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For our company, it's important that our trips leave a positive impact, not just on the places we visit, but also on the people who call them home.
Happy Gringo is passionate about exploring in a way that respects the environment, supports local communities, and preserves the unique cultures and landscapes that make Ecuador and the Galapagos so special.
So, join us in journeys with purpose, respect, and a commitment to making TRAVEL A FORCE FOR GOOD.
🌱 100% Carbon Neutral
Whether we like it or not, travel does leave a carbon footprint. But that does not mean it has to leave a negative mark on the planet.
By making carbon neutrality a priority in Happy Gringo, we commit to protecting the environment and ensuring that future generations can enjoy the biodiversity of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.
We’ve teamed up with Jocotoco Foundation to offset our carbon emissions from client journeys and office operations. That includes all local flights in Galapagos & Ecuador, cruise emissions, road transport, staff journeys, and office electricity.
So, you can rest easy in the knowledge that your vacation is 100% carbon-neutral.
🐢 Conservation Support at the Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands, of course, hold a very special place in our hearts.
Tourism is intricately bound together with the future of the Galapagos, as David Attenborough rightly states:
Tourism needs to support and protect the delicate Galapagos ecosystem and habitats so that the endemic Galapagos birds and animals have a safe home for generations to come.
Happy Gringo is a proud Galapagos Guardian donator to the Galapagos Conservancy, helping to support on-the-ground Galapagos conservation projects.
We are also corporate sponsors of the Jocotoco Petrel Reserve on San Cristobal Island.
Learn more about conservation at the Galapagos Islands.
♻️ Responsible Galapagos Travel
A remarkable 22 tons of waste was collected from Galapagos beaches during cleaning days in 2019, of which more than 90% was plastic.
In fact, there was no single place in the Galapagos that was free of plastic – macro and microplastic were found on 13 islands and at 30 different field sites, both in the sea and on the beaches.
The consequences for marine life are becoming increasingly evident. Sea turtles that confuse plastic bags with jellyfish, bird nests made with plastic fibers, or Galapagos fish that eat microplastics.
Since May 2018 the Galapagos Council has phased out the use of plastic bottles, single-use plastic bags, plastic straws, and containers. Happy Gringo supports this initiative through our #HappyTravelsNoPlastic awareness campaign. In the words of founder John Potts:
“We designed metallic reusable water bottles that we gift to our Galapagos Land Tour and Ecuador multi-day clients, so they have no need for plastic bottles throughout their trip. All hotels and cruise yachts have potable water supply, so tourists can easily fill up on the go.”
Making a difference can start with simple and easy steps 😊
👨👨👦👦 Support for the Local Economy
Last but not least, by booking through a local Ecuadorian-based company like Happy Gringo you are directly supporting the economy of a developing country.
Happy Gringo is proudly 100% constituted in and operated from Ecuador, while many other popular Galapagos companies are based overseas.
What’s the difference?
Ecuadorian-based companies:
- Pay local taxes to the Ecuadorian government.
- Share 15% of company profits with our Ecuadorian staff every year.
- Affiliate all staff into Ecuador's social security system.
All of this goes back into the local Ecuadorian economy, helping the country and its people to develop their future.
Not sure if a travel company is legally constituted in Ecuador? Just ask to see their credentials.
How Else Can You Help?
Every single trip and vacation booked through Happy Gringo is already supporting the above causes.
But, if you’d like to do more to help, then we recommend contacting the above foundations and organizations. All accept direct donations which will be gratefully received.
🤝 A Helping Hand for Social Projects
Access to rural education is a crucial stepping stone toward a brighter future. By partnering with foundations in local communities we aim to provide resources and opportunities that empower the next generation.
We have supported AFET (Andrew Finch Education Trust) over the past decade, funding their annual Christmas party for hundreds of kids in the rural communities of El Porvenir and Techo Propio Ambato. Our founder John Potts is also an active board member of this foundation.
Together with Llullu Llama Hostal we also actively support the local school in rural village Isinlivi. Recent work includes painting 5 classrooms that were in a state of disrepair, donation of school materials, and support of their Christmas celebrations. Our next goal is to renovate the children's playground – if you would like to contribute to this project then please visit our GoFundMe page.