It's nearly impossible to travel without contributing to emissions and waste. Your carbon footprint can only really be reduced by the choices you make – your hotel, methods of transportation, restaurants, and so forth. When you choose to travel to eco-friendly destinations and support businesses that prioritize green, you make an impact as well.

With more millennials opting for eco-tourism, we wanted to share you on a list of the top eco-friendly travel destinations that we hope will inspire your next trip to be more green. 

Top 3 Eco-Friendly Travel Destinations

1. Costa Rica

Costa Rica tops the list as one of the world's most successful eco-tourism destinations. From the country's pristine beaches to the rainforests and volcanoes, Costa Rica is a hotspot for a greener vacation and is often praised for its conservation efforts.

It was announced in September that the country has been running on 100% renewable energy for more than two months straight, demonstrating that life without fossil fuels is possible.

Eco-Friendly Travel with Recycling Units and Compost in Monteverde Costa Rica

2. Galapagos Islands

These islands are perhaps best-known for Charles Darwin and the resounding impact his visit had on the formation of his Theory of Natural Selection. They have retained a whopping 95 percent of their endemic species and around 97 percent of the Galapagos Islands are designated as national parks. If you're considering touring the islands, keep in mind that you'll need to have a Certified Naturalist Guide with you to show you around. This is in accordance with the belief that travel is an exchange, not a commodity.

If you're considering touring the islands, keep in mind that you'll need to have a Certified Naturalist Guide with you to show you around. This is in accordance with the belief that travel is an exchange, not a commodity.

Eco-Friendly Travel with Turtles and other animal species on the Galapagos Islands

3. New Zealand

In New Zealand, you'll find everything from glaciers and fjords to volcanic plateaus and subtropical forests. In fact, 20 percent of the country is made up of national parks, and its unspoiled landscapes are protected from mass tourism. It also offers nature and eco tourism attractions and activities which include swimming with dolphins and whales, bird watching, and eco and nature cruises.

Bonus travel tip! New Zealand is also home to more than 150 locations that were used to film The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogy.

New Zealand is an Eco-friendly travel hot spot

Other Top Eco-Friendly Travel Destinations to Add to Your Bucket List

  • Vietnam
  • Slovenia
  • Botswana and Zambia
  • Bhutan
  • Patagonia
  • Peru
  • Borneo, Malaysia
  • Holland

What Exactly is Eco-Tourism?

The term is defined as “tourism directed toward exotic, often threatened, natural environments, especially to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife.”

This can include:

– Conscientious, low-impact visitor behavior
– Sensitivity towards, and appreciation of, local cultures and biodiversity
– Support for local conservation efforts
– Sustainable benefits to local communities
– Local participation in decision-making
– Educational components for both the traveler and local communities

Eco-friendly vacations are on the rise as more and more people become conscious about their carbon footprint. It's also easy to stay eco-friendly by traveling with reusable bags. Are there any eco-friendly travel destinations that we may have missed? Let us know in the comments below.