Other Top Eco Tourism Destinations in Latin America

Latin America offers a wealth of ecotourism destinations known for their biodiversity, stunning landscapes, and commitment to sustainability. Here are some of the best ecotourism destinations in Latin America:

• Galapagos Islands, Ecuador: Famous for its unique wildlife species, including giant tortoises and marine iguanas, the Galapagos Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage site known for their ecological significance.
• Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica: Costa Rica is a renowned ecotourism destination for its extensive national parks and commitment to conservation. The Osa Peninsula in particular offers eco-lodges and guided tours focused on conservation and wildlife observation.
• Gulf of Chiriqui, Panama: A secret gem for ecotourists looking to immerse themselves in nature fully. It is one of the best places in the world to witness the humpback whale migration, go on jungle hikes with howler monkeys, kayaking in the mangroves, world-class surfing, zip-lining in the cloud forest or scuba diving in untouched reefs. The best part is that Panama’s Gulf of Chiriqui has not yet been hit by mass tourism, making it a yet-to-be-discovered ecotourism destination.
• Patagonia, Chile and Argentina: Known for its pristine wilderness, glaciers, and national parks like Torres del Paine (Chile) and Los Glaciares (Argentina), Patagonia offers trekking, wildlife viewing, and sustainable tourism options.
• Belize Barrier Reef: Off the coast of Belize, the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is a UNESCO World Heritage site and offers snorkeling, diving, and marine conservation-focused tourism.
• Llanos Region, Venezuela and Colombia: These vast plains are known for their wildlife, including jaguars, capybaras, and exotic bird species, offering safari-style ecotourism experiences.

Eco Tourism in Costa Rica vs Panama?

Both Costa Rica and Panama are great ecotourism spots for nature, wildlife, beaches and adventure. They are also considered the safest countries in Latin America, making them great family-friendly ecotourism destinations. However, they have some differences which are worth considering when choosing your next ecotourism destination:

• Panama is less touristy than Costa Rica: Panama offers a more off-the-beaten path experience, and is practically free from mass-scale tourism. The can be a great appeal to adventure seekers looking for quieter and less crowded settings, with more opportunities to connect with nature. Panamanians like to joke that you will see ten tourists starting at one bird in Costa Rica and one tourist starting at ten birds in Panama.
• Costa Rica is more expensive than Panama: Costa Rica is the most developed country in Central America, which is one of the reasons why its more expensive than its neighboring countries, particularly in tourist areas.
• Remote areas can be more accessible in Panama: Both Costa Rica and Panama have great international connections as well as domestic airports, however since Panama is a smaller country, it is sometimes easier to access remote locations vs Costa Rica. 
• Accessibility: Both countries have international airports and good internal transport options, but Panama may offer slightly easier access to remote areas due to its smaller size.