Lisa’s Friends & Family Mexico Mini-Retreats: February 4-7 2027 February 24-27, 2027
Monarch Trip January 2025
Butterflies, Nature, Artists, Lakes, Cobblestones, Community and More:
Lisa's Friends & Family Mexico Mini-Retreat 2027
FEBRUARY 4–7, 2027 · FEBRUARY 24–27, 2027 · PÁTZCUARO, MICHOACÁN, MÉXICO
Four days. Nine friends (plus me). A hidden corner of Mexico that most tourists never find — and a reason to get your body ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
RSVP and place deposit on or before July 24th, 2026
Cost: $25,675MXN pesos per person -currently $1,466.79 US dollars (but it fluctuates daily)
When I first visited Michoacán, I didn't know what to expect. What I found was something I've been trying to put into words ever since: a region so rich in color, culture, and quiet magic that it changes you. That's not marketing. That's just what happens when you stand in an oyamel forest and watch millions of monarch butterflies come alive in the morning light.
I want you to be there with me.
Reserve your spot by sending your deposit on or before July 15th, 2026. Details below.
What Is the Friends & Family Mexico Mini-Retreat?
This is a small-group, slow-travel experience — just 9 participants plus our incredible local guide Alfredo Landeros and me. We base ourselves in and around Pátzcuaro for 4 days and 3 nights, moving at the pace of people who came to feel something, not just see something.
You'll stay the night before in San Miguel de Allende (my home base in Mexico), and I strongly encourage you to add days on the front or back end — or both. SMA deserves more than a night.
The price: $25,675MXN pesos per person -currently $1,466.79 US dollars (but it fluctuates daily) Two departure dates available — choose the one that works for you, or come on both!
Meet Alfredo: Your Guide, Storyteller & Cultural Ambassador
One of the things that makes this experience exceptional is the person leading it. Alfredo Landeroshas been sharing Mexico's history and culture for more than 20 years — and he doesn't just show you places. He opens doors you didn't know existed.
Alfredo is bilingual (English and Spanish), deeply connected to the communities we'll visit, and has a gift for making every person in the group feel like they belong. When I asked him to pivot our itinerary at the last minute once, he was as excited as I was to create something new on the fly. That flexibility and enthusiasm is who he is, every day.
Read more about Alfredo and why he's the perfect guide for this journey here.
A Word About Altitude — Because It Matters
I want to be upfront about something, because as your friend, fitness coach and host, it's my job to prepare you fully — not just get you excited.
This trip takes place at significant elevation. Here's the lay of the land:
ATLANTA
1,050
feet above sea level
SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE
6,234
feet above sea level
PÁTZCUARO
6,932
feet above sea level
EL ROSARIO SANCTUARY
~10,400
feet above sea level
That's six to ten times the elevation of Atlanta. Altitude sickness is real — it can show up as headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, or dizziness, even in people who are otherwise fit. The good news: with the right preparation, most people adjust beautifully and feel fantastic. That's exactly what my Train to Travel™ program is designed for — more on that below.
What We'll Do Together
Day 1 — The Monarchs. We leave SMA by 7am, share breakfast snacks on the bus, and head to El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary. A horseback ride and short hike bring us to the colonies at nearly 10,000 feet — quiet time under the oyamel firs, butterflies cascading through the trees. Then we drive to Pátzcuaro for dinner at the hotel.
Day 2 — Pátzcuaro. Morning mobility class with me (gentle, energizing, joint-friendly), then a boat ride out to Janitzio Island, where we hope to catch the Dance of the Old Men. The afternoon takes us through Plaza Vasco de Quiroga, a textile demonstration where you can watch artisans work their looms from raw wool to finished rug, and a mask demo, and then Lunch. Dinner is yours to explore.
Day 3 — Lake Zirahuén. Morning fitness, breakfast, then 30 minutes to the most pristine lake in Michoacán. You choose your included adventure: zip line and suspension bridges, kayak, paddle, boat ride, horseback riding, or ATVs. Not into adventure? Stay at the hotel or ask Alfredo about cooking classes or jewelry workshops.
Day 4 — Kapula & Morelia. Morning class, breakfast, and then we make our way to Kapula — famous for its extraordinary Catrina figurines — and on to the colonial grandeur of Morelia for a trolley tour through one of Mexico's most beautifully preserved UNESCO heritage cities. We head back to SMA late afternoon, arriving home in the evening.
✓ WHAT'S INCLUDED
Pre-trip Zoom: Journey of the Monarchs
Lodging with breakfast (3 nights, double occupancy — single rooms available, contact Lisa)
Daily fitness with Lisa
Lunch each day
EASY Horseback ride to El Rosario Sanctuary (there will be a platform for you to get on and off horse and a guide will be walking up the hill with you)
Entrance fees to museums & parks
One adventure activity at Zirahuén
Tips (except dinner)
Local guide with English & Spanish support
– WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Flights & airport transfers
Dinners & personal snacks
Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Tips for dinner
Optional spa, shopping, or add-ons
Additional nights in San Miguel de Allende
Will Your Body Be Ready? Let's Make Sure It Is.
Here's something I want you to hear as your fitness coach and gerontologist: this trip is accessible — AND it will ask things of your body. Cobblestone streets, uneven hillside paths, altitude up to 10,400 feet, long days on your feet, and bathroom situations that are not always five-star. None of that should stop you. But it is worth preparing for — starting now.
That's why I created Train to Travel™, my signature program built around exactly what real travel demands. We work on:
Lung capacity — so altitude doesn't steal your breath at El Rosario
Balance & ankle stability — for cobblestones, hillside paths, and boat docks
Leg strength — including the confidence to handle any restroom situation 😉
Upper body strength — for lifting bags, pulling yourself up on horseback, and carrying your gear
Endurance — so Day 3 feels as good as Day 1
Mental confidence — because physical strength is the foundation of bold travel
My live Zoom classes (Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 8:30am EST) and on-demand membership are perfect ongoing preparation. The sooner you start, the better your trip will feel. Learn more about Train to Travel™ here or reach out to me directly.
How to Join the mini-retreat:
Space is limited to 9 participants per departure. Here's what to do right now:
Download WhatsApp and message me at 1-404-780-8310
Download the Units Plus App free version) for real-time currency conversion
Send your deposit: $12,837.5 MXN pesos currently $733.40 US dollars (but it fluctuates daily) by July 24th, 2026 via Venmo: @Lisa-Kiely-5 or Zelle: Julia Kiely 404-780-8310
Complete your participant survey (sent after deposit)
Two Departure Dates. Nine Spots Each.
February 4–7, 2027 · February 24–27, 2027
RESERVE YOUR SPOTTRAIN TO TRAVEL™
A Note on Packing & Practical Tips
Layers are your friend — mornings are cool, afternoons warm, and light rain is always possible. Bring comfortable walking shoes (not new ones!), water shoes if you're doing water activities, a daypack, sun hat, sunscreen, and bug spray. A motion-friendly outfit for the adventure day is a must. And please — get your pesos from an ATM in San Miguel before we leave, not at the US airport. When you pay by card, always pay in pesos, not dollars.
This isn't just a trip. It's about sharing time together, deepening connections, and moving through a beautiful country with people who make it more beautiful. I hope you'll come. — Lisa
Single Room Info & Cancellation Policy
Single Room Availability
The retreat is priced at ~$1,255 USD per person based on double occupancy. If you prefer a private room, single occupancy can be arranged — availability is limited, so please reach out early. Contact Lisa directly to discuss your needs and confirm availability.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
CANCELLATION POLICY — LISA KIELY FITNESS & TRAVEL MEXICO MINI-RETREATS
$25,675MXN pesos per person -currently $14,66.79 US dollars but it fluctuates daily)
A 50% non-refundable deposit $12,837.5 MXN pesos per person -currently $733.40 US dollars but it fluctuates daily) secures your spot. This deposit covers pre-trip planning, guide coordination, and reserved hotel inventory and cannot be refunded for any reason.
90+ days before departure
Cancellations received 90 or more days before departure: if you have paid in full, $733.40 will be refunded to you
Under 90 days before departure
No refund. 100% of total trip cost is non-refundable. If a waitlisted participant fills your spot, a partial credit (minus $150 administrative fee) may be issued toward a future Lisa Kiely trip at Lisa's discretion.
Transfers
You may transfer your spot to another qualified participant at no charge up to 60 days before departure. Please notify Lisa in writing via WhatsApp or email.
If Lisa cancels the trip
In the unlikely event that Lisa must cancel a departure due to illness, emergency, or minimum participant threshold not being met (minimum 5 participants required), all payments will be refunded within 14 business days.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended. A comprehensive travel insurance policy protects your investment in the event of medical emergencies, trip interruptions, flight cancellations, or other unforeseen circumstances. Lisa Kiely Fitness & Travel is not responsible for costs incurred due to trip interruption, cancellation, or delay from causes outside our control.
