Another protected natural area to explore is the El Salado estuary, a spectacular aquatic nature reserve, comprised of sprawling marshes and mangroves. The estuary is home to hundreds of species of bird life, spiny-tailed iguanas, American crocodiles and boa constrictors. Take an expert-led boat tour through the waterways that wind through this incredible natural treasure. If you enjoy the outdoors, then a hike to the Palo Maria waterfalls is a must. Hidden in the jungle of the Sierra Madre Mountains, Palo Maria is accessible via an easy 45-minute trail that takes you to a collection of 12 cascading waterfalls — each as photogenic as the next.

Preserving these natural attractions is important to Conrad Punta de Mita. Surrounded by a coastal rainforest, undisturbed nature and a vibrant local community, the resort is committed to reducing its environmental impact with sustainable practices. Ninety-five percent of the property is lit by LED luminaires for energy efficiency, and the property has a comprehensive recycling program that responsibly dispenses with everything from glass and vegetable oil to plastic and wastewater, which goes to garden irrigation projects. With seven distinct restaurants, lounges and bars offering authentic Mexican flavors with modern influences, a spa that incorporates indigenous products and 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) of pristine white-sand beach, it’s an enticing, eco-conscious coastal escape.

A great way to see the city’s sweeping views in an eco-friendly way is to take a curated bike tour tailored to your interests (and pace!) with companies like DC Cycling Concierge. The company’s Rising Tides tour takes in the city’s geographic and cultural history with discussions around the sea levels and threats of tidal flooding. The tour was developed with climate change experts and offers great context to consider while seeing the city’s most famous attractions.

You can make your stay in Washington a truly sustainable one at Conrad Washington DC. The hotel is LEED Gold certified and takes a proactive approach with green practices built into its design, operations and offerings. The property’s dining outlets — Estuary restaurant and bar and Summit, the hotel’s rooftop bar — employ unique cooking methods, including sustainable vendor sourcing and solar cooking in the form of a solar oven when possible. Its kitchen aims for zero emission cuisine, which includes packaging that is 100% eco-friendly, the elimination of single-use plastics and working closely with local organizations for organic recycling and composting as well as donating left-over food. Vegetation grown on the hotel’s green rooftop not only creates a relaxing oasis for guests, but also helps to insulate the building and reduce energy consumption from heating and cooling systems, while the planted herbs are infused into syrups and spirits and used as cocktail garnishes. This all helps to make their enticing seasonal menus not just one of the best in town, but also one of the most environmentally responsible.

Washington takes pride in its culinary scene, and many of its best restaurants take a sustainable approach to dining. Equinox is a family-owned restaurant a block from the White House and is an industry leader in the zero-waste movement. Taking a conscientious approach to cuisine, the kitchen gets creative, with dishes such as carrot peel soup and strawberry-hull pesto.

Cabo San Lucas is rightly famous for its scenic, secluded coves and sandy stretches, and it boasts a high proportion of Blue Flag beaches. To qualify for this prestigious, internationally recognized award, these beaches must meet and maintain a series of strict criteria on sustainability, safety, environmental impact and accessibility. You can enjoy these spots with the reassurance that they are clean, safe and respectful to the surrounding ecosystem and wildlife. Over 20 beaches in the region enjoy Blue Flag recognition, including Acapulquito, Las Viudas, Palmilla and La Gaviota.

Away from the coast, there are also several eco-friendly attractions. Tamarindos is an organic farm and restaurant around 5 minutes from San Jose del Cabo. Enjoy a farm-to-table dinner or book a tour of the farm to harvest your own herbs and vegetables before immersing yourself in a hands-on cooking lesson. Expert chefs help you prepare a traditional four-course meal (which you get to enjoy afterward) while educating you about their sustainability practices.

Sustainability practices are also paramount at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal. The property's signature restaurants, El Farallon and Don Manuel’s, have committed to recycling all their kitchen waste. The hotel also boasts cross-departmental energy efficiency drives, including the use of solar panels where possible. The property has a federal permit to maintain a turtle nest, with 24-hour beach monitoring, the protection of eggs, turtle release and ongoing environmental education for both guests and Team Members. It’s a heartwarming and important factor of daily life at the hotel.

Being an environmentally responsible traveler is the best way to preserve the natural beauty found at your destination and beyond. Proactively research locations and prioritize your eco-friendly goals to align with local practices and offerings for an enriching — and mindful — getaway.