The vacation countdown has been on for months. Time off work? Check. Kids’ schedules cleared? Check. Epic itinerary packed with activities and adventures? Double-check.
But amidst all the planning for fun and relaxation, have you considered how you could give back and do good during your travels?
It’s often the overlooked aspect of vacation planning, yet incorporating acts of kindness can be the secret ingredient to unlocking profound joy in your travel experiences.
Giving back doesn’t need to be complicated or consume your precious vacation time. Whether it’s a small gesture or a larger commitment, any effort to contribute positively is more impactful than doing nothing at all.
Young toddler boy with red paint brush painting white wall
Our family’s initial foray into responsible travel began unexpectedly during a trip to Brazil. Initially, the idea of “giving back” might seem counterintuitive to vacation goals. And honestly, we’ve had trips where philanthropy wasn’t on the agenda. However, looking back, it’s the journeys where we engaged in acts of kindness that left the most enduring positive impact on our family. That’s why I’m eager to share travel tips and highlight diverse ways, both grand and simple, for you to travel and do good. You might even realize you’re already contributing positively without fully recognizing it!
So, where should you begin to Have A Good Travel that also does good?
There’s a spectrum of ways to make a positive impact through your travels, from donating essential supplies or your time, to consciously supporting local businesses, or choosing accommodations with a give-back ethos. The best starting point is selecting an option that resonates with your family’s values and aligns with your travel destination. Regardless of how you choose to engage in good traveling, I can assure you, the experience will be more enriching and fulfilling than you might anticipate.
Maximize Your Impact: Pack Supplies with Purpose
Our experience with donating supplies has ranged from packing small backpacks filled with essentials to dedicating entire suitcases for donations. The scale depends on the destination and the specific needs of the community or organization we aim to support.
If you’re keen to support a local community, inquire if your hotel has partnerships with charitable organizations. If you’re opting for a vacation rental, your host might offer valuable insights into local community needs. Beyond these options, numerous organizations and schools across various countries are perpetually grateful for supply donations.
School supplies displayed on table with a man and woman holding a sign that says Gracias Laura
Collaborating with Pack For a Purpose in Panama allowed us to directly contribute to local educational needs. A fantastic organization to connect with is Pack For a Purpose. They partner with accommodations and tour operators globally to facilitate travelers in making meaningful contributions to their destinations. To participate, simply choose your destination, select a partner accommodation or tour operator, understand the community’s specific needs, and then pack relevant supplies to donate upon arrival.
We’ve personally experienced the ease of donating through hotel partnerships. In Belize, Chaa Creek Lodge, where we stayed, runs a “Pack-a-Pound” initiative. We discovered this initiative on their website during booking and contacted the hotel to learn about their current needs. Space was limited in our luggage, so we each packed school supplies in our backpacks. While it wasn’t a massive contribution, it was enough to make a tangible difference for a classroom of children.
Boy and girl sitting on bed with girl displaying colored pencil, paintbrushes, books and other supplies
Each family member contributed by packing backpacks with essential school supplies for the Belize community. During our visit to Guatemala, we connected with Fundamaya, a local organization facing critical shortages of supplies for the elderly. We dedicated an entire large suitcase to blankets, toiletries, and other necessities for this vulnerable group.
Consider allocating a small space in each of your bags for donations. You’ll be surprised at the significant impact even a few items can have on a local community. Alternatively, you can dedicate an entire duffle bag to supplies. Since we usually travel with carry-ons, we check in a larger bag when carrying donations. Sometimes, we’ve used older suitcases or duffle bags and simply left them with the receiving organization. Other times, we’ve used foldable duffle bags, allowing us to transport donations efficiently and then pack the empty bag within our luggage after delivery.
Immerse Yourself and Support the Locals
Contributing to the local economy can be as straightforward as prioritizing local shopping and engaging in activities organized by local providers. Think about the vibrant markets you’ve encountered during your travels. Purchasing directly from these vendors ensures that your money flows directly into their pockets and strengthens the local community. Seek out small local shops and restaurants, and consider hiring a local guide to explore your destination. Some of our most enriching travel moments have stemmed from conversations with locals. You gain deeper insights into their lifestyle, community spirit, and perspectives on life. Beyond the economic contribution, you’re also cultivating a richer understanding of their culture.
Guatemalan woman in black shirt with colored collar, belt and skirt demonstrating dying process of cotton with natural dyes in bowls
Visiting a women’s weaving cooperative in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, showcased the power of local economic empowerment. Numerous locally-owned cooperatives operate worldwide, channeling profits directly back into the communities they serve. For instance, during our visit to a local weaving cooperative in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, we learned about traditional Mayan techniques used to create exquisite handicrafts. Their small on-site shop sells these crafts, and every purchase directly supports the women and families within the cooperative.
Choose Accommodations with a Conscience
A growing number of exceptional hotels globally are committed to giving back a portion of their earnings to local communities. This is an excellent option if your schedule doesn’t allow for volunteering or you are limited by luggage space for donations. Simply by choosing to stay at these properties, you are contributing to positive change! Porto Hotel del Lago, where we stayed in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, exemplifies this approach. They prioritize community engagement by training and employing residents from nearby villages, ensuring the hotel’s success benefits the broader region. Knowing that a portion of our accommodation costs was directly reinvested in the community enhanced our stay.
For a comprehensive resource, explore Meg’s directory at Go and Do Good . This invaluable resource lists hotels worldwide that are dedicated to supporting local communities, charities, and ministries. If you’re in the process of choosing accommodations, this directory is an excellent starting point for responsible travel planning.
Donate Your Time: A Gift that Resonates
Volunteering your time while on vacation can be incredibly rewarding. While travel days can be limited, and scheduling can be tight, dedicating even a few hours, or a full day, to give back through volunteering can create some of the most memorable and impactful experiences.
On our family’s first major international trip, we volunteered at a local orphanage in Brazil, helping to paint a community center. Our children were just 4 and 6 years old at the time, demonstrating that engaging children in giving back is worthwhile at any age.
Boy in pink shirt hugging 4 Kenyan children with turquoise shirts on dirt
The unexpected joy of doing good while traveling is palpable in moments like this, captured in my son Tyler’s genuine smile. More recently, we spent a full day visiting a local school on the outskirts of Nairobi. We toured Naomi’s Village, home to over 90 children, and visited the affiliated school serving these children and an additional 300 students from the community. We enjoyed playing on the playground, visiting classrooms, and interacting with many of the children. Naomi’s Village is committed to providing holistic, intentional, and nurturing care for Kenyan children in need. Witnessing their incredible acts of kindness firsthand was deeply moving.
Join a Purpose-Driven Group Tour
Consider joining a group tour designed to give back. My friend Dianne at Travel on Purpose organizes several group trips annually with a focus on making a positive impact. She partners with organizations in countries like Guatemala, India, and Uganda to create week-long itineraries for travelers seeking meaningful engagement. These trips offer opportunities to connect with local organizations doing vital work on the ground and to engage with communities in a truly impactful way.
Support Destinations Recovering from Natural Disasters
While it might not be the first thought for a relaxing getaway, visiting a destination shortly after a natural disaster can be a powerful way to contribute to its recovery. I’m not suggesting visiting immediately in the aftermath, but rather a month or two later, once infrastructure is being restored and the community is ready to welcome visitors again.
For example, in 2019, Hurricane Dorian devastated several islands in the Bahamas. Many families were displaced and faced urgent needs for basic supplies. We chose to visit Exumas, a nearby island that was less severely impacted but was actively involved in relief efforts for the more affected islands. We consulted our Airbnb host for suggestions on how we could assist. She connected us with a local church coordinating supply collections for displaced families. We packed a large bag filled with essential toiletries and other necessities for people of all ages.
Two tweens standing and holding a navy blue duffle bag overflowing with supplies such as diapers
Delivering essential supplies to a local church in Exumas, Bahamas, for residents displaced by Hurricane Dorian. Following natural disasters, these destinations often experience an even greater need for tourism revenue. Simply by visiting, you contribute to the revitalization of their local economy and community.
To recap, here are practical ways to identify opportunities to donate and give back:
- Inquire with your hotel or accommodation about partnerships with organizations supporting local communities.
- Explore Pack with a Purpose to identify needs in your destination.
- Prioritize local shopping, hire local guides, and support local businesses.
- Consider visiting destinations recovering from natural disasters to support their economic recovery.
- Explore opportunities to volunteer your time during your trip.
- Consult the Go and Do Good Hotel Directory for accommodations with a give-back focus.
- Visit the Travel on Purpose website for upcoming purpose-driven group trips.
Whether you’re packing a suitcase of supplies, volunteering your time abroad, shopping at local markets, or staying at a hotel committed to giving back, each action contributes to supporting local communities. No matter the scale of your contribution, every effort is valuable and makes a significant difference in the communities you visit. Embrace the opportunity to have a good travel that also does good, and you’ll discover a deeper level of fulfillment in your journeys.
