Destination: La Ruta Moskitia, Honduras
Environmental Initiatives: 78
Local Contributions: 76
Guest Experience: 67
Overall Score: 73
Said one guest of this locally owned tour collective in the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, "The trip was a great opportunity to see such an untouched spot, but it caps it off to know that our money is going to the right places." Seven communities run the excursions: Kayak through a pine savanna under monkeys and toucans, watch Garifuna dancing, go nighttime crocodile spotting, volunteer with a sea turtle project, and see ancient petroglyphs while guided by likely descendants of the carvers. In addition to what they charge travelers, members of the collective earn bonuses for improving the palm-thatched guest cabanas and other parts of the tourism infrastructure. Ten percent of profits also goes to conservation and community development (504-443-1276; larutamoskitia.com; eight days, $510–$595 per person).

LodgeS/ResortS: Tenuta di Spannocchia, Italy
Environmental Initiatives: 71
Local Contributions: 70
Guest Experience: 79
Overall Score: 73
The Tuscan countryside may be dotted with villas, but the farmhouses and castello apartments at this twelfth-century complex come with several unusual extras: an organic farm specializing in heirloom produce and almost-extinct animal breeds, a wildlife preserve with hiking trails, and an educational center whose curriculum runs from archaeology and architecture to painting, literature, and cooking—the latter taught by a chef born on the property. In 2005, tourism contributed almost $162,500 to the farm and its sustainable forestry project, both of which serve to promote ancient and earth-friendly methods among locals. The nonprofit Spannocchia Foundation (which every guest must join, at a cost of $60 per family) supports an educational program for interns and local kids (39-0577-75211; spannocchia.com; doubles, $102–$122; houses, $615–$3,075 per week).

Destination: North Island, Seychelles
Environmental Initiatives: 77
Local Contributions: 56
Guest Experience: 63
Overall Score: 65
Looking at North Island today, you'd never know that just a decade ago it was an environmental disaster. Abandoned after the collapse of the coconut industry in the 1970s, though, the reef-fringed isle came under the control of developers hoping to create a "Noah's Ark." Their plan was to turn the clock back 200 years by reintroducing native plants and animals that had been driven out by alien species, while also building a 500-acre resort comprising 11 butler-tended villas with Robinson Crusoe privacy and five-star luxury. So far, 20 giant tortoises have been reintroduced and more than 100,000 indigenous plants cultivated. And last June, the resort hosted 36 disadvantaged Seychellois kids, teaching them life skills and building awareness at the site of an environmental success story (248-293-100; north-island.com; doubles, $3,430, including meals and dives).