EcoExperiencias is not just a tour operator in El Salvador. It is a family run tour company that has a mission to give back to the community it serves. Similar to our belief at Go Eat Give, EcoExperiencias thrives to show tourists the real aspects of the country, engage them with the local people, and not leave any impact on the environment.
Rodrigo, owner of EcoExperiencias told me that when touring through his company, you will not only explore El Salvador, you will also give back to the Salvadoran people and protect the environment. Profits from the tours go directly to supporting rural families and helping preserve rain forests, shade coffee farms, endangered sea turtles and a spectacular coastline all in urgent need of conservation.
One of the programs at EcoExperiencias involves creating jobs through tourism. They train and employ locals across the country, so that they are self sustainable and are engaged in meaningful employment. Tourism is a relatively new concept in this war torn country, so teaching locals how to work in hotels, restaurants, tours, etc. involves basic training.
EcoExperiencias also teaches the Salvadorians how to respecting the wildlife such as iguanas, turtles, corals and birds. In 2008, it was recorded that 99% of the sea turtle eggs were being stolen from the nests and sold for human consumption. The staff at EcoExperiencias sets up programs that provides incentives to the locals for not eating the sea turtles eggs, and turning them in to turtle nests in exchange for money. Many of the hotels and resorts have carefully monitored turtle nests that allow tourists to release hatched baby turtles back into the wild.
Thirdly, EcoExperiencias is striving to promote cultural tourism within its citizens. Being a small country with good infrastructure, it takes only a couple of hours to visit mountains, beaches, volcanos, national parks, Colonial cities and more. They are encouraging local tourism where people from El Salvador travel within the country and explore their own beautiful nature and wildlife. As a result, the hotels in beach resorts and small towns are beginning to get packed on the weekends.
Whether you are rescuing sea turtles, hiking through the forests and mangroves, or driving through route of the flowers, book your next tour in El Salvador with EcoExperiencias, so you can help them further their mission of serving the underprivileged people and the environment.
