The Best Yoga Retreats in Paradise

When deciding on a yoga retreat, there are a few things that are absolute musts. Skilled teachers? Yes. Inspiring views? Probably. Good weather? Definitely–especially if you’d like to practice outside. And, not to be overlooked, a comfortable and beautiful hotel and nourishing, delicious food are probably high on the list too. Ideally, would-be retreat-goers want nothing short of perfection, which is exactly where we come in. We’ve scanned the tropics looking for the most luxe retreats in the most idyllic locations. These are our 10 picks for yoga retreats in paradise.

Resort at Pedregal – Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico

One of Cabo’s finest luxury resorts, beachside Resort at Pedregal is offering a special retreat for guests who want to get in touch with the power of the moon. The package includes two private yoga classes, a moon meditation and a night yoga class under their oceanside palapa. Also included is a moonstone flow treatment at the resort’s Luna y Mar Spa, which offers energy work and a massage intended to heal and regenerate according to the phase of the moon. $520 USD

Anamaya Resort – Montezuma, Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Anamaya’s perch in the jungle overlooking the Pacific Ocean has earned it cult-like status in the yoga practicing world. They offer many styles of retreat: month-long teacher training programs, surf and yoga hybrids, yoga and adventure hybrids, scuba and yoga, and others. At the end of whatever long day you have, relax in the resort’s saltwater infinity pool and retire to one of the many unique styles of rooms: some are treehouses, some have outdoor bathrooms. There might be no better place to integrate with nature and bliss out. Rates start at $895 USD/week for dorm occupancy

Amansala – Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Celebrities and yogis of all kids flock to Amansala, an eco resort on the Riviera Maya of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Even Mandy Ingber, who teaches celebrity clients like Jennifer Aniston, counts Amansala among one of her hallowed places to relax and regroup. Between vinyasa sequences, breathing and meditation workshops, indulgent spa treatments and simply lounging on the resort’s pristine beaches, yogis often take time off to explore the quaint town of Tulum and nearby Mayan ruins. Rates for a 6-day Beach & Bliss retreat begin at $1,775 for triple occupancy

Rachel Brathen Retreats – Aruba

Instagram star Rachel Brathen, otherwise known as “Yoga Girl,” designed an island retreat with her husband so all of her adoring yoga-practicing disciples could come practice with her. She’s Swedish, but has been holed up on Aruba for years now. In addition to some personal enlightenment with Rachel, participants will engage in a Stand-Up Paddle Board Yoga session, take a sunset sail, visit Aruba’s natural pool, lounge on the beach and hike on the island’s north shore. Meals will be prepared by an in-house chef and are promised to be nourishing and delicious, and guests will bed down at nearby Costa Esmeralda. Starts at $1,405 USD for 5 days, quad occupancy

Como Parrot Cay – Turks and Caicos

Como Parrot Cay’s retreats are legendary in the yoga world. Beyond yoga, the retreats offer Ayurvedic treatments, aromatherapy, Pilates and other holistic treatments to help guests achieve true mental, physical and spiritual balance. The facilities are pristine and top of the line: a yoga shala that invites natural breezes, an outdoor jacuzzi garden, nine treatment rooms, double massage rooms and Japanese baths. And, of course, guests get to stay in the luxe digs at Como Parrot  Cay, one of the premier resorts in Turks & Caicos. Their next retreat, hosted by the Curry sisters, will be held on May 1st. Beginning at $6,753 USD for double occupancy, 5 days

Jungle Bay – Dominica

Jungle Bay is a wellness-oriented eco resort on the naturally bountiful island of Dominica. They’ve become famous on the yoga circuit for their retreats and facilities, which are top notch and immersive. Accommodations include eco cottages, which are hardwood and elevated on wooden posts for a prime treetop view of the Caribbean Sea. Even the yoga studio is made of reclaimed rock. Each comes equipped with an outdoor raindrop shower and a spacious patio with hammock. Their retreats host a rotating cast of yoga teachers from around the United States, like Elena Brower and Rodney Yee, and in addition to daily classes, retreat-goers will enjoy organic food, nature hikes, detoxifying spa treatments and plenty of beach relaxation. Jungle Bay is currently closed for renovation but is accepting reservations for 2018.

Pranamar Villas and Yoga Retreat – Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Santa Teresa is best known for being the sleepy little sister to Costa Rica’s bigger surf towns, garnering a reputation as a more secluded, low-key destination. In other words: perfect for yogis. Pranamar Villas and Yoga Retreat was built by the same group that runs nearby Florablanca, so you’ll know comfort and style are first rate here. Pranamar specializes in surf and yoga packages, which include daily surf and yoga classes, a massage, daily breakfast and accommodations in the resort’s villas and bungalows. All retreats and classes are designed from input from their in-house yogi, Nancy Goodfellow, who specializes in tantric hatha yoga. Begins at $1,005 USD for a 5-day package

Xinalani Retreat – Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

With a capacity of just 54 people, a retreat at Xinalani is truly just that–a retreat. Its 23 rooms are all oceanfront and are stilted, palm-thatched cottages on stilts in the jungle. Our favorites are the Eco Chic suites, offering a sprawling terrace with the best views on the property and a hammock to enjoy them in.  Xinalani was designed with retreats in mind, and in addition to yoga they offer meditation classes, steam bath sessions and Tamazcal rituals to cleanse mind, body and spirit. Single occupancy in an Eco Chic suite starts at $2,950 USD for a week yoga retreat

BodyHoliday – St. Lucia

Known as St. Lucia’s premier wellness resort, BodyHoliday has guests covered for everything from top-of-the-line rooms to its specially-designed yoga programming from in-house, resident yogi Natascha Zeller. They offer many different styles of yoga and combine the tradition with Ayurvedic techniques and practices to offer another avenue of healing, reintegration and reinvigoration for your mind and body. In particular, we love their “Octoba Yoga” theme month, which is essentially an immersive month-long, resort-wide retreat experience with special spa and massage treatments; Ashtanga, Hatha and Katti yoga classes; and special yogic foods and teas. In addition to yoga, they also offer a full suite of fitness and wellness activities–from horseback riding to scuba diving–for a well-rounded experience in the most beautiful setting. Rates are variable depending on room choice, season and length of stay, but Standard Garden View rooms start at $3,574 USD for one week during high season

Petit St. Vincent – St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Petit. St. Vincent is a tranquil paradise  on a small island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, about 40 miles south of St. Vincent. With the boutique luxury resort’s two open air palapas, one facing the Atlantic Ocean and the other, Conch Bay, the property was built to accommodate yogis and groups of many sizes. Petit St. Vincent offers not one, but two on-site yoga instructors, meaning careful attention and a range of different styles and activities. They also lead instruction out on the pier, which juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. Their Tranquility Package offers three private yoga sessions, a range of land and sea activities, three massages and a sunset cruise. Double occupancy in a one bedroom cottage starts at $6,300 USD for the seven night Tranquility Package

By Jackie Bryant