10 Travel Spots That Actually Help Heal the Planet

Once upon a time, travel was about cocktails, hammocks, and pretending inboxes didn’t exist. Then came sustainable travel, reminding us to tread lightly, respect cultures, and minimize our footprint. But today, a new chapter is unfolding.

Regenerative tourism builds on those sustainable roots, going a step further. It’s about visiting places in a way that restores, supports, and uplifts the environment and local communities. From coral-saving getaways to rainforest retreats run by indigenous groups, these top destinations invite you to be part of something powerful: travel that gives more than it takes.

Rosewood Baha Mar, Bahamas

This beachfront beauty is also a hub for hands-on marine conservation. Guests can be a part of the restoration efforts (literally), helping replant coral while swimming alongside technicolor fish. The Ocean Guardian program pairs you with marine scientists, teaches you about reef resilience, and even turns certified divers into official “reef rescue” volunteers. Every experience includes eco-friendly meals made with regional ingredients, without single-use plastics.

Hotel Nantipa, Costa Rica

Nantipa mixes tropical luxury with sand-between-your-toes activism. Every week, guests can join microplastic cleanups that double as mini marine biology classes. The hotel pulls you right into the conversation about the ocean. Stick around after your cleanup for a fresh smoothie, part of a cheeky reward system that makes learning (and un-littering) a little sweeter.

Las Torres Patagonia, Chile

Set in the dramatic beauty of Torres del Paine National Park, this working reserve does things in a slow and sustainable way. Think horse-powered composting, farm-to-table everything (we’re talking meters away), and booze crafted onsite using herbs from their own gardens. It’s regenerative living—Patagonian-style—with views that make you forget about Wi-Fi and timelines altogether.

Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, Canada

Located where forest meets fjord, Clayoquot pairs upscale lodges with a refreshingly humble ethos. Wildlife safaris are strictly small-group to keep local species (like whales and bears) undisturbed. Meanwhile, guests are invited to slow down, tune in, and learn about local conservation from people who’ve spent their lives protecting these wild spaces. Who said sustainability can’t come with a view and hot cocoa?

Six Senses Con Dao, Vietnam

This Vietnamese island resort has released over 30,000 green sea turtles, thanks to its in-house incubation center. Guests can visit the Marine Turtle Pavilion, which is shaped like a turtle itself and may even help release hatchlings. The pavilion also addresses gender imbalance in turtle populations by regulating nest temperature to support genetic diversity.

Desa Potato Head, Indonesia

In Bali, Desa Potato Head combines hospitality with a zero-waste mission. On-site programs recycle waste into furniture and art. The Sweet Potato Project, launched during the pandemic, now feeds hundreds weekly with locally grown meals. Tours and hands-on workshops allow guests to understand waste cycles and participate in creative reuse.

Hotel Britomart, New Zealand

You don’t need to trek into the bush to make a difference. Hotel Britomart, right in the heart of Auckland, offers guests a chance to roll up their sleeves and get involved with native tree planting through its “Nourishing Nature” program. Partnered with a regenerative farm, the initiative not only helps restore biodiversity but invites city-dwellers to connect with nature in ways that stick.

The Lodge at Blue Sky, Utah

At this high-desert retreat, guests can help harvest heirloom veggies at Gracie’s Farm (run entirely by women), learn about geothermal greenhouses, or head out with a biologist to track wildlife. Food scraps are composted. Horses roam free. And the vibe is more earthy elegance than spa-soaked luxury. Though don’t worry—there’s plenty of that, too.

Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland, Canada

Fogo Island Inn is a community-owned social enterprise that reinvests profits into the local economy. Rooms are designed using traditional building techniques, meals highlight what’s grown and fished locally, and guests are invited to learn about the island’s rich cultural history straight from locals. It’s a stay that stitches past and future together.

Fairmont Kea Lani, Hawaii

Fairmont Kea Lani has reimagined its entire operation to align with Hawaiian values, working hand-in-hand with local leaders to design a space that honors both land and culture. At Pilina bar, the menu reads like a love letter to local farmers, with nearly every ingredient sourced from nearby. It’s a delicious way to cut carbon, and a reminder that sustainability can be deeply rooted in heritage, not just hashtags.

Rewa Eco-Lodge, Guyana

Owned and operated by an Indigenous Makushi community, Rewa Eco-Lodge sits in one of the most biodiverse corners of the planet. But don’t expect crowds. This place welcomes just a couple of hundred visitors a year, and that’s by design. Your stay directly funds rainforest conservation, protects 350 square kilometers of land, and keeps the local economy thriving.

Via Organica Ranch, Mexico

In San Miguel de Allende, Via Organica isn’t just growing food—it’s bringing soil back to life. This regenerative farm invites guests to dig into composting workshops, seed-saving sessions, and tours that feel more like storytelling walks through a living, breathing landscape. Every visitor becomes part of a much larger mission: to reverse desertification and feed the future, one root vegetable at a time.

Palau’s Ol’au Program, Micronesia

Visitors to Palau sign a pledge to protect the islands, but those who go further—using reef-safe sunscreen, avoiding single-use plastics, or joining conservation work—gain access to exclusive cultural experiences. It’s a rare example of regenerative tourism tied directly to behavior, rewarding guests for supporting the island’s ecological balance. A clever, hopeful experiment—and one the rest of the world might want to steal.

Lapa Ríos Lodge, Costa Rica

As a part of the Osa Peninsula rainforest, this lodge focuses on reforestation and local education. Guests can take part in tree-planting efforts, learn how Indigenous communities use medicinal plants, and explore how waste becomes a resource in a closed-loop system. It’s not about respecting it. (Though yes, there’s a hammock with your name on it.)

Tiaki Promise, New Zealand

This country-wide initiative asks visitors to actively commit to respectful travel. Guided by Māori values, the promise challenges visitors to treat the land and its people with care, humility, and respect. It’s not a marketing gimmick; it’s become part of how tourism operates across Aotearoa. Whether you’re hiking, driving, or just snapping pics of glowworms, Tiaki asks: What will your footprint say about you?