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Welcome to Casa Awänímä

A Place to Be.

We invite you to enjoy peace and natural beauty in the lush highlands of Guatemala.

Casa Awänímä shows what’s possible when people live in loving relationship with nature.

Our mission is to be an example for how good people can be for the planet when we live and work with respect, care, and partnership with Earth.

We invite you to experience it for yourself.

It started with a simple dream: build a paradise from the ground up, and let nature inform the design.

From natural buildings that use clay from the land to stone terrace gardens that grow food abundantly, everything has been designed according to nature’s principles.

Book a stay at the casa

Experience wholesome living and communion with Mother Earth.

  • “The best part of Tzununa! The home is incredibly special, peaceful, energizing, healing. There is so much magic here.”

    — Torrey, Canada

  • “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

  • “Kenzie’s place was 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 Hidden Gem in Our Latin American Adventure!

    Staying at Kenzie's place was a highlight of our trip. 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! Kenzie has 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.

    Kenzie is super helpful and really great! We were allowed to help ourselves to herbs and fruit from her garden.

    We would come here again anytime! Thank you Kenzie for the wonderful time!”

    —Vincent, Germany

  • “Waking up to lake/volcano views and having a bunch of fresh herbs and tomatoes at my doorstep for tea, salads, etc. were some of my highlights.”

    — Benita, Dominican Republic

  • “We decided this was the best place we have ever stayed at AirBnB! The views are just insane! So so beautiful.”

    — Adaeze, UK

  • “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

Experience the Richness of a Place-Based Culture

We are located in Tzununá, a lush valley nestled between mountains, and home of Mayan Kaqchikel people. The seeds of this long-standing culture is in service to humanity, with fundamental values rooted in nature. Casa Awänímä offers a unique opportunity to get to know this place through the people who are living heirs to this ancestral culture.

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.

TemAzcal (Sauna)

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

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

Discover Heaven on Earth