Gone are the days of simply spending holidays lounging around the buffet tables and flopping onto plush couches after a day of doing nothing. Nowadays, people long for true retreats from the bustle of daily life. More and more people want to have a holiday that combines relaxation with introspection, meditation, health, and education. The benefits of wellness holidays stretch beyond those two weeks you got off work – resulting in a happier, healthier you. If you’re one of those people looking for their next wellness holiday destination, keep reading; here are the best affordable wellness retreats in the world.
Daily life is stressful. Taking time to care for your mental and physical health is something that will unlock many benefits. Should you get the chance, these affordable wellness retreats are something that everyone should dabble in.
Surf’s up – Surf Star, Morocco
Nothing beats grabbing your surfboard and paddling out into the ocean to catch some waves. For a lot of people, surfing is a favorite method of relaxing at the end of a long day – or, if you’re a morning person, the best way to wake up. Surf Star Morocco is nestled perfectly within reach of famed surf spots such as Anchor Point and Boilers.
This retreat is famous for its daily yoga camps and also, its great surfing instructors, who will make sure you make the most out of your holiday. Beginner to expert, Surfstar welcomes all surfers or surfers enthusiasts with open arms. Incredible sea and mountain views, paired with simple rooming styles, make this retreat a real treat for both, the eyes and the soul.
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Absolute Sanctuary, Thailand
It is well known that practicing yoga comes with many health benefits. If you can’t make it to a yoga retreat this holiday, YouTube offers many yoga tutorials that you can follow in your own time. However, if you can, Absolute Sanctuary in Thailand is the place to unwind. Resting at the foot of a mountain thick with jungle vegetation, this resort offers multiple yoga classes every day.
Even more, many different types of yoga are practiced in these exceptional studios. Finally, there’s also an infinity pool on site that allows guests to relax after a session and rejuvenate their body. When it comes to life-changing but affordable wellness retreats, only a few places on our planet can compare to the Absolute Sanctuary.
Ananda In The Himalayas, India
Over the past few years, meditation has been gaining popularity – and for good reason. Many applications, such as Headspace, allow people to follow guided meditations remotely. However, if you’re looking to head out and center yourself more seriously, there are plenty of stunning retreats available. Ananda in the Himalayas, as well as being a renowned spa, boasts exceptional meditation facilities.
The meditation music pavilion gives guests the unique opportunity to meditate amidst the tranquil mountainside scenery. With a focus on spiritual and physical well-being, this retreat offers beautiful surroundings, delicious food, and helpful staff.
BodyHoliday, St Lucia
There isn’t anything that can’t be cured with a deep massage and essential oils. If you need a sensual getaway from daily life, TheBodyHoliday in St Lucia is the perfect get-away-from-it-all resort. Even more, BodyHoliday combines spirituality, fitness and spa activities; hence, it’s no surprise that this resort was voted the World’s Best Destination Spa by Conde Nast’s readers. Beautiful waterfalls and rainforests form part of the idyllic scenery, where guests can relax and partake in many different spa treatments.
Longevity Wellness Resort, Portugal
If you’re looking to get back in shape, a retreat aimed at weight loss will surely help you achieve your goal. Often, you are thoroughly assessed in terms of your strengths and weaknesses, and dietary requirements. Longevity Wellness Resort tailors your weight loss experience through a structured program.
Nestled in Monchique, and surrounded by undisturbed mountains, the resort offers guests many group activities and workshops designed to improve health and aid in their weight loss journey. Notable activities include hiking, boxing, and yoga – which are paired with well-managed diets.
Quintessence Sports and Health Retreat, France
Whether you prefer looking over the landscape from the top of a mountain, or simply taking a walk through a rustling forest, nobody can say that nature doesn’t do wonders for the soul. Quintessence Sports and Health Retreat combines the beauty of the French Alps with fitness and health. A social environment, the retreat offers an open dining facility that serves healthy foods and snacks. After a long day packed with various activities, guests can relax and forget about everything in the resort’s well-equipped spa center.
Enjoying this post? Then you’ll surely like our guide to canal boating in France.
The Digital Detox Holiday, Sri Lanka
If you’re looking to get away from your stressful everyday activities and disconnect from the rest of the world, The Digital Detox Holiday in Sri Lanka is a great choice. Here, technology is banned in public areas and you can feel the difference the second you step foot in the resort.
Moreover, you can also indulge in different kinds of activities, like yoga camps, meditation sessions, group hikes, and mountain biking. The Digital Detox Holiday also helps their guests “detoxicate” their bodies with their detox programs that include a detox meal plan and indulgent spa treatments.
Revivo Emotional Balance, Bali
Most people who visit the island have stayed in a wellness resort on top of their Bali bucket list. We’ve all heard that the right mindset can create positive changes in one’s life. We all face emotional hurdles at some point in our lives but fortunately, there are places like REVIVO in Bali where you can rediscover yourself through some of the holistic therapies the resort offers.
Revivo Emotional Balance provides guests with Reiki and chakra balancing therapies, daily yoga camps, and meditation sessions. Staying here even for a short period of time will surely help you channel your energy more productively, recover your emotional strength, and achieve inner peace.
Enjoying this post? Then you may also like this list of hidden beaches in Bali.
The best of Cambodia – Pravassa, Cambodia
You might not think Cambodia is a great choice for affordable wellness retreats but you’d be wrong. Unlike the resorts on this list, Pravassa is a company that helps travelers plan their wellness holiday in Cambodia, combining the best of Cambodia‘s rich culture with wellness elements that help their guests recover from the consequences of leading a stressful life. The itinerary is customizable according to your personal requirements and includes accommodation at luxury retreats around the country and special treatments with local healers.
Enjoying this post? Then you may also like our list of the best luxury travel gifts.
The Barai Spa, Thailand
Located in a charming coastal town, the Barai Spa is one of the best choices in Thailand when it comes to wellness holidays. The spa resort has a very unique offer that combines traditional Thai massages with contemporary, rejuvenating spa therapies. One of the resort’s most rejuvenating treatments is the 2-hour-long caviar facial, perfect for reviving and restoring dull skin. The property has eighteen spacious treatment rooms that have their own outdoor pool, a daybed enclave, and a vanity area.
Hozho Spa – Utah, USA
Nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Utah, where the air is as clear as your post-meditation mind, Hozho Spa is the perfect spot for a wellness holiday. The menu of services reads like a love letter to your well-being, this spa has everything, from deep tissue massages where you shake off knots you weren’t even aware existed to facials that deliver skin glows like a sunset in Utah.
SoCal Wellness Retreats – San Diego, California, USA
Imagine a place where the sun kisses your skin, the ocean breeze whispers secrets of serenity, and the palm trees sway in agreement with your inner peace and you get the SoCal Wellness Retreats in San Diego. Nestled between the rolling waves of the Pacific and the gentle hills of the Californian landscape, SoCal Wellness Retreats offers an escape that feels a million miles from the hustle and bustle, yet somehow right at home.
The Retreat Ranch – Austin, Texas, USA
Welcome to The Retreat Ranch, where Texas’ rustic charm meets Austin’s quirky spirit, creating the ultimate wellness getaway. Forget what you know about camping. The Retreat Ranch elevates the experience with glamping tents that boast more luxury than a cowboy’s mansion. Each tent comes equipped with a memory foam mattress, ensuring your dreams are as sweet as Texas barbecue sauce. And the best part? You’ll wake up to the sounds of nature, which, fortunately, does not include your neighbor’s leaf blower.
Mythical Coast Wellness Retreat – Lesvos, Greece
Welcome to the Mythical Coast Wellness Retreat on the enchanting island of Lesvos, Greece, where the only thing more rejuvenating than the spa treatments is the history. Imagine starting your day with a dip in natural thermal springs, rumored to have been the personal spa of the Greek gods themselves. Partake in a yoga session on a terrace overlooking the Aegean Sea, where the only thing more breathtaking than the poses is the view.
SALT of Palmar – Mauritius
Nestled on the sun-kissed shores of the Indian Ocean, this boutique hotel is less about escaping life and more about diving headfirst into an authentic Mauritian experience, with a side of wellness. As the name suggests, one thing that makes this retreat different is the island’s most underrated mineral: salt (and one with supposed healing properties). A couple more things that make the resort special are its design (fresh and colorful) and the unique farm-to-table concept that defines the resort.
Paradisus La Perla – Mexico
Imagine a place where the only thing clearer than the turquoise waters is your mind after a day of pampering and relaxation. At Paradisus La Perla, every detail is meticulously crafted to ensure your stay is nothing short of magical. With plush bedding, serene décor, and the occasional visit from a gentle sea breeze, you’ll start to wonder if sleep is just another spa treatment and the dining experience here is a journey through the flavors of Mexico.
Kore Tulum Retreat & Spa Resort – Mexico
Kore Tulum is an adults-only playground, which means the only cries you’ll hear are those of joy from finding inner peace (or perhaps from attempting yoga poses that looked easier on Instagram). It’s where tranquility and serenity are the main guests, and stress is politely asked to stay outside the gates. Stay in lavish accommodations where comfort meets elegance in a dance as timeless as the Mayan civilization itself.
Xinalani Retreat – Mexico
Next on our list of affordable wellness retreats, we have Xinalani in Mexico. Xinalani is not your average wellness retreat; accessible only by boat, this secluded haven is where the jungle meets the ocean in a dazzling display of nature’s artistry. Picture this: you’re on an open-air platform, the ocean stretching infinitely before you, as you move through your asanas with a grace you never knew you had.
Malibu Popoyo – Nicaragua
At Malibu Popoyo, the surf is always up, and so is your chance to embrace the ocean’s untamed beauty. And after a day of surfing, what better way to unwind than with a sunset yoga session? Rest your head in one of Malibu Popoyo’s eco-chic accommodations where the rooms are so cozy and inviting, you’ll be tempted to forgo the early morning surf just for a few more minutes in bed.
The Peaks Resort and Spa, Colorado, USA
Nestled amidst the majestic Rocky Mountains of Telluride, Colorado, The Peaks Resort and Spa offers an unmatched blend of luxury, adventure, and wellness. The spa at The Peaks is legendary, a sanctuary where stress goes to die. With over 42,000 square feet dedicated to pampering, healing, and just basking in sheer relaxation, it’s like Disneyland for wellness enthusiasts. One of The Peaks’ crowning jewels is its ski-in, ski-out access where you can glide right off the property and onto the slopes.
Buddha Retreats In Wentworth Falls, Australia
Buddha Retreats in Wentworth Falls, NSW offers digital detox through activities like drumming and sharing circles, meditation, yoga, and self-guided walks, including one to the nearby falls that are a highlight of the area. Right from the beginning, you can book a two-night stay for $299, which includes all meals, workshops, and yoga classes, for that perfect combination of peace and harmony with nature.
Tips For Finding Affordable Wellness Retreats
Set a clear budget that will help you make a list of affordable wellness retreats you can visit.
Consider off-peak seasons for lower prices and look for all-inclusive packages to avoid hidden costs.
Don’t be shy to try destinations in developing countries; these will usually be even more affordable.
Don’t overlook early bird specials or last-minute deals, as these can offer significant savings.
If you are looking to save on your flight? Use our Qatar Airways special offer to save up to 15% on all flights around the world.
Finally, let me know did you like this list of the best affordable wellness retreats. Which one was your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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Yukti Agrawal
Saturday 6th of July 2019
I love wellness holiday and it is great that you have shared a wonderful list. Quintessence Sports and Health Retreat in France is truly a nature healer place.
Passport Symphony
Tuesday 9th of July 2019
Thank you, Yukti. I'm glad you liked it.
Alexander Popkov
Friday 5th of July 2019
Well well :) Those look like places, where I would like to relax after having some sort of a challenging trip? But what wellness is? I have seen that people associate it with yoga and stuff... I do completely different things to feel well.
Passport Symphony
Thursday 18th of July 2019
Relaxing in a place like these sounds like a good plan :) As for what wellness is, I don't think there's an exact response- different people, different preferences, hence, different definitions of wellness.
Jas
Wednesday 3rd of July 2019
Morocco has been high up on my list for awhile now for its beautiful riads and the Sahara Desert. Didn't know you could surf there too! All of these sound super tempting but I think Quintessence Sports and Health Retreat is definitely my top choice to visit first. That mountain scenery is just breathtaking and I love that they have a well-equipped spa. Perfect after a full day of adventure like you said!
Passport Symphony
Wednesday 3rd of July 2019
Thank you, Jas. I'm glad you liked it and I hope you get the chance to visit Morocco and the Quintessence Sports and Health Retreat soon
Medha
Tuesday 2nd of July 2019
I have never rewarded myself with a wellness holiday and I do not know why! I was reading through your post and wondering why Bali wasn't featured and then I saw that it is! It is one of the top wellness and yoga destinations in the world. Having said that, I would love to visit Ananda in The Himalayas one day, it is my top pick from the places you've mentioned. Shouldn't be a difficult task, given that I am from India. Also, the French Alps would be a great place to unwind and relax!
Passport Symphony
Wednesday 3rd of July 2019
The Ananda in the Himalayas is absolutely amazing. I hope you get the chance to visit soon :)
Anita
Sunday 30th of June 2019
I would go for each of the points of the list, as I love wellness experiences and I think well-being while traveling is very important. I would put yoga and meditation first on my list and get spoiled with massage.
Passport Symphony
Wednesday 3rd of July 2019
Indeed, Anita. I hope you get the chance to visit some of these soon