By Laura Baginski

For better or worse, most of the world’s rainforests are no longer inhospitable tangles of dense vegetation. Rainforests are more accessible than ever, and there’s a bevy of trips to take you right into the thick of it. A visit to the rainforest is an acknowledgement of its integral role in biodiversity and a show of respect for its culture and wildlife. Just how much of an active role you want to take in preserving the rainforest depends on what kind of trip you take.

Guided Tours
Most rainforest ecotours try to make the least possible impact on the environment. This means you’ll be staying in simple but clean thatch-roof huts, some with in-suite bathrooms and some communal, in a remote rainforest location. You’ll make daily, guided ventures deep into the jungle, either on foot or by boat, to learn about the flora and fauna of the region. After an adventurous day of monkey-, macaw-, and caiman-spotting, you’ll dine buffet-style in a screened thatch-roof hall. Then let the din of animal sounds lull you into an after-dinner nap, or mix with other guests over a drink.

Volunteer Vacations
"What, you’re paying to work on vacation?" your friends may ask incredulously, but for environmentally conscious individuals, doing scientific field research in the rainforest is the perfect way to see the sights while helping to preserve its fragile ecosystem. Projects range from searching for and catching endangered leaf frogs to studying how peccaries respond to coffee plantations encroaching on their habitat. Truth be told, the accommodations won’t be luxurious: You’ll likely be camping or staying in rustic cabins and helping to prepare your meals. But in addition to the hard work, you’ll have a couple days off to visit local attractions or simply relax in a hammock.

Laura Baginski is iExplore's Editor.