When life feels overwhelming, one of the best ways to relax and recharge is to take a break. Whether it’s for a weekend getaway or a weeklong vacation, disconnecting from your phone, email, and other digital distractions so you can be fully present is “the key to joy and happiness,” according to Frank Castro, managing director of Conscious Adventurist.
You may prefer getting away to sit on the beach, tropical drink in hand, or you may be all about sight-seeing and enjoying the outdoors. Many of us, however, want a little bit of both, and wellness retreats are the perfect hybrid. They’re designed to de-stress and invite a sense of serenity while offering the opportunity to be as active or relaxed as you’d like. While some wellness retreats are strongly rooted in meditation and yoga, most offer a wide range of options, all with the same intention: to help you recharge, reconnect, and leave in a better state of mind than when you arrived.
Here are some excellent options to get you started.
1. Amangiri Resort; Canyon Point, Utah
If you’re craving a blend of adventure and relaxation, check out Amangiri Resort. Surrounded by miles of cliffs and untouched desert landscape and situated next to the largest Native American reservation in the United States, the resort is focused on helping you get away from it all (It even required an Act of Congress to be built here!). Explore the extraordinary slot canyons and hiking trails of Southern Utah and then relax by the pool, which has natural rock features built into it. Don’t miss a treatment in the 25,000-square-foot spa, whose spectacular views of the mesa are as relaxing as the yoga postures or massage you can enjoy.
2. Amangani Resort: Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Owned by the same company as Amangiri in Utah, Amangani in Jackson Hole offers a similar experience but with more of a mountain vibe, thanks to the nearby Teton and Snake River ranges. With easy access to Jackson Hole Resort in the winter and plenty of adventures in the summer, this retreat has lots to do any time of year. But it’s just as easy to slow down here, too: Thanks to a heated outdoor infinity pool and services like heated stone massages (with stones from the nearby Snake River) and reflexology treatments, it’s almost impossible to think about work—or any other stressful stuff—while you’re on site.
3. Rancho La Puerta; Tecate, Mexico
Rancho La Puerta is only an hour from San Diego, making it a popular destination for Americans who want to get out of the country without going too far. Founded more than 50 years ago, the property’s 4,000 acres brim with rustic beauty, including gardens (as well as an organic farm that provides ingredients for meals), hiking trails, multiple pools, separate men’s and women’s health centers, and more. Get up for a morning walk, and you might even spot a golden eagle soaring in the sky.
4. Samasati Yoga & Wellness Retreat; Costa Rica
If swinging in a hammock while listening to the sounds of birds and other rainforest animals is your idea of a relaxing vacation, look no further than Samasati, located on the eastern coast of Costa Rica on the Caribbean Sea. Just being surrounded by lush, green rainforest can do wonders for stress and when you add in surfing, hiking, horseback riding, and maybe a yoga class or two, you might never want to leave (Don’t say we didn’t warn you!). Samasati offers several packages with various activities like massages and snorkeling, or stick with the simple—and stress-relieving—pleasure of just hanging out in Costa Rica and enjoying the stellar ocean views. For more travel options to Costa Rica, click here.
5. EOLO; Patagonia, Argentina
Looking to really get away from it all? Head south (way south) to EOLO in Argentina to find yourself on 10,000 acres smack dab in the middle of Patagonia, one of the most beautiful places on earth. Each room offers expansive views across the steppe landscape with the Andes mountains in the background, perfect for watching the sunrise from your bed. Relax in the central garden—designed to protect guests from the wild Patagonian wind—or book a trip to explore a glacier close up. Wellness is a strong focus here, so settle into the sauna, steam room, or outdoor jacuzzi and feel your stress melt away. Click here for more travel options to Argentina.
6. Six Senses Douro Valley; Portugal
The Alto Douro Region is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world and a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, so if relaxing with a glass of wine in hand sounds like your speed, head to Six Senses Douro Valley. Housed in a 19th-century manor on a hill overlooking the valley and river below, the hotel is full of historic and cultural nods to the region, from an extensive wine library to spa treatments that include locally sourced citrus and grape ingredients. Schedule a wellness screening for a personalized program to kick off your retreat, then book a three-hour spa experience for ultimate relaxation. You can also push your comfort zone with a new-to-you activity, like aerial yoga.
7. Vana Wellness Retreat; India
Travel halfway across the world to India to experience the ancient tradition of Ayurveda. This Hindu belief system dates back thousands of years and is based on the premise that to achieve optimal wellness, you need to balance your mind, body, and spirit. Vana Wellness Retreat is an ideal way to immerse yourself into the philosophy, with mindfully crafted meals and a variety of treatments available, from acupuncture to Tibetan healing. The resort backs up to a peaceful forest and great care has been taken in the design: It was the country’s first retreat to earn LEED Platinum Certification. Every room has bamboo flooring, and sustainability initiatives include recycling, rainwater usage, and the sourcing of local ingredients for meals.
Written by Abbie Mood for Matcha in partnership with Conscious Adventurist and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to [email protected].
Featured image provided by Artem Kovalev
