What is an ecotourist? One definition is a person who is sensitive to the environment of the area being visited.
An ecotourist tries to have a minimum amount of negative impact on local plants and wildlife. This behavior also includes the thoughtful treatment of native peoples. An ecotourist treats such people with courtesy and respects their rights and customs. Often an ecotour will focus as much on the people and culture of an area as it will on the flora and fauna.
A typical day in the life of an ecotourist may include bird-watching and a canoe ride. It could include a visit to a native village to see how the people live. A meal of native foods might be followed by a long, slow walk along one of the jungle trails. A native guide would help the ecotourist get a closer look at the rain forest. Finally, the day would end with an early sleep in a hammock or under a sleeping net.
