El Silencio Lodge & Spa
A cloud forest lodge holding Costa Rica's top Elite sustainability rating that conserves more than 500 acres of forest and has diverted over 160 tons of waste.
Google reviews
Google rating · 4.8/5 · 546 reviews
Stored Google rating; this is separate from the Accommodation Eco Score or Throne Score. The current Google rating may have changed.
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Environmental evidence and weighted assessment
3.8/5 Accommodation Eco Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 70%
Green flags
- Nature, biodiversity and regeneration, level 4/4.
The lodge states absolute conservation of more than 500 acres of cloud forest with camera trap wildlife monitoring and a confirmed endangered treefrog population (sustainability page, current).
Source · 2026-10-29 - Waste and plastic, level 4/4.
Quantified diversion of over 160 tons of waste from landfill between 2018 and 2024, plus cooking oil recycled into biodiesel.
Source · 2026-10-29 - Buildings, heritage reuse and land use, level 3/4.
Elevated structures for water infiltration, daylighting and environmental impact analysis before and after construction are described.
Source · 2026-10-29
| 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 lodge states absolute conservation of more than 500 acres of cloud forest with camera trap wildlife monitoring and a confirmed endangered treefrog population (sustainability page, current). Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Energy and climate | 15% | 1/4 · Claim only | 3.75 / 15 points | Power is from the national hydro grid; renewable systems on site are only a stated five-year goal. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| 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 lodge runs a micro-basin programme protecting the Gorrión River that crosses the property. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Waste and plastic | 10% | 4/4 · Measured and published, with at least 90% of waste diverted or under 0.10 kg of unsorted waste per guest night | 10 / 10 points | Quantified diversion of over 160 tons of waste from landfill between 2018 and 2024, plus cooking oil recycled into biodiesel. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Food, farming and sourcing | 15% | 2/4 · A named own garden or named local farms supply part of the menu | 7.5 / 15 points | The main restaurant uses produce from the lodge's organic mini-farm. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| 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 | Elevated structures for water infiltration, daylighting and environmental impact analysis before and after construction are described. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Measurement, transparency and certification | 5% | 2/4 · Specific practices, systems and named suppliers published | 2.5 / 5 points | The sustainability page publishes specific practices such as 500 acres of cloud forest conserved, camera trap monitoring and Blue Flag programme actions. The CST Elite rating could not be confirmed in the certifier's own directory today, so it is not counted. “El Silencio carries out the absolute conservation of more than 500 acres of cloud forest.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
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
1.4/5 Purity Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 8.8%
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water you drink and bathe in | 25% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 25 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 |
| Food on your plate | 20% | 1/4 · Claim only, such as fresh or organic with no named source | 5 / 20 points | The gastronomy page says the main restaurant uses ingredients from an organic mini farm, but no share or plant based menu is shown. “Las Ventanas Restaurant features ingredients sourced from our organic mini-farm.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Grounds and pest control | 15% | 1/4 · Claim only | 3.75 / 15 points | The sustainability page says the orchard is managed under a biotechnology process, with no detail on pesticide use. “in the case of the orchard, we take care of it under a biotechnology process.” 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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
2.2/5 People Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 30%
Green flags
- Community benefit, level 3/4.
The sustainability page lists school infrastructure support, food for the student cafeteria, sponsored cultural transport, and local sourcing from Bajos del Toro and Zarcero.
“we contribute to school infrastructure, provide food for the student cafeteria, and sponsor transportation for cultural activities.”
Source · 2026-11-03
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership and control | 30% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 30 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 |
| Local work and fair pay | 25% | 2/4 · A stated share of staff from the island or nearby communities | 12.5 / 25 points | The sustainability page states that over 95 percent of staff are local. “More than 95% of our staff is local, imprinting the guest’s experience with the signature hospitality that characterizes our human context.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Community benefit | 20% | 3/4 · Several programmes plus named local suppliers and makers | 15 / 20 points | The sustainability page lists school infrastructure support, food for the student cafeteria, sponsored cultural transport, and local sourcing from Bajos del Toro and Zarcero. “we contribute to school infrastructure, provide food for the student cafeteria, and sponsor transportation for cultural activities.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| 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 |
| Culture and heritage | 10% | 1/4 · Claim only | 2.5 / 10 points | The sustainability page says Sarchi oxcart painting is woven into the decor and guest experiences, but no makers are named. “At El Silencio Lodge & Spa, this living art is woven into our décor and guest experiences, allowing visitors to connect with Costa Rica’s cultural legacy.” 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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Collected research sources
These source pages were captured on 2026-10-02. Capturing a page does not establish a rating or verify its claims. Only the reviewed pillar evidence above earns assessment points. Missing findings remain unavailable.
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