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Accommodation · La Fortuna

Nayara Gardens

Verdict Accommodation Eco Score

A Green Globe certified rainforest resort near Arenal that has replanted former pasture and restored over 30 acres of wildlife corridor.

Accommodation Eco Score
3.4/5 Accommodation Eco Score
Throne Standard 2.2 · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 68.8%. Weighted sources are shown below.
Against accommodations
Records scored in accommodations476
Category average2.3/5
Scores below this one84%
Nayara Gardens
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Where it is
La Fortuna
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Google reviews

Google rating · 4.9/5 · 1,078 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 Nayara Gardens

28 of 95 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.
7 groups · 28 fields
Features 1 of 8
What to do generally The resort sits ten minutes from La Fortuna among replanted rainforest and gardens where sloths and monkeys live. Guests soak in the mineral hot spring pools, join birdwatching and yoga, and explore Arenal Volcano.
Scan result 2 of 4
Eco Score 3
Eco Score Label Moderate evidenced performance
Ownership and legal entity 2 of 16
Owner Name Nayara Resorts
Ownership Type Independent
Identity 2 of 4
Brand Name Nayara Gardens
Closest Airport name Juan Santamaría International (SJO) or Liberia (LIR), roughly equidistant
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 ChIJYWiAduELoI8R2EV1u2ubR14
Further detail 18 of 55
Booking Site Luxury Escapes
Street Arenal Road
City La Fortuna
Country Alajuela
Closest Airport KM 130
Stars 5-star
Type Hotel
Environment Type Rainforest
Room Types Arenal pool casitas and rainforest pool villas
People Targeting Luxury Couples / Families
Secluded / Isolated Moderate Seclusion
Eco Amenities The resort replanted native species on land a previous owner cleared for pasture and states it has restored over 30 acres of wildlife corridor and rainforest habitat. Rooms are oriented for passive heating and ventilation and lighting is energy saving. Water-conserving faucets and towel reuse are stated. Plastic bottles replaced with reusable glass, straws removed, plastics and cartons recycled. A zero kilometre sourcing aim with local farmers, but no named suppliers or share. Canopy bridges built to protect trees below, building around heritage trees and orienting rooms for passive climate control. Free staff transport from La Fortuna, where most staff live. Nayara Gardens is listed on Green Globe's Americas members page; certification announced February 2025.
Activities to do While at Nayara Gardens Hotel and Spa, you can enjoy thermal spa treatments, yoga and nature walks. Nayara Gardens Hotel and Spa offers on-site swimming pools, hot tubs, a full-service spa, and coordinates on-site/off-site nature tours.
Food Options Breakfast included
Food Type Costa Rican and international with local seasonal produce
Google rating 4.9
Google review count 1078
Filed under 23 terms held

Environmental evidence and weighted assessment

3.4/5 Accommodation Eco Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 68.8%

Green flags

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

    The resort replanted native species on land a previous owner cleared for pasture and states it has restored over 30 acres of wildlife corridor and rainforest habitat.

    Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source
  • Waste and plastic, level 3/4.

    Plastic bottles replaced with reusable glass, straws removed, plastics and cartons recycled.

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

    Canopy bridges built to protect trees below, building around heritage trees and orienting rooms for passive climate control.

    Source · 2026-10-29
  • Measurement, transparency and certification, level 3/4.

    Nayara Gardens is listed on Green Globe's Americas members page; certification announced February 2025.

    Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source · Corroborating source
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 resort replanted native species on land a previous owner cleared for pasture and states it has restored over 30 acres of wildlife corridor and rainforest habitat.

Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source
Energy and climate15%2/4 · One specific system, such as solar hot water, a stated photovoltaic share, or buildings designed to need no air conditioning7.5 / 15 points

Rooms are oriented for passive heating and ventilation and lighting is energy saving.

Source · 2026-10-29
Water10%2/4 · One specific system, such as rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse, or taps and showers at or under 8.5 litres a minute5 / 10 points

Water-conserving faucets and towel reuse are stated.

Source · 2026-10-29
Waste and plastic10%3/4 · Composting plus recycling plus no single use plastic in rooms and food service7.5 / 10 points

Plastic bottles replaced with reusable glass, straws removed, plastics and cartons recycled.

Source · 2026-10-29
Food, farming and sourcing15%1/4 · Claim only, such as local or organic with no named source3.75 / 15 points

A zero kilometre sourcing aim with local farmers, but no named suppliers or share.

Source · 2026-10-29
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

Canopy bridges built to protect trees below, building around heritage trees and orienting rooms for passive climate control.

Source · 2026-10-29
Measurement, transparency and certification5%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 nothing3.75 / 5 points

Nayara Gardens is listed on Green Globe's Americas members page; certification announced February 2025.

Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source · 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

1.4/5 Purity Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 10%

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
Food on your plate20%1/4 · Claim only, such as fresh or organic with no named source5 / 20 points

The about page states a zero kilometres food philosophy using local seasonal products and local farmers, without naming farms or organic sourcing.

“Our kitchens are driven by the mission to offer sustainable and healthy food that uses local and seasonally available products while supporting local farmers and producers.”

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
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
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
Air and quiet10%2/4 · Smoke free property with natural ventilation5 / 10 points

The FAQ says the whole property is smoke free, and the about page says rooms are oriented to use sunlight and ventilation to minimise air conditioning, though rooms do have air conditioning.

“Nayara is a 100% non-smoking property. Smoking is strictly prohibited in guest rooms, public areas, and all outdoor spaces”

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

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

2.0/5 People Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 25%

People evidence, ownership, work and community by pillar
PillarWeightLevel and what it meansContributionEvidence, quote and source
Ownership and control30%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 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 · Page read · Page read
Local work and fair pay25%2/4 · A stated share of staff from the island or nearby communities12.5 / 25 points

The about page says the majority of the team comes from the neighbouring town of La Fortuna, and the resort manager is Costa Rican born, but pay is not shown.

“The majority of our team comes from the neighboring town of La Fortuna de San Carlos.”

Source · 2026-11-03
Community benefit20%2/4 · A named community programme, such as a school, fund or training10 / 20 points

The about page lists free early education for employees' children and financial support to a local orphanage called Hogarcito de Ninos.

“free early education for our employees' children, volunteer time, and financial support to Hogarcito de Ninos, a local orphanage, and support for local artists.”

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
Culture and heritage10%1/4 · Claim only2.5 / 10 points

The about page says the resort supports local artists, without naming makers.

“free early education for our employees' children, volunteer time, and financial support to Hogarcito de Ninos, a local orphanage, and support for local artists.”

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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