Good looking and eco-conscious. The Bahamas plans to set aside 20% of its territorial waters as marine protected areas, says Ethical Traveler.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Barbados —
With its impressive approach to marine management, Barbados is considered a best-practice model for the Caribbean, says Ethical Traveler. "The country has found sustainable ways to incorporate tourism into its need to protect its coastline," says the organization.
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
Cape Verde —
Surfing is a hot draw for Cape Verde, located off the west coast of Africa. Ethical Traveler says it remains one of the highest-rated countries in Africa by Reporters Without Borders for a relatively free press. Its tourism management was cited by the World Bank as a top African example.
Capeverde.com
Chile —
Just another sunny day in Santiago, one of South America's most cosmopolitan cities. Chile scored high on the 2013 Ethical Traveler report card for political rights, civil liberties and press freedom. Chile's Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve was singled out for its focus on sustainability.
Turimo Chile
Dominica —
Dominica isn't the most popular destination in the Caribbean. That suits its fans fine. Ethical Traveler says Dominica is protected by an extensive natural park system, while its citizens focus on preservation by discouraging high-impact tourism.
Courtesy Dominica.DM
Latvia —
Ethical Traveler says Latvia ranks above-average among the world's sovereign states in democracy, press freedom privacy and human development. It also scores high on environmental protection.
Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Lithuania —
Lithuania reached its millennium target goal for 2015, reducing its under-five mortality rate by 52% since 2000, says Ethical Traveler.
AFP/Getty Images
Mauritius —
Some 2,000 kilometers off the southeast coast of continental Africa, Mauritius is consistently rated by the Index of African Governance as the best-run country in sub-Saharan Africa. Ethical Traveler adds that it has a high human rights record.
David Cannon/Getty Images
Palau —
Ethical Traveler cites the western Pacific nation as a global leader in protecting marine ecosystems. It also received Freedom House's highest civil liberties and political rights ratings.
Courtesy Ketchum Hong Kong
Uruguay —
Uruguay made headlines this week for passing a landmark marijuana legalization measure. But that's not why it got high marks from Ethical Traveler. Uruguay hits all the sweet spots for environmental and human rights. This year the country legalized gay marriage.