The Prices of Eco Tours to South America
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Eco-environmental tours to South America are the perfect choice for travelers who want to explore the region while making a positive impact on the planet. These tours focus on sustainable travel practices, taking you to breathtaking natural destinations while supporting conservation efforts, local communities, and eco-friendly initiatives. Whether you're trekking through pristine natural areas, visiting wildlife sanctuaries, or learning about renewable energy projects, eco-environmental tours combine adventure and education for a truly meaningful travel experience. In this article, we'll explore the costs of eco-environmental tours around South America, highlight some of the best options, and share destinations that showcase the beauty and fragility of our planet.
To help you choose the right eco-adventure, we've analyzed a variety of South America's tours that prioritize sustainability and quality. By evaluating price ranges, tour experiences, destinations, and environmental contributions, we've uncovered the best value options for eco-conscious travelers. Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly trip or a premium experience, these tours offer an incredible way to explore the world responsibly while leaving a lasting positive impact. So, pack your reusable water bottle and get pumped to discover a new way to travel that protects and preserves the wonders of the Earth.
Why does South America appeal to eco-environmental travelers?
South America is a haven for environmental travelers, known for its commitment to sustainability and biodiversity. Rio de Janeiro is known for its samba dancing, sandy beaches, and Carnival. Rio de Janeiro, Florianopolis, and Salvador are popular with beach lovers. Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Sao Paulo are foodie destinations with fantastic cuisine and world-class restaurants. The region's eco-lodges, diverse environment, and green initiatives allow visitors to explore responsibly, making it a leader in conservation tourism and a favorite for nature lovers.
How much do Eco Tours in South America cost?
The average price per day for eco tours in South America is $296, based on our analysis of 138 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $90 to $1,018 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $154 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $470 per day.
Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.
Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.
Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.
We partner with TourRadar because they offer the world's largest selection of multi-day organized tours, offering seamless travel experiences while supporting local businesses. It's the perfect way to explore new destinations with ease and confidence.
The Best Tours in South America
Budget-Friendly Tours
Budget-friendly and affordable eco tours in South America average $154 per day, with daily prices from $90 to $198. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out Ecuador Trekking The Avenue of Volcanoes here.
Mid-Range Tours
For typical eco tours in South America that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $265 per day. Daily prices range from $204 to $318. Taking this step up in price from the cheaper tours to mid-range will often get you plenty of extra amenities and service for a great price. These tours usually include very comfortable hotels, meals at delicious local restaurants, comfortable transportation, knowledgable guides, and entry to many of the top attractions. One of the best tours is Galápagos Multisport.
Luxury Tours
Luxury eco tours in South America average around $265 per day, with daily costs ranging from $320 to $1,018. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is Galápagos — North, West & Central Islands aboard the Yolita.
Which tour companies offer eco tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer eco tours in South America. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
G Adventures
G Adventures is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Thailand, Peru, South Africa, and Vietnam. Many of their tours are priced in the mid-range category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, island hopping, snorkelling, surfing, wine tasting, kayaking, cooking classes, water sports, jungle surfing, and canyoning.
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Explore!
Explore! Is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. A number of their tours visit destinations in Europe and Asia. Some of their most popular destinations include India, Italy, Vietnam, and Spain. A large number of their tours fall within in the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as island hopping, wine tasting, camping, whale watching, white water rafting, and bird watching.
Collette
Collette is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include the U.S., Italy, Great Britain, and France. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as wine tasting, island hopping, and camping.
Signature DMC
Signature Tours is a smaller tour company that offers tours to 6 countries, including Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Uruguay. There are opportunities to customize some tours to specifically meet your needs. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category.
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Eco and Environmental Destinations in South America
Wondering where eco and environmental tours visit in South America? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is a world famous megacity that is filled with colorful neighborhoods and a population that knows how to have fun. The city has iconic beaches such as Copacabana and countless urban hikes that take you to dramatic mountain peaks. At night, people come out to party, and you're sure to have a good time, particularly during the Carnival season.
Foz Do Iguacu
Foz do Iguaçu is the main hub for visitors going to the waterfall on the Brazilian side. Iguaçu Falls is the largest waterfall in the world and it sits on the border between Brazil and Argentina. The are many separate cascades as well as walkways and trails around the falls. Devil's Throat is the tallest of the cascades.
Salvador
Salvador is the capital city of the state of Bahia. It has a historic area that is filled with colonial architecture that dates back to the Portuguese colonial period. Today the city's culture still reflects its Afro-Brazilian roots. The city also runs along the coastline and is home to several beautiful, sandy beaches.
Fortaleza
Fortaleza is the capital city of the state of Ceará. It's a popular tourist destination with Brazilians, and it has a growing reputation with international tourists as well. The city has a long stretch of sandy beach that's lined with high rise buildings and bars. There's also a rich cultural scene and a big city energy.
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Other popular destinations for eco and environmental tours through South America include Cusco, Aguas Calientes, Ollantaytambo, Quito, and Lima.
Eco Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
Deciding between an organized tour and independent travel? Keep these important aspects of each option in mind.
Organized Tours
Pros- Expert guides provide in-depth knowledge of ecosystems, conservation efforts, and biodiversity.
- Access to protected or restricted ecological sites that are not available to the public.
- Learning about sustainable practices directly from conservationists and locals.
- Structured tours ensure that you experience key ecological sites safely and responsibly.
- Opportunities to participate in ecological preservation efforts.
- Guides help navigate difficult terrain and ensure you don’t disturb fragile environments.
- Pre-arranged transportation to remote ecological areas, saving time and effort.
- Educational experience that fosters environmental awareness and stewardship.
- Limited flexibility to explore on your own or adjust the schedule.
- Group settings may not provide the same level of personal connection with the environment.
- The focus might be on popular ecological sites, missing out on lesser-known gems.
- May have to follow a fixed route, limiting spontaneous exploration or off-the-beaten-path discoveries.
Independent Travel
Pros- Full flexibility to design your trip around specific ecological interests, like forests, wetlands, or coastal areas.
- Ability to explore remote or lesser-known ecological spots that may not be included in guided tours.
- Freedom to choose sustainable accommodation options and travel methods that match your values.
- More control over your itinerary and the time spent at each site.
- Ability to follow a pace that suits your personal interests and ecological awareness.
- Time-consuming research needed to find the best ecological sites and sustainable options.
- Navigating remote or difficult terrains can be challenging without expert guidance.
- Risk of not having the necessary permits or access to protected ecological areas.
- Difficulty in learning about the local ecology or conservation efforts without a knowledgeable guide.
- Potential to unintentionally harm ecosystems if proper precautions are not taken.
- More logistical work involved in organizing travel, accommodation, and activities.
- Possible language barriers or difficulty communicating ecological concerns with locals.
Which is cheaper?
Are guided eco tours worth the money compared to independent travel? It depends on the specifics. Tours combine accommodations, meals, transport, tickets, and activities into a single cost, while independent travelers manage and pay for these individually. To determine which is more affordable, compare the tour's total price with what you'd spend booking everything separately. Preferences like staying in low-cost lodging or indulging in fine dining can influence whether a tour costs more or less. Make sure to check out the tour package to see what is included, or not, very carefully before deciding.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
More Tour Options
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