Today we celebrate the Sustainable Travel Day in the year of Sustainable Travel.

We may not realize it, but the human race has really gone very far in comfort and health. We may not see it, but running water, heated showers, microwave cooking, instant messaging, surgery, sewage systems, and traveling from one side of the World to the other in hours are privileges that we, as humans enjoy for the first time in history.

With all their power, neither Alexandre the Great, Queen Victoria, or Charles V, could never, ever call their mother on the phone.

And certainly, any member of our western World society, never mind how poor they are, can certainly do it.

And this is truly fantastic!

However, there is a bit more to that than our comfort, health, or happiness.

All the resources for this great life we enjoy nowadays come, completely, from Earth.

Now, when we are talking about the travel industry, there are around a billion people traveling every year.

One billion human beings coming and going. Planes, trains, ships, buses, cars. Hotels, cabins, bed and breakfasts, house stays.  Tours, cocktails, meals, swimming pools, hikes, walks, museums, cafes, restaurants.

One billion human beings that have changed the world as we knew it.

The impact of these travelers has been overwhelming on Earth.

And the only possible answer to these major changes in our contemporary society is, certainly, to develop a sustainable travel industry.

And the fact is that we have to create a consciousness in the individual traveler before expecting our society to understand it and support it as a whole.

At Camino Travel we believe in sustainable travel and celebrate the day from the bottom of our hearts. Each of the collaborators in our headquarters has learned the habits of sustainable development. Recycling and reusing are part of our daily lives, and we have spread the importance of it in our families and communities.

And we also believe in teaching the transcendence of sustainability through our travel consultants, suppliers and tour guides to all our passengers.

Find here, ten tips to create a more sustainable trip to Costa Rica:

1. PACK LIGHT – Lightening up your luggage saves money on baggage fees and increases plane fuel-efficiency. Pack recipients that can be washed in the sink and are quick drying so they can be worn multiple times along your trip.
2.  SAVE WATER – Reduce the time spent in showers, turn off the faucet while shaving or brushing your teeth, and use the same towel for multiple days. And NEVER use the hotel laundry service, as they normally wash each guest’s clothes separately, even if there are only a few pieces of clothes.
3.  SAVE ENERGY – When you go out of your hotel room, switch off the lights, air conditioner, and TV. You can also consider leaving “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door so that the housekeeping staff won’t clean your room as much a possible, this will reduce the use of chemical cleaning products and the energy of vacuuming and washing bedclothes.
4.  REDUCE/REUSE/RECYCLE – Take a water bottle free of BPA you can refill, use just a single piece of soap for both sink and shower, return brochures and maps once you’re done using them, and keep your garbage with yourself until you find a place to recycle it.
5.   BUY LOCAL – Look for indigenous artisans and producers and learn about their craft and history, you can find them on common commercial areas and even down the road.
6.  LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS – Stay on marked trails to avoid hurting native flora, and consider taking a bag to pick up trash along your trip. Not only is it a perfect way to help keep the outdoors attractive, but it also guards wildlife that might eat or get tangled in the garbage.
7.  BE A TRAVELER, NOT A TOURIST – Take time to immerse yourself in the local music, art, and cuisine. Embrace the cultural differences that make it exceptional. Become familiar with the locals and notice how they see life. You might be amazed at the things you learn creating a great personal experience.
8.  HONOR LOCAL TRADITIONS – If you want to take a picture, please advise the person, especially with children. Entering a church requires silence, in mass, yes, but even when is not in service.If you are enjoying a home-hosted meal, let your travel consultant know any limitations in your diet before, so that the family does not feel you simply didn’t like the food. Be sensitive to the fact that the way you like respect form the travelers to your country, Costa Ricans also feel the same way. Common sense is the best advisor.
9.  GIVE BACK – Traveling gives you a unique experience that belongs with you for the rest of the life. In exchange, consider giving back, such as bringing school supplies on tours in which you know you’ll interact with residents. Check our lists in Pack for a Purpose.
10. SHOP SMARTER – In Costa Rica you will find a lot of souvenirs made from hardwoods. If in doubt of their origins (Some of them are made from fallen trees), buy t-shirts, coffee, ceramics, etc.