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Accommodation · El Castillo

Guacimo Eco-lodge

Verdict Accommodation Eco Score

Guacimo Lodge is a river access only lodge of eight bungalows that runs entirely on solar power and has replanted 14,000 trees on the edge of the Indio Maíz reserve.

Accommodation Eco Score
3.4/5 Accommodation Eco Score
Throne Standard 2.2 · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 62.5%. Weighted sources are shown below.
Against accommodations
Records scored in accommodations476
Category average2.3/5
Scores below this one84%
Guacimo Eco-lodge
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Where it is
El Castillo
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Google reviews

Google rating · 4.8/5 · 77 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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About Guacimo Eco-lodge

26 of 92 fields held
Recorded research, grouped by subject; claims remain unverified unless linked to reviewed evidence. Blue bars show how much information is held; they are not positive or negative scores. Fields with nothing behind them are counted, not listed.
6 groups · 26 fields
Features 1 of 8
What to do generally The lodge sits in 50 hectares of primary and secondary lowland rainforest on the San Juan River, reached only by boat from El Castillo. Guests canoe into Indio Maíz, walk forest trails, join night tours and birdwatching, and visit the colonial El Castillo fortress.
Scan result 2 of 4
Eco Score 3
Eco Score Label Moderate evidenced performance
Ownership and legal entity 2 of 16
Owner Name María and Manuel, a Spanish couple living in Nicaragua
Ownership Type Independent
Claims and evidence 1 of 5
Verified Researched and source checked in three passes, Oct 2026
Place and access 2 of 3
Continent/Region Central America
Google Place ID ChIJHbZW4Ir1Co8RJoNvBpUE9DU
Further detail 18 of 56
Booking Link expedia.com expedia.com
Booking Site Expedia
Street Indio Maiz Reserve
City El Castillo
Country Río San Juan
Closest Airport KM 160
Type Eco Lodge
Environment Type Rainforest
Rooms 8 bungalows
Room Types 4 Canopy Bungalows, 2 Deluxe River-View Bungalows
People Targeting Eco-Conscious Travelers / Researchers
Secluded / Isolated High Seclusion
Eco Amenities The lodge's sustainability page states it runs 100 per cent on solar power, repeated on its About page. The lodge reports planting 14,000 trees in deforested or degraded areas and runs a biodiversity monitoring programme with biologists across its 50 hectare forest. Natural ventilation design, minimal impact on soil and terrain, construction by local masons and artisans, and deliberately limited capacity.
Activities to do While at Guacimo Eco-lodge, you can go jungle hiking, bird watching and nature relaxation. Guacimo Eco-lodge offers on-site guided rainforest tours.
Food Options Guacimo Eco-lodge has an in-house restaurant.
Food Type Fresh Nicaraguan and Spanish influenced dishes with river fish
Google rating 4.8
Google review count 77
Filed under 18 terms held

Environmental evidence and weighted assessment

3.4/5 Accommodation Eco Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 62.5%

Green flags

  • Nature, biodiversity and regeneration, level 4/4.

    The lodge reports planting 14,000 trees in deforested or degraded areas and runs a biodiversity monitoring programme with biologists across its 50 hectare forest.

    Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source
  • Energy and climate, level 4/4.

    The lodge's sustainability page states it runs 100 per cent on solar power, repeated on its About page.

    Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source
  • Buildings, heritage reuse and land use, level 3/4.

    Natural ventilation design, minimal impact on soil and terrain, construction by local masons and artisans, and deliberately limited capacity.

    Source · 2026-10-29
Environmental evidence by pillar
PillarWeightLevel and what it meansContributionEvidence, quote and source
Nature, biodiversity and regeneration30%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 reports planting 14,000 trees in deforested or degraded areas and runs a biodiversity monitoring programme with biologists across its 50 hectare forest.

Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source
Energy and climate15%4/4 · Measured and published, with at least 50% of electricity from on site or directly supplied renewables, or under 88 kWh per occupied room (better than three quarters of Caribbean resorts, Cornell CHSB 2023), or a verified off grid renewable supply. Offsets and certificates earn nothing15 / 15 points

The lodge's sustainability page states it runs 100 per cent on solar power, repeated on its About page.

Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source
Water10%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 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
Waste and plastic10%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 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
Food, farming and sourcing15%1/4 · Claim only, such as local or organic with no named source3.75 / 15 points

The dining page says the food is local, fresh and healthy, with no named farms.

“Guacimo Lodge serves local, fresh and healthy food.”

Source · 2026-11-03
Buildings, heritage reuse and land use15%3/4 · Several practices, such as reuse of existing structures, local natural materials, passive design and a small footprint on the land11.25 / 15 points

Natural ventilation design, minimal impact on soil and terrain, construction by local masons and artisans, and deliberately limited capacity.

Source · 2026-10-29
Measurement, transparency and certification5%2/4 · Specific practices, systems and named suppliers published2.5 / 5 points

The conservation page publishes specific practices including 14,000 trees planted, solar power and natural ventilation, without a certificate or yearly data.

“Through sustainable forestry, Guacimo lodge has planted a total of 14,000 trees in deforested or degraded areas.”

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

1.3/5 Purity Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 7.5%

Purity evidence, what touches your body by pillar
PillarWeightLevel and what it meansContributionEvidence, quote and source
Water you drink and bathe in25%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 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 · Page read · Page read · Page read
Food on your plate20%1/4 · Claim only, such as fresh or organic with no named source5 / 20 points

The dining page says the food is local and fresh, without a named organic or own garden source.

“Guacimo Lodge serves local, fresh and healthy food.”

Source · 2026-11-03
Grounds and pest control15%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 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
Cleaning, laundry and fragrance15%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 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 mattresses10%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 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 quiet10%1/4 · Claim only2.5 / 10 points

The conservation page says the design uses natural ventilation through screens, but there is no smoke free policy stated.

“Our architectural design adopts natural ventilation through window screens and ceiling openings.”

Source · 2026-11-03
Pool and bathing water5%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 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

1.6/5 People Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 15%

People evidence, ownership, work and community by pillar
PillarWeightLevel and what it meansContributionEvidence, quote and source
Ownership and control30%1/4 · Ownership stated without detail7.5 / 30 points

The about page names María and Manuel as a Spanish couple living in Nicaragua, so ownership is foreign with no local share stated.

“María and Manuel a Spanish couple living in Nicaragua saw back in 2006 when they fell in love with San Juan River and El Castillo.”

Source · 2026-11-03
Local work and fair pay25%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 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 · Page read · Page read · Page read
Community benefit20%1/4 · Claim only5 / 20 points

The conservation page says the lodge was built by local masons and artisans from nearby communities.

“Guacimo was built by local masons and artisans from the San Carlos and El Castillo communities.”

Source · 2026-11-03
Access to beach and land15%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 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 heritage10%1/4 · Claim only2.5 / 10 points

The artwork page says Nicaraguan crafts from named towns furnish the lodge, without naming individual makers.

“Masaya hammocks, Granada vintage rocking chairs, crafts from Masatepe and San Marcos, cerámica negra from Lake Apanas”

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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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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