The 11 best wellness retreats in the world right now

Need a vacation? Lucky for you, wellness travel has exploded. And we’re not just talking about yoga and juice on the beach.

Now, top fitness instructors, yoga teachers, and Instagram wellness stars are taking you all over the world to strengthen your body, mind, and soul in stunning locales like Morocco and St. Moritz, and from the coast of Ireland and to Brazil.

Ready to take your fitness-and-wellness game on the road? Here are 11 amazing retreats that will rejuvenate your body and mind—and vitamin D levels. Apologies in advance for the bad case of wanderlust we’re about to inflict on you… —Christine Yu

(Photo: Kayla Rocca for Sky Ting Yoga)

Goddess Retreat: Sacred Dance, Yoga and Acai BowlsIlha Grande Island near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil March 6–12, 2016

Hosts Ksenia Avdulova, yoga teacher and the mastermind behind Breakfast Criminals’ drool-inducing smoothie bowls in a heart-shape bowl, and Jaycee Gossett, movement teacher and an instructor of The Class, will lead you through daily meditation, vinyasa yoga, and dance designed to tap into your inner goddess. Not to mention, you’ll nosh on nourishing superfoods at this eco-friendly island retreat. And yes, Avdulova will even show you how to put together #breakfastcriminals-worthy acai bowls and share entrepreneurship and social media marketing tips.

(Photo: Tiara Marei)

Magical Retreat to Morocco with Amanda Harding and Lesley DesaulniersMarrakech, Morocco March 20–26, 2016

Prema Yoga Brooklyn founders Amanda Harding and Leslie Desaulniers host this magical adventure in Morocco. Marrakech’s luxury boutique hotels, Peacock Pavilions and Domaine Du Douar, will be your home for seven days. You’ll start your morning with an invigorating yoga class and close the day with a restorative yin practice. You’ll also visit the seaside town of Essaouira, where you can opt for a camel ride, a spa afternoon at the Bains de Marrakesh, or a henna party—and have plenty of time to explore the local markets.

(Photo: Prema Yoga Brooklyn)

Santhosh RetreatsSt. Moritz, Switzerland March 26–20, 2016

High up in the Swiss Alps, your days with Santhosh Retreats will be filled with yoga, Pilates and Santhosh’s signature dance class. Think salsa, tango, and dirty dancing combined. Plus, during your stay at the Carlton Hotel, you’ll have access to massages, hiking and amazing, healthy meals. If you’re a skier or snowboarder, don’t fret. There will be plenty of time to hit the slopes too.

(Photo: Santhosh Retreats)

Brooklyn Bridge Boot Camp’s Belize Jungle & Beach AdventureBelizeApril 2–9, 2016

Ariane Hundt takes her signature butt-kicking workout from the New York City landmark to Belize for an 8-day retreat, where you’ll spend nights in both jungle villas and on the beach cabanas for a best-of-both-worlds experience. It’s “full of fun and fit activities,” she says—think daily yoga and boot camps, plus nutrition workshops, acupuncture, goal setting and vision board workshops with her and Stefanie DiLibero of Gotham Wellness. Day-trips and excursions will replenish your vitamin D levels with snorkeling, exploring Mayan ruins, horseback riding, river-tubing, and hiking.

(Photo: Brooklyn Bridge Boot Camp)

Las Olas Surf SafarisRiviera Nayarit, MexicoApril 3–8, 2016, plus additional dates in April, May, and June

Is learning to surf or hitting your board in more exotic locations on your bucket list? This women-only surf retreat along on the Riviera Nayarit can help with that. Your villa is steps away from the ocean, and expect two surf lessons a day, yoga, and lessons on the science of waves and how to care for your surfboard. You also have time for salsa dancing and lessons on how to make killer guacamole and margaritas. Las Olas recently debuted two new programs: It’s Your Wave, led by life coach Deseri Garcia to help you cultivate a positive mindset, and Mas Olas, a customized curriculum for returning guests and advanced surfers.

(Photo: Las Olas Surf Safaris)

Cuba Retreat with Yoga for Bad PeopleHavana, Pinar del Rio and Cayo Jutia, Cuba April 17–23, 2016

Some of yoga’s “baddest” teachers are bringing their light-hearted approach to the mystical island of Cuba. Expect daily yoga and meditation sessions with Yoga for Bad People co-founder Heather Lilleston and San Francisco-based teacher Stephanie Wang. You’ll also immerse yourself in Cuban history and culture with walking tours of Havana, visits to museums and artists’ homes, dance performances, and lots of good food.

(Photo: Yoga for Bad People)

Costa Brava Running and Wellness RetreatCosta Brava, Spain April 23–29, 2016

Starting in the historic city of Girona (pictured), you’ll wind your way on foot north toward the Pyrenees, traveling from fishing village to fishing village during this weeklong running retreat with Elinor Fish of Run Wild Retreats. And no, you don’t have to carry your luggage with you. It’ll be waiting for you at each luxury boutique hotel where you’ll spend the night (think castles and converted centuries-old homesteads). Not only will you enjoy jaw-dropping views along the stunning coastline, Fish will lead you through wellness workshops and natural running form clinics (on the beach!) to help you run mindfully so you can better manage your energy and prevent injury. And P.S.: There will be wine tasting and tapas.

(Photo: Run Wild Retreats)

Sky Ting Maderas RetreatMaderas Village, Nicaragua April 28–May 2, 2016

Maderas Village, a boutique resort on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua, is no where near the beaten path—which makes it a perfect setting to restore your body and mind. Teachers Jenn Tardif and Kate Posch of Sky Ting Yoga will lead twice daily yoga classes that they say will include some pranayama and “a little chakra-balancing magic.” You’ll have plenty of downtime to surf, go horseback riding, get a massage, or just lounge poolside with your green juice or frozen drink.

(Photo: Kayla Rocca)

ReTREAT with SyncStudioTulum, Mexico May 12–19, 2016

Work hard and restore hard. That’s SyncStudio’s idea of complementary wellness. The Brooklyn spin-and-yoga destination makes sure it’s also reflected in your retreat schedule, where your days will combine intense circuit training classes with the restorative power of yoga—and, of course, downtime at the popular beachfront Amansala Beach Resort.

(Photo: Amansala)

Escape to Ireland: Yoga and Meditation Retreat with Love YogaThe Cliffs of Moher, Ireland May 29–June 5, 2016

Wall-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean (and heated floors!) make an amazing setting for twice daily yoga classes, meditation, and pranayama at this week-long getaway in the Irish countryside with Love Yoga founders Kyle Miller and Sian Gordon. You’ll stay in a renovated 19th century farmhouse (with panoramic views of the ocean), where you’ll enjoy vegetarian meals and optional spa treatments. When you’re not getting your vinyasa on, you can visit the famous Cliffs of Moher, ride bikes to nearby villages, and even surf—if you’re brave enough for the chilly early summer waters.

(Photo: Cliffs of Moher Retreat)

Wilder Running and Writing RetreatBend, OR September 2–5, 2016

Want to find your inner wild? Over Labor Day weekend, pro runner Lauren Fleshman (pictured, left) and writer and human rights advocate Marianne Elliott will lead you through a weekend filled with running and writing at the debut Wilder Running and Writing Retreat. You’ll explore the trails around Bend, OR, and immerse yourself in transformational writing workshops. And don’t worry. There’ll be plenty of time for yoga, hiking, stand-up paddleboarding, along the Deschutes River and refueling at Bend’s local eateries.

Before you jet off to a wellness wonderland, how about a little pre-trip training? Fuel up with these healthy protein powders.  

(Photo: Wilder Running and Writing Retreat)