Macaws are massive, long-tailed parrots plumaged in such bright colors that it’s heard to believe they exist outside of a zoo. Despite being more frequently seen at bird shows, on commercials, and travel brochures to tropical locales where they aren’t native (such as Jamaica, Florida, or the Virgin Islands) than in much of their natural range, large numbers of these majestic parrots can still be encountered in some of the more wild and remote areas of Central and South America.

Since they require huge areas of unbroken forest inhabited by very few people, it should come as no surprise that macaw central just might be southeastern Peru. The Amazon rain forest in this region is like an unbroken sea of every shade of green, there are almost no roads, and there are huge, uninhabited protected areas. Oh yeah, and there’s also these places along certain river banks where macaws, parrots and parakeets come to eat clay.

Yes, that’s right, they munch on dirt but it’s not just any old soil that they are interested in. The birds consistently take clods of dirt from particular river banks and only appear to be interested in certain types of clay. It’s thought that this helps them to remove toxins acquired from the fruits and seeds they feed upon as well as providing them with important minerals.

Although no one knows for sure why they do it, what is known is that large flocks of macaws and their smaller relatives show up at the same spot almost every day. This is great news for the eco-tourist because the spectacle presents some of the most evocative and awe-inspiring wildlife viewing in the world.

Among the dozen or so accessible clay licks in southeastern Peru, the most famous is at the Tambopata Research Center. The clay lick near this rain forest wilderness lodge attracts huge numbers of up to 16 species of macaws, parrots, and parakeets while rare animals such as jaguars and tapirs are sometimes seen in the surrounding forests.

On the best days, up to two hundred macaws of six species (!) fly in to hang out at and feed on the clay. They are also accompanied by hundreds of colorful parrots and parakeets. The mere sight of dizzying flocks of these birds flying around and feeding on the river back is incredible all on its own but throw in the fact that most of the birds are screaming and screeching and the experience leaves most people speechless.

San Blas is a small town that was formerly used as a base to fight pirates in western Mexico. Perhaps because swashbucklers have ceased to be a threat for some time, the town has developed a forgotten, rather neglected personality. Some of the larger hotels resemble left-over horror movie sets as they are reclaimed by the surrounding jungles, crocodiles are increasing their numbers in nearby mangrove swamps, and the town is famous for swarms of tiny, biting bugs that adore the place. These are of course a few of the reasons why San Blas is such a great destination for the eco-traveler.

This might sound like a contradiction but because San Blas is not growing by leaps and bounds like seaside locales in so many other areas of the world, habitat for wildlife is kept safe from being converted into sterile, plastic-dominated resorts.

Boat tours are excellent for seeing a wide variety of waterbirds that reside in the mangrove forests and wetlands that surround San Blas. Most of these tours also include a visit to the Tovara Springs and a crocodile farm. The springs are a swimming hole in the middle of the mangroves while the farm is self explanatory and the reason why crocodiles are frequently seen from the boat. The croc farm might also explain the presence of supposedly tame crocodiles in the springs and why more people hang out at the on-site restaurant than in the water (although no one has been attacked yet).

Back in town, other than enjoying a place that actively practices the art of taking it easy (also known as doing nothing), one of the other main activities is a visit to scrub-covered islands just across an estuarine channel. Most travelers get ferried across the narrow stretch of brackish water to hang out on the island’s beaches. Huichol natives from the highlands, however, trek down to San Blas and specifically go to this island for sacred ceremonies they have been carrying out since pre-colonial times.

Because of this, care should be taken to not disturb any prayer circles or otherwise obvious sacred sites on the island, nor should you touch any God’s Eye weavings or arrows found in the area as these are sacred objects that were purposely left behind after Huichol ceremonies.

Ecocamp is an environmentally friendly place to stay when visiting southern Chile’s rugged Torres del Paine National Park. This camp provides a comfortable home base made of several geodesic dome tents at in which to explore the surrounding wilderness park which offers world-class mountain vistas and where it’s possible to view wildlife such as the llama-like guanacos, puma, condors and rare birds like the ostrich-like Lessor Rhea.

The domes tents are big enough to comfortably walk around in, has its own bathroom, heated with low-emission wood stove and electricity is generated by solar panels and micro hydro turbine. These tents, echo the early dome-like dwellings of the nomadic Kawesqar tribe, an ancient native people who lived in the area. The dome shape helps maintain stability in high winds, which are common in Patagonia. The tents are linked together by boardwalks and have wooden floors, beds, round windows for amazing views. There is a common-area tents for meals, chilling out, and socializing.

The camp is deep inside the often windy park along dirt roads and in a valley surrounded by awe-inspiring granite mountain peaks, glaciers and azure lakes. In the summer months (end of September through end of March) you can get up to 17 hours of daylight, so you will have lots of time to explore the park. This camp in Chile’s Patagonia is as about as far south as you want to get, but if you want to get even closer to the end of the world then you will need to make complicated travel plans that will eventually get you about 300-400 miles further south in Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego.

Details on the various options to book a trip are on the EcoCamp’s website

In a beautiful setting within 400 acres of the Connemara forest, sheltered between Killary Harbour and the Bundorragha River, the location is ideal for all types of mountain, forest, and surf activities. Alternatively, the spa in the resort is available for an organic seaweed wrap if what you’re looking for is to just lay back and relax.

Meals are prepared with organic ingredients locally sourced; variety of room types and suites available. Educational resources furnished to the community and visitors.

For Full Booking Information, CLICK: http://delphimountainresort.com

Thanks to Catherine Mack and a suggestion that if you’re traveling through Ireland an excellent resource is her book, Ecoescape Ireland: The handbook to responsible escapism: A travel Guide to the greenest places in Ireland

Two weeks of salsa and cycling on the Caribbean’s most vibrant island. This moderate/adventurous cycling holiday takes you on a “revolutionary” journey through Cuba, beginning in the historic city of Santiago de Cuba, the birthplace of the revolution and the home to Cuban music.
Led by experienced resident guides, over two weeks you will enjoy unrivaled insight into the island life as you cycle from the eastern side of the island through the heart and on to the far west before returning to Havana.

$$: From £1495 (15 days) excluding flights. Bike hire £150. Price includes twin accommodation, full tour service (guides, back up vehicles etc.), entrances fees to National Parks/sites and meals including refreshments en route.
New Departures for 2009/2010: 07 Nov, 28 Nov 2009; 09 Jan, 06 Feb, 06 Mar, 03 Apr 2010
Booking/Full Details: Responsible Travel

Panama is the ultimate destination in the America’s for diversity of wildlife. Panama is a natural land bridge connecting two continents and is home to many species from South American as well as North and Central America. About 29% of Panama’s land area is protected in 14 national parks, more then a dozen forest reserves and 10 wildlife refuges. Birdwatchers have long flocked to Panama’s some 1,000 species of birds. It is also home to over 220 mammals and 354 reptiles and amphibians. There are hundreds of islands and miles of protected coral reef, sheltering an amazing diversity of marine life.

Frank Gehry, the famous architect of Guggenheim museum and other renowned buildings, is blending art and science in his latest creation in Panama, the Bridge of Life Museum of Biodiversity. It is nearing completion and was planned to open in 2010 but it maybe a bit longer before the doors open due to a variety of reasons. More info here.

Panama is becoming one of the most exciting ecotourism destinations in the Americas and there are now several exciting ecotourist possibilities you may want to consider. For most of us with limited time and desire to rough it in unfamiliar rainforest, you will want to join a tour group of some sort.

The Panama Family Adventure has a 8 day package deal reasonably priced and geared for a couple traveling with children that want a relaxed easy eco-tour of top rainforest locations as well as some time to do some tropical chilling out.

Another fascinating adventure could be the Rainforest Awakenings, on their 8 day “youth rites of passage retreat” where you get intensive close up study of the tropical ecosystem. Hiking through the rainforest,a community service day where you can help build a water catchment system for a nearby community. Also go snorkeling and discuss the tropical reef ecology, and also hike along with a Ngobe tribal member to a sacred waterfall.

If you’d rather avoid the tour groups and want to strike out on your own you may consider the 400 acre Mount Totumas Cloud Forest Preserve, started in 2008, which borders La Amistad National Park. Their website states: “The cloud forest habitats of western Panama and neighboring Costa Rica are rich in endemic species. The site provides a great potential for studies of the local biodiversity, birdwatching, orchid photography and other related areas of natural history interest.” There is a three bedroom home with off-the-grid electricity (that is available for rent to the public) They also state “Visitors to the Reserve should be prepared for an isolated wilderness “retreat” experience. The site and home is at the top of a valley bordering an immense national park.” They also have a blog and it states they are actively seeking skilled carpenters, plumbers, ecologists with cloud forest knowledge and organic and conventional gardeners, and trail designers. Check out these great photos on their flicker photo site.

Days are hot, nights much cooler; temperatures range from 90 °F during the daytime to 70 °F in the evening practically year-round. Humidity is always high at about 80 percent. The rainy season takes place between October and November, and the best months to visit are mid-December and late March. Temperatures vary according to geography. The climate is less tropical at higher elevations. In mountain areas the average annual temperature ranges from 10ºC to 19ºC