Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River
A thermal river hotel in a 1,500 acre private dry forest reserve in Guanacaste, built on less than 1% of the land and certified carbon neutral.
Google reviews
Google rating · 4.8/5 · 808 reviews
Stored Google rating; this is separate from the Accommodation Eco Score or Throne Score. The current Google rating may have changed.
Read reviews on Google MapsAbout Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River
Environmental evidence and weighted assessment
4.2/5 Accommodation Eco Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 80%
Green flags
- Nature, biodiversity and regeneration, level 4/4.
The hotel says its private reserve now covers 1,500 acres, with accelerated reforestation, annual native tree planting with ICE and the Bagaces municipality, wildlife monitoring and protection of the endemic tree Wimmeria excoriata.
Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source - Waste and plastic, level 3/4.
The hotel runs its own collection centre for recyclables under an agreement with the Bagaces municipality, trains all staff in recycling, and uses only biodegradable cleaning products.
Source · 2026-10-29 - Food, farming and sourcing, level 3/4.
An organic garden grows more than 50 herbs and vegetables, and other produce comes from local farmers, fishers and dairy artisans, with only Costa Rican ingredients used.
Source · 2026-10-29 - Buildings, heritage reuse and land use, level 4/4.
The sustainability page says the hotel grounds take up less than 1% of the 1,500 acre property and that existing paths and cleared land were used to avoid further deforestation.
Source · 2026-10-29 - Measurement, transparency and certification, level 3/4.
The official CST directory lists Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River at Élite level, certified 17 June 2025 and valid to 17 June 2028. The hotel also states carbon neutral certification and Blue Flag ratings, which were not checked in those directories.
Source · 2026-10-29 · 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 | The hotel says its private reserve now covers 1,500 acres, with accelerated reforestation, annual native tree planting with ICE and the Bagaces municipality, wildlife monitoring and protection of the endemic tree Wimmeria excoriata. 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 | Rio Perdido states it is a certified carbon neutral company under Costa Rica's INTE B5:2016 standard. No on-site generation figures are published. 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 | All wastewater is treated and reused to irrigate reforestation and green areas, according to the sustainability page. 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 | The hotel runs its own collection centre for recyclables under an agreement with the Bagaces municipality, trains all staff in recycling, and uses only biodegradable cleaning products. 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 | An organic garden grows more than 50 herbs and vegetables, and other produce comes from local farmers, fishers and dairy artisans, with only Costa Rican ingredients used. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Buildings, heritage reuse and land use | 15% | 4/4 · Exceptional reuse or low impact construction independently verified, or measured building performance published | 15 / 15 points | The sustainability page says the hotel grounds take up less than 1% of the 1,500 acre property and that existing paths and cleared land were used to avoid further deforestation. 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 | The official CST directory lists Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River at Élite level, certified 17 June 2025 and valid to 17 June 2028. The hotel also states carbon neutral certification and Blue Flag ratings, which were not checked in those directories. Source · 2026-10-29 · 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
2.5/5 Purity Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 36.3%
Green flags
- Water you drink and bathe in, level 3/4.
The dining page says the restaurant uses mineral rich well water from the property, treated by a three tier purification process, so the source is the stay's own well though the treatment method is not detailed.
“our mineral rich well water from the property (thoroughly treated via a three-tier purification process)”
Source · 2026-11-03 - Pool and bathing water, level 3/4.
The wellness page describes bathing in a natural thermal river fed by registered hot springs, alongside three mineral pools whose treatment is not described.
“Over 4000 gallons of hot water per minute emanate from 8 registered springs, mixing with the river”
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 dining page says the restaurant uses mineral rich well water from the property, treated by a three tier purification process, so the source is the stay's own well though the treatment method is not detailed. “our mineral rich well water from the property (thoroughly treated via a three-tier purification process)” 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 dining page mentions homegrown and organic produce and the Mix and Learn page describes La Huerta, an on site organic garden growing named vegetables and herbs. “La Huerta Immerse yourself in the beauty and sustainability of La Huerta, where we cultivate a variety of organic herbs, vegetables, and medicinal plants.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Grounds and pest control | 15% | 0/4 · Documented absence or contrary evidence | 0 / 15 points | The sustainability page lists fumigation among the areas where products are used, so pest spraying takes place and no no spray policy is published. “Rio Perdido only uses biodegradable products in housekeeping, laundry, kitchen, and fumigation areas” 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 says only biodegradable products are used in housekeeping and laundry, naming brands such as Florex, Ecolab and Greensolutions without ecolabel evidence. “Rio Perdido only uses biodegradable products in housekeeping, laundry, kitchen, and fumigation areas, including renowned brands such as Florex, Ecolab, Greensolutions” 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% | 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 |
| Pool and bathing water | 5% | 3/4 · A natural pool with biological filtration, or bathing in the sea, river or spring instead of a treated pool | 3.75 / 5 points | The wellness page describes bathing in a natural thermal river fed by registered hot springs, alongside three mineral pools whose treatment is not described. “Over 4000 gallons of hot water per minute emanate from 8 registered springs, mixing with the river” Source · 2026-11-03 |
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 sustainability page describes an environmental education project with local colleges, business training for small entrepreneurs with the municipality, and a named local woman owned supplier for spa products.
“Local entrepreneurs can benefit from the hotel’s business training , which works alongside the local municipality to support small business owners”
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 development page says the property was built by a family operated development group, with no owners named. “the family-operated development group responsible for Rio Perdido” 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 sustainability page states that 90 percent of the team comes from nearby communities and many hold management roles, but pay levels are not given. “90% of the Rio Perdido team comes from nearby local communities , many of whom hold management positions at the hotel.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Community benefit | 20% | 3/4 · Several programmes plus named local suppliers and makers | 15 / 20 points | The sustainability page describes an environmental education project with local colleges, business training for small entrepreneurs with the municipality, and a named local woman owned supplier for spa products. “Local entrepreneurs can benefit from the hotel’s business training , which works alongside the local municipality to support small business owners” 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% | 2/4 · Local food, crafts or language presented with named makers | 5 / 10 points | The sustainability page says craft sessions are led by local artists, local dance groups and musicians perform at festivals, and Chorotega artifacts were identified with the National Museum. “Rio Perdido also hosts craft sessions for guests led by local artists in The Workshop” 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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