Travel doesn’t have to leave you feeling guilty about your carbon footprint anymore. The world’s most stunning destinations are now home to incredible eco retreats that prove luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand.
These places aren’t just about saving the planet—they’re about creating unforgettable experiences while giving back to local communities and protecting the environments that make them so special. From solar-powered lodges perched on cliffs to bamboo bungalows nestled in ancient forests, these retreats have cracked the code on responsible travel.
Here is a list of 16 eco retreats that’ll let you explore the world without the environmental hangover.
Rancho Margot, Costa Rica
This off-grid paradise near Arenal Volcano runs entirely on sustainable practices that feel like magic. The ranch generates its renewable energy, grows organic food on-site, and even treats wastewater using natural systems.
Guests can learn hands-on sustainable living techniques they can use back home, making it feel like an eco boot camp disguised as a vacation.
Bambu Indah, Bali
Hidden in the Balinese jungle, this retreat takes ‘going green’ to an art form with antique Javanese houses built entirely from bamboo. Each elevated house overlooks rice terraces and uses natural ventilation instead of air conditioning, proving that comfort doesn’t require massive energy consumption.
The property grows its organic produce and operates a zero-waste kitchen that turns food scraps into compost for its gardens.
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Feynan Ecolodge, Jordan
Tucked into the dramatic Dana Biosphere Reserve, this candlelit lodge operates completely without electricity while still offering hot showers and comfortable beds. The solar-powered bathrooms and traditional Bedouin design create an authentic desert experience that supports local communities.
At night, the lack of electric lights reveals some of the clearest stargazing you’ll find anywhere on Earth.
Three Camel Lodge, Mongolia
Deep in the Gobi Desert, this retreat houses guests in traditional felt tents called gers, each heated by wood-burning stoves and overlooking endless desert landscapes. The lodge has eliminated single-use plastics and works with local herders to protect the fragile desert ecosystem.
Their ‘No Plastic Bags in the Gobi’ initiative has spread to surrounding communities, creating lasting environmental change beyond just the retreat itself.
Lapa Rios Ecolodge, Costa Rica
Perched 350 feet above the Pacific Ocean on the Osa Peninsula, this rainforest retreat protects 1,000 acres of primary tropical forest. The elevated bungalows use no air conditioning, relying instead on natural breezes and thoughtful design to stay cool.
Wildlife comes to your doorstep here—scarlet macaws, sloths, and monkeys are regular visitors to the open-air restaurant.
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Volcano Eco Retreat, Hawaii
Built from sustainable bamboo within an ancient ʻōhiʻa tree forest, this Big Island retreat collects rainwater and generates its solar power. The strict no-plastics policy and organic-only food create a truly toxin-free environment.
Guests sleep in eco-cabins designed to blend seamlessly with the volcanic landscape, making you feel like you’re camping in luxury without the environmental guilt.
Elephant Watch Camp, Kenya
This solar-powered safari camp in Samburu National Reserve was built by elephant researchers using only fallen tree branches. Water is hand-drawn from wells and carefully recycled throughout the camp.
The six thatched tents provide front-row seats to elephant herds while funding crucial conservation research that protects these magnificent creatures.
Topas Ecolodge, Vietnam
Carved into the mountains of Hoang Lien National Park, this retreat’s 33 granite bungalows employ 100 people from surrounding villages. The infinity pool overlooks terraced rice fields that stretch to the horizon, creating Instagram-worthy views that don’t come at the environment’s expense.
With no Wi-Fi or TV, guests rediscover the lost art of simply enjoying nature’s entertainment.
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Maui Eco Retreat, Hawaii
Operating since 1998, this off-grid retreat offers cabins positioned between beaches and waterfalls on Maui’s pristine coastline. The retreat grows its organic food and implements strict reduce-reuse-recycle policies that guests are encouraged to adopt.
Solar power and natural building materials prove that paradise doesn’t need to cost the Earth.
Few & Far Luvhondo, South Africa
This lodge opened in 2025, and it is set in a UNESCO biosphere and relies on renewable energy while overlooking 386 sq miles of protected wilderness. The guests can join conservationists in hands-on conservation projects ranging from planting trees to taking care of wildlife.
Chalalán Ecolodge, Bolivia
Located by the Quechua-Tacana community, this Amazon retreat channels all its tourism incomes to conserving the forest and rights of indigenous people. It is what comes as a purely rooted experience within the community in one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet.
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Kula Lodge, Hawaii
Perched on a cliff overlooking Maui, this Polynesian-style retreat runs entirely on renewable energy and serves organic, locally-sourced food. The lodge sits near Haleakala National Park, offering easy access to volcanic landscapes and endemic Hawaiian wildlife.
Their commitment to biodegradable products only and rainwater collection shows how luxury accommodations can operate in harmony with island ecosystems.
Limalimo Lodge, Ethiopia
Built using traditional rammed earth techniques in the remote Simien Mountains, this lodge brings sustainable tourism to a village that previously had few economic opportunities. Solar power and water recycling systems minimize environmental impact while guests spot rare gelada monkeys and endemic birds.
The lodge’s community involvement includes fair-wage employment and support for local schools and healthcare.
Mbeliling Mountain Ecolodge, Indonesia
Nestled at the foot of Mbeliling Mountain on Flores Island, this lodge showcases traditional Indonesian building techniques using local materials. Solar power and organic food production support the lodge’s commitment to environmental preservation.
The strategic location provides access to exceptional bird watching and traditional village visits that benefit local communities directly.
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Lakshman Sagar, India
This restored 19th-century hunting lodge in Rajasthan sources everything within zero miles, from building materials to gourmet meals. The dramatic rock pool carved from a single boulder and sustainably-built cottages create luxury that doesn’t compromise traditional architecture.
Wild peacocks roam the property freely, and guests can explore the Aravalli Mountains knowing their stay supports local artisans and farmers.
Zion Lodge, Utah
This historic lodge in Zion National Park operates with renewable energy, electric vehicle charging stations, and comprehensive composting programs. The location provides unparalleled access to Utah’s red rock country while bike rentals encourage car-free exploration.
Their environmental policies prove that even classic American lodges can embrace modern sustainability without losing their rustic charm.
From Ancient Wisdom to Modern Solutions
These eco retreats prove that the future of travel isn’t about choosing between comfort and conscience—it’s about finding places that enhance both. Many of these properties draw inspiration from traditional building techniques and indigenous knowledge that have sustained communities for centuries, then enhance them with modern renewable technology.
The result is travel experiences that feel both timeless and cutting-edge, offering visitors the chance to disconnect from digital overwhelm while reconnecting to the natural world. Whether you’re seeking adventure in remote wilderness or simply want to unwind without environmental guilt, these retreats demonstrate that the most memorable journeys often happen when we tread most lightly on the Earth.
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