Arenas Del Mar
A beachfront resort on 11 acres of former goat pasture that it has reforested with 7,000 native trees, now a wildlife corridor for Manuel Antonio National Park.
Google reviews
Google rating · 4.8/5 · 663 reviews
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Environmental evidence and weighted assessment
4.1/5 Accommodation Eco Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 76.3%
Green flags
- Nature, biodiversity and regeneration, level 4/4.
The 11-acre property was a goat pasture 20 years ago and has been reforested with 7,000 native trees; it serves as a corridor to Manuel Antonio National Park and is monitored with camera traps.
Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source - Waste and plastic, level 3/4.
Plastic bottles, straws and bags removed from the guest experience, compostable bamboo straws, and organic waste composted or used as livestock feed.
Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source - Food, farming and sourcing, level 3/4.
On-site hydroponic greenhouse garden plus the Dock to Dish programme buying from local fishers.
Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source · Corroborating source - Buildings, heritage reuse and land use, level 3/4.
Very few trees cut during construction, buildings incorporate living trees, the hotel covers under 25% of the land, and electricity runs underground to protect wildlife.
Source · 2026-10-29 - Measurement, transparency and certification, level 3/4.
Listed at Nivel Élite in the ICT's Certificación de Sostenibilidad Turística (CST) directory; the hotel cites its Five Leaves award and annual Bandera Azul.
Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nature, biodiversity and regeneration | 30% | 4/4 · Legal protection such as a reserve or conservation easement, or measured outcomes published with dates and figures (hectares restored, species monitored, nests or hatchlings counted) | 30 / 30 points | The 11-acre property was a goat pasture 20 years ago and has been reforested with 7,000 native trees; it serves as a corridor to Manuel Antonio National Park and is monitored with camera traps. Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source |
| Energy and climate | 15% | 2/4 · One specific system, such as solar hot water, a stated photovoltaic share, or buildings designed to need no air conditioning | 7.5 / 15 points | Water heating is mainly solar, with gas backup replaced by electric units. Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source |
| Water | 10% | 2/4 · One specific system, such as rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse, or taps and showers at or under 8.5 litres a minute | 5 / 10 points | The 2025 press backgrounder says treated wastewater is reused for irrigation. PDF only, verified verbatim from the PDF text. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Waste and plastic | 10% | 3/4 · Composting plus recycling plus no single use plastic in rooms and food service | 7.5 / 10 points | Plastic bottles, straws and bags removed from the guest experience, compostable bamboo straws, and organic waste composted or used as livestock feed. Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source |
| Food, farming and sourcing | 15% | 3/4 · Own farm or organic land supplies a large share, with named local suppliers and seasonal menus; consolidated local supply rather than daily imports | 11.25 / 15 points | On-site hydroponic greenhouse garden plus the Dock to Dish programme buying from local fishers. Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source · Corroborating source |
| Buildings, heritage reuse and land use | 15% | 3/4 · Several practices, such as reuse of existing structures, local natural materials, passive design and a small footprint on the land | 11.25 / 15 points | Very few trees cut during construction, buildings incorporate living trees, the hotel covers under 25% of the land, and electricity runs underground to protect wildlife. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Measurement, transparency and certification | 5% | 3/4 · A current third party certificate confirmed in the certifier's own directory, or measured data published for one year. Tiers earned by years certified add nothing | 3.75 / 5 points | Listed at Nivel Élite in the ICT's Certificación de Sostenibilidad Turística (CST) directory; the hotel cites its Five Leaves award and annual Bandera Azul. Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source |
Throne Standard for stays 2.2. Accommodation Eco Score weights: Nature, biodiversity and regeneration 30%, Energy and climate 15%, Water 10%, Waste and plastic 10%, Food, farming and sourcing 15%, Buildings, heritage reuse and land use 15%, Measurement, transparency and certification 5%. Each pillar earns its weight times its level divided by four. The score is 1 plus 4 times the evidenced performance, shown to one decimal, so 0% is 1.0 and 100% is 5.0. A pillar the stay does not disclose, after we read its own pages, counts as 0 and is shown as Not disclosed, with every page we read linked, because silence is an answer too. Every finding quotes its source word for word. Below 85% coverage, below 70% performance, or with less than half the weight at level 2 or above, the score is held under the next whole number (3.4 or 2.4). A 5.0 band needs 90% coverage and performance, level 4 evidence on half the weight and the key pillar at level 3 or above. Green flags are pillars at level 3 or 4. Every level can be earned from public, dated evidence; no score requires a visit. Evidence must be rechecked within two years. Guest travel is not scored; everyone gets there how they can.
Purity, what touches your body
2.2/5 Purity Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 30%
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water you drink and bathe in | 25% | 2/4 · Public supply filtered at the tap or a refill station, with no single use bottled water as the default | 12.5 / 25 points | The sustainability page says purified water is served in reusable glass bottles and plastic water bottles are gone, and the FAQ says the public supply is potable. “Enjoy purified water served in reusable glass bottles throughout the resort, as well as a selection of complimentary homemade refreshments in the minibar.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Food on your plate | 20% | 2/4 · Named organic or own garden produce in some meals, and plant based meals available | 10 / 20 points | The sustainability page describes an onsite hydroponic garden that supplies some greens, and the FAQ says menus include vegetarian and vegan options. “We have a hydroponic vegetable garden onsite that grows some of the greens for our tasty dishes.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Grounds and pest control | 15% | 2/4 · A specific no spray policy, such as no herbicides or glyphosate, or biological mosquito control | 7.5 / 15 points | The nature conservation page says the native planting on the grounds needs no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. “These plants naturally flourish in our climate, requiring drastically less water and no chemical fertilizers or pesticides.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Cleaning, laundry and fragrance | 15% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 15 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Linen, towels and mattresses | 10% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 10 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Air and quiet | 10% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 10 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Pool and bathing water | 5% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 5 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
Throne Standard for stays 2.2. Purity Score weights: Water you drink and bathe in 25%, Food on your plate 20%, Grounds and pest control 15%, Cleaning, laundry and fragrance 15%, Linen, towels and mattresses 10%, Air and quiet 10%, Pool and bathing water 5%. Each pillar earns its weight times its level divided by four. The score is 1 plus 4 times the evidenced performance, shown to one decimal, so 0% is 1.0 and 100% is 5.0. A pillar the stay does not disclose, after we read its own pages, counts as 0 and is shown as Not disclosed, with every page we read linked, because silence is an answer too. Every finding quotes its source word for word. Below 85% coverage, below 70% performance, or with less than half the weight at level 2 or above, the score is held under the next whole number (3.4 or 2.4). A 5.0 band needs 90% coverage and performance, level 4 evidence on half the weight and the key pillar at level 3 or above. Green flags are pillars at level 3 or 4. Every level can be earned from public, dated evidence; no score requires a visit. Evidence must be rechecked within two years.
People, ownership, work and community
2.4/5 People Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 33.8%
Green flags
- Community benefit, level 3/4.
The community page describes school support and reforestation programmes, and names Pittier Coffee as a local supplier alongside local artisans in the gift shop.
“we partner with local schools across the Manuel Antonio region to improve learning spaces and inspire environmental stewardship through hands-on education and community projects.”
Source · 2026-11-03 · Corroborating source
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership and control | 30% | 1/4 · Ownership stated without detail | 7.5 / 30 points | The sustainability page states the resort belongs to and is operated by the Cayuga Collection group, with no ownership detail beyond that. “Arenas Del Mar is a member of the Cayuga Collection of Sustainable Hotels and Lodges.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Local work and fair pay | 25% | 1/4 · Claim only, such as local staff | 6.25 / 25 points | The community page says staff are predominantly hired from the local area but gives no figure or pay information. “We prioritize the hiring of Costa Rican staff predominantly from the local area.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Community benefit | 20% | 3/4 · Several programmes plus named local suppliers and makers | 15 / 20 points | The community page describes school support and reforestation programmes, and names Pittier Coffee as a local supplier alongside local artisans in the gift shop. “we partner with local schools across the Manuel Antonio region to improve learning spaces and inspire environmental stewardship through hands-on education and community projects.” Source · 2026-11-03 · Corroborating source |
| Access to beach and land | 15% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 15 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Culture and heritage | 10% | 2/4 · Local food, crafts or language presented with named makers | 5 / 10 points | The community page names a local coffee maker and says the gift shop sells work by local artisans. “the coffee served throughout the resort comes from Pittier Coffee, a local producer led by former Arenas Del Mar waiter César Delgado.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
Throne Standard for stays 2.2. People Score weights: Ownership and control 30%, Local work and fair pay 25%, Community benefit 20%, Access to beach and land 15%, Culture and heritage 10%. Each pillar earns its weight times its level divided by four. The score is 1 plus 4 times the evidenced performance, shown to one decimal, so 0% is 1.0 and 100% is 5.0. A pillar the stay does not disclose, after we read its own pages, counts as 0 and is shown as Not disclosed, with every page we read linked, because silence is an answer too. Every finding quotes its source word for word. Below 85% coverage, below 70% performance, or with less than half the weight at level 2 or above, the score is held under the next whole number (3.4 or 2.4). A 5.0 band needs 90% coverage and performance, level 4 evidence on half the weight and the key pillar at level 3 or above. Green flags are pillars at level 3 or 4. Every level can be earned from public, dated evidence; no score requires a visit. Evidence must be rechecked within two years.
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