Isla Palenque
A nine-unit resort on a 400 acre private island in the Gulf of Chiriquí that grows organic produce and has removed plastic water bottles.
Google reviews
Google rating · 4.8/5 · 26 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
3.4/5 Accommodation Eco Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 66.3%
Green flags
- Nature, biodiversity and regeneration, level 3/4.
There is a guest reforestation programme planting primary forest seedlings into secondary growth, the 400 acres are mostly native flora, and staff hold monthly beach and dock clean-ups.
Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source - Water, level 3/4.
The island is irrigated with harvested rainwater and wastewater purified on site, and there are no plastic water bottles.
Source · 2026-10-29 - Waste and plastic, level 3/4.
Plastic water bottles have been removed, straws are compostable papaya stalks and cleaning products are biodegradable.
Source · 2026-10-29 - Food, farming and sourcing, level 3/4.
Produce comes from an organic garden on the island, and seafood comes through the Dock to Dish programme with Boca Chica fishers.
Source · 2026-10-29
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nature, biodiversity and regeneration | 30% | 3/4 · Several evidenced systems, such as protected habitat on site, native restoration and a wildlife programme, with no synthetic pesticides on the land | 22.5 / 30 points | There is a guest reforestation programme planting primary forest seedlings into secondary growth, the 400 acres are mostly native flora, and staff hold monthly beach and dock clean-ups. 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 | Solar panels heat water for guest rooms, with efficient lighting and utility monitoring. Electricity generation is not described. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Water | 10% | 3/4 · Several systems, such as rain harvesting plus wastewater treatment and reuse plus low flow fittings | 7.5 / 10 points | The island is irrigated with harvested rainwater and wastewater purified on site, and there are no plastic water bottles. 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 water bottles have been removed, straws are compostable papaya stalks and cleaning products are biodegradable. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| 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 | Produce comes from an organic garden on the island, and seafood comes through the Dock to Dish programme with Boca Chica fishers. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Buildings, heritage reuse and land use | 15% | 2/4 · One specific practice, such as a historic building reused, local natural materials, or passive cooling design | 7.5 / 15 points | Construction uses only sustainable hardwood and rapidly renewable materials. 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 and a named seafood supplier programme, but no third party certificate or measured data. “We’re proud to partner with the Dock to Dish program to bring back the catch of the day.” 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
2.4/5 Purity Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 38.8%
Green flags
- Water you drink and bathe in, level 3/4.
The FAQ says the island has its own natural aquifer meeting all water needs, filtered for sediment and taste, with no mention of chlorine.
“We are privileged to have our own natural aquifer which fulfils all of our water needs on the island.”
Source · 2026-11-03
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water you drink and bathe in | 25% | 3/4 · The stay's own natural source (spring, river, well or rain) for drinking and bathing, treated without chlorine | 18.75 / 25 points | The FAQ says the island has its own natural aquifer meeting all water needs, filtered for sediment and taste, with no mention of chlorine. “We are privileged to have our own natural aquifer which fulfils all of our water needs on the island.” 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 community page says much of the restaurant food comes from the resort's own organic farm, with fish from named local fishermen. No plant based menu is described. “much of our restaurant food comes from our own organic farm or from just around the corner” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Grounds and pest control | 15% | 1/4 · Claim only | 3.75 / 15 points | The sustainability page claims organic gardening and native planting but gives no no spray policy. “Our 400-acres of rainforest are populated by almost exclusively native flora” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Cleaning, laundry and fragrance | 15% | 1/4 · Claim only, such as eco friendly products | 3.75 / 15 points | The sustainability page claims biodegradable cleaning products without hazardous chemicals but names none. “The fully biodegradable products we use don’t contain hazardous chemicals so they won’t adversely affect our ecosystems or us.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| 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% | 1/4 · Claim only | 2.5 / 10 points | The FAQ bans smoking in the casitas and restaurant but allows it on the beach, so the property is not fully smoke free. “Smoking is not allowed in the Casitas, or on the Las Rocas restaurant premises.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| 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 37.5%
Green flags
- Community benefit, level 3/4.
The staff and community page describes buying from Boca Chica fishermen, stocking Ngobe beadwork and starting the area's first recycling system.
“We are working with the local Boca Chica community to share these philosophies and initiate the area’s first recycling system.”
Source · 2026-11-03
| 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 about page names Benjamin Loomis as owner but gives no detail on local share. “That was the book that spurred Benjamin Loomis, the owner of Isla Palenque Resort, to go live on a tropical island.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Local work and fair pay | 25% | 2/4 · A stated share of staff from the island or nearby communities | 12.5 / 25 points | The staff page says the team is almost exclusively Panamanian, many from Boca Chica and David, with pay above the national average. “our staff is almost exclusively Panamanian, with a great many coming from nearby Boca Chica and David” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Community benefit | 20% | 3/4 · Several programmes plus named local suppliers and makers | 15 / 20 points | The staff and community page describes buying from Boca Chica fishermen, stocking Ngobe beadwork and starting the area's first recycling system. “We are working with the local Boca Chica community to share these philosophies and initiate the area’s first recycling system.” 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 · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Culture and heritage | 10% | 1/4 · Claim only | 2.5 / 10 points | The community page says Ngobe beaded necklaces are stocked for guests, with no named makers. “In support of the group, we stock some of these beaded necklaces at Isla Palenque for our guests to purchase.” 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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