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Best Wellness Retreats

Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa Retreats is our top pick overall because it is comprehensive and all-inclusive

By
Amanda Capritto, ACE-CPT, INHC
Amanda Capritto
Amanda Capritto, ACE-CPT, INHC, is an advocate for simple health and wellness. She writes about nutrition, exercise and overall well-being.
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Updated on August 05, 2023
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Sara Clark
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Sara Clark is an EYT 500-hour certified Vinyasa yoga and mindfulness teacher, lululemon Global Yoga Ambassador, model, and writer.

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Health and wellness retreats have been gaining popularity, offering programs focusing on wellness categories from fitness and nutrition to meditation, yoga, and mental well-being. Wellness retreats often focus on physical activity, eating nutrient-dense foods, and learning about different aspects of health. Some also emphasize specialized activities like yoga, meditation, hiking, or detoxing from electronic devices.

Scientific reviews show that participants in wellness retreats improved several health metrics, including abdominal girth, weight, blood pressure, and lipids. Other studies show that retreats, particularly those held in scenic natural settings, can improve psychological fitness, at least in the short term.

Wellness tourism is a growing industry that has concrete positive effects on participants' health. We have collected information on some of the top wellness retreats in the United States and beyond.

Best Wellness Retreats of 2024

Best Overall : Pritikin Wellness Retreat


Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa Retreats

Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa Retreats

Key Specs
  • Location: Miami
  • Duration: 14 days
  • Cost: $9,214 (double occupancy)
  • Activities: Fitness, nutrition, spa, and general wellness
Why We Chose It

For fitness, nutrition, mindfulness, spa services, and medical care all in one health-oriented week or weekend, Pritikin Wellness Retreat is our top choice.

Pros and Cons
Pros
  • Offers a holistic range of services

  • Customized activities based on health goals

Cons
  • Onsite bar (the program is run from the Trump Doral hotel) might be difficult for sober guests

Overview

The Pritikin Center in Miami offers year-round, all-inclusive retreats that begin with a comprehensive medical examination. In a private 75-minute session, your doctor will perform a medical review, dietary analysis, cardiometabolic stress test, and blood panel. 

You’ll also get a fitness consultation from a certified fitness professional and a DEXA body scan to analyze your body composition. Then, you’ll get going with the other features of the program: daily fitness classes, five healthy meals and snacks per day, healthy living classes on various topics (such as stress management and smart grocery shopping), and spa services. There are also yoga and meditation classes, plus onsite golf and tennis for even more fun and relaxation. 

The fees for retreats at Pritikin vary based on your length of stay and amenities. The average 2023-2024 seasonal price for a two-week stay is $9,214 for a double.

Best for Yoga : Colibri Yoga Retreats


Colibri Yoga Retreats

Colibri Yoga Retreats

Key Specs
  • Location: Varies
  • Duration: 5-7 nights
  • Cost: $2,599/person (double occupancy)
  • Activities: Yoga
Why We Chose It

Colibri Yoga Retreats brings world-class yoga programming to beautiful, eco-conscious locales worldwide, making this our top pick for yoga retreats.

Pros and Cons
Pros
  • Various worldwide locations

  • Locations are chosen with eco-conscious principles in mind

Cons
  • Depending on the location, travel costs can add up

  • The number of participants is limited

Overview

Colibri Yoga Retreats are the antidote to the all-too-common "I need a vacation from my vacation" feeling. These wellness getaways are about giving your body the vacation it needs, learning how to be a mindful traveler, developing self-awareness, and facilitating personal growth. 

Colibri hosts yoga retreats multiple times a year in some of the world's most coveted locations in Costa Rica, Morocco, and exotic beaches in Mexico. At a Colibri retreat, you'll enjoy daily yoga, meditation, relaxation time by the pool, walks on the beach, and sightseeing in quaint towns selected for their peacefulness. Structured yet laid-back, a Colibri Yoga Retreat is right for anyone who needs to take a step back from the hustle and bustle of daily life and reconnect with themselves and their yoga practice.

Prices for Colibri Yoga Retreats vary but range from $2,000 to $3,000 per person. Registration fees include your stay at a luxury resort and at least one chef-prepared meal per day. Other fees may apply for additional goods, services, and gratuities. 

Best for Nature Lovers and Hikers : Mountain Trek


Mountain Trek

Mountain Trek

Key Specs
  • Location: British Columbia
  • Duration: 1-2 weeks
  • Cost: $6,400 for 1 week; $12,160 for 2 weeks
  • Activities: Nordic fitness trekking, exercise, lectures
Why We Chose It

The stunning landscapes of British Columbia and the emphasis on outdoor fitness activities make this the top choice for nature lovers and hikers.

Pros and Cons
Pros
  • Offers a remote weekend retreat from home program

  • On-site program has access to local hot springs

Cons
  • Focus on weight loss, which might not be the most healthy option for everyone

Overview

Mountain Trek is about immersing yourself in nature and connecting with the world and yourself. It focuses on what it defines as the five pillars of health: fitness, nutrition, managing stress, sleep, and detoxification.

This week-long retreat involves three to four hours daily of hiking—specifically, Nordic fitness trekking, what Mountain Trek calls the “off-road cousin” to Nordic walking. Nordic walking is a type of walking that uses poles to work your upper body and core in addition to your lower body. 

The daily programming starts with a 6 a.m. wake-up followed by sunrise yoga and breakfast in a dining room that overlooks the Purcell Mountains in British Columbia. You’ll depart for the day’s hike by 8:30 a.m. and return to the lodge by 3:30 p.m. After dinner and discussions, you’ll exercise even more with a fitness class, such as spin or high-intensity interval training, at the end of the day.

Don’t worry if your current fitness level isn’t good enough for this hike-based wellness retreat: All guests are split into fitness-based groups, so you will always be with people at a similar fitness level—plus, you’ll have a dedicated guide during the daily hikes. 

Mountain Trek accepts reservations year-round depending on availability. The all-inclusive registration fee for one week is $6,400 per person, with a $1,000 deposit due at the time of booking. Longer stays may be booked for a slightly reduced rate.

Best for Disconnecting and Recharging : The Ashram California


The Ashram

The Ashram

Key Specs
  • Location: Calabasas, California
  • Duration: 1 week
  • Cost: $6,800 per person
  • Activities: Hiking, yoga, massage, lectures, and more
Why We Chose It

The Ashram takes our top spot for disconnecting and recharging because of its secluded location, device-free emphasis, and range of rejuvenating experiences.

Pros and Cons
Pros
  • Variety of fitness activities available

  • Chef-prepared plant-based food

Cons
  • Cell phone service is limited

Overview

All the retreats on this list are great opportunities to put down your phone, computer, tablet, or other devices for a few days. Still, The Ashram California retreat in Calabasas takes disconnecting to a new level. The resort—a simple two-story house you'll share with 11 other guests—is nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains that hug the Pacific Coast. The facilities are rustic and charming, so you'll be surrounded by nature and with very limited if any, cell service. No cell phones are allowed in common areas, and the resort encourages you not to bring your devices at all.

The week-long program involves daily sunrise yoga and over 70 miles of hiking, sports massages, pool exercise classes, studio fitness classes, and evening lectures on mindfulness, breathing techniques, and other wellness topics. As for food, you'll get three chef-prepared meals each day—made mostly with food grown in the property's gardens—along with various healthy snacks throughout the day. 

All in all, the remote location of this retreat, combined with the fresh air, physical activity, and nutritious food, will leave you feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to take on whatever life brings your way. A single-person registration for The Ashram California is all-inclusive and priced at $6,800, with a $2,500 deposit due at the time of reservation. The Ashram California is open year-round.

Final Verdict

Wellness retreats offer a chance for relaxation through different accommodations and services. If you're interested in taking a wellness retreat, we recommend Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa Retreats. These all-inclusive retreats are health-oriented, so you'll leave rested and recovered. Plus, there are plenty of fun activities to participate in, like yoga and golf.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is Included In a Wellness Retreat?

    A wellness retreat is a getaway that gives you a chance to reflect, rejuvenate, and recharge while focusing on improving your health and well-being. Many wellness retreats offer treatment for both physical and mental health, often using a holistic approach. This usually involves a combination of exercise, activities, and relaxation treatments, as well as healthy eating.

  • How Much Do Wellness Retreats Cost?

    The cost of wellness retreats varies greatly, depending on the length of stay, accommodations, as well as included services, classes, and meals. An all-inclusive wellness retreat that offers accommodations, meals, personal training, fitness classes, spa treatments, and other activities could range from $3,000 to $6,000 a week. A weekend at a hotel, residential setting, or camp may cost in the range of $100 to $500 per night, with extra fees for special amenities and services.

  • Are Wellness Retreats Worth It?

    Taking part in a wellness retreat can reduce stress and give you the inspiration and motivation you need to make some lifestyle changes. In fact, research has shown that wellness retreat participants experience mental and physical benefits, both immediately and long-term. You may discover a new hobby, learn a spiritual practice, and begin to address any emotional issues or health concerns you might be struggling with.

    If you’re the type of person who has a hard time slowing down or doing enjoyable, relaxing activities on your own, you may benefit from a wellness retreat and find the investment in your health to be very worthwhile.

  • What Should I Pack for a Wellness Retreat?

    You’ll want to pack comfortable clothing that’s appropriate for the climate of the retreat location. Focus on functional, not fancy, clothing, since you’re most likely going to be active and want clothes that are easy to move around in. If you anticipate doing a lot of yoga or other fitness activities, pack several pairs of yoga pants, shorts, shirts, and tank tops.

    If there’s a pool, beach, or spa, make sure you pack at least one bathing suit. For shoes, bring a pair of sneakers or comfortable walking shoes, as well as sandals or other shoes that are easy to slip on and off.

Wellness Retreat

 

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Article Sources
Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Naidoo D, Schembri A, Cohen M. The health impact of residential retreats: a systematic review. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018;18:8. doi:10.1186/s12906-017-2078-4

  2. Liao C, Zuo Y, Xu S, Law R, Zhang M. Dimensions of the health benefits of wellness tourism: A review. Front Psychol. 2023;13:1071578. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1071578

  3. Cohen MM, Elliott F, Oates L, Schembri A, Mantri N. Do wellness tourists get well? An observational study of multiple dimensions of health and well-being after a week-long retreat. J Alt Complement Med. 2017;23(2):140-148. doi:10.1089/acm.2016.0268

By Amanda Capritto, ACE-CPT, INHC
Amanda Capritto, ACE-CPT, INHC, is an advocate for simple health and wellness. She writes about nutrition, exercise and overall well-being.

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