Machaca Hill Lodge is an 11,000-acre private nature reserve that offers hiking trails, kayaking on the Rio Grande and a restaurant featuring organically grown food.

By Lisa Rogak

As environmental awareness has spread in the last few years, our eco-friendly travel interests and choices have increased.

"People are interested in going to eco-friendly resorts because they're acting more environmentally responsible at home and want to visit places that care as much as they do," says Kit Cassingham, of www.EnvironmentallyFriendlyHotels.com. "Hotels and resorts historically have been extremely wasteful but are now starting to act with more environmental sensitivity."

Traveling consumes a lot of energy, not only to get to a destination, but also after arrival. While some vacation spots tout eco-friendliness by boasting they don't wash sheets and towels every day unless a guest requests it, other resorts do more to help the environment. But it may take extra effort to uncover the getaways that go beyond the basics and practice environmental conservation in every aspect of their operations.

The best eco-resorts pay equal attention to greening the services guests can see as well as those behind the scenes.

Read more about each eco-resort that made our list or see entire slideshow:

Bucuti Beach Resort: Aruba
Machaca Hill Lodge: Belize
Hyatt Regency Bonaventure: Weston, Fla.
Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club: Hawaii
Crystal Mountain Resort: Thompsonville, Mich.
Amanpulo: Philippines
Jardim Atlantico: Portugal
Palm Key: Ridgeland, S.C.
Post Ranch Inn: Big Sur, Calif.
Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort: Costa Rica