Viva Expeditions shares a few tips on travelling responsibly through South America.

• Choose to stay in eco-friendly lodges – Eco-lodges are essential in destinations like the Amazon or the Galapagos Islands; there are over 100 certification schemes for accommodation sustainability. Ask providers how many locals they employ and what percentage of local produce they use.
• Visit an indigenous community – Ethno-tours provide a source of income and stability, highlighting the conservation plight of a specific minority group.
• Buy craft souvenirs directly from the maker – Buying souvenirs directly from the maker means much-needed funds are injected into what are often indigenous and impoverished communities.
• Share your holiday funds – It pays to remember that in countries where the annual average salary probably corresponds to one month of ours, leaving a generous tip and not striving to bargain on everything helps local communities.
• Respect entry fees and tourist number restrictions – Entrance fees can help local people generate income from their land, prevent tourist overcrowding and also stop the land being used for commercial gain by big business.