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The Best Wellness Retreats in Mexico

Mexico is famously laid back, making it an ideal place to go in search of wellness and relaxation
Mexico is famously laid back, making it an ideal place to go in search of wellness and relaxation | ©  Westend61 / Getty Images
Photo of Chloe Byrne
Chloe Byrne
7 August 2020

Mexico’s famed natural beauty is a magnet for sun-worshippers, surfers and yogis looking to escape the crowds. Find respite from the stresses of life at one of these wellness retreats – based in coastal locations like Tulum and Puerto Escondido – which refocus your energy on learning to ride the waves or discovering the secret of inner peace.

7-Day yoga retreat in Tulum, Quintana Roo

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Plunge yourself into paradise with a stay at this stunning beachfront yoga retreat, surrounded by towering palm trees and white sands. Helping you find balance in your life, the week-long experience consists of daily sunrise- and sunset-yoga classes where you can soak up the amber glow and gaze out across the mesmerising Caribbean ocean. Over the course of the week, you’ll blow away the cobwebs of mundanity with excursions to Mayan ruins, refreshing swims in the local cenote – a hidden underground pool bathed in dappled light through a jungle-framed hole in the rock – and many a restorative night’s sleep in your private room.

7-Day surf retreat for beginners in San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur

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At Cabo Surf Retreat, there are no rules telling guests what to do, where to do it or when to do it – it’s all about going with the flow and waiting for the conditions to be just right. The restorative retreat gives you the space and opportunity not only to surf, but relax, recharge, take tours of the local area and meet lots of kindred spirits. Your accommodation will be a laid-back surf hostel, which offers shared and female-only dorms, all air-conditioned with plenty of space between the bunks. A team of experienced surf instructors will take you to the best surf spots based on your ability, and provide personalised water coaching and advice for improving your technique.

8-Day yoga and surf camp in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca

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Take on the wild waves of Mexico’s Pacific coast on this eight-day retreat. It’s a fusion of two extremes; from the heart-racing thrill of riding the waves at daily two-hour surf classes, to afternoons spent calming the mind and body at hatha yoga sessions. When night falls, wander back to your shared hostel room (just steps from the beach) to freshen up before heading out for a drink with fellow guests. You’ll have plenty of free time to grab some souvenirs, lounge on golden sands with a book or dig into fresh seafood at one of the local restaurants, as well.

8-Day meditation and yoga retreat in Cabo, Baja California Sur

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Sequestered away from the world – surrounded by fuchsia-pink flora, crooked trees and twisted vines that spill over the awnings of the patio – this remote retreat allows you to explore the benefits of everything from laughter yoga to art meditation. You may well notice a difference in your health too, thanks to a balanced diet of superfood smoothies every morning and organic vegetarian and vegan meals cooked up on-site in a talavera-tiled kitchen. There’s also a private saltwater pool that works wonders on your skin. Shared or private rooms are available, each offering magical views of the ocean or sun-drenched hills.

9-Day meditation, hiking and yoga holiday in Yelapa, Jalisco

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A typical day in Yelapa’s Pura Vida Wellness Retreat Center starts with an idyllic sunrise-yoga session – sometimes with an optional meditation beforehand – before a healthy breakfast is served. Then come the day’s main activities: guided hiking in the hills, swimming in the warm waters, splashing around under waterfalls, or sunning yourself on the beach. After lunch, a second yoga class helps you wind down before sunset. Dinner is a very social affair, taking place at the hotel or a local restaurant where you can savour wholesome and freshly prepared Mexican food. Back at the hotel, rooms open up onto the bay – keep your eyes peeled for whales slapping their fins on the water in the distance.

15-Day yoga and surf camp in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca

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Grab a board and make the ocean your playground on this two-week experience. Staying in a hostel a stone’s throw from the beach, there won’t be a moment wasted between breakfast and your morning surf lesson. Learn to ride the pipeline waves and brush up on your technique under the guidance of experienced instructors, then stretch out your tired limbs at one of the evening yoga sessions. The school also organises excursions to archaeological sites, night trips to protect tortoise eggs on the beach, and cultural activities like learning to salsa dance or cook Mexican food.

Josh Taylor contributed additional reporting to this article.

These recommendations were updated on August 7, 2020 to keep your travel plans fresh.
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