10 Sustainable Romantic Getaways for Traveling Couples

Sustainable travel is one that actively contributes to environmental well-being. The idea for a sustainable holiday is to choose a destination that embraces and participates in the efforts to preserve the environment. With more and more destinations offering sustainable tourism, environment-conscious couples will find plenty of options for a romantic escape. These are destinations that offer more benefits than negative impacts on the environment. If you need suggestions, here are our choice for sustainable romantic getaways for traveling couples.

The Azores is a scenic region of Portugal that has been awarded as the World’s First Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination, making it an ideal choice for couples looking for a sustainable romantic getaway. Featuring an incredibly stunning landscape, the Azores is a great fit for couples looking to combine relaxation and adventures.

The Azores has been recognized for their dedication and commitment to protecting their natural resources. Since most tourism activities in the archipelago, such as hiking and scuba diving, are centered around nature, the Azorean community takes their conservation efforts very seriously, both on land and sea, making it a perfect place for nature-loving couples.

Couples who love exploring the outdoors will have plenty to do in the Azores. You can kayak amidst scenic landscapes or brave the thermal pool in Ponta Da Ferraria. If you want to indulge in something more luxurious, bathe at the indoor saltwater thermal pools of some of the region’s upscale hotels. Those who love to discover marine life should not miss the chance to catch some dolphins and whales on a whale-watching tour.

French Polynesia, particularly the islands of Tahiti, is famous for being an untouched island paradise with stunningly clear waters and vibrant marine life, making it one of the most sought-after destinations for a honeymoon. Over the recent years, several efforts have been underway to promote sustainable travel to preserve the islands. If you are planning a sustainable romantic getaway in Tahiti, hire a travel company to arrange some excellent trips to French Polynesia, which takes the stress out of planning your trip.

Couples will find plenty to do on their romantic getaway to French Polynesia, especially those who love nature and wildlife. The Islands of Tahiti are home to the world’s largest marine sanctuary, stretching over three million square miles. It houses various protected species, including sea turtles, whales, manta rays, and over twenty shark species. Tahiti is home to abundant wildlife, and encounters with them can make your romantic getaway more unforgettable.

Your travel choices can have an impact on the environment of French Polynesia. Thankfully, there are many things you can do to enrich your visit and embrace slow and sustainable travel. You can visit the Fare Natura EcoMuseum in Moorea, a museum showcasing biodiversity and botanical gardens. Consider taking part in a coral planting program in Moorea or Bora Bora or adopt a coral from Coral Gardeners.

Relaxing on one of the stunning beaches of Costa Rica is one of the most romantic things to do on your couple’s getaway. Costa Rica is one of the world’s prime destinations for ecotourism, with many hotels, lodges, and tour operators pioneering sustainable tourism. Over the recent years, these companies have earnestly jumped on the sustainable bandwagon by improving their practices to protect the environment.

For couples looking to relax in nature, visit Arenal Volcano National Park, one of the country’s top destinations for ecotourism. Explore the maze of hiking trails with your partner, which zigzag through the lush forest at the base of a volcano. Wander hand in hand through the protected national park, passing along hanging bridges. If you’re feeling adventurous, try ziplining, river rafting, canyoning, or mountain biking.

Another fantastic destination for ecotourism in Costa Rica is the Tortuguero National Park, which protects one of the largest areas of tropical rainforest in Central America. It has excellent lodges and other eco-friendly accommodations, ideal for a romantic getaway in nature. You can also tour with a naturalist guide to explore the waterways and lush jungles and learn more about their environmental conservation efforts.

The Galapagos is a unique chain of islands off the coast of Ecuador, featuring fascinating landscapes and home to some of the most incredible creatures in the world. Wandering through the Galapagos Islands is the best way to discover beautiful landscapes, scenery, and wildlife. Heaving with fascinating and endemic creatures, the government of the Galapagos has been pushing for eco-tourism in the archipelago for many years.

More than just exploring the archipelago’s stunning landscapes, eco-tourism in Galapagos involves traveling around areas of natural beauty in the most sustainable way. Usually, the concept requires visiting relatively undisturbed areas and prioritizing environmental conservation and sustainability while respecting the local community.

Couples fond of wildlife should consider the Galapagos when going for a sustainable romantic getaway, which may include opting for a small group cruise since it has a lesser environmental impact. Aside from being one of the best ways to curiously explore the islands, Galapagos cruises are highly regulated, with local authorities limiting the number of boats visiting the islands at a given time.

It’s also a good idea to choose a travel company that supports local conservation projects in the Galapagos. The money from these companies can go a long way in helping to protect the national park.

The Maldives is one of the world’s most popular destinations for a honeymoon and an ideal choice for a sustainable romantic getaway. By some estimates, the low-lying country could go underwater in a hundred years because of the rising sea levels. Thus, several efforts are put in place to protect the islands against long-term risks from sea-level rise and storms.

There are many ways you can contribute to preserving the Maldives. One is to choose a resort that prioritizes sustainability. Get to know the resort well and see if they are serious about their efforts to reduce carbon footprint. Are they promoting using private jets or encouraging guests to arrive by boat? Are they sourcing locally grown ingredients? What are the conservation projects they are supporting?

If you and your partner are fond of diving, you can sign up as volunteers for organizations that help to promote local marine life. You can help by collecting marine waste through beach and reef clean-up excursions or becoming underwater gardeners by planting corals. Aside from the ability to help, taking part in these activities is the best way to learn more about marine life conservation.

Million years ago, Madagascar was separated from the rest of Africa, giving the island plenty of time to develop in isolation, resulting in extraordinary diversity and unique culture. Almost 80% of animals are endemic, allowing for a fascinating wildlife viewing opportunity. For couples who love wildlife, Madagascar can make for a perfect destination for a sustainable romantic getaway.

There are ongoing efforts to make traveling to and around Madagascar more sustainable. While there are no standard measurements on ecotourism for lodges and hotels, you will find several sustainable options if you look hard enough. Couples should research beforehand when going on a sustainable holiday to Madagascar and avoid negatively affecting the island’s culture and environment.

The Anja Community Reserve is an excellent destination for couples wanting to discover the local wildlife while hiking with a tour guide. It’s run by a local group that aims to save the environment from forest degradation. The entrance fees will be used for various community projects, including building schools, donations for the elderly, and seeds for farmers. Visiting the reserve is an excellent way to discover the wildlife of Madagascar while sustainably contributing to the island’s economy.

Finland is one of those countries that have been actively promoting sustainable tourism and encouraging visitors to make mindful decisions to help protect the environment. So, when it comes to sustainable romantic getaways, enjoying the outdoors of Finland should be on top of your list. But where in Finland should you go, and how can you travel sustainably in the country?

The most sustainable way to get around Finland is to travel by train. Train travel plays a significant role in the government’s efforts to make the country carbon-neutral by 2035. The trains of Finland are modern and comfortable and will take you to some of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. You will find that many cities in the country are pedestrian-friendly, allowing you to go sightseeing on foot.

Hiking is the most popular way to explore the outdoors in Finland. The country’s diverse hiking trails and other protected areas allow you to go on a day hike or an overnight backpacking trip. Aside from discovering stunning nature, you’ll also come across incredible wildlife when hiking in Finland.

Barbados remains one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Caribbean, mainly because of its beautiful beaches. For couples who want to travel sustainably, there are many ways to do so in Barbados and reduce their impact when traveling to the island. Local governments and organizations are raising awareness of social and environmental issues and introducing various solutions and ideas.

There are several ways in which you can help make a positive impact when traveling to Barbados. One of these is to stay at locally owned accommodations, from boutique hotels to villas and vacation rentals. When you stay at properties owned by locals, you are helping the local community and contributing to the island’s economy. Even if you need super luxury accommodation on the beach, there are companies that care greatly about the local environment, so making sure you do your due diligence can contribute more than just investing in your getaway.

When relaxing at the beaches, adhere to environment-friendly practices such as avoiding plastic water bottles. Carry a reusable water bottle that you can refill. Bring a reusable bag when going to the shops instead of plastic bags. Also, skip the straw whenever possible.

Barbados also makes a fantastic destination for animal encounters. When it comes to this, always choose ethical animal encounters. Whether swimming with sea turtles or seeing green monkeys, choose those wildlife experiences where animals are in their natural habitat.

Iceland is one of the world’s most fascinating destinations. When traveling to the country for a romantic getaway, one of the best things to do is to marvel over its stunning glaciers. But because Icelandic nature is very fragile, it’s crucial to practice sustainable travel when exploring the country. As a visitor, there are many things you can do to contribute to the local government’s sustainable efforts.

Traveling often involves carbon emissions, from transportation to accommodations and taking part in activities. Thus, one of the most sustainable ways to travel in Iceland is to compensate for the unavoidable emissions. Consider supporting local carbon-capturing projects, which is one way to can help preserve the local environment.

Another way you can see the glaciers of Iceland sustainably is to visit local regions, stay longer, and travel slowly during the off-season. Take your time exploring the island instead of hurrying from one place to another and doing as many things as possible in a short time.

Couples looking for a sustainable romantic getaway should look no further than Slovenia. Representing a positive example of a nationwide awareness of nature preservation, Slovenia is one of the world’s most sustainable countries. Its local government has been proactive in implementing policies to protect the country’s high biodiversity and educating its citizens.

One of the best ways to enjoy a romantic getaway in Slovenia is to climb its mountains. The Slovenian Alps have long been a playground for avid hikers and mountain climbers, where you will have access to numerous scenic trails taking you through majestic mountains and lush forests.

When climbing mountains in Slovenia, avoid doing anything that will likely harm the environment, such as damaging trees, littering, or lighting fires. Support local businesses, especially those that operate under sustainable tourism principles and stay in accommodations that adopt ethical practices.