Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica
It’s impossible to compile a list of the world’s greenest destinations without mentioning Costa Rica, which is home to dense rainforests. Corcovado National Park, located on the Osa Peninsula, is one of the greenest places on Earth. This diverse national park, which contains some of the only remaining old-growth wet forests in Central America, offers visitors the chance to spot wildlife such as Baird’s tapirs, jaguars, sloths, and macaws. The area has a range of ecosystems, from lowland rainforests to mangrove swamps. Accommodations within the park are limited, but you can arrange to spend the night at the Sirena Ranger Station, where you’ll wake up in one of the planet’s most biodiverse locations.
Tegallalang Rice Terrace, Bali
The UNESCO World Heritage Tegallalang Rice Terrace, located near the densely forested town of Ubud in Bali, boasts an awe-inspiring landscape that oscillates between shades of chartreuse and hunter green. This traditional terraced structure, dating back to thousands of years, features unique layers of lush greenery and is used for irrigation purposes. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the patchwork of rice fields and jungle from various vantage points. For a serene and peaceful experience, it is recommended to visit Tegallalang in the early morning to avoid crowds that typically gather in the afternoon.
Teahupo’o, Tahiti
Teahupo’o is renowned for its world-class waves, and it will host the Olympic surf competition in 2024. But away from the beach, this stunning region in southwest Tahiti is just as green as it is blue. The verdant valleys flanking the Teahupo’o coastline are awe-inspiring, with towering peaks and precipitous ridges, many of which are off the grid and only accessible by boat. To explore these lush valleys and wake up to breathtaking views from your own room, you can stay at A Hi’o To Mou’a, a family-owned guesthouse with 4,000 square meters of green space that stretches from the ocean to the “backyard” of a valley. Here, you’ll find waterfalls, majestic white horses, and countless fruit trees to discover.
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is not only Croatia’s most popular hiking destination but also its greenest. The park’s signature waterfalls and 16 lakes are surrounded by beeches, firs, and spruces, providing a habitat for local wildlife, from boars to rare birds. The lakes are so captivating that their colors can turn emerald depending on the light. To fully appreciate the park’s beauty, visitors can choose from several hiking routes, such as trail C (five miles) or trail K (11 miles), which winds through the entire park.
Congo Basin, Central Africa
The Congo Basin in Central Africa is covered in tropical rain forests and swamplands and spans six countries, including the Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, and Gabon. It is the world’s second-largest rain forest, covering 500 million acres of lush landscapes, home to more than 10,000 plant species and 2,000 animal species, including gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, and forest elephants. Visitors can admire these creatures on wildlife-watching days with a growing number of tour operators, such as The Classic Safari Company, which offers Congo Basin itineraries featuring nights at a luxurious treehouse.
Hoh Rain Forest, Washington
The Pacific Northwest is known for its lush green landscapes, but the Hoh Rain Forest in Washington’s Olympic National Park stands out as a particularly captivating destination. The forest is a stunning display of various shades of green, created by the harmonious interplay of ferns, mosses, and a variety of coniferous and deciduous trees. Visitors can explore the forest on the 18.5-mile Hoh River Trail, which winds through every corner of the rain forest, or take the shorter one-mile Hall of Mosses loop, which passes through old-growth forests and maple groves, shaded by a verdant canopy of moss.
