Surama Eco-Lodge
Guyana's pioneering community lodge, where Makushi villagers run every tour from grass-roofed benabs on the edge of the Rupununi savannah.
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Google rating · 4.8/5 · 16 reviews
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Environmental evidence and weighted assessment
2.2/5 Accommodation Eco Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 30%
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nature, biodiversity and regeneration | 30% | 1/4 · Claim only, such as being surrounded by nature | 7.5 / 30 points | The lodge page says the community sees eco-tourism as a sustainable use of its land, without naming habitat or results. “The Surama community has identified eco-tourism as a sustainable use of their land.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| 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 power lights the guest benabs, the guest cabin rooms and the common areas (lodge page, current site). Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Water | 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 |
| Waste and plastic | 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 |
| Food, farming and sourcing | 15% | 2/4 · A named own garden or named local farms supply part of the menu | 7.5 / 15 points | Meals are prepared from local produce bought within the community, which the site says is one of the ways the village benefits. 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 | The four guest benabs are built in the traditional grass-roof Makushi style, a natural-material vernacular design. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Measurement, transparency and certification | 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. 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
1.2/5 Purity Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 5.3%
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water you drink and bathe in | 25% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 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 plate | 20% | 1/4 · Claim only, such as fresh or organic with no named source | 5 / 20 points | The lodge page says meals are prepared from local produce, with no organic claim or named farm. “simple, comfortable accommodation with shared facilities and excellent meals prepared from local produce.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Grounds and pest control | 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 |
| Cleaning, laundry and fragrance | 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 |
| 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% | 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 |
| Pool and bathing water | 5% | Not applicable here | Excluded |
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
3.4/5 People Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 61.3%
Green flags
- Ownership and control, level 3/4.
The community tourism page says the lodge is owned and operated by the people of Surama, on village lands governed by an elected Village Council.
“A LODGE OWNED AND OPERATED BY the people of surama”
Source · 2026-11-03 - Access to beach and land, level 3/4.
The lodge page says the main benab is used for village meetings and cultural performances, so the community uses the building.
“an open space that is often used for village meetings, cultural performances, even the occasional session of yoga.”
Source · 2026-11-03
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership and control | 30% | 3/4 · Locally, Black or Indigenous owned and run, family or community held, confirmed by a public record or interview | 22.5 / 30 points | The community tourism page says the lodge is owned and operated by the people of Surama, on village lands governed by an elected Village Council. “A LODGE OWNED AND OPERATED BY the people of surama” 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 team page says staff are Surama Village residents, and names them with their roles. “Our staff is made up of Surama Village residents who spend part of their time attending to the eco-lodge project.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Community benefit | 20% | 2/4 · A named community programme, such as a school, fund or training | 10 / 20 points | The lodge page says a portion of every tour goes to a village fund for community development projects. “a portion of this from every tour goes to a village fund which is used for community development projects.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Access to beach and land | 15% | 3/4 · The community uses the land, through festivals, schools or an estate open to the public | 11.25 / 15 points | The lodge page says the main benab is used for village meetings and cultural performances, so the community uses the building. “an open space that is often used for village meetings, cultural performances, even the occasional session of yoga.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Culture and heritage | 10% | 2/4 · Local food, crafts or language presented with named makers | 5 / 10 points | The site presents a Makushi culture group preserving heritage through dance, music and food. “PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE Through dance, music, food, and tradition” 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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