How to be a Responsible Traveler in Patagonia

Five tips on how visitors to southern Chile can respect both the environment and its inhabitants while staying at Las Torres Reserve or hiking the W or O Circuits at Torres del Paine National Park:

1. Respect the environment
Don’t buy products made from plants or animals in danger of extinction.
Choose group outings that allow for a better use of resources in order to save money and fuel, and lessen your carbon footprint. Seek out the most efficient and clean transportation options.
Reduce, re-use and recycle solid waste during your trip. Bring your own refillable water bottle, avoid buying products that have unnecessary packaging, and don’t accept plastic bags when purchasing goods.
Reduce consumption of water and electricity at your accommodation. For example, use your towels and sheets for more than one day and remember to turn off the lights, heating and air conditioning when leaving the room.

2. Be an informed traveler
Heed local and national laws and regulations.
Respect human rights and protect children from exploitation in any form, especially sexual and labor exploitation.
Know where and how to get medical attention and be sure to contact your embassy in case of emergency.
Be aware of weather conditions when accessing areas with variable hydro-meteorological conditions such as the mountains or sub-polar regions. Whether traveling alone or in group to these areas, register your trip with the local police, national park rangers, or other relevant institutions.
Check with official public or private tourist information offices to obtain objective, factual information and get information on activities and services that comply with local laws.

3. Value local customs & traditions
Before traveling, research the local customs and traditions that are important at your destination so that you can participate and be a part of the community.
Learn a few words in the local language so you can engage in meaningful contact with the local community.
Respect and protect all that makes a destination unique and different – like its history, architecture and culture as expressed in religion, music, art, food and the like. Ask for consent before taking photographs of local people.

4. Support the local economy
Support crafts and products made locally which contribute to the economic development of small and family-owned businesses.
Treat vendors and local artisans with respect and kindness, and promote fair-trade relationships between producers and consumers.
Don’t buy products that are obviously counterfeit or prohibited by national and international regulations.
Always choose established tour providers in order to avoid scams and deceptions. Choose tourist services that are operated by locals at the destination.

5. Extra careful when visiting fragile historical or wilderness areas
Take away all garbage generated during your visit to these areas, including organic material, as it could damage the diet of the native wildlife, litter the landscape and affect other visitors.
Choose routes (like existing roads and trails) that cause the least impact on the landscape, and choose guided tours that respect the surroundings while contributing to local jobs.
Don’t participate in environmental crimes. If visiting a protected area, remember that rules and regulations were created to preserve places and species of great ecological value which could be in danger of extinction.
Never feed wildlife.
Always follow the directions on posted signs. This will help ensure that you and your family have a safe visit and don’t harm the environment.
Don’t remove natural objects like stones, fossils, shells, plants, and flowers from their original environment.
Contribute to the maintenance of the infrastructure and equipment in protected areas by paying the solicited entrance fee and properly using the facilities and infrastructure.