Can Your Hotel Help Save the Planet? (Well… Kind Of)

Let’s face it—travel isn’t always kind to the planet. But what if where you stay could actually make a difference?

Enter: the eco-lodge. These aren’t just pretty places with bamboo soap dishes and solar panels (though yes, they often have those too). They’re carefully designed to protect wild landscapes, support local communities, and make you feel good about your footprint while still being barefoot on a balcony in the jungle.

At Beyond Tourism, we’ve always believed in choosing places that don’t just look good on Instagram—but do good, too. So here’s a closer look at three of our favourite eco lodges around the world that are quietly (and impressively) helping to conserve some of the world’s most precious ecosystems.

La Cusinga Lodge, Costa Rica

Where rainforest meets the sea—and sustainability runs the show.

La Cusinga Lodge is the kind of place where you wake up to toucans, do yoga with ocean views, and eat papaya that was probably picked that morning. It’s perched on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast, hugging the edge of Ballena Marine National Park, which is home to humpback whales, sea turtles, and the occasional dolphin photobomb.

But this isn’t just a jungle hideaway. La Cusinga is serious about its mission. Solar energy powers the lodge. Rainwater gets harvested. Organic gardening, composting, and community involvement are built into its DNA. It all started back in 1971 when founder John Tresemer fell for the region’s untamed beauty and had a vision of blending conservation with livelihoods. Since then, the lodge has become a living example of sustainable tourism done right—supporting local jobs and showing that eco can be really comfortable.

Refugio Amazonas, Peru

Stay in the Amazon. Discover a new species. No big deal.

Amazonas isn’t just a lodge—it’s part jungle adventure, part science lab, and part conservation superhero. Set deep in a 200-hectare private reserve in the Tambopata region of Peru, this 32-room lodge invites you to climb canopy towers, paddle oxbow lakes, and spot giant river otters… all before breakfast.

But the real magic is their Wired Amazon program. Guests can actually take part in citizen science—collecting data, assisting with wildlife monitoring, and maybe even spotting a species unknown to science. (No, really. It happens monthly.)

Why do we love them? Because Refugio Amazonas is more than a base for bucket-list wildlife sightings. It’s a collaboration with the local Ese Eja community and a bold move against unsustainable hunting. Ecotourism here doesn’t just protect rainforest—it provides real alternatives to extractive industries and helps preserve a culture that’s lived in harmony with the forest for generations.

Los Campesinos Ecolodge, Costa Rica

Run by a village. Built by a community. Powered by waterfalls (and heart).

Tucked into the lush Quebrada Arroyo forest, just 25km from Manuel Antonio’s beaches, Los Campesinos is what rural tourism should be. Expect waterfalls, natural pools, and the kind of birdsong that makes you forget your inbox exists.

But beyond the beautiful views, it’s the story of the community that makes this place shine. Over 90% of the local village work at the lodge, and the profits feed directly back into public projects—from schools and churches to football pitches and elder support.

Staying here helps people stay here. Instead of moving away for jobs, residents get to stay rooted in the land they love—protecting it, sharing it, and shaping a sustainable future. It’s tourism as empowerment, and it’s exactly why we work with them.

So… Can Where You Stay Really Make a Difference?

Yes. Absolutely. A thousand times yes. By choosing places like La Cusinga, Refugio Amazonas, and Los Campesinos, you’re not just getting an amazing travel experience—you’re backing the kind of tourism that gives back. To the planet. To the people. To the future.

So next time you’re planning a trip, remember: your accommodation can be part of the adventure and part of the solution.

Read more about our responsible experiences across the world. Have a browse through our destinations or drop us a message – we’d love to help you plan an adventure that feels good and does good.