About · The Property

The Property at Alma Atitlan

Home / About / The Property

Yoga Shalas2

Guest Capacity30

Private Rooms9+

Established2016

Elevation1,560m

The Property

A retreat center crafted
by Mayan artisans

Alma Atitlan was designed and built from the ground up as a retreat center, not converted, not adapted, not repurposed. Every structure was built by local Mayan craftspeople using locally sourced materials: cypress, cane, pine, bamboo, and stone from the surrounding land.

"The cane, cypress, pine, and stones used in construction are locally sourced and built with care by community workers from the village of Tzununa."

The property follows permaculture and sustainable design principles throughout, from the water systems sourced from a natural spring, to the organic gardens that supply the kitchen, to the eco-treatment of wastewater. This is not greenwashing. It is the original design of the place.

"Standing in the shala at sunrise, with the volcanoes in front of you and the river below, there are very few places in the world where practice feels like this."

Past guest · Alma Atitlan

Practice Spaces

Two shalas.
Both extraordinary.

Most retreat centers have one practice space. Alma Atitlan has two, each with a completely different character, suited to different practices and different times of day.

Main Practice Space

The Dharma Hall

Built on stilts above the Tzununa river. A floating cypress floor, bamboo pillars, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing the lake and three volcanoes. Sliding glass doors open to fresh mountain air. The sound of the river fills the space during practice. Fully equipped with props, mirrors, and a sound system.

Capacity: up to 30 practitioners

Open-Air Practice Space

The Ananda Rooftop

An open-air deck on the upper floor of Casa Ananda, set amid the jungle with 360° views of the mountains, volcanoes, and avocado groves. Morning mist, afternoon breeze, sunset light. Perfect for sunrise practice, sound baths, breathwork, and moonlit meditation. Bathroom access on the same level.

Capacity: up to 15 practitioners

Accommodation

Three buildings.
Every type of guest.

Nine private rooms across two premium buildings, plus additional private and shared rooms, and two dormitories. All construction uses natural materials. All bathrooms have solar-heated water and western toilets with eco treatment.

Premium · En Suite

Casa Ananda

Six spacious rooms with stunning lake and volcano views. Each with a private en suite bathroom, handcrafted wooden furniture, quality linens, and the quiet you need for deep rest. Sleeps up to 3 per room.

6 rooms · En suite · Up to 18 guests total

Private · En Suite

Casa Amor

Three intimate rooms with private en suite bathrooms, each looking onto jungle and garden. Thoughtfully appointed with local craftsmanship, soft lighting, and a peaceful atmosphere. Sleeps 2 per room.

3 rooms · En suite · Up to 6 guests total

Shared · Community

Feliz & Lotus

Private rooms with shared bathrooms, plus two dormitories. Feliz (6 beds) and Lotus (5 beds). Comfortable, clean, and built for travelers who want the full community experience at an accessible price.

2 dorms + private rooms · Shared bathrooms

The Grounds

River, gardens,
fire, and stone.

The property extends well beyond the buildings. The Tzununa river runs along the border of the land, stone paths follow it through the organic garden and around the property. A grand Jocote tree anchors the fire circle. The temazcal sits in its own dedicated space. Hammocks are scattered throughout.

Tzununa river running through the grounds with private access and meditation spots
Traditional Maya temazcal, ceremonial sweat lodge for purification and ceremony
Stone fire circle beneath the grand Jocote tree, the heart of evening community life
Organic growing garden: coffee, bananas, avocados, lettuces, herbs, and 30+ varieties
Water sourced from a natural spring supplied by the municipality
Bamboo gardens, stone paths, hammocks, space to wander, reflect, and breathe
Permaculture and sustainable design principles throughout, eco-friendly construction and function
Built by Mayan artisans from Tzununa using locally sourced cane, cypress, pine, and stone

Sustainability

Built to work
with the land

Alma Atitlan was designed with permaculture principles at its core, not as a marketing label but as a functional approach to how the property operates. The goal from the beginning was to build something that gives back to the land it sits on and the community it belongs to.

Water

Spring water sourced from a municipality-supplied natural spring. River water from the Tzununa also runs through the property. Eco-treatment of all wastewater.

Food

The kitchen garden grows coffee, bananas, avocados, herbs, vegetables, and more. Much of what guests eat is grown on-site. Remaining produce is locally sourced.

Construction

All buildings use locally sourced materials, cane, cypress, pine, bamboo, and stone. Built by Mayan craftspeople from the village. No imported materials where local ones serve.

Community

The property was conceived as part of the village of Tzununa, not separate from it. Workers, cooks, and maintenance staff are from the local Maya community.

The Heart of the Property

Buddha Cafe

An outdoor covered dining space with garden views and communal tables, this is where the property comes alive. Breakfast at 10am, dinner at 6pm. Strong WiFi. Tea and filtered water throughout the day. Hummingbirds visit the flowers. Conversations that last longer than the food.

The Buddha Cafe is not a restaurant. It is a community space that happens to serve food. Meals are vegetarian, freshly prepared, and inspired by traditional Guatemalan ingredients with a Mediterranean influence. Gluten-free and vegan diets are accommodated with notice.

For hosted retreats, the kitchen can be arranged to deliver full catering, three meals a day, dietary requirements handled, serving up to 30 guests.

Come and see it for yourself

Whether you want to stay, run a retreat, or explore the property as a potential buyer, write to us.

Get in touch