Weekend Detox Guide to South Beach, Miami

While most people think of South Beach as one big never-ending party, the sun-soaked hotspot is also swiftly evolving into an international wellness destination. A tropical climate, fresh produce and year-round sunshine make Miami an ideal place in which to shift into a healthier state of mind, especially if you know where to go…

“Try to avoid big tourist destinations like Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road. They are usually filled with restaurants with unhealthy meals and portions, and oversized cocktails,” advises Miami local and founder of Sana Skin Studio, Valentina Hernandez. Instead, start your morning with a freshly squeezed juice from Pura Vida. From there, hop on a bike and cruise the boardwalk to Malibu Farm for brunch on a big breezy balcony overlooking the Atlantic. Satisfy a sweet tooth with a natural fruit popsicle from Plnthouse at the 1 Hotel – where perhaps the hardest decision of your day will be choosing between the lychee rose or coconut lime flavor.

As the sun sets, head to Planta to enjoy a 100 percent plant-based meal sourced directly from the restaurant’s rooftop garden. The bar shakes up sophisticated booze-free cocktails and menu favorites include the truffle mac and cheese, where “cheddar cheese” is made from cashews, and picturesque pizzas are topped with creative fare like “mushroom bacon”. One thing is certain, eating clean definitely doesn’t mean missing out on Miami Beach’s top-notch dining scene.

Take advantage of Miami’s tropical climate and get out on the water. Just a few miles south of Miami Beach is Key Biscayne, where you can explore quiet coves on a kayak and might even be greeted by a friendly manatee floating around in the water. If arts and culture are more your thing, take a walking tour through the Art Deco district. In Miami, every other local looks like they might also be a fitness instructor, and there is definitely no shortage of gyms offering unique workout classes. Look out for the trendy Sol Yoga, HIIT Anatomy and next level Element Aqua – it’s about time someone made water aerobics cool, right?

“Miami tends to have a party reputation, but over the past years, the city has really shifted and there is something for everyone to enjoy,” says Hernandez. Stop into her skin studio to reset with a highly functional facial followed by a guided meditation under mood-enhancing LED light. Or, book a treatment at Cowshed Spa at Soho Beach House and enjoy access to one of the day beds at the secluded pool afterwards. Goldish hosts a weekly Sunset Sound Ceremony during golden hour on the beach, and the extravagant Faena Hotel leads talks and courses on preventative medicine and holistic therapies. When it comes to relaxing, balance is key. Make sure to offset activities with rest because sometimes, all you really need is a beach umbrella and a nap.

The Standard Spa Hotel effortlessly blends candid coolness with a relaxing ambiance. All guests have complimentary access to the spa, which means you can take a daily epsom salt soak followed by a steam, sauna and hammam sesh before hitting the pool. Other wellness outposts include The 1 Hotel, where they take an environmentally friendly approach to everything, from reclaimed wood hotel keys to biodegradable menus that double down as flower seeds. Or, if you really want to tune out the rest of the world, Carillon Miami is located on its own private beach, stretching over 750 feet of white Florida sugar sand.