5 Day Lakeside Yoga | Wellness Retreat in Mexico

About this retreat

Highlights

• Daily Sunrise Yoga
• Evening Fireside/Lakeside Meditations
• Visit local Thermal Springs & Temazcals
• Spa Day
• Boat Ride
• Canoeing
• Lakeside Yoga
• Nature
• Jacuzzi
• Local Cuisine
• Small Group

A day at the retreat

1. Morning Coffee & Tea by the Lake07:00am
2. Sunrise Yoga Overlooking the Lake07:30am
3. Breakfast at our Lakeside Villa09:30am
4. Personal Time: Take a little time for yourself. You might journal, shower, enjoy a quiet walk, paddle the canoe, jacuzzi, or simply rest and enjoy the morning.10:30am
5. Daily Adventures & Excursions: each day we will go on optional excursions, exploring local thermal hot springs, Lake Chapala by boat & exploring local towns11:30am
6. Return & Rest04:30pm
7. Dinner at the Villa or at a Local Restaurant05:30pm
8. Fireside Meditation by the Lake07:30pm

Full programme

1. Day OneSoft Landing & Arrival

   Arrival and Check In. Arrive, settle in. The afternoon is yours to unpack or relax. Evening: Meet and Greet & Welcome Dinner at the Villa

2. Day TwoThermal Springs & Temazcals

   Today is devoted to nurturing the body, quieting the mind, and experiencing the restorative traditions of this beautiful region. We will begin gently with yoga and meditation before venturing out to spend the afternoon to soak in thermal waters, relax in the jacuzzis, and experience the traditional temazcal a Mesoamerican cultural steam bath. After returning to the villa for dinner, we'll close the day gathered around the fire for an evening meditation.

3. Day ThreeLake Chapala Adventure

   We will begin our day by doing our yoga practice next to the lake. The lake and the mountains have been part of the lives, stories, and spiritual traditions of the people who have called this region home for generations. For the Wixárika (Huichol) people, this landscape holds deep meaning, including Xapawiyemeta, a revered ceremonial site on Isla de los Alacranes. Here, the relationship between the natural world and spiritual life is not simply an idea; it is part of a living tradition carried through time. We’ll spend the day experiencing the lake by boat, visiting Mezcala Island, and wandering through Chapala’s streets and markets. We’ll taste the flavors of the region, take in the beauty around us, and leave space for the little moments that often become our most cherished memories. After lunch, we’ll take a leisurely walk through Chapala, exploring the town and its local markets or the malecon. We’ll have time to discover local crafts, notice the colors and rhythms of everyday life, and enjoy the character of this lakeside community. Dinner and fireside meditation will be at our cozy villa at the day's end.

4. Day FourSpa, Stillness & Ajijic

   We'll spend the day moving at the gentle rhythm of Lake Chapala, beginning with yoga and breakfast before enjoying a leisurely morning filled with whatever calls to you, whether that's canoeing on the lake, wandering into San Luis Soyatlán for coffee, journaling, reading, or simply relaxing at the villa. Later, you can unwind in thermal pools overlooking the water, indulge in a spa treatment, and then join the group for a final evening in Ajijic, one of Mexico's most enchanting Pueblo Mágicos, before gathering around the fire to reflect on the beauty, laughter, and connections we've shared throughout the retreat.

5. Day FiveClosing & Departure

   Our final morning together is a time to gather and integrate what we have experienced, honor the connections we’ve made, and prepare to carry a little of this place home with us. Over these days, we’ve shared movement, stillness, laughter, meaningful conversations, and moments of connection with the land and one another. Today, we’ll create space to acknowledge it all, say our goodbyes, and leave gently, integrating whatever has touched us into the next chapter of our lives.

Accommodation

Right on the shoreline of Lake Chapala, our lakeside villa brings you close to the natural beauty that makes this region so special. Set directly on the water’s edge, the home opens onto beautiful views of the lake, with a large grassy garden where we will practice yoga each morning. There is no need to rush into the day. Enjoy your coffee or tea outdoors, listen to the birds, feel the fresh air, and take in the landscape before we begin our morning together. The villa has five bedrooms, with a private bathroom for each guest, and a welcoming mix of shared spaces and quiet corners. Enjoy the comfort of the living room and its fireplace, spend time outdoors overlooking the lake, or share a meal in the open-air dining area. A local cook will prepare some of our meals, introducing us to local flavors and giving us time to enjoy good food and conversation together. Between our planned activities, you can explore the lake by canoe, head out for a walk in nature, relax in the jacuzzi on the lake’s edge, or simply enjoy the freedom of an unhurried afternoon by the water. When evening arrives, the firepit along the shoreline offers a place to come together for evening meditations, watch the light fade across the lake, and enjoy the sounds of nature around us. The home also has Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, a full kitchen, and complimentary on-site parking, so you can enjoy the natural setting without giving up the everyday comforts of home.

Food

Meals prepared by our private cook at the villa are included in the retreat, including daily breakfast and select lunches and dinners. The cook can cater to specific dietary needs. Whenever we venture out to explore the region, guests are responsible for their own expenses, including meals at restaurants or cafés, excursion fees, spa and hot-springs day passes, entrance fees, shopping, and any optional activities. This allows everyone the flexibility to choose the experiences that feel right for them and enjoy the region at their own pace. Please share with host any dietary restrictions prior to the retreat including allergies, and relevant accessibility needs before arrival so the cook and retreat organizers can prepare appropriately. Bring personal medications, stay hydrated, and use sun protection during outdoor activities.

Location

Lake Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico

Explore the beauty and culture of the Lake Chapala region, from peaceful boat rides across the lake and visits to charming nearby towns to browsing local shops, discovering Mexican artisan crafts, and sampling authentic regional cuisine. Unwind in natural thermal springs, indulge in a relaxing spa day, or experience a traditional temazcal ceremony. For nature lovers, the area offers scenic walks, beautiful landscapes, and opportunities to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of lakeside life.

Fly into Guadalajara International Airport (GDL), the closest major airport to our retreat in San Luis Soyatlán. The villa is approximately 75–90 minutes by car from the airport, depending on traffic.

About the retreat leader

Marina Tascoff

Marina brings together a rare combination of experience that informs every aspect of her approach to wellness and retreat leadership with more than 20 years of massage therapy and practicing yoga, 30 years of dedicated personal meditation practice, and over a decade of professional social work focused on trauma, resilience, and healing. As a licensed massage therapist, certified yoga instructor, certified life coach, and social worker, she understands healing from both the physical and emotional perspectives. Her experience as a massage therapist and yoga instructor gives her a practical understanding of the body, relaxation, and mindful movement. Her backgrounds in social work and social development, add a deeper understanding of how life experiences affect people emotionally and how important it is to feel supported, respected, and safe. Beyond her credentials, Marina brings a wealth of experience creating supportive spaces where people can feel welcomed, understood, and free to meet themselves wherever they are in life. Her work with survivors of interpersonal violence and human trafficking, along with her leadership in developing trauma-informed community programs and national educational initiatives, has strengthened her ability to recognize the diverse experiences, needs, and circumstances people bring with them. She combines professional knowledge with a warm, personal approach, understanding that wellness is not simply about structured classes or scheduled activities, but also about connection, slowing down, enjoying nature, sharing meals, and having room to simply be. This perspective shapes her vision for the Lake Chapala retreat, which offers far more than a traditional yoga getaway. By thoughtfully bringing together yoga, meditation, wellness, Mexican culture, nature, healing waters, and meaningful shared experiences, Marina creates an opportunity for guests to step away from everyday demands, reconnect with themselves, and experience the restorative power of movement, stillness, and connection. Her distinctive blend of bodywork, yoga, meditation, and trauma-informed social work brings both depth and authenticity to her retreat leadership, with an emphasis on helping each person feel supported while discovering what restoration, growth, and reconnection mean for them.

Cancellation & policies

Cancellations made 30 days prior to the retreat start date, there will be a full refund of payments made. For cancellations made 30 days or fewer before the retreat start date, no refunds will be issued. If the organizer must cancel the retreat due to unforeseen circumstances, participants will receive a full refund, including the deposit, but the organizer is not responsible for any additional costs incurred by participants such as flights, transportation, or visas. If circumstances outside the organizer’s control require the retreat to be postponed (including force-majeure events), the retreat will be rescheduled. Participants will receive credit toward the new dates. If a participant cannot attend the rescheduled retreat, the organizer will offer reasonable alternative options at their discretion. Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel and are strongly encouraged to purchase travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and travel delays. All participants must ensure they are physically and mentally able to engage in retreat activities, and the organizer reserves the right to remove any participant who poses a risk to themselves or others without refund.

Minimum age 18

Packages & dates