8 Best Wellness Retreats Around the World

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For the mindfully curious, embarking on a wellness retreat can be one of the most compelling reasons to travel. You can practice steadying your breath during a glacial plunge in British Columbia, start your day with sunrise yoga on the beaches of Costa Rica, even study kirtan at an ashram in India with afternoon breaks for mountainous hikes.

The surge of interest in wellness tourism underscores a significant shift in the industry toward immersive and health-focused journeys that’s projected to continue at an impressive 21 percent annual growth rate through 2025, according to the Global Wellness Institute.

In response, an array of experiences await, including those with an emphasis on the practice of yoga. Destinations offer seekers everything from a spiritual sojourn to a kickstarting of everyday healthful habits. It could be an exploration of yoga’s philosophical underpinnings, the ancient science of ayurveda, or the kinship found in the yogic sangha, which means a like-minded community. Maybe for you it’s even simpler—a desire to practice yoga and immerse yourself in an outdoor environment.

No matter the intention or the location, a yoga and wellness retreat should inspire you to experience the world through a lens of profound awe and gratitude. That was one of our primary criteria in compiling our list of best wellness retreats in the world. More than just a pretty place, each of the following destinations, in its own way, can help you become exquisitely aware of yourself and your environment in inspiring and insightful ways. The adventure is yours to choose.

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Sivananda Yoga Vacation

Sivananda Ashrams in India | Year Round

Who: Anyone seeking a traditional yoga experience.

What: There are no luxury accommodations or daily massages at the Sivananda Yoga Vacation. A retreat at Sivananda delivers an authentic ashram experience, which is an exercise in discipline and spiritual study geared toward those with a genuine desire to unplug and delve into the ancient teachings of yoga.

Typical Day: A typical day includes rising early for an hour of meditation and chanting beginning at 6 am. You’ll break for communal tea before engaging in karma yoga (selfless service) at the ashram. Each day throughout your stay also includes two asana (physical postures) practices and a group lecture, as well as two vegetarian meals and tea.

You can opt for any of four ashrams across India: Dhanwantari Ashram in Kerala on the southwestern tip of India; the Meenakshi Ashram in Saranthangi (just outside of Madurai); the Sivananda Kutir right along the River Bhagirathi; or the Tapaswini Ashram on the East Coast.

When: Prices don’t fluctuate much throughout the year, whether low season (May-September) or high season (Oct-April). There’s a minimum of a three-night stay at most of the ashrams. Immersions typically run from the 1-16 of each month.

Cost: The most affordable experience on our list, the rates begin at $11 per night for a spot in a dorm room and $18 per night for a twin bed in a shared room. Expect to pay a little more if you want AC.

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Vikasa Retreats & Yoga Teacher Training

Koh Samui, Thailand | Seven times a year

Who: Anyone interested in combining a retreat and teacher training.

What: As a more extended stint, the Vikasa 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) asks you to spend 28 days on the breathtaking island of Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. It also offers a selection of week-long themed retreats if you’re seeking a shorter vacay.

The Vikasa Yoga Academy is a certified school offering an array of trainings, including the foundational 200-hour YTT, advanced 300-hour YTT, and meditative 100-hour Yin Yoga certification. The comprehensive Vikasa curriculum spans asana (physical postures), pranayama (breathwork), meditation, sequencing, philosophy, alignment, anatomy, lifestyle, and more.

Your accommodations are pretty dreamy with private cabanas and ocean views for those seeking luxury and minimalist “yoga caves” catering to more budget-conscious travelers.

Plus, Vikasa is rumored to host epic graduation parties on a boat in the Gulf.

When: The 200-hour YTT retreat runs four times a year, the 300-hour course runs twice a year, and the yin certification runs once a year. Check the website for the signature week-long retreats, including Silent, Refresh, or Balance options.

Typical Day: A typical day will see you join a morning yoga practice from 7 to 9:30 am, followed by brunch at the on-site organic cafe. Your afternoons are filled with group lectures, theory, lectures, and workshops, followed by an evening asana practice and communal dinner.

Cost: The 200-hour YTT starts at $3,500, but students who register early enough may qualify for early bird discounts or free room and board. Week-long retreats start at $1920.

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Chopra Health Retreat at CIVANA

Carefree, Arizona | Twice Monthly

Who: Anyone looking for a total reset of mind, body, and spirit.

What: Desert dwellers might already be familiar with the CIVANA Resort & Spa in Carefree, Arizona (also featured in the image found at the top of the page). But the Chopra Health Retreat, created in collaboration with Chopra Global, has a reputation all its own. Based on Deepak Chopra’s best-selling book Perfect Health, the four-night wellness retreat focuses on ayurvedic wisdom as a means of finding harmony.

Guests can access a curated lineup of ayurvedic-inspired spa treatments, daily yoga and meditation practices, wellness workshops, and one-on-one lifestyle consultations. There are also a la carte spa offerings, including aromatherapy facials and access to the resort’s distinctive Aqua Therapy Circuit, a therapy that utilizes alternating hot and cold elements to ground your body and boost circulation. Also, locally sourced vegan meals are designed by certified nutritionists.

When: CIVANA hosts the Chopra Wellness Retreat twice a month.

Typical Day: A typical day includes a morning yoga and meditation session, an afternoon of ayurvedic lectures and spa treatments, and evening meditation and yoga interspersed with meals.

Cost: Program pricing starts at $6,500. Those looking to upgrade can try the RAJA package, which includes a “Spa King Room” with a private soaking tub and additional specialized treatments.

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Clayoquot Wilderness Experiences

Vancouver Island, Canada | May – September

Who: Anyone looking for a remote wilderness escape of epic proportions.

What: At Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, wellness takes on a wild yet luxurious form. Named after the vast Clayoquot Sound, the wellness retreat is situated along a remote 62-mile-wide inlet of the Pacific Ocean with islands, old-growth conifer forests, and private bays within sight.

Designated as a UNESCO-protected Biosphere Reserve, the west coast of Vancouver Island comprises 600 acres of biodiverse and ancient landscape. The on-site yoga and meditation studio offers a daily sunrise stretch class complemented by other “energy healing” classes. The rest of your time, immerse yourself in watersport adventures, canyoning, heli-hiking, sunset aerial tours, whale watching, horseback riding, rock climbing, archery, and more. You can customize your wellness experience based on your preference for a three-, four-, or seven-day itinerary.

For the glamping set, there are 25 luxe tents,  nestled in the Canadian rainforest or on the waterfront of the Sound.

When: You can book your retreat any time, although the Lodge is open seasonally from May to September.

Typical Day: Start your morning with a sunrise yoga flow or a trail run through the forest. After lunch in the Lodge, opt for a marine adventure for potential Orca sightings or head straight to the Healing Grounds Spa. After dinner featuring local produce and seafood, you can hang by the fire with s’mores under an inky PNW sky.

Cost: Costs vary based on the length of your stay and your chosen excursions. Expect to pay between $2,000 and $3,000 per night.

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Aro Ha Revive & Thrive Retreat

Glenorchy, New Zealand | Year Round

Who: Anyone looking for a Euro-chic hygge experience.

What: In Te Reo, the Polynesian language of the Maori, “aro ha” is often translated as “in the presence of divine breath.” Indeed, the landscapes at Aro Ha Wellness Resort in New Zealand might leave you breathless. An eco-conscious haven where nature and well-being converge, Aro Ha is perhaps best known for its Revive & Thrive Retreat. The six-day, five-night interlude unfolds in the foothills of Mount Larkins and along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, offering an escape into the Oceania islands.

The retreat’s philosophy revolves around the transformative potential of everyday habits to shape physical and emotional well-being. During your stay, you’ll hike in New Zealand’s sub-alpine World Heritage parks, stretch and strengthen with on-site yoga and functional movement classes, and linger in the obsidian therapeutic spa. On the menu is local vegetarian cuisine sourced from the property’s permaculture garden.

When: Multiple times per month on a Sunday-Friday schedule.

Typical Day: Catch the sun rise above the New Zealand mountains from the yoga studio. After breakfast, you’ll immerse yourself in the transformative power of nature with an exploration along subalpine trails. In the afternoon and evening, mindfulness practices are woven into each activity, whether cooking class or functional strength training. Relax in the infrared sauna before taking in a massage and calling it a day.

Cost: Program costs start at $4,555 per person.

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Nantipa Wellness Experience

Santa Teresa, Costa Rica | Year Round

Who: Anyone looking for a lush, beachside yoga paradise.

What: Costa Rica is a haven for yogis and wellness seekers, with literally hundreds of retreats to choose from. Our selection is the Nantipa Wellness Retreat, located in a certified Blue Zone (one of the five regions in the world with the most centenarians), for its insights into the way of life that benefits local Nicoya Peninsula residents. Guests are invited to immerse themselves in this micro-culture and explore natural ways to enhance physical health and minimize stress. Consider it a unique melding of wellness luxe and Chorotega culture for mind, body, and soul.

The retreat is private, personalized, and all-inclusive, making it an option for a family gathering or group of friends.  You’ll be personally welcomed at the airport and taken to the resort. Once there, you can stretch out in your expansive accommodations. Choose from the Nanku Suite, a two-story bungalow perfect for families, or a grand 3,800-square-foot beachfront villa, both with full kitchens and private living spaces.

Throughout your stay, a dedicated holistic wellness expert will tend to you. Private yoga sessions, personal training, life coaching, and sound therapy sessions are yours to schedule as you please. You can also opt for a nature excursion, whether a rainforest hike, surfing lesson, or sunset cocktails on the beach.

When: Since each experience is private, you can book whenever you like.

Typical Day: You create your schedule. Your Wellness Experience includes access to daily private yoga sessions—choose from Restorative, Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, even AcroYoga—and a nature excursion of your choice.

Cost: Since each Blue Wellness Experience is customized, each is priced is based on duration, number of guests, and activity inclusions. Contact the Nantipa team to learn more.

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BOY Retreats

Agafay Desert, Morocco | April 1 – 6, 2024 | Future Dates & Locations Vary

Who: Anyone looking for a stronger connection to the divine feminine.

What: There are ample yoga teachers who provide regular traveling retreats, although we’re currently enthused about BOY Retreats. Perhaps the most important thing to understand is that BOY stands for “Beauty Of You,” and it’s the lovechild of Kundalini yoga instructor Akal Anand. Not only are her teachings intentional and her community vast, but she also has a knack for finding natural sanctuaries and crafting unique retreat curriculums.

Her latest wellness retreat creation is a wild, movement-centered experience in the Moroccan Agafay desert dubbed “As She Moves.” During this five-day immersion, you’ll discover the transformative power of yoga and dance amid hundreds of miles of picturesque stone desert. Akal’s unique approach, enriched by collaborations with other teachers and mentors, ensures a yoga retreat experience beyond the ordinary.

Akal has previously hosted retreats in other natural sanctuaries, like eco-luxury oceanfront treehouses. The La Pause desert camp, nestled in the heart of the Agafay Desert, combines luxury with authenticity. Bivouac tents with private bathrooms and outdoor lounges provide a true glamping experience, inviting you to break free and reconnect with the natural world.

Her intention is for you to explore newfound self-confidence and a deeper love for your body as you dance and practice mindfulness in a meditative escape from the world. The sanctuary also features authentic Moroccan cuisine, featuring a vegetarian menu inspired by traditional cuisines from across the country.

When: The Morocco retreat will take place in April 2024. A Costa Rica retreat is also planned for November 2024, as well as additional offerings beyond that.

Typical Day: Sometimes it’s nice to change things up. Akal’s curriculum focuses “on creating an open schedule that invites simplicity, sensuality, wildness, freedom, fierceness, and flow.” As such, there is no such thing as a “typical” day, although it’s likely you’ll welcome the morning in a kundalini yoga awakening from 8 – 9:30 am followed by Moroccan brunch. After some personal time, your afternoon might consist of desert exploration, tea time, dance and embodiment classes before dinner, and a sunset stroll through the desert.

Cost: Prices start at $2,340 per person. Financial aid is available.

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The Ranch 7-Day Program

Malibu, California | Year-Round

Who: Anyone looking for a physical challenge and mountainous exploration.

What: Situated in the serene Santa Monica Mountains, The Ranch Malibu has been consecutively voted the best destination spa in the United States by Travel + Leisure. The luxury wellness resort encompasses 200 private acres and offers a haven for those seeking respite from urban life with immersive seven- or nine-day experiences.

The Ranch caters to just 25 guests at a time, who are accommodated in any of the 21 private cottages, each featuring reclaimed wood flooring and limestone walls for a relaxed yet upscale vibe. The sequestered setting promotes mental detoxification with no televisions and limited cell and Wi-Fi service.

The immersive program includes a challenging physical regimen along with low-impact exercise, massages, and vegan cuisine. By the end of the week, guests may find themselves having logged up to 60 miles of hiking, experienced enhanced mental clarity, and explored healthier ways of existing. There are also cooking demonstrations and onsite certified organic garden tours.

When: The Ranch offers its signature program throughout the year.

Typical Day: Think active and challenging. Following morning stretches and breakfast, you’ll set out for a breathtaking and varied two- or four-hour group hiking excursion. Lunch and an afternoon siesta follow. Afterward, you’ll join the group for either strength training or yoga before your daily massage. Odds are following dinner you’ll happily sink into bed for a deep and restful sleep.

Cost: The one-week rate starts at $7,600 per person for a double room and $9,200 per person for a single room.