Ecotourism is an environmentally responsible form of travel to natural areas which aims to reduce the impact that tourism has on the natural environment, including the flora and fauna of the area. There are a number of guidelines provided for ecotourists when visiting fragile environments.

Before taking a trip to any destination, it is recommended that eco-travellers educate themselves about the places they are visiting by reading guidebooks and travel articles. Tourists should also be aware of local history, culture and customs of the locals before arriving. One way to gain appreciation from local people and enrich the experience is to make the effort to learn enough of the language to be polite, for example: hello, please and thank you. When packing, it is not recommended for visitors to give sweets or cookies to local people in developing countries, instead give them clothes or pens.

During the time staying at the place, it is important that ecotourists be aware of the local customs. Different cultural values including different concepts of time, personal space and communication are other things to keep in mind. For example, in America, using a firm handshake is considered appropriate to greet a stranger; however, in France it is common to kiss someone you greet on both cheeks. Ecotourists are highly recommended to use local transport, guides, hotels, restaurants or markets to benefit the local economy. They should also limit the waste discharged into the air or water by using bicycles instead of cars or motorbikes and not leaving litter or starting fires.

When returning from the trip, visitors should support organizations or societies that follow eco-principles and share their experiences with others in order to increase awareness of environmental issues and the protection of precious species in the area.