The IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, held in Abu Dhabi from October 9 to 15, brings together governments, scientists and experts to shape the future of global conservation.
One of its key moments is the IUCN Green List Awards that recognize protected areas meeting the highest standards for biodiversity, governance and community impact.
The Green List grew this year with 27 new listings across 13 countries, making the total number over 100 listings across 230 sites.
Among the new honorees, several stand out as not only pioneers in conservation, but as travel destinations that blend accessibility, adventure and eco-tourism.
California Marine Protected Area Network, USA
The California Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network is one of the largest systems of ocean reserves in the world, spanning 124 individual sites along over 1,100 miles of coastline.
It was established under the Marine Life Protection Act of 1999 to safeguard critical habitats such as kelp forests, rocky reefs, estuaries and seagrass beds, while still allowing recreational activities like kayaking, snorkeling and wildlife viewing.
This network of MPAs protects roughly 16% of the state’s coastal waters, with notable sites including the Channel Islands, Big Sur and Point Reyes.
Point Reyes National Seashore is one of those beaches in the United States that travelers do not visit for sunbathing.
In October, the juvenile haul-out begins, when young elephant seals return to rest onshore. From December through March, the beach transforms into one of California’s most extraordinary wildlife spectacles as massive males battle for territory and females give birth to pups. Visitors can observe them from the Elephant Seal Overlook near Chimney Rock.
Cerro Castillo National Park, Chile
Cerro Castillo National Park is Patagonia’s rising star, offering treks similar to the famous Torres del Paine, but with fewer crowds.
As a testament to its ecological importance, the park covers over 350,00 acres and stores an estimated 62.1 million metric tons of carbon.
It is open from April until October and appeals to adventure-seeking travelers looking to hike its jagged peaks and icy glaciers.
“Although Torres del Paine is famous for good reason, Cerro Castillo National Park feels like the Patagonia of 30 years ago,” said David Hilton, Patagonia expert at Swoop Patagonia, in an email interview.
“It’s just as beautiful as Torres del Paine, but lesser-known, so a great place to go if you’re looking for those famously beautiful Patagonian landscapes with a sense of peace and solitude away from the crowds,” he added.
It is home to diverse wildlife such as the endangered huemul (South Andean deer), pumas, Magallanes woodpeckers and Andean condors.
Hilton also noted that the area offers something for everyone, from hiking and horse riding to wildlife watching.
Lote Cristalino Private Reserve, Brazil
Lota Cristalino Private Reserve is an over 28,000-acre protected area in the municipality of Alta Floresta, in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. It is a conservation corridor and an area with high biodiversity and home to the elusive jaguar, black panther and puma.
“It’s a habitat for many unique animal species like Brazilian tapirs, giant river otters, Goliath bird-eating tarantulas (the biggest spider in the world), anacondas (even the black ones), and nearly 600 species of birds, including the endangered Harpy Eagle,” said Jozef Verbruggen, founder and director of Untamed Travelling, in an email interview.
Verbruggen recommended staying at Cristalino Jungle Lodge. It is a very remote lodge, located deep in the rainforest within one of the largest privately owned forest reserves in the Amazon, accessible only by boat.
“By staying at this eco lodge, guests contribute to the conservation of the forest through the Cristalino Foundation, which is dedicated to environmental education, development, scientific research, and minimizing environmental impact in the Cristalino region,” he added.
Tourists can take canoe excursions on the Cristalino River, hike jungle trails in search of tapirs, otters, and various bird species, or go on boat rides to see where the rivers converge and to climb the nearby hills for spectacular views.
Gorgona National Natural Park, Colombia
Gorgona National Natural Park is a former high-security prison island turned into a sanctuary, about 20 miles off the coast of Colombia.
“It is one of the most special and remote places we take travelers to,” said Juliana Medina, owner of Impulse Travel, specializing in custom-made journeys to Colombia, in an email interview.
She explained that visitors to Gorgona will see how the rainforest has almost fully regenerated after being 70% deforested during the island’s prison era.
Guided tours there offer ample opportunities to spot the vibrant blue Gorgona lizard, tropical birds, reptiles and other wildlife.
She also added that during whale season, humpback whales come close to shore to give birth or mate, making it one of the rare places where travelers might spot them breaching just a few meters away from the beach.
“Very few travelers visit Gorgona each year, which makes the experience feel intimate and exclusive, as if you had a pristine island all to yourself,” Medina highlighted.
Côn Đảo National Park, Vietnam
Côn Đảo National Park is on the archipelago of Côn Đảo Islands in Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu Province, southeast Vietnam.
“Côn Đảo is an important site for green turtles. There are also dugong (rarely seen) in the mangrove channels and dolphins. On land, the Con Dao black squirrel, Con Dao long-tailed macaque and Con Dao gecko are all endemic species,” said Mark Beken, head of product at Explorations Company, offering bespoke luxury tours across Asia, in an email interview.
He also noted that while much of the wildlife can be challenging to spot, visitors can join local conservation teams to help monitor the turtle project. Female turtles lay eggs from April to October, while hatchlings emerge from May to December.
“While Côn Đảo is reasonably well known as a destination due to the Six Senses, it offers a sense of peace and an immersion in nature that are rarely found at Vietnam’s mainland beach resorts,” Beken added.
Hiking through forests, relaxing on the beaches, snorkeling or kayaking to remote coves are all activities he recommended visitors to the archipelago.