To help preserve our beautiful Country and Culture

Some ecological advises:

1. Accept the differences, adopt the local customs. Culture, customs, religious sensitivity, lifestyles and skills are different from your home country. Accept them, respect them, appreciate them. Try not to offend your hosts. Be culturally sensitive, especially when taking photographs, bargaining, and choosing your attire. Make sure your good deal is not robbery of the merchant.

2. Don't leave your good manners at home. Don't encourage children to beg!

3. Respect the privacy and dignity of others. Inquire before photographing people.

4. Leave only footprints, take only photos. No graffiti! No litter! Don't take away souvenirs from historical sites and natural areas.

5. Drink and buy local beer and coke, etc. The bottles are recycled in this country.

6. Prostitution is illegal in this country; by promoting it you are encouraging adolescents to leave their homes and schools early to work on the streets.

7. Whales and Manatees. Visit with Tour Operators that follow the environmental guidelines. We want our 3,000 humpbacks to keep visiting us.

8. Avoid buying products made from endangered species.

9. Don't make promises that you cannot keep: sending photos, for instance.

10. Education doesn't happen overnight, but if we work together little by little we can spread the word.

The International Ecoturism Society (www.ecotourism.org)