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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.
The 6 Best Wellness Retreats
- Sivananda Yoga Vacation, India
- Vikasa Retreats & Yoga Teacher Training, Thailand
- Clayoquot Wilderness Experiences, Vancouver Island, Canada
- Aro Ha Revive & Thrive Retreat, New Zealand
- Nantipa Wellness Experience, Costa Rica
- BOY Retreats, Bali
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.
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 the first of two asana (physical postures) practices of the day. The schedule includes 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 1st and the 16th of each month in 14-day cycles.
Cost: The most affordable experience on our list, the rates begin at $12 per night for a spot in a dorm room and $15 per night for a twin bed in a shared room. Expect to pay a little more if you want AC.
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 21 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” that are slightly more budget-conscious.
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 tuition is $3,780 (not including accommodations). Students who register early enough may qualify for early bird discounts or free room and board. Week-long retreats start at $1,510.
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 $3,300 and $5,600 per night.
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 $3,865 per person.
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 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.
When: Since each experience is private, you can book whenever you like.
Typical Day: You create your schedule. The four-night, five-day experience includes daily breakfast, private yoga classes and a surfing lesson, a sound healing session, and an outdoor tour. In the evenings, you can take in the beachfront at sunset from the resort’s restaurant.
Cost: Since each Blue Wellness Experience is customized, each price is based on duration, number of guests, and activity inclusions. Four-night, five-day rates start at $1,145 per person.
BOY Retreats
Bali | March 4 – 8, 2025 | 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.
During this five-day immersion, you’ll discover the transformative power of yoga and dance near the Balian shore. Akal’s unique approach, enriched by collaborations with other teachers and mentors, ensures a yoga retreat experience beyond the ordinary. 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.
When: The retreat takes place in Bali, March 4-8, 2025. Another will take place in Greece, July 6-10 and Morocco, September 9-13.
Typical Day: Sometimes it’s nice to change things up. Akal’s curriculum centers around a flexible schedule that “embraces simplicity and sensuality, inviting spontaneity, freedom, and a natural flow.” As such, there is no such thing as a “typical” day, although the two daily offerings include a Kundalini yoga class and a dance immersion. “Healthy and invigorating cuisine” is included, including plant-based snacks and teas throughout the day as well as a “diverse buffet” for lunch and dinner with an emphasis on ancient grains and vegetable dishes.
Cost: Total retreat prices are $1,894 for a suite bungalow (shared) and $2,406 for a deluxe bungalow (private).
This article has been updated. Originally published January 22, 2024.
