Remi and Ashley, the co-founders of Kumankaya, met in June 2016 in the Amazon jungle of Iquitos, Perú. During the full moon, summer solstice of 2017, they were spiritually married and began a new path together. In a quest to live the synthesis between their faith and healing practices, they bought 25-acres of pristine Mayan jungle in Quintana Roo, Mexico where they built Kumankaya. Their dream is to reconnect people with their spiritual selves not by preaching their faith or knowledge but by living truthfully all those teachings that matter most to us.
Remi was born in a tiny village nestled in the French Alps in a southern Provence of France. In his early twenties, he took monastic vows where he devoted himself exclusively...
Remi was born in a tiny village nestled in the French Alps in a southern Provence of France. In his early twenties, he took monastic vows where he devoted himself exclusively to a spiritual life. During this time as well, through self study, Remi received his Doctorate in Philosophy, a Masters in Theology and Ancient Sacred Musicology. After recognizing the limited reach of traditional religion, he wanted to look for alternative ways of healing the fundamental pain and reorientate modern man toward the meaning of life, which is the quest for spiritual truth and the direct experience of the Divine. He has been studying sacred plant medicines and alternative healings for more than a decade.
Ashley was born in the United States, in the Midwest. She received her Doctorate in 20th Century British and American Literature, and a Master's degree in World Literature...
Ashley was born in the United States, in the Midwest. She received her Doctorate in 20th Century British and American Literature, and a Master's degree in World Literature, both with a major emphasis in Philosophy and Trauma Theory. For years, she taught at state universities, private and community colleges before becoming aware of the dissonance between her professional and spiritual life. This recognition led her to Nepal and Tibet where she began studying yoga and meditation in earnest. Interestingly, the Buddhist monasteries and the cathedrals of the Himalayas paved the path for deeper learning with traditional plant medicines in Peru. She was searching for traditional healings and a way to integrate her quest for spirituality into everyday life. Ashley has been studying traditional plant medicine for 6 years and has recently become a Yoga Alliance certified yoga instructor.
Kyle has been working with sacred plant medicine since 2013. He was a facilitator at Nihue Rao Espiritual Centro in Iquitos, Peru before coming to work at Kumankaya...
Kyle has been working with sacred plant medicine since 2013. He was a facilitator at Nihue Rao Espiritual Centro in Iquitos, Peru before coming to work at Kumankaya. He has a number of master plant dietas and experience. Kyle also trained with Kambo in 2019 and has been a Kambo practitioner ever since. At Kumankaya, in addition to dieting and working with Ayahuasca, Kyle is also our Bufo Alvarius and Kambo facilitator.
Saryn started her work with the medicine in 2020. She has always been on a path of helping people, with her previous background in the medical field and co-founding a hemp company...
Saryn started her work with the medicine in 2020. She has always been on a path of helping people, with her previous background in the medical field and co-founding a hemp company. From her first dieta in Peru, she knew that working with the medicine was predestined, and wanted to help others along the path. She has facilitated at Nihue Rao and for other apprentices from the center, and is excited to now be working at the beautiful center of Kumankaya.
Consuelo was born in Mexico City and moved to the Yucatan when she was 17 years old. She lived in Cozumel, learning English and working in hotels and schools there. She...
Consuelo was born in Mexico City and moved to the Yucatan when she was 17 years old. She lived in Cozumel, learning English and working in hotels and schools there. She moved to the jungle 30 years ago and has been here ever since. Consuelo is our only neighbor and from whom we bought our land. She began working with us full time as Kumankaya’s cook and house manager December 2020. She is such a joyful presence to have around and loves practicing her English.
Jesus was born in a small pueblo called Camora Michacán, where he lived most of his life before heading to California ten years ago to look for work. Within a year...
Jesus was born in a small pueblo called Camora Michacán, where he lived most of his life before heading to California ten years ago to look for work. Within a year, he was called back to Mexico where he settled in Zapata and married Lupe Maya. They have one daughter together, Belinda, who also works at Kumankaya. Jesus is our most trusted employee and dearest friend. He has been with us since the very beginning, always proving himself a reliable worker and companion. Though he doesn’t speak much English, he loved to talk to guests.
For almost a year now, Annanias has been coming to Kumankaya to offer massages to the guests. Annanias comes from a long line of Mayan herbalists and healers, for...
For almost a year now, Annanias has been coming to Kumankaya to offer massages to the guests. Annanias comes from a long line of Mayan herbalists and healers, for his grandmother was a well-known sobradora. Annanias is 40 years old and has 15 years of spa and massage experience in the hotels of the Maya Riviera. He offers other services such as exfoliation and detoxification body wraps. Annanias was born in Felipe Carrillo Puerto where he met his wife Elizabeth and are now raising their two sons Alexandro 6 and Diego 3. Annanias is such a treasure, and we are so excited he has become a permanent member of our team.
Don Fidenzio was born in a small village called Tuzika, but he has been working and living in Felipe Carrillo Puerto for over 30 years now. Don Fidenzio has been married to Lillian for...
Don Fidenzio was born in a small village called Tuzika, but he has been working and living in Felipe Carrillo Puerto for over 30 years now. Don Fidenzio has been married to Lillian for 36 years with 2 sons and 2 daughters, all of whom work for Kumankaya. Every single structure at Kumankaya has been built by Don Fidenzio and when he finished the maloka he commented, “This is the masterpiece of my life.” Don Fidenzio and his family have become ours now.
Meet the newest member of our Kumankaya team. Most likely, Jesus will be the first face you see, for he is our Kumankaya driver and representative. Jesus is...
Meet the newest member of our Kumankaya team. Most likely, Jesus will be the first face you see, for he is our Kumankaya driver and representative. Jesus is 32 years old and has been working in the hotel and restaurant service for more the 15 years in and around the Maya Riviera, Tulum and Mahahual. Jesus is married to Alma with 2 kids, David 11 and Adriano 6. He is a valuable member of our staff and a dear friend.
Yoda takes his role as protector of the family very seriously. He is a pretty serious guy, but a sweetheart at the center. He is very timid and nervous around people...
Yoda takes his role as protector of the family very seriously. He is a pretty serious guy, but a sweetheart at the center. He is very timid and nervous around people, so it is best if he is completely ignored and he approaches you in his own way in his own time.
Ina is Yoda’s sister and a pure sweetheart. It takes a lot to get this girl worked up. Most of the time, she can be spotted sunbathing in the morning, following workers around...
Ina is Yoda’s sister and a pure sweetheart. It takes a lot to get this girl worked up. Most of the time, she can be spotted sunbathing in the morning, following workers around during the day, and playing with Latte in the sand piles. Ina loves taking long walks in the late afternoons.
Ginger is the matriarch of her little cat family, which consists of her husband Big Mike and their daughter Geisha. She is very social and loves people.
Ginger is the matriarch of her little cat family, which consists of her husband Big Mike and their daughter Geisha. She is very social and loves people.