cuba has remained the same. Cuba is still communist and a Castro is still in power. Some things have changed – many Cubans have cell phones and there is some (albeit expensive) access to internet. But I doubt these were these were sacrifices Fidel gave into because of the enormous pressure from the US government.

Instead, the tense diplomatic relations have had a devastating effect on the Cuban population. As a traveler it’s hard to tell how much of that is caused by the trade embargo and how much by the oppressive government. Still, it’s not difficult to see that the trade restrictions are adding to an already difficult reality for the population.

It’s been estimated the embargo has cost Cuba over 1 trillion dollars over the past five decades. The opportunities that could open up once the US embargo is lifted, are enormous. After all, the US is just a short 90 miles away.

Obama needs Congress’ approval before lifting the embargo and that’s not going to be easy. But the normalization of the relationship between the US and Cuba is no doubt the very beginning of an immense change for both Americans and Cubans.

What this means for travel to Cuba now

But why go now? Why not wait until restrictions have been fully lifted? Because Cuba is changing everyday and this policy change is only going to increase that. If you want to see the original Cuba, the one that so many travel writers have referred to as “stepping into a time machine,” then you better go now. I promise you, Cuba will be one of the most, if not the most, interesting country you’ve ever been to. Go now while there’s no McDonald’s, Starbucks or Burger King obstructing the view of Havana’s gorgeous coast-line. Go while taking a taxi means piling yourself into the backseat of a ’55 Chevy. Go while young Cubans are still drinking Havana Club by the esplanade, practicing their salsa moves in the street and shouting over rowdy chess games in the plaza, instead of being inside on Facebook and Youtube.

That being said, I don’t want to romanticize the poverty in Cuba. Because a lot of these “quaint” and “refreshing” traits that tourists love are the flipped side of the coin that creates a very difficult realty for Cuban citizens. It’s all fine for us travelers to enjoy a Starbuck-free vacation, as long as we can go home to our iPhones when we’re done, right?

Trade embargo or no, Cuba is an incredibly special country. Go now and enjoy the vibrancy of city life in Havana, smoke a cigar dried by a neighbor down the road in Vinales, dance with a local at the Casa de Music in Trinidad, share a bottle of Havana Club, well, anywhere in Cuba. Travel to Cuba now before the embargo is lifted, and continue going to witness this country change and grow. I promise, you won’t regret it.

Planning a trip to Cuba? Find out where to stay, the best street food and cheapest transportation.

Choosing the Eco-Friendly Tour: Volcano Boarding with Sonati

Volcano Boarding with Sonati

When you think of Central America you can’t help but think of luscious green landscapes set to the backdrop of towering volcanoes. Old, new, inactive and active, volcanoes are all over Central America! So if you fancy yourself an adventurer the opportunity to challenge yourself presents itself nicely in some of the volcano hikes and tours around the countryside.

However, if this doesn’t sound exciting enough for you perhaps you’d be more interested in hiking up Cerro Negro, considered Central America’s most active volcano, and then boarding down the steep slope of volcanic gravel on a rickety old plank of wood?

Volcano boarding, just outside the city of Leon, is quickly becoming one of the must-do tourist attractions in Nicaragua. Pretty much unmissable along the famous Gringo trail throughout Central America, volcano boarding has something for everyone. A beautiful scenery, a nice short hike and some crazy adventure! The only difficulty, who to do the tour with?

Bigfoot vs The Rest

When you make it to Leon there’s no shortage of hostels and tour agencies offering volcano boarding or hikes. After spending a little time investigating our options we came to the conclusion that it was basically Bigfoot Hostel, and then all the others.

A lot of people that head up Cerro Negro go through the popular hostel Bigfoot, but that’s mostly because a lot of travelers end up staying there. Personally, it wasn’t for us. We didn’t stay there, so we’re not about to bad mouth it, but to us (and from what we heard) it just seemed like any other mass-Gringo populated hostel tour agency that you find along your travels. Instead we opted for a smaller organization called Sonati Tours, a local ran tour agency that put 100% of their profits into locally run environmental education projects.

Between the two organisations there wasn’t a great deal of difference in price, but funnily enough it was Bigfoot that actually charged more, even though their profits went back into their pockets, as opposed to Sonati who gave back to the community.

Both tour agencies ran similar deals, the tour price included transport and equipment. Bigfoot charged you $30 dollars a tour, and so did Sonati. However Bigfoot fails to mention the $5 entrance fee you have to pay at the parks gate, so the tour actually bumps up to $35. Within that extra $5 they offer you the obligatory Gringo singlet that ‘proves’ you completed volcano boarding at their hostel (but really you’re just a free walking advertisement for them). They also throw in a 50c beer and a watered down cocktail to sweeten the deal, but nothing that extra $5 is really paying for.

Going with Sonati costs $30 flat, and as well as getting a cheaper deal you’ll also be lucky to get a few extras. You’ll get a smaller group, which usually means your guide will let you board down the volcano a second time (we did!). You’ll also get more time to chat with your guide about your surroundings and hear interesting stories about the history of the volcano. And if that’s not enough, give your Karma a little boost by knowing your giving back to a better cause than just another hostel.

At the end of the day the decision is yours. We’re not trying to be your moral conscience, but it was an easy choice for us. While Sonati may not have the big touristy appeal that some people enjoy, we had a really good time with our smaller group and learned a lot more about the great work Sonati are doing around the community.