Yugen Earthside is a curated platform for sustainable adventure package trips. CARBON REMOVALS INCLUDED WITH EACH BOOKING!

Yugen Earthside | Sustainable Travel Made Easy

Incredible experiences you'll feel great about

Perfect for small groups of active travelers

Enjoy a leisurely, scenic cycling tour alongside an expert local guide through spectacular Transylvania, Romania.

'Average' difficulty - cycling novices welcome

Pedal with views of Romania's highest mountains

Yugen Earthside automatically includes carbon removals with each trip booked.

Have an amazing experience: Take your dream trip in the most responsible way possible. 

Save time: Choose an expertly crafted itinerary; reduce decision-making about where to go and what to do.

Opt for convenience: Avoid the hassle of booking each trip component separately.

Travel with confidence: Leverage our carefully curated network of partners who will fully support you during your trip.

Yugen Earthside is a sustainable travel booking platform and agency. We connect mindful travelers to responsible trips designed and run by our local partners.

Our company is a certified net-zero Social Purpose Corporation.

Here’s why clients love booking through us:

Yugen Earthside automatically includes carbon removals with each booking.

Each tour is expertly crafted with the community & environment in mind.

Responsible Package Trips on Instagram: "A sun, sea, sand vacation with colorful underwater friends is sounding reallllll good right about now 🤿🐠🪸🐋🐬

2026 Departure Dates:
Feb. 1st: SOLD OUT
Feb. 15th: SOLD OUT
Feb. 22nd: New!
Mar. 1st: SOLD OUT
Mar. 22nd: 4 spots left
Apr. 5th: 5 spots left
Nov. 8th: 2 spots left
Nov. 15th: New!

#whaleshark #snorkel #snorkelingtrip #oceanconservation #maldivesvacation"

Responsible Package Trips on Instagram: "If climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is something you’d like to strive for, please let us help you do it safely and responsibly 🙏🏻🇹🇿🏔️

📆 Group climb dates are posted through 2026; guaranteed departures!

Private climbs also available.

🌱 We do carbon removals, our local Tanzanian partner does carbon offsets (and so much more for the community!). They’re also a member of the Kilimanjaro Porter’s Assistance Project, an organization supporting fair treatment of porters and guides - without whom these climbs would not be possible.

#climbkilimanjaro #kilimanjaromountain #responsibletourism #kilimanjarosummit #mtkilimanjaro"

Responsible Package Trips on Instagram: "☀️🌧️ When is the best time to visit Ecuador? 🇪🇨 

📍For the mainland: June-November during the Dry Season is ideal; but the Wet Season is OK too (greenery will be extra lush!).

🐢 For the Galápagos Islands: June-December during the Dry Season is best, though the Wet Season is  still great.

Combine our 7-day Nature & Culture Tour with our 7-day Galápagos Land Based Tour for a well-rounded, slow travel, 2 week trip!

#ecuadortravel #ecuadorvacation #ecuadorfood #ecotourism #packagetrip"

Responsible Package Trips on Instagram: "A private tour is an affordable way to ensure an authentic and hassle-free visit 🇮🇳

Come discover North India! Teeming with wildlife, colorful cities, and local artisans, slow travel is truly the best way to explore this mesmerizing country.

#indiatraveller #northindia #indiatour #slowtravelling #packagetour"

Responsible Package Trips on Instagram: "Trek along the Kokoda Track from April-October.

This is a Privately-Guided hike suitable for groups of 2-8 trekkers.

Choose between the (somewhat) easier 6-day trip that features more cultural experiences, or the full and more rigorous 11-day trip that emphasizes the remarkable history of the trail.

#papuanewguinea #png #indigenoustourism #papuanewguinea🇵🇬 #pngtourism #kokoda #kokodatrack 

@backpacking"

What is sustainable travel? Discover the 3 pillars of sustainable tourism & why traveling sustainably is so important.

Sustainable Travel 101 | Yugen Earthside | The 3 Pillars

If you’re wondering what sustainable travel is, or where to start, you’ve come to the right place.

Hopefully, you’re already taking some sustainable actions in your personal life. Maybe this means taking the bus to work, or committing to a zero-waste home.

There are so many things that count as being “sustainable” to some degree, but many sustainably-minded people stumble when they hear the word “sustainable” followed by “travel”. 

What exactly does sustainable travel mean? Let’s start with the definition of sustainable tourism:

United Nations World Tourism Organization

Sustainable tourism takes full account of its current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and host communities.

Sustainable travel, therefore, is an umbrella term for the many ways that individuals can travel in a way that supports sustainable tourism at their destination. You can think about your travel behavior within the context of these three pillars:

Having a positive impact on the environment

Respecting the local society and culture

If that sounds simple to you – great! If you’re scratching your head, the below should help: we’ll take you through examples of actions you can take related to each pillar.

Sustainable travel actions for the environment 

This is not an exhaustive list, but it should start increasing your awareness about what types of things to think about on the go.

Transportation: This can include taking public transportation to and from the airport, visiting destinations closer to home so you travel shorter distances, limiting your flights per year, and making an effort to walk and use rental bikes while on your trip.

Lodging: Seek out certified eco-lodging where possible. The more people who demand green accommodations, the more normalized it will become. Consider staying in boutique guesthouses or asking your hotel about their water and energy consumption.

Activities: Make zero- or low-carbon emission activities, like cycling, hiking, trekking, or kayaking, the focal point of your trip. These will likely be in nature reserves, parks, gardens, or other protected natural areas. Enjoy the beauty – and maybe consider donating to its preservation!

Products: Bring zero-waste products with you. Things like a reusable water bottle, collapsible cutlery, extra tote bags, and hygiene bars (for example, a shampoo bar) will reduce your single-use and plastic waste. Receive our complete sustainable travel packing list for free by subscribing to our monthly newsletter.

Sustainable travel actions to support local societies & cultures

First, there’s a concept you should be aware of: tourism dispersal. It’s considered a possible antidote to over-tourism.

Tourism dispersal is the concept of encouraging travelers to go beyond the ‘hot spots’ to reduce the burden on places where tourism is causing damage and to spread the benefits of tourism to less-trafficked areas.

Keep this in mind as you consider your real impact on the societies and cultures of the places you visit. Tread lightly, and approach your destination with an awareness of your impact on others, and a genuine willingness to learn from those different from yourself. 

Be respectful: This goes for dress codes (such as covering your shoes and toes at sacred sites), cultural norms (for example, you may need to tone down the PDA in some places), and general niceties – like learning how to say a few words in the local language.

Be adaptable: Table service might take longer, public transportation might be less frequent, tipping customs might be different, and people may be more polite or rude than you expect. Remember, you are the guest in somebody else’s home when you travel. Be patient and kind.

Connect with locals: Speaking with locals is perhaps the best way to truly get a feel for a place. Befriend your barista, do a homestay, or participate in a local workshop or class. You’ll understand your destination on a deeper level and might come away with a new friend or get tipped off to a hidden local gem.

Get off the beaten track: Seek out authentic experiences that will draw you away from the hordes of tourists. This might mean going to a lesser-known destination or monument or doing an unusual activity. A unique experience will give you a deeper insight into the culture, and perhaps feel all the more special because not every tourist will have done it.

Sustainable travel actions to support the economy

Economic leakage is another important concept.

Economic leakage refers to money leaving (or leaking out of) the destination’s economy and trickling back to parent companies generally based in countries that have a more developed economy.

While economic leakage is usually a bigger problem for island states, smaller nations, and developing countries, you should be mindful about keeping as much of your tourism money as possible in the destination you visit by doing the following:

Support local businesses: Stay in boutique accommodations, eat at local restaurants, and take tours with local operators and guides. Wherever you spend money, try to confirm that the business is owned and managed by locals, as well as employs locals with fair wages.

Watch what you buy: Double-check that any local products or souvenirs you buy are actually made in the destination. You’d be surprised at how many knick-knacks look local but are made in a different country. If you’re not sure where something was created, just ask. Locals are typically quite proud to inform you when something is a handmade or regional product.

Spread out your support: Visiting different restaurants and shops throughout your stay can help support more people in the local community rather than concentrating your tourism revenue in only a few places.

By the way, we encourage you to carefully weigh whether or not you stay at an all-inclusive resort. While the following does not apply to 100% of all-inclusive resorts, please consider that:

Many are owned by parent companies in first-world countries, setting the stage for economic leakage

They may employ locals primarily for the menial, lower-paying tasks rather than higher-paying management roles

By their nature, they reduce motivation for travelers to spend money in the community beyond the resort

If you’ve picked up on some overlap between these three pillars, you’re not wrong.

Caring for the environment preserves the land that locals call home and can also help protect public health in the community through downstream effects. Supporting local businesses helps the local economy as well as the residents who run those businesses. 

The intertwined nature of these pillars is part of what makes sustainable tourism so complex and nuanced, and it’s also why it’s so important to think about how your individual actions can impact these three areas: the environment, societies, and economy.

Parting thoughts to help you think sustainably

We want sustainability to be easier to incorporate into your travels, whether you’re a solo backpacker, a group trip enthusiast, or a couple seeking a luxury retreat. Sustainability might not be the singular driving factor in planning your next vacation (yet!), but if you’re at least thinking about the three pillars of sustainable tourism, that’s a great start.

The idea of sustainable tourism will become increasingly mainstream. Sustainable travel shouldn’t feel inaccessible, overly expensive, or like you’re making a compromise. Most of the time, you can go where you want to go, and do what you want to do – but there will be a more responsible way to do it and a less responsible way to do it.

Yugen Earthside is here to help you on this journey by...

Increasing your awareness through informative blog posts

Giving you sustainable tourism resources

Helping you learn about the climate impact of travel and what you can do about it

Making it easy to discover the best sustainable experiences we can find

Yugen Earthside is a certified net-zero Social Purpose Corporation. We are dedicated to promoting the long-term, responsible growth of tourism, and automatically include carbon removal contributions for each of our travelers.

Armed with this knowledge, we warmly invite you to browse our trips and travel responsibly with us!

Everything travelers need to know about carbon offsets and carbon removals, & how travelers can positively impact the environment.

Carbon Offsets & Carbon Removals Explained | Yugen Earthside

Carbon offsets and carbon removals are two types of purchases travelers can make to mitigate their impact on the environment.

Air travel is bad for the environment. The travel and tourism industry is estimated to contribute 12% of global CO2 emissions by 2025, about half of which is driven by transportation including flights, according to Sustainable Travel International. At a high level, we need government regulation and more corporate action from big companies (especially airlines) to enact meaningful, long-term change with global impact. On an individual level, being familiar with one’s travel emissions, carbon calculators, carbon offset programs, and carbon removal technologies is a great starting point to becoming a better-informed and more action-oriented responsible traveler.

Let’s start by taking a closer look at carbon offsets, which you have probably heard of before. We’ll dive into carbon removals, a new topic for many, right after that.

Carbon offsets refer to programs or schemes designed to reduce or avoid future emissions. Sometimes, carbon offsets also refer to the removal of carbon, but we separate out these terms (“carbon offsets” and “carbon removals”) as there are important distinctions we’ll discuss below. 

Carbon offsets can be purchased by people or companies in an effort to negate or compensate for emissions of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases. When purchased, what you’re usually buying is actually a carbon credit. Carbon credits “are measurable, verifiable emission reductions from certified climate action projects,” as described by South Pole, a climate and carbon consultancy that designs, develops, and implements carbon offset programs.

Examples of low-carbon impact trips in Portugal are below.

What are examples of carbon offset projects?

There are many projects designed to help offset carbon, and generally, these offsetting schemes fall into four categories.

Forestry: This includes all of the projects involving reforestation, or planting and maintaining trees. Reforestation projects are extremely common to see in this space, and what you may think of when you hear “carbon offsetting”. 

Energy: Energy projects for carbon mitigation are centered around renewable and solar-powered energy initiatives. This includes projects such as building wind farms or installing solar panels. Energy projects are also quite common to see.

Community: Community projects focus on providing locals with appliances and equipment, like clean cookstoves, that allow them to conduct their daily lives in a way that emits less carbon. For example, clean cookstoves are more efficient at cooking food and use less fuel (sometimes they’re even solar-powered). 

Coasts: Coastal conservation projects involve preserving and caring for coastlines where there are wetlands like salt marshes or seagrasses, which are very effective carbon capture ecosystems. Coastal carbon projects get less visibility than some of the other project types – but check out the Blue Carbon Initiative for more information.

There are myriad companies selling carbon offsets. Some are designed to ‘offset your life’ while others are more specific, such as to help you offset emissions from your travels. Here are a few things to look for when choosing a carbon-offsetting company:

What project types do they support? If you’re passionate about trees or the ocean, for example, you can find companies that specialize in these areas of impact.

Are they certified? The Gold Standard and Verra are two of the most well-known certification labels for carbon offsetting schemes.

Does the carbon offset organization practice transparency? This means not only describing the projects but also providing up-to-date proof via progress reports or annual reports on the initiatives and their effectiveness. Some companies will also link scientific documents or white papers backing up their work. The more information they provide about their work, the better you can evaluate the project’s legitimacy.

One way to travel more sustainably without separately buying carbon offsets on your own is to book tours through companies who are already doing this legwork for you. For example, Yugen Earthside's local partner in Türkiye leveraged the lull during Covid to work with South Pole to measure and act upon the carbon impact of each of their tours. They adjusted their itineraries to be more slow-travel-focused and incorporated the cost of offsetting the related carbon emissions into each of their trips, resulting in carbon-neutral experiences.

Discover some of our sustainable and carbon-neutral tours in Türkiye below.

Carbon offsets and the risk of greenwashing

When it comes to climate action and knowing which carbon offset programs are veritable, the waters can get murky quickly. There's no way around it: Preventing greenwashing is a challenge.

What is 'greenwashing'? Greenwashing is when companies make or use environmental claims, statements, or tactics to promote their products and brand, without being fully transparent about their sources or accuracy. 

There are concerns about companies self-reporting projects and progress without much official oversight.

There have been studies done showing that companies vastly over-report progress.

There are tricky nuances to consider. For example, it’s not usually ‘trees’ being planted (even though that’s what companies will say), but rather ‘seedlings’. Seedlings have a much higher chance of dying before they can become effective carbon-capturing trees. An important consideration to be aware of is whether or not companies discuss reforestation in terms of protecting the long-term growth of what they plant, as opposed to just how much they’re planting.

Looking for certifications and transparency, combined with the types and quality of projects the company supports with these nuances in mind, should help you feel more confident about avoiding greenwashing. This leads us to…

Is carbon offsetting a scam? Do carbon offsets actually work?

Candidly, there are a lot of mixed reviews about whether or not carbon offsets do in fact work. While blanket statements declaring all carbon offset programs to be a scam may lack accuracy, it seems like more and more companies tout carbon offsetting efforts almost as a ‘get out jail free’ card.

There are reputable programs genuinely fighting the battle against climate change, but it can be hard to sift through what these are.

We cannot emphasize enough the need to seek out certified, transparent, and science-backed projects. We also urge mindful travelers to stay skeptical and ask questions before contributing to a program if they’re feeling unsure.

Examples of low-carbon impact trips in Romania are below.

Why can the price of carbon offsetting vary so much?

Something that may seem puzzling to people is why – or how – the price of carbon offsetting can vary so much. This contributes to the overwhelming nature of the topic: on top of finding verifiable projects, each person’s budget varies, and being overwhelmed with choices across a broad spectrum of price points further muddles things.

For example, we conducted a simple case study looking at two different offset methodologies for a round-trip flight between Seattle (SEA) and Paris (CDG).

Sustainable Travel International: STI calculates the carbon footprint of an economy flight based on the mileage between SEA and CDG. Their results show 2.24 metric tonnes of CO2 which will cost $35.84 to offset ($16.00/metric tonne).

Cool Effect: Cool Effect does not base its calculation on airport codes, but rather on ranges of flight times. The flight duration between Paris and Seattle is about 10 hours. Using the ’10-12 hours’ duration bucket, Cool Effect applies a long-haul estimate of 1.89 tonnes of CO2 per leg, so a round-trip flight would generate 3.78 tonnes, and cost $55.26 to offset ($14.62/metric tonne).

Here are six of the many reasons prices per metric tonne can vary:

Project type: It costs different amounts to do something like plant a seedling compared to providing an energy-friendly cook stove.

Project location: The country where a project is being implemented can affect the price. A project in Iceland will cost a different amount than a project in an African village.

Implementation: Even once a project has been defined, it can cost variable amounts to roll out the implementation and oversight.

Research and science: The cost of research and science used to develop and back projects can vary based on the number of scientists, their expertise, salaries, and time spent on the project.

For-profit vs. not-for-profit: Whether or not the company behind a carbon initiative is a for-profit or a not-for-profit company can also affect how much they are charging for carbon offsets.

Percent of the cost going to the project: Many projects will also tell you what percent of your payment for a carbon offset is actually going to the carbon project(s). Transparency here is key. For example, Cool Effect mentions research fees, credit card fees, registry fees, and admin fees, but there can also be fees related to marketing and education about carbon projects. Fees aren’t necessarily bad, but you should understand what they are as they will affect how much you pay for your offsets.

In short, our stance is that, yes, buying credible carbon offsets is better than doing nothing.

This is not to take away from the myriad complications that come with offsets, as discussed above. It is also not to take away from the fact that major companies and countries should be drastically reducing emissions in the first place, and they are sorely failing us in this regard. (In fact, the magnitude of the problem seems almost comical to shift on to individuals; but somehow sitting by and doing absolutely nothing seems worse than at least encouraging education and action amongst travelers.)

Discover trips focused on scientific research and conservation.

Carbon removals occur when existing carbon in the atmosphere is captured and permanently stored outside of the atmosphere. The effect of carbon removals is immediate, as compared to carbon offsets, which reduce or compensate for future emissions. What we like about carbon removals is that they feel less theoretical than carbon offsets: actual carbon is sequestered from our atmosphere in a quantifiable and measurable way; whereas with carbon offsets one might be left wondering if that seedling will actually become a carbon sink in the future. While carbon removals seem more tangible, some still call them a dangerous distraction from the pressing issue of slashing emissions.

Carbon removal projects involve taking carbon out of the atmosphere (sometimes called ‘negative CO2 emissions’) and storing it somewhere – generally underground. Carbon removals are not talked about as much in mainstream news, so you may be unfamiliar with these types of projects. We’ll walk you through two examples.

Tomorrow’s Air uses technology to capture and store carbon:

A carbon removal collector uses a fan to pull air into it.

A filter inside the carbon removal collector captures carbon dioxide on its surface.

When the filter is filled with carbon dioxide, the carbon collector is closed.

Highly concentrated carbon dioxide from the filter is mixed with water and then pumped deep underground.

Through natural mineralization, the CO2 reacts with basalt rock and turns into rock.

Tomorrow’s Air has wonderful resources to learn more about carbon removals, the science behind them, and more. 

Nori is a marketplace for regenerative farmers who use soil for carbon capture and storage. 

A supplier reports a verifiable carbon removal project.

An independent third party is brought to objectively estimate carbon removal.

Separate third parties are brought in to verify the carbon removal project.

A Nori Removal Tonne (NRT, one tonne of CO2 removed and stored for a minimum of 10 years), is created for additional carbon removal.

Buyers purchase NRTs directly from the suppliers.

You can learn more about Nori’s process here.

Carbon removals tend to be far more expensive than carbon offsets. This is in large part because the technology being developed to sequester and store carbon is new. As with any technology, it is more expensive due to its novelty and the research, development, and innovation that goes into creating it. As the technology becomes more mainstream and demand for it increases, the price should come down in the future.

We are big fans of carbon removals! We strongly encourage all travelers to become Tomorrow’s Air subscribers. We love them because their innovative technology is transparent and practical, and they are focused on the travel sector. Further, they extensively work to educate and advocate for carbon removals and therefore push the cost of their technology down by increasing everyday demand through subscribership. (Disclaimer: We are not sponsored by Tomorrow’s Air. We are a corporate partner and we issue our carbon removals through Tomorrow's Air for each client who books a trip with us.)

Discover trips focused on local cultures and communities.

What’s better: carbon offsets or carbon removals?

Carbon offsets and carbon removals are inherently different, and accordingly, they both serve a purpose. Below, we compare key features of both carbon offsets and carbon removals. 

They can be purchased relatively easily through many verified NGO projects

They impact the future – not today, and that’s only if they’re effectively managed in the long term

The effect of carbon offsets is to reduce or avoid future emissions, not address any actual CO2 in the atmosphere today

They can sometimes feel like a “get out of jail free” card for travelers and companies

Prices are highly variable, making it difficult to decipher the differences between projects and the impact

They have an impact today by removing existing carbon directly from the atmosphere

They are significantly more expensive, so many people can’t afford them

The technology to capture carbon is new and it will take time for prices to come down

There are fewer choices of companies doing verified carbon capture

To summarize: Carbon offsets are cheaper to buy but won’t impact carbon emissions already in the atmosphere; rather, they will help to reduce or avoid future emissions. Carbon removals are more expensive but they sequester carbon currently in the air via direct capture for permanent storage, and we believe this to be more effective than carbon offsets.

As a company, we remove carbon through a monthly Tomorrow’s Air subscription and offset the remaining carbon of our enterprise emissions through Pachama. We recommend our travelers follow a similar approach: Become a regular subscriber for carbon removals, and additionally offset what you cannot reduce or remove.

Note: Our monthly contributions to Tomorrow's Air on behalf of our company's corporate emissions is separate from the carbon removal contributions we make to Tomorrow's Air on behalf of each client who books a trip with us.

This leads us nicely to our company motto for Climate Impact…

“REP” your Planet (Reduce, Estimate, Purchase)

Reduce your carbon emissions as much as possible in the first place. Here are nine ideas to reduce your carbon footprint from travel.

Opt for trains or ferries instead of planes if possible: Alternative transportation methods like trains and ferries emit less than 16% of what a plane would emit.

Take direct flights if flying is necessary. This BBC article sums it up well: “Taking off uses more fuel than cruising. For shorter flights, this accounts for a larger proportion of the journey.” 

Fly economy: this helps reduce the flight’s carbon emissions per passenger. A World Bank study, reported in Reuters, found that “flying business class emits about three times as much carbon as an economy class because the seats take up more room and more of them are empty.”

Travel closer to home, or do “staycations”. Going shorter distances requires fewer emissions.

Pack light. .The weight of a plane factors into how much fuel it uses and therefore how much emissions it emits.

 Prioritize public transportation. This goes for your transit to the airport or train station as well as once you’ve arrived at your destination. Bonus: this is generally the most budget-friendly way to get around, too!

Choose trips centered around low-carbon impact activities. Think of walking, cycling, hiking, and trekking adventures.

Discover some of our cycling tours below.

For any unavoidable emissions resulting from your trip, take charge and estimate your vacation’s carbon footprint. There are simple tools like Air Miles Calculator and the International Civil Aviation Organization that will purely calculate the air mileage of your trip. There are also more complex tools like the Belgian company Green Tripper and the UK company Carbon Footprint that help estimate carbon emissions for additional trip components like other modes of transportation (cars, trains, and more), accommodation, and more.

Don’t worry if some of these tools give you different estimates, and also don’t fixate on achieving a “perfect” calculation. When it comes to being a responsible traveler, we advocate heavily for ‘progress over perfection.’ Being mindful of your carbon emissions and calculating your travel emissions are great steps that set you up for success with the third and final step, which is taking action.

We recommend picking a tool or two and testing them out, perhaps even comparing the results they give you. The most important thing is to find a tool that you like, trust, and can incorporate into your normal travel planning process.

What is ‘air mileage’? Air mileage, as opposed to standard (land) mileage, accounts for traveling through air mass. In other words, it accounts for wind. If you see this level of specificity in a carbon calculator tool, feel free to use it since technically it is more precise. However, don’t get hung up if you only see standard mileage on the calculator.

P: Purchase carbon removals and/or carbon offsets

Purchasing carbon removals and/or carbon offsets is how you can translate your awareness and preparedness from steps 1 and 2 into meaningful change. We recommend a blended approach of combining carbon removals and offsets to achieve net zero for your flight, overall trip, life, or company.

More resources on carbon offsets and carbon removals

Here are other ways you can think about having a positive impact on the environment when you travel:

Choose tour companies (like us!) that take climate action, for example by automatically including carbon removals through Tomorrow's Air with each guest's booking, and optionally allowing clients to add-on carbon offsets to their trip through Sustainable Travel International.

Choose airlines that are using newer fleets (which are more fuel-efficient), and making the transition to sustainable aviation fuel.

Eat vegetarian (even if you don’t normally eat vegetarian, perhaps challenge yourself to do so for the duration of your trip!).

Use sustainability filters on sites like Booking.com, or book your accommodation on sites that specifically focus on eco-friendly accommodation. See our roundup of the top 10 sites for sustainable hotels and accommodations here.

For more resources on carbon offsets and carbon removals, please visit our Climate Impact page.

This post was originally published on Aug. 31, 2022, and updated in October 2023.

Carbon Offsets & Carbon Removals Explained

In this sustainable travel guide, we’ll cover what makes Argentina such a fascinating destination and how to visit this country responsibly.

Sustainable Travel Guide: Argentina | Yugen Earthside

In this sustainable travel guide, we’ll take a closer look at what makes Argentina such a fascinating destination and how to visit this country responsibly. You’ll learn how Argentina approaches tourism through the lens of key sustainability pillars and get practical advice on health and safety tips, local holidays, and seasonal travel. We’ll also share dos and don’ts for responsible travel, highlight eco-friendly activities, and suggest curated trips to help you experience Argentina authentically.

Sustainable Travel in Argentina: Key Sustainability Pillars

As the second-largest country in South America and the eighth-largest in the world, Argentina is a land full of contrasts. It's hard for travelers to believe that frozen tundras with historic glaciers, towering mountain peaks, seemingly endless grasslands, and lush subtropical jungles with powerful waterfalls can all be found within Argentina’s borders. 

The iconic Patagonia region, shared with Chile, features the most dramatic Andean landscapes and world-famous glacial landscapes, such as Los Glaciares National Park. Visitors can hike, kayak, or take boat tours to experience this icy wilderness up close, including the massive igloo-sized icebergs known to tumble off the glaciers and crash into the waters below. Sustainable tourism is crucial here to protect these delicate ecosystems and to minimize our environmental impact. After years of stability, the Perito Moreno Glacier is showing signs of retreat, and this fragility and sensitivity are reminders to all who visit to respect the strict protocols in place. 

Heading north along the Andes, Mendoza, the world capital of Malbec, offers more than just an excellent glass of wine. On top of family-run vineyard tours and tastings, you can also spend your days mountaineering on snow-capped peaks, trekking around glacial lakes, and on other mountain excursions. 

Moving inland, you’ll experience the Pampas, Argentina’s vast grasslands, stretching across the country’s central plains. These fertile plains have been the agricultural heart of Argentina’s beef industry for years, thanks to its iconic cattle ranches, called estancias. A trip to the Pampas is not complete without a visit to the Latin cowboys, known as gauchos, to experience their prairie lifestyle and unique traditional culture. 

And finally, finishing off on the northeast corner of Argentina, Iguazú Falls waits to take your breath away with over 270 waterfalls. Known as one of the world’s grandest, most impressive waterfalls, Iguazú has earned the title of one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world each year. The park's eco-train and elevated trails reduce environmental impact, while educational programs highlight local wildlife and rainforest conservation. During your visit, take your chances to catch a glimpse of butterflies, rare species, and tropical birds that call this paradise home. 

Thanks to Argentina’s large central plains, agriculture (including beef, cattle ranching, and grain exports) has historically been the center of the economy. In recent years, other sectors, like mining and tourism, have started to expand and diversify the economy. 

The tourism industry's growth has not been without its challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic, which left a lasting impact on Argentina. Tourism alone experienced nearly a 40% drop in financial loss, “jeopardiz[ing] nearly 600,000 jobs”.  Thankfully, in 2025, the country came close to reaching its pre-pandemic numbers. 

The World Travel and Tourism Council estimates that in 2025, “Argentina's travel and tourism sector will contribute nearly $39 billion to the national GDP, equivalent to 6% of the country's total economy.” Tourism alone will employ over 1 million people, supporting nearly 8% of national employment. 

Since 2024, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has noted a strong economic recovery thanks to ambitious reforms that are starting to pay off, albeit with some trade-offs. With agriculture still dominating Argentina’s economy, the country has experienced 81% of tree cover loss since 2001 from clearing land for cattle or soya bean cultivation to feed cattle. 

One way tourists can help combat these negative impacts is to contribute to the local economy by investing their money in local businesses and experiences. You don’t necessarily need to “spend more”; rather, ensure you’re supporting the local areas by avoiding large hotel chains, mass-produced souvenirs, and international restaurants. Instead, focus your tourism money on boutique hotels, authentic souvenirs, and local restaurants; all are relatively easy actions that can combine to enhance your experience and contribute positively to this beautiful country. 

Argentina’s cultural identity is a fascinating blend of Indigenous roots and European influences, seen in everything from its architecture and cuisine to its music and traditions. 

Over 46 million people call Argentina home, making it the second-most populous country in South America. While roughly 97% of Argentines are of European descent (primarily Spanish and Italian), more than 1.3 million people identify as Indigenous or descendants of Indigenous peoples, according to the 2022 National Census. The largest groups include the Mapuche, Kolla, Wichí, Qom, and Guaraní communities, each with its own languages, traditions, and ancestral lands.

You can truly notice Argentina’s European roots as you walk along the streets of Buenos Aires, often referred to as the “Paris of South America”. Spending a day strolling along grand boulevards, passing art nouveau, European-inspired buildings, and cafes on every corner, it's very easy to forget you’re in South America instead of France. However, stepping outside of this cosmopolitan hub will give you a different view of Argentine culture. 

In contrast, the northwest provinces, like Salta and Jujuy, showcase vibrant Andean traditions through colorful markets, folk music, and Indigenous festivals like the Pachamama celebration honoring Mother Earth. These provinces are also where you will find the eye-catching Serranía de Hornocal (the 'fourteen colored mountain') and the Salinas Grandes, an expansive landscape of white salt flats.

As mentioned earlier, the Pampas region inland reveals Argentina’s rural life and gaucho heritage, with cattle ranching and horseback riding.

Argentina is recognized as one of Latin America’s most progressive nations. It was the first country in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage (in 2010) and remains a leader in gender equality and reproductive rights. Still, economic instability and high poverty rates impact over 30% of the population, disproportionately affecting Indigenous and rural communities.

For tourists, understanding the diverse cultural experiences in Argentina will lead to a more authentic and meaningful visit. Although many travelers are drawn here to experience its natural beauty, adding cultural experiences such as visiting Indigenous cooperatives in the Andean region or joining a traditional peña (folk music gathering) in Salta will deepen your understanding and appreciation of all Argentina has to offer.

As with any international trip, it's wise to check with your doctor to ensure you’re up to date with routine vaccinations. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends hepatitis A, typhoid, and yellow fever vaccinations depending on the regions you’ll visit during your stay.

Mosquito-borne illnesses, including Zika and dengue, are also very present in Argentina, and the best prevention is to use mosquito repellent regularly and wear loose-fitted clothing. There have also been cases of Hantavirus, an infection spread from rodents. Protect yourself by avoiding contact with rodents, burrows, nests, and don’t rest in tall grasses or haystacks. 

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