Natural Travel: Six Eco-Adventures You Don’t Want To Miss

Earth Day 2017 is rapidly approaching – so it’s a perfect time to start planning your next eco-adventure. These six experiences enlighten, entertain and educate. They’re guaranteed to leave you with a new appreciation of the natural world.

Riviera Maya: Xcaret Park

 The Occidental at Xcaret Destination, a 24-hour all-inclusive resort on the Riviera Maya, is in a prime location for exploration of the incredible Xcaret Park, a 200-acre eco-archaeological wonderland on the Riviera Maya. The resort’s Unlimited Xcaret Xperience package offers guests unlimited access to the park’s 40 amazing exhibits and attractions, including underground rivers and pools, a Coral Reef Aquarium, a Butterfly Pavilion, a Manatee Lagoon and much more.

Albuquerque: BUGarium

At the ABQ BioPark’s Botanic Gardens in Albuquerque, explore over one and a half miles of paths through formal and whimsical gardens designed to delight your senses. The recently opened BUGarium features insects from across the world, including Malaysian walking sticks, giant bird-eating tarantulas and southwest velvet ants. You’ll also see a tropical tree, home to leaf cutter ants; a working beehive; and a nocturnal exhibit for viewing tarantulas, giant katydids and African scorpions under infrared lights.

Bermuda: The Rail Trail

The island of Bermuda is small – but it’s packed with eco-adventures, including the Rail Trail. Spanning the island from end to end, the 18-mile historic national park follows an abandoned rail bed that winds through tranquil landscapes and along stunning rocky coastlines. Pedal or hike past lush greenery, evocative remnants of Bermuda’s past and majestic ocean views.

Oregon: Sunriver Nature Center

Sunriver Resort, A Destination Hotel, offers natural beauty and endless activities, just 15 miles south of Bend, Oregon, including more than 40 miles of hiking and bike paths within the Resort grounds, and hundreds of miles of trails in the surrounding forest. The Sunriver Nature Center is home to hands-on activities, programs and exhibits that entertain and educate visitors about the ecological wonders of Oregon.

South Walton: Coastal Dune Lakes

Coastal dune lakes exist in just a handful of places in the world: New Zealand, Madagascar, Australia, the Northwest US … and South Walton. These rare, biologically diverse ecosystems are truly spectacular, and are home to endangered species and lush vegetation.  South Walton’s 15 coastal dune lakes were created by wind and waves thousands of years ago and are constantly evolving. The beautiful landscapes are perfect for birdwatching, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and fishing.

Estes Park: The Rocky Mountain Conservancy

Don’t just sightsee in Rocky Mountain National Park – experience it. Located in Estes Park, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy offers an array of hands-on learning experiences in the Park, ranging from wildflowers, mammals, birds, cultural history, outdoor skills, photography, painting and writing. New adventures for 2017 include Night Creatures & Evening Adaptations; North American Eagles; From Meadow to Tree Line: An Educational Adventure by Bus; Campfire Ghost Stories: Living History Tales of the West (Miner Bill & the Blue Mist); and more.