20 Green Destinations
Most vacation rentals are, by default, “green” – after all, their guests aren’t supporting big, polluting businesses and waste (compared to guests of hotels and resorts). However, we know you care about the environment and wish you could do more than book a vacation rental. The good news is there are many ways to diminish your jet-setting footprint (cloudprint?). We've got 20 green destinations that will get you in touch with nature in a responsible way. Each of these green destinations is either brimming with natural attractions or smart eco tours.
Make sure your vacation is Planet Earth-approved; take a look at these green destinations:
Costa Rica
Costa Rica has a whopping 20 national parks, so the country’s staggering assortment of rainforests, volcanoes, and exotic and endangered wildlife is well-preserved for would-be explorers. Whether your vacation style is active or lazy, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to connect with nature here.
San Francisco
Second to Portland in greenness (according to Popular Science’s list of America’s 50 Greenest Cities), San Francisco doesn’t require a car to get around; the roads welcome bikers and beatnik-filled buses, and about 17% of the city is genuinely green.
Ecuador
Much like Costa Rica, Ecuador hosts an exciting variety of biodiversity – especially in the Galapagos Islands, Charles Darwin’s inspiration for the theory of natural selection. However, unlike Costa Rica, tourists enjoy a lot more privacy here.
US Virgin Islands
The Caribbean isn’t off-limits to tree huggers. The US Virgin Islands, specifically St. John’s Virgin Islands National Park, is a great example. The park features 7,000 acres of pristine forests and beaches, and 5,000 acres of coral for snorkelers and scuba divers to check out.
Belize
The Belize Barrier Reef lines this small, seaside country, and provides a home to some mesmerizing marine animals, including whale sharks and manatees.
Tulum
After you’ve seen Tulum’s famous Mayan ruins, head to nearby biosphere reserve, Sian Ka’an. Its jungles and beaches are full of fun surprises, like spider monkeys and jaguars, which you can get up close to on a tour. This is hardly Mexico's only green destination, though, so feel free to wander.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
With the Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks at your doorstep, it’s impossible to resist the call of the wild in this lakeside town.
Portland
Portland was green before it was the cool thing to be – a quarter of the city’s workers carpool or get around by bike or public transport, and its buildings are both eco and skyline-friendly. Book a vacation house and live like an environmentally-conscious local.
Alaska
View humpback whales, sea otters, and bears without disrupting their natural habitats, in Alaska, an exquisitely beautiful state with a reputation for putting Mother Earth first.
Northwest Canada
With an often-undeveloped wilderness that sprawls Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, this section of Canada is a massive, must-see destination for any nature lover.
Africa
Go for a camelback tour of Egypt, a safari ride in Kenya, or soak up some sun on South Africa's coastline.
Florida Everglades
It’s difficult to resist a Florida vacation, but you can at least put your tax dollars toward a national park destination. Although the Everglades hasn’t been “protected” as much as other parks, you can still do your part to minimize your carbon foot print, and in the process get up close to a unique wetland ecosystem rich with birds and aquatic life.
Iceland
In Iceland, change is good… and in fact, great. The country is always “in progress,” as its land is still being shaped by volcanoes and glaciers. Mixed in with new land formations are those that have been around for thousands of years, unspoiled.
Panama
Featuring species from South, Central, and North America, as well a ton of remote islands and forests, Panama is a hard destination to pass up. Especially when you consider that most tourists are going to Costa Rica instead.
Arizona
Although Arizona has plenty to offer cosmopolitan types, it’s the vast desert landscape, Red Rock canyons, and the Grand Canyon National Park that really make a trip here special.
Chicago
In addition to its numerous public parks and acclaimed public transportation system, all of the Windy City’s museums run partially on solar power.
Hawaii
You really can’t go wrong in Hawaii. Hike through Kauai’s Na Pali Coast State Park, or find a hidden-away beach to park your family at – there’s plenty of nature to go around.
Australia
From the Blue Mountains to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia overwhelms with natural beauty. Pair that with the ambitious Sustainable Sydney project and you’ve got a green destination, indeed.
New Zealand
Is Australia a little too “cliché” for you? Then head to its neighbor, known as Middle Earth to many (the country is the famed film location of the Lord of the Rings trilogy). New Zealand’s national park system and very aware citizens have worked hard to protect the country’s beauty, so tourists like you can enjoy.
Your Own Back Yard
Why not book a vacation rental that feels far away, but isn’t? Planet earth will benefit if you skip out on flying or driving a long distance.
For more info on green destinations, check out other eco-friendly vacation ideas.