Playa Viva
A 20-room off-grid solar regenerative hotel on Mexico's Pacific coast whose turtle sanctuary has released over 450,000 hatchlings.
Google reviews
Google rating · 4.9/5 · 278 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
4.4/5 Accommodation Eco Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 83.8%
Green flags
- Nature, biodiversity and regeneration, level 4/4.
Playa Viva founded the La Tortuga Viva sanctuary in 2010, which has released over 450,000 hatchlings, and runs reforestation and agroforestry on its land.
Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source - Energy and climate, level 4/4.
The resort runs on a 100% off-grid solar system with battery banks and amber LED lighting to protect nesting turtles, backed by an LP gas generator.
Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source - Water, level 3/4.
Water comes from an on-site well, grey water irrigates gardens and black water is treated with mini living systems. Drinking water is bottled.
Source · 2026-10-29 - Food, farming and sourcing, level 3/4.
A 20-acre permaculture farm and organic garden supply the kitchen, with named categories of local producers for milk, cheese, beans, corn and eggs.
Source · 2026-10-29 - Buildings, heritage reuse and land use, level 3/4.
Buildings use natural ventilation to avoid air conditioning, local artisans' fixtures and materials harvested on site such as palm fronds, bamboo and clay.
Source · 2026-10-29 - Measurement, transparency and certification, level 3/4.
Playa Viva is a Certified B Corporation. The B Lab directory, read on 30 October 2026, lists Playa Viva LLC as a Certified B Corporation since January 2023, and the hotel's own blog reports the highest B Corp score yet awarded to a hotel.
Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source · 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 | Playa Viva founded the La Tortuga Viva sanctuary in 2010, which has released over 450,000 hatchlings, and runs reforestation and agroforestry on its land. Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source |
| Energy and climate | 15% | 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 nothing | 15 / 15 points | The resort runs on a 100% off-grid solar system with battery banks and amber LED lighting to protect nesting turtles, backed by an LP gas generator. Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source |
| Water | 10% | 3/4 · Several systems, such as rain harvesting plus wastewater treatment and reuse plus low flow fittings | 7.5 / 10 points | Water comes from an on-site well, grey water irrigates gardens and black water is treated with mini living systems. Drinking water is bottled. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Waste and plastic | 10% | 2/4 · One specific system, such as composting all organic waste or sorted recycling | 5 / 10 points | The supply chain post says the hotel switched ice deliveries to reusable coolers, uses refillable guest amenities and checks which glass can be recycled locally. No composting or waste totals are shown. “Our ice used to arrive in plastic bags. Now, our supplier delivers it in reusable coolers.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| 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 | A 20-acre permaculture farm and organic garden supply the kitchen, with named categories of local producers for milk, cheese, beans, corn and eggs. 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 | Buildings use natural ventilation to avoid air conditioning, local artisans' fixtures and materials harvested on site such as palm fronds, bamboo and clay. 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 | Playa Viva is a Certified B Corporation. The B Lab directory, read on 30 October 2026, lists Playa Viva LLC as a Certified B Corporation since January 2023, and the hotel's own blog reports the highest B Corp score yet awarded to a hotel. 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
2.1/5 Purity Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 27.5%
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water you drink and bathe in | 25% | 0/4 · Documented absence or contrary evidence | 0 / 25 points | The FAQ says drinking water is bottled water, although the on site well supplies other water and a filtered jug is placed in each room. The design page also says drinking water is bottled. “We also use bottled water for all drinking water.” 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 food page says an organic garden on the 20 acre permaculture farm and named local producer partnerships supply milk, cheese, fruit, beans, corn and eggs, and vegan menus are accommodated. “we have a thriving organic garden with a variety of seasonal vegetables, microgreens and seeds.” 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 FAQ describes biological mosquito control by adding inert bacteria to stagnant water that eats mosquito larvae. “we are working with our conservation biologist to add inert bacteria to stagnant water that eats mosquito larvae.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Cleaning, laundry and fragrance | 15% | 2/4 · At least 75% of daily cleaning products named as ecolabelled or plant and mineral based | 7.5 / 15 points | The supply chain post says shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and lotion were swapped for refillable agroecological products from Rayito de Luna, and leftover organic soap is melted into natural laundry detergent. “Their refillable, agroecological citrus-scented formulas are made with ingredients from small-scale Mexican farmers” 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 |
| Air and quiet | 10% | 1/4 · Claim only | 2.5 / 10 points | The FAQ says the hotel strives for a healthy environment but permits smoking outside buildings, so it is not a smoke free property. “Playa Viva strives to provide a healthy environment for all guests.” 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 |
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
2.6/5 People Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 40%
Green flags
- Community benefit, level 3/4.
The community page names several programmes including a recycling education project and the Regenerative Trust, and says local salt, eggs, milk, cheese, coffee and chocolate are bought directly from village farmers.
“We buy local salt, eggs, milk, cheese, seasonal produce, coffee and chocolate directly from the farmers in these villages.”
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 history page names founders Sandra Kahn and David Leventhal who invested in the property, with no detail on who holds ownership today. “they invested in the property.” 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 community page says the majority of staff are hired from Juluchuca and surrounding villages. “At Playa Viva, we hire the majority of our staff from Juluchuca and its surrounding villages.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Community benefit | 20% | 3/4 · Several programmes plus named local suppliers and makers | 15 / 20 points | The community page names several programmes including a recycling education project and the Regenerative Trust, and says local salt, eggs, milk, cheese, coffee and chocolate are bought directly from village farmers. “We buy local salt, eggs, milk, cheese, seasonal produce, coffee and chocolate directly from the farmers in these villages.” 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 |
| Culture and heritage | 10% | 2/4 · Local food, crafts or language presented with named makers | 5 / 10 points | The team page names kitchen team members Olga and Ines who are known for their mole and other local Mexican dishes. “Olga and Ines who are both famous for their mole and other local Mexican favorites.” 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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