10 Greenest Places on Earth for a Lush Getaway

There’s a reason green getaways leave us tranquil and refreshed. According to color psychology, this soothing shade helps decrease stress and improve focus—and travelers can reap these much-deserved benefits in lush landscapes around the world. Here are 10 of the greenest places on earth, which combine serenity with unforgettable adventures.

Sapa Valley, Vietnam

Nestled in Vietnam’s northern mountains, Sapa dazzles with emerald rice paddies dotted across undulating green hills. It’s the place travelers in Vietnam go to get away from it all, be it overnight trekking from village to village or taking the 15-minute cable car up the country’s tallest mountain—Fansipan. The hilltop Topas Ecolodge offers the perfect perch to soak up this lush paradise, with sweeping views from the bungalow balconies and cozy villas with private pools.

Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

It would be remiss to compile a list of the greenest places on earth without including rain forest-covered Costa Rica—and Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula is about as green as it gets. In this biodiverse national park, home to some of Central America’s only remaining old-growth wet forests, wildlife sightings can include the Baird’s tapir, jaguars, sloths, and macaws. The area has a variety of ecosystems, from lowland rain forests to mangrove swamps. Lodging within the park is sparse, but you can arrange to spend the night at the Sirena Ranger Station—an experience that will have you waking up in one of the most biodiverse places on the planet.

Tegallalang Rice Terrace, Bali

Situated near Ubud, one of the most densely forested towns in Bali, the UNESCO World Heritage Tegallalang Rice Terrace oscillates from chartreuse to hunter green, then back again, creating one of Indonesia’s most calming and captivating landscapes. Tegallalang’s traditional terraced structure is an ancient irrigation strategy. The verdant layers offer unique vantage points across the patchwork of rice fields and jungle. To enjoy Tegallalang’s true serenity and splendor, arrive early in the morning, well ahead of the afternoon crowds.

Val d’Orcia, Italy

Italy’s travel experiences span the color wheel, from deep red wines to the rainbow-hued Cinque Terre. But if you’re looking for a full spectrum of greens, bookmark Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia, a region that stretches south from Siena to northeast of the dormant volcano Monte Amiata. This green region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Italy’s main agricultural hubs. You’ll find vineyards, olive groves, and the characteristic cypress tree-framed streets throughout its idyllic landscape. Don’t miss Val d’Orcia’s wine trail to pair green surroundings with tasty Italian reds.

Maya Mountains, Belize

The Maya Mountains stretch 70 miles across southern Belize into Guatemala, juxtaposing the bright blues of Belize’s coastline. Here, thick jungles offer unique adventures, from spotting wildlife like jaguars and tapirs to swimming beneath waterfalls or summiting Victoria Peak, the country’s second-highest mountain. To fully embrace the region’s mesmerizing green landscapes, book a room at the eco-chic Copal Tree Lodge, where nature is the main attraction. Considered one of the best jungle hotels in the world, the property is tucked into 16,000 acres of rich greenery, with in-room bathtubs and showers that offer treetop (and howler monkey) views, not to mention a funicular to take you down to explore the Rio Grande.

Killarney National Park, Ireland

The Emerald Isle glows in all shades of green, and few Irish destinations show off this color palette like Killarney National Park. Native oaks, evergreens, yew woods, and shrubs speckle this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve—and the flora works in tandem to create a mind-blowing sea of green. Home to Ireland’s tallest mountain range, the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, the area takes these calming hues to towering heights. Explore the park on horseback, or book a hiking tour to summit Carrauntoohil, the country’s highest peak.

Teahupo’o, Tahiti

Waves may be Teahupo’o’s ticket to fame, but on land, this jaw-dropping stretch of southwest Tahiti is just as green as the surrounding seas are blue. The lush valleys flanking the Teahupo’o coastline are full of drama, with towering, jagged peaks and vertiginous ridges—many far off the grid and only accessible via boat. To amble through these emerald valleys and wake up to the sight of them from your own bedroom, book a room at A Hi’o To Mou’a, a family-owned guesthouse with about an acre of green space, from the ocean to the “backyard” of a valley, where waterfalls, majestic white horses, and countless fruit trees await.

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

Croatia’s most popular hiking destination is also its greenest: the UNESCO World Heritage Plitvice Lakes National Park. Beeches, firs, and spruces frame the park’s signature waterfalls and 16 lakes. Local wildlife, from boars to rare birds, love these lush vistas as much as tourists. Plitvice’s famed lakes even turn hues of emerald, depending on the light. They’re best enjoyed from hiking routes like Trail C (five miles) or Trail K (roughly 10 miles); the latter winds through the entire park.

Congo Basin, Central Africa

Tropical rain forests and swamplands blanket Central Africa’s Congo Basin, which spans six countries, including the Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, and Gabon. It’s the world’s second-largest rain forest, covering 500 million acres and providing a home for more than 10,000 plant species and 2,000 animal species. A growing number of tour operators now take guests here, including The Classic Safari Company, which builds Congo Basin itineraries that include wildlife-watching days—where visitors can admire a range of wildlife like gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, and forest elephants—bookended by nights at a luxe tree house.

Hoh Rain Forest, Washington

The Pacific Northwest is one of the United States’ greenest getaways, but nothing in this region—or the rest of the country—compares to the mesmerizing Hoh Rain Forest in Washington’s Olympic National Park. Here, ferns, mosses, and coniferous and deciduous species work seamlessly to paint Hoh Rain Forest all hues of green. The 5.5-mile Hoh River Trail explores every nook and cranny of this serene rain forest, while the shorter one-mile Hall of Mosses loops through old-growth forests and maple groves, with a verdant canopy of moss providing shade along the way.