10 best eco-friendly hotels
Explore the best eco-friendly hotels in the United States, as chosen by USA TODAY readers. Discover where you can stay green during your travels.
Instead of encouraging travelers to go to the hottest, must-visit destinations, this new list urges them to check out those off the beaten path – and how it can be incredibly rewarding.
Intrepid Travel released its eighth annual Not Hot List 2026 on Wednesday, Sept. 10, showcasing 10 under-the-radar destinations where tourism benefits the community or investments into a sustainable travel industry. It’s a response to the fact that 80% of travelers visit only 10% of the world’s destinations, which often strains natural environments, communities and infrastructure. This past summer, thousands of people across Spain demonstrated against overtourism, claiming it has made housing unaffordable and their neighborhoods unlivable.
To compile the list, Intrepid tapped into its on-the-ground guides and experts in over 30 countries. Some factors the team considered are if destinations are lesser known, investing in their tourism infrastructure or alternatives to the trending but overcrowded spots. Instead of visiting Dubrovnik, people who are itching to cross Croatia off their list can go to Vis Island, where there are no cruise ship ports and many locally owned lodging options.
“Tourism done well is incredibly powerful for communities,” said Leigh Barnes, Intrepid’s president for the Americas. “One of the most powerful things about tourism, I think it’s too often forgotten in this conversation, is the fact that it gets money directly into communities, families, businesses that need it most.”
“One is always the economic driver, but there’s that cultural exchange that takes place, both for the travelers and also the communities that are being visited,” he added. “If we don’t have a healthy planet, we don’t have a travel industry.”
Here’s Intrepid Travel’s Not Hot List 2026.
10. Great Basin National Park, US
Set along the border of Nevada and Utah, Great Basin National Park is one of the least-visited national parks in the country due to its remoteness. But those who do make the trek are rewarded with pristine stargazing, some of the oldest trees in the world and more natural wonders. “Even with the USA, there’s opportunities to change how we, you know, look at tourism, develop trips, go to new places. And, you know, America is an amazing place.
9. Oulu, Finland
Named a European Capital of Culture 2026 by the European Commission, Oulu blends natural beauty with creativity. Set below the Arctic Circle, the city showcases its extreme climate with activities like open-air dinners featuring locally sourced ingredients and ice fishing, plus it is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights.
8. Ruta de las Flores, El Salvador
Tourism in El Salvador is rapidly growing, with tourism initiatives like its 2019 branding of Surf City that advertised its shoreline as a world-class surf destination. Travelers will also enjoy the Central American country’s rich culture, natural beauty and delicious coffee. Set in the country’s highlands, La Ruta de Las Flores is a scenic drive that connects several villages, and bursts to life when the coffee fields lining it come into full bloom.
7. Via Transilvanica, Romania
Known as the “Camino of the East,” Via Transilvanica is an 870-mile-long trail that crosses through the countryside of Transylvania and Romania, connecting travelers with small communities, ancient forests and 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In 2026, the trail will add over 105 miles of new trail, part of a 20-year-long expansion plan. As an Intrepid guide put it, the route embodies what it means to slow travel.
6. Arunachal Pradesh, India
Situated between lush rainforests and the Himalayas, Arunachal Pradesh is a remote northeastern region of India with a focus on community-based tourism. Travelers can choose homestays and go on eco-tourist adventures in the numerous tribes, such as white-water rafting or jungle safaris.
5. Southeastern Anatolia, Turkey
Overshadowed by Istanbul, Southeastern Anatolia is located in southwestern Turkey, right above the border of Syria. The city of Gaziantep is investing in itself as a tourism destination through new initiatives and attractions, such as the Liberation Museum, which is set to open in 2026. Travelers will also enjoy the city’s culinary scene, with roots dating back to the Silk Road, as it’s a designated UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
4. Vis Island, Croatia
Croatia is beloved by travelers for its gorgeous nature, architecture and as the setting for “Game of Thrones,” but Intrepid is encouraging travelers to visit some of the lesser-known areas of the European country. The slow-paced Vis Island offers the same stunning beaches but with fewer crowds, along with new cycling trails.
3. Sierra Norte, Mexico
Sierra Norte is located deep within the mountains of Oaxaca, offering a completely different experience of Mexico from the resorts and touristy towns of Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. Although remote, the region is investing in Indigenous-based tourism, with cooking workshops, hiking and local farmstays.
2. Tien Shan Mountain Range, Kyrgyzstan
This year, Kyrgyzstan launched its Sustainable Tourism Development Program to showcase its pristine natural beauty and cultural heritage, while attracting responsible travelers. A highlight is the Tien Shan Trails, hiking routes that include glacial lakes and stay in traditional yurts.
1. Tiwai Island, Sierra Leone
Topping the Not Hot List 2026 is Sierra Leone, which launched its first 10-year tourism plan in 2024 to transform the West African country into a leader in sustainable travel. Tiwai Island is not only part of the Gola Forest National Park, but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travelers can join adventures like rainforest walks and support community development by visiting the eight local communities.
