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Welcome to Casa Awänímä

Mayan women's ceremony
passionfruit flower

A place that inspires deep connection with nature and self.

We offer a sanctuary free from modern distractions for you to rest in simplicity and soak in the beauty of the material divine.

herbalism - woman harvesting herbs
hummingbird on plant

Casa Awänímä is a work of art created from a love of Earth.

Our mission is to be a living example for how rich life is when we live and work with respect, care, and partnership with Mother Earth.

Come experience it for yourself.

It started with a simple dream: to build a paradise shaped by nature itself.

By embracing permaculture principles and drawing on local wisdom, we created a vibrant, living ecosystem—a space where all forms of life flourish.

Book a stay at the casa

Experience Soulful Living.

  • “An unforgettable experience. The views were nothing short of breathtaking - the surrounding nature felt so expansive yet comforting. Waking up every morning to the stunning scenery was like stepping into a dream.

    Mackenzie herself was incredibly lovely and warm, welcoming and attentive to every detail. The house staff also went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect, making the stay feel personal.

    Home away from home. Can't recommend it enough!

    — Melissa, Canada

  • “The home is incredibly special, peaceful, energizing, healing. There is so much magic here.”

    — Torrey, Canada

  • “A perfect oasis and escape from your daily life. It was so magical waking up and seeing the volcano across the lake. You have tons of veggies and herbs at your doorstep and she has very cute dogs! The place looked exactly as shown in photos.

    Kenzie went above and beyond as a host, as she always helped with any questions we had and also offered tons of herbal & permaculture wisdom.”

    — Michelle, USA

  • “A dream! The views are absolutely breathtaking and the entire complex she has built is just amazing and impressive.

    The area of the house I stayed in was so thoughtfully decorated, with the most beautiful textiles and unique touches woven in throughout.

    The terrace area with the hammock definitely became a happy place while there. If you are seeking relaxation and serenity you will definitely get it here.”

    — Becca, USA

  • “Having spent 5 nights at Mackenzie's place, we were so sad to leave.

    Our room was beautifully decorated, with great views over the hills and the lake. The bed is really comfy and we woke up every morning feeling 110%.

    On top of the accommodation being amazing, Mackenzie and her team were great hosts. Making us feel at home from the get go. They gave us great tips on hikes and also spoke to us about the local culture.

    Without a doubt, we would definitely come back!”

    —Brogan, France

  • “A Hidden Gem in Our Latin American Adventure!

    Kenzie’s vision of creating a serene retreat in nature truly impressed us. Her warmth and genuine hospitality made our stay memorable and rejuvenating. If we get the chance, we would love to return.”

    —Jeremy, Switzerland

  • “We spent almost a week here and didn't want to leave at the end! They have created a little paradise.

    The accommodation is beautiful! There is a large and well-equipped kitchen, a clean bathroom and showers and rooms with a wonderful view of the lake.

    The accommodation is easy to reach by boat. From Tzununa you can be in the surrounding villages in a few minutes.

    We were allowed to help ourselves to herbs and fruit from her garden.

    We would come here again anytime!”

    —Vincent, Germany

  • “Mackenzie was a wonderful host - extremely responsive, gave great recommendations, and super down to earth. Her property was a labor of love and you can tell she's poured her soul into making it the perfect eco-retreat to share with others.

    I had to force myself to leave + explore other towns because was so hard to leave the peace and serenity of her place. Highly recommend if you're looking for a getaway and interested in sustainable living :)”

    —Rachel, USA

  • “We felt at home and met a lot of very beautiful people staying there with us. Your place provides peace and harmony. I can 100 percent recommend this place.”

    — Britta, Costa Rica

  • “I loved staying at this adorable bungalow! The grounds were stunning, and Kenzie was a phenomenal host! There are lots of herbs and berries growing, which made for a wonderful addition to breakfast and tea. This place is such a hidden gem!”

    — Ciera, USA

  • “Staying at Mackenzie's place was a wonderful experience. We left refreshed with hopes to return!

    It’s a great space to relax in nature. Her home was thoughtfully designed with incredible gardens, decks, and beautiful views of Lake Atitlan. On top of being extremely helpful, she is an amazing host and person, she even shared her organic produce with us!

    The kitchen had anything you need, and it was a treat to pick from her garden, adding fresh greens and herbs to our meals! The beds were very comfortable, the shower was nice and hot, and the facilities clean. The house was in a great location, quiet, nestled magnificently in the mountains, and very close to the lake.”

    —Chelsea, USA

attuning to place

Embrace the Wisdom of a Placed-Based Culture

We are located in Tzununá, a lush valley nestled between mountains, the ancestral home of Mayan Kaqchikel people, who live in close relationship with the weather, landform, waters, plants and animals of this Place. Casa Awänímä offers a unique opportunity to get to know the people of a culture that is still connected to its surroundings and original life ways.

natural waterfall escape adventure

Local Landscape Tour

Tour of the mountains and waterways of Tzununá with a local.

COOKING CLASS

Learn how to make and enjoy traditional Mayan dishes.

temezcal sauna healing detox space

TemAzcal (Sauna)

Guided ancestral limpieza in the temazcal / tüj to cleanse mind, body and spirit.

mayan culture adventure education

CULTURAL ORIENTATION

Learn the history of Tzununá & basics of local dialect, Kaqchikel.

Host Your Retreat Here

We are excited to partner with values-aligned leaders to host their groups and experiences that help contribute to a more beautiful world for all.

  • We can accommodate 15-20 people comfortably, in spaces that include a private casita, eco-luxe rooms, shared spaces, and glamping tents.

  • Receive full access to the grounds which includes a yoga deck, sauna and cold plunge, grassy areas, gardens, fire pit, and a communal kitchen.

  • We can help arrange activities for your group to connect deeply with place and culture

What is Awänímä?

Awänímä (ah-wah-nee-MAH) is a special word in the language of Kaqchikel, the native Mayan dialect spoken by the people of Tzununá. It’s one of those words that doesn’t have a single English translation. It can mean heart, tender care, fierce love, or the creative life force that flows through everything — depending on who you ask and how you say it.

We call ourselves awänímä to anchor our commitment: to serve life and make the ancestors of this land proud.

Come stay with us

Commune with Mother Earth.