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The sky is gray. The air bites. And the days feel like you’re endlessly slogging through bleakness. Winter can be a cruel mistress. While some revel in the cold by seeking outdoor adventures or retreating to hygge-inducing hideaways, the rest of us want nothing more than to escape the dreariness and practice some yoga in the tropics. The following destinations—spanning lush jungles and tranquil beaches—offer immersive wellness escapes that enable you to do exactly that in relatively luxe conditions.
7 Yoga Tropics Retreats
- Xinalani Retreat, Mexico
- Six Senses Fort Barwara, India
- Vikasa, Thailand
- COMO Shambhala Estate, Bali
- Dominican Treehouse Village, Dominican Republics
- Amansala, Mexico
- Six Senses Spa Con Dao, Vietnam
1. Yoga Retreat Mexico: Xinalani
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
With its open-air, palm-thatched roofs and boho-chic decor, Xinalani is as Instagrammable as it is relaxing. Accessible only by boat, the property sprawls across four acres, including a private beach and accommodations perched far above. So as not to disrupt the experience of nature or the ocean views, the resort’s six yoga studios are uniquely nestled in the treetops, designed to deliver an immersive experience.
In between yoga sessions, there’s zip lining among the trees or kayaking along the coast. For an even more immersive experience, Xinalani’s schedule features all-inclusive retreats and teacher trainings led by teachers whose names you might recognize.
2. Yoga Retreat India: Six Senses Fort Barwara
Rajasthan, India
Majesty and mindfulness coexist quite effortlessly in this reimagined 14th-century palace turned holistic sanctuary. Set in the serene Aravalli Hills, the ancient walls still protect two palaces and two temples that are the site for unforgettable yoga and meditation experiences.
Designed to evoke all six senses, the destination curates encounters such as sunrise and sunset yoga sessions on an east-facing stone yoga pavilion along with meditation and transcendent sound baths in the sacred temple. At the spa, ancient Ayurvedic wisdom mingles with contemporary wellness techniques with treatments tailored to individual desires. Consider it a different sort of opulence than that experienced by Rajasthani royalty centuries ago.
3. Yoga Retreat Thailand: Vikasa
Thailand
Situated on an island along the Gulf of Thailand, Vikasa Koh Samui feels like an expansive yogi village hugging the dramatic coastline. The teaching destination is as visually stunning as it is spiritually enriching with retreats, teacher trainings, and personalized wellness programs crowding its schedule. There is always something taking place here that will elevate your practice.
Accommodations range from yoga caves with a modern minimalist vibe (and shared bathrooms) to beachfront prana cabanas with contemporary hotel decor. Classes catering to all levels take place each day in an array of styles, including hatha, vinyasa, and more meditative practices. Guests seeking personal time can opt for traditional Thai massages and other spa-like amenities. Those who are more socially inclined can sign up for the workshops or group outings, including beach cleanups.
4. Yoga Retreat Bali: COMO Shambhala Estate
Ubud, Bali
In the jungle near the ancient town of Ubud, the award-winning COMO Shambhala Estate sits between two powerful rivers and a 90-minute drive from Denpasar’s airport and beaches. Guests seeking simply accommodations can opt for a room-only stay. Others opt for curated wellness programs to help settle various forms of “unease through restoring balance via yoga, meditation, breathwork, and outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling. (A detox from digital devices is encouraged.)
Beyond wellness, the property invites you to immerse yourself in Bali’s rich culture and natural beauty, whether you learn about the ancient art of the medicine known as jamu, take traditional Balinese herb walk, cycle through the bustling streets, or hike to any of the sacred Balinese temple ruins.
5. Yoga Retreat Dominican Republic: Dominican Treehouse Village
Samana, Dominican Republic
Entering the Dominican Treehouse Village feels like stepping into a storybook, complete with tree houses, rope bridges, meandering paths, and hidden lagoons that very well may bring your childhood jungle fantasies to life.
With only 22 rooms, the vibe is intimate and permissive when it comes to unplugging and reconnecting with yourself (and your inner kid). The centerpiece of the property is the yoga dome, an open-air pavilion nestled in the trees that attracts yoga teachers and practitioners from around the world.
By day, adventure options include snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, zip lining through jungle canopies, horseback riding to hidden waterfalls, and exploring beach trails on ATVs. At night, unwind in a hammock as you’re lulled by the sounds of the jungle or find a quiet lagoon and let the magic sink in.
6. Yoga Retreat Mexico: Amansala
Tulum, Mexico
What began as a modest four-room pop-up has become one of Tulum’s most design-savvy destinations. Amansala has perfected the art of laid-back luxury with earthy, wabi-sabi design and the natural beauty of Tulum coalescing. Multiple staircases wind through the space, evoking the sense of a modern-day Swiss Family Robinson—an apparent recurring favorite for architects of yoga tropics retreats.
While Amansala welcomes guests seeking a simple getaway, its signature retreat packages, like the 6-day Restore & Renew, are a favorite among travelers. Running since 2001, this retreat offers daily movement practices, including yoga, Pilates, or dance, alongside morning beachside meditations and personalized massages. Guests can also enjoy local excursions, a Mayan clay treatment for detoxification and relaxation, and plenty of time to unwind in the serene beachfront setting.
7. Yoga Retreat Vietnam: Six Senses Spa Con Dao
Con Dao, Vietnam
Situated in the Con Dao archipelago, Six Senses was inspired by the serenity of traditional Vietnamese fishing villages. The distinction takes the form of meditation, restorative yoga, and sound healing sessions in open-air pavilions overlooking a two-kilometer private beach. The spa features treatments rooted in traditional medicine principles originating in northern Vietnam as well as India.
Signature treatments include Vietnamese touch therapy, a soothing hot bamboo muscle melt, and aromatic spiced body care. Off the mat, guests can immerse themselves in local culture through various island excursions.
