Eco-friendly vacations: 10 destinations that won’t harm the planet

More travelers are prioritizing sustainability, seeking trips that allow them to relax while minimizing their impact on Earth’s resources.

As 2017 was declared the United Nations’ International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, the tourism and hospitality sectors are under increasing pressure to lead by example. While many destinations promote sustainability, a few stand out for their extraordinary efforts to reduce environmental footprints.

Here are 10 top destinations and experiences where you can enjoy a vacation that leaves a light mark on the planet:

1. Soneva Fushi, Maldives

Kunfunadhoo was an uninhabited island in the Maldives’ Indian Ocean paradise until Eva and Sonu Shivdasani transformed it into their first resort. By doing so, they pioneered the concept of ultra-luxury holidays that are environmentally responsible. While this may sound paradoxical, the resort has been completely carbon-neutral since 2014, proving skeptics wrong.

The resort recycles 90% of its waste, including turning 100% of food waste into compost for their organic gardens, which in turn reduces the need for transporting food. They use Styrofoam packaging for construction, and all glass is repurposed in their on-site studio to create art. A solar-powered system covers all daytime electricity needs, and all water used is desalinated.

Soneva, which now operates properties in both Thailand and the Maldives, also pioneered a 2% carbon levy on room rates to fund their Soneva Foundation, which focuses on reforestation and renewable energy initiatives in developing regions.

Soneva Fushi, Kunfunadhoo, Baa Atoll, Maldives; +960 660 0304

2. Bom Bom Resort, Sao Tome

Few places are as remote and pristine as Príncipe, the smaller of the two main islands in the tiny nation of São Tomé and Príncipe, located in the Gulf of Guinea off Africa’s west coast.

With a population of just 5,000, Príncipe’s Bom Bom Resort consists of only 19 beachfront bungalows, enveloped by lush tropical jungle.

Guests can enjoy world-class scuba diving, hiking through UNESCO Biosphere reserves, exploring cocoa plantations, and visiting fishing villages. Africa’s smallest city, San Antonio, is also nearby. The island’s unique wildlife, including whales, nesting turtles, monkeys, and rare birds, is another major attraction.

www.bombomprincipe.com

3. eXtreme Hotel, Kite Beach, Cabarete, Dominican Republic

It’s no surprise that Cabarete, a world-renowned kite surfing hub in the Dominican Republic, also hosts a truly eco-friendly boutique hotel. For those who prefer activities beyond kite surfing, options like surfing, yoga, horseback riding, and hiking are right outside the door.

The property is fully powered by solar energy and deliberately avoids air conditioning, instead utilizing smart ventilation to harness the natural ocean breeze and keep the interiors cool.

Rainwater harvesting systems help manage water use, while an organic farm with 2,000 trees works to offset carbon emissions and provides fresh, seasonal produce. The hotel also supports the local community, with over 70% of its staff being local Dominicans, offering education, training, and employment opportunities.

eXtreme Hotel, Kitebeach, 57000 Cabarete, Dominican Republic; +1809.571.0330

4. Inkaterra, Tambopata National Reserve, Peru

Located in the heart of Peru’s pristine Tambopata National Reserve, the Inkaterra Guides Field Station was once a research facility, now offering an immersive experience for visitors and volunteers alike.

The rainforest retreat drives conservation efforts led by the non-profit Inkaterra Asociación (ITA), focusing on the study of local flora and fauna. Accommodation includes four cozy cabanas with private terraces, as well as larger pavilions for communal living.

Wildlife-centered activities include a canopy walkway that soars high above the forest floor, boat excursions, and visits to the Gamitana Model Farm, where ITA collaborates with local communities on sustainable initiatives.

Inkaterra, Andalucía 174, Miraflores L18, Lima, Peru; +51 1 610 0400

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5. Best of Myanmar Tour, Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel offers exciting adventures for small groups, all while promoting responsible travel. Their Myanmar tour emphasizes the importance of sustainable tourism in preserving this emerging and less-developed destination.

As part of their commitment, the Myanmar tour is fully carbon-offset, with 577 kilograms of CO2 emissions reduced per traveler.

The tour relies on local transport and accommodations, including a stay at Myanmar’s first community-based tourism project in Myaing, where villagers provide meals and activities in partnership with ActionAid.

6. Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve, South Africa

Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve is an 18,000-acre wildlife sanctuary, situated 170 miles from Cape Town in the Cederberg Mountains. While conservation and community partnerships are common across African lodges, Bushmans Kloof takes these efforts to new heights.

The reserve is dedicated to sustainable practices like wastewater treatment, organic farming, and energy-saving initiatives. However, their standout achievement is the conservation of endangered species, such as the Cape Mountain zebra, saved from extinction. The area also boasts over 130 rock-art sites, dating back more than 10,000 years.

The reserve actively engages with the local community by supporting schools, clinics, youth camps, and even helping to restore a museum.

Bushmans Kloof, Clanwilliam, Cederberg Mountains, Western Cape; +27 21 437 9278

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7. Turtle Conservation, Kyrenia, North Cyprus

The northern coast of Cyprus remains largely untouched, with Alagadi Beach being a key location for endangered green and loggerhead turtles to nest.

With only an estimated 400 green turtles and 2,000 loggerhead females breeding in the entire Mediterranean, the conservation efforts led by the Marine Turtle Research Group, in partnership with Britain’s Exeter University, are vital.

Volunteers, from undergraduate to PhD students and even non-students, are encouraged to join the program. The commitment spans up to three months, with volunteers contributing to food and accommodation costs. Due to challenges like habitat loss and climate change, the survival rate for young turtles reaching adulthood is as low as one in a thousand.

Cyprus Turtles; 5 Barbaros Sokak, Gonyelli, North Cyprus; +905488868684

8. The Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

The Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica holds the remarkable distinction of being the “most biologically intense” place on Earth, containing 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity in an area only half the size of Rhode Island.

Lokal Travel offers an eight-day journey through the region, visiting three jungle communities and experiencing the sustainable cooperatives they’ve established to generate income.

You can also enjoy activities like sunset horseback riding on secluded beaches or canoeing in a private lagoon, all surrounded by 1,000 acres of protected forest.

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9. Yoga Retreat in Oleiros, Central Portugal

Located off the beaten path in Oleiros, central Portugal, Yoga Holidays Portugal offers an eco-yoga retreat where yoga, meditation, and mindful living blend seamlessly with nature and simplicity.

Guests stay in traditional Mongolian yurts that are entirely off-grid, featuring solar-powered reading lamps, on-demand hot water, and eco-friendly composting toilets. The furniture is crafted from locally sourced pine, olive, and chestnut wood, while food comes mostly from their own vegetable gardens and olive groves. The nearby Zezere River offers crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming.

Yoga Holidays Portugal, Ribeira Relvas, Madeira, Oleiros Portugal 6160-206; +351 961 228 729

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10. The Emerald, Cornwall, England

The Emerald eco-development in Cornwall, located in the southwest of England, is home to the UK’s only zero-carbon tourist accommodations. This means they generate their own electricity, produce their own water, use recycled materials, and recycle waste. In addition, they’ve planted hundreds of native trees, cutting their energy usage by more than 90%.

Four high-end cedar-clad houses feature luxurious amenities, including private hot tubs. Guests can enjoy access to an indoor heated swimming pool, a gym, and a play area. The property also offers five acres of woodland paths for exploring the natural surroundings.

The Emerald, Chycowling, Quenchwell, Carnon Downs, Nr Truro, Cornwall, TR3 6LN; +44 (0)1326 555555