Vegan Retreat Guide: 8 Wellness Focused Resorts for a Rejuvenating Escape
Get ready to embark on a journey where your taste buds tango, your body feels like a temple, and your heart sings with pure, plant-powered joy! Welcome to the magical world of vegan-friendly wellness resorts and retreats, where green is the new black, and kale is a superhero!
This is not your average spa vacation – it’s a celebration of vibrant flavors, mindful living, and a little extra zen in your step. Imagine turning your phone off, connecting with nature, and just focusing on yourself, all while knowing that your choices are in harmony with the planet and its furry (and not-so-furry) inhabitants.
Whether you’re a seasoned vegan warrior or just dipping your toes into the kaleidoscope of plant-based living, these wellness resorts are here to pamper, educate, and rejuvenate you. It’s all on the menu, from farm-to-table feasts to mindfulness rituals and ceremonies!
So, grab your coconut water, slip into your comfiest bamboo-fiber yoga pants, and let’s explore the enchanting world of vegan-friendly wellness resorts.
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Relax & Recharge at These Vegan & Vegan-Friendly Wellness Retreats & Resorts
#1 Fivelements Retreat
Ubud, Bali
Vegan-friendly wellness retreat
Nestled amidst the lush landscapes of Bali, Fivelements Retreat stands as a sanctuary for holistic well-being, seamlessly blending luxury with a commitment to sustainability and plant-based living. Envisioned as a haven for spiritual seekers and wellness enthusiasts, Fivelements embraces the ancient wisdom of Balinese traditions, creating a serene environment that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit.
You have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a variety of retreats designed to cater to diverse wellness goals. From rejuvenating yoga and meditation retreats to transformative detox and healing programs, each experience is crafted to provide a unique journey towards inner balance and vitality. The retreats seamlessly integrate plant-based cuisine, spa therapies, and immersive cultural experiences, ensuring a holistic and rejuvenating escape for those seeking a deeper connection with themselves and the natural beauty of Bali.
#2 The Ranch
Locations in Malibu, Italy, Hudson Valley (coming spring 2024)
Vegan fitness & wellness retreat
If you’re looking for a health-oriented retreat to help you reach your goals while resetting your body and mind, you must check out The Ranch. The award-winning retreats offer a holistic approach to wellness and are a popular destination for those looking to reset and rejuvenate physically and mentally in a beautiful natural setting (they’ve even hosted celebs like Oprah).
As soon as you set foot in this luxury retreat, you’ll be immersed in a world of plant-based culinary delights, daily invigorating hikes through breathtaking natural landscapes, and a strong focus on mindfulness and mental well-being. The resort really strives to make its guests understand the benefits of a vegan diet beyond health and includes environmental stats like how much water and land is saved in its guest’s materials.
In addition to food, the resort’s “digital detox” policy encourages you to unplug and fully engage in the present moment. The Ranch is also committed to helping you reach your health goals. Each guest is provided with personalized wellness programming and a health assessment, making it an exclusive journey.
#3 Le Sirenuse
Positano, Italy
Vegan-friendly wellness retreats in the fall & spring
Two times a year, Le Sirenuse offers its Dolce Vitality wellness retreats, which combine the beauty of the Amalfi coast with a focus on fitness and rejuvenation. This exclusive experience is designed to pamper the body, mind, and soul, drawing inspiration from its stunning location’s timeless beauty and serenity.
The six-day retreats kick off with heart-pumping, butt-burning hikes in the scenic mountains surrounding Positano, but don’t worry, the hikes are followed by restorative yoga and massages as well as nutrition counseling, a bioelectrical body composition assessment, and special vegan menus. Guests also have access to all of the hotel’s amenities, like the plunge pool and Turkish bath.
Although challenging, these retreats offer a tranquil escape from the hustle of everyday life, allowing guests to find harmony and inner peace while indulging in the unparalleled hospitality and elegance for which Le Sirenuse is renowned.
#4 Palmaïa, The House of AïA
Playa del Carmen
Vegan-friendly wellness resort
While the first two spots offer a set wellness-focused itinerary, Palmaïa, The House of AïA takes a slightly different approach to helping you reset and recharge. The one-of-a-kind eco-conscious resort is nestled on the pristine shores of the Riviera Maya in Mexico. It offers a range of wellness and holistic programs designed to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
This enchanting resort embodies a harmonious blend of luxury and sustainability, with a deep commitment to the well-being of both its guests and the planet. Each aspect of Palmaïa is thoughtfully designed to create an immersive, holistic wellness experience, including serene yoga and meditation sessions, healing spa treatments, and an array of farm-to-table, plant-based dining options.
While many resorts offer wellness programming, it is usually cookie-cutter and led by someone with just a basic understanding of the concept. That’s not the case at Palmaia. Everything from their cacao ceremonies to meditative concerts is created and led by experts in their fields. Much of their programming infuses ancient mysticism with Mayan traditions for a unique experience.
One of the best parts of visiting Palmaia is that you can determine how much wellness you want. All the classes, ceremonies, and rituals are included with your stay — you can go to as many as you’d like. This is one of my favorite vegan-friendly resorts, and I can’t wait to return. (Don’t miss my full Palmaia review for more details on staying here).
#5 Kapuhala Koh Samui
Koh Samui, Thailand
Vegan & fitness resort
This beautiful vegan wellness haven is tucked away on the pristine island of Koh Samui in Thailand. Nestled within lush tropical gardens and perched on the island’s hillside, Kapuhala offers a serene and picturesque escape from the modern world.
Because of the resort’s focus on mental well-being and physical fitness, it often attracts high-performing individuals (athletes, entrepreneurs) looking to improve their performance, maximize creativity, and recharge to return to the world better.
Guests can start their day with sunrise yoga and meditation sessions that awaken the spirit and promote inner peace. The resort also hosts a variety of fitness classes, from high-intensity workouts to calming Tai Chi and Qi Gong, catering to different preferences and fitness levels. For a truly transformative experience, the spa at Kapuhala offers a range of holistic treatments and therapies that use natural ingredients and traditional techniques to enhance well-being.
Beyond physical wellness, Kapuhala encourages a mindful, plant-based diet to nourish the body and promote health. The resort also hosts wellness workshops and retreats to enrich the experience and help guests achieve their goals.
#6 The Retreat Costa Rica
Alajuela, Costa Rica
Vegan-friendly wellness resort
Described as “Heaven on Earth,” this transformational wellness resort is perched on a crystal quartz mountain surrounded by the lush Costa Rican jungle. The vegan-friendly resort is a creation of celebrity chef, best-selling author, and health and wellness life coach, Diana Stobo, whose aim is to create a space in harmony with nature where guests can renew their mind, body, and spirit.
The Retreat offers various wellness packages ranging from emotional healing and recovery to fitness reboots and fat burning. In addition to personalized wellness packages, there are many fitness options, from exhilarating hikes through the rainforest to calming Tai Chi and Qi Gong sessions, ensuring a well-rounded approach to physical wellness. You also won’t want to skip their Vida Mia healing center and spa, which offers therapeutic services that blend ancient therapies with the powers of earth, water, air, and fire.
Beyond the body, The Retreat emphasizes mental well-being with mindfulness programs and workshops, promoting emotional balance. Nutrition plays a pivotal role, showcased in its farm-to-table, plant-based menus that nourish the body and the soul.
#7 Bliss & Stars
South Africa
Vegan-friendly wilderness retreat (it’s vegetarian)
If you struggle with disconnecting and finding space to check out from the chaos of the world, you need to prioritize a visit to this breathtaking wilderness retreat in South Africa’s Cederberg Mountains. Forget about being temped by e-mail or messages from your boss; this off-the-grid Retreat removes the option so you can embark on a transformative journey towards well-being, self-discovery, and rejuvenation.
You’ll find a variety of programming focused on a specific intention, like silent retreats to spend a few days in absolute stillness, medicinal mushroom micro-dosing to discover what makes you “bloom,” or connect through nature with a star bathing experience. All the retreats are small, with no more than ten people, so it’s common to find that many opportunities are sold out (there are waiting lists).
In addition to the programming, guests can also enjoy guided stargazing sessions and celestial experiences that encourage a profound connection to the universe. Complementing these offerings are wholesome, plant-forward meals to help further balance the mind and body. With an unwavering commitment to fostering a sense of inner peace and balance, Bliss and Stars Wellness Retreat is a sanctuary for those looking to replenish their soul, gaze at the heavens, and bask in tranquility. Make sure you also add on a stop to Cape Town — the city has great vegan restaurants!
#8 Plant Life Journey
South Haven, Michigan
Vegan food (WFPB) & wellness retreat
The team at Plant Life Journey believes in nourishing both the body and mind through an immersive beach-side experience that’s designed to inspire and enhance guests’ health through food.
Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan, Plant Life Journey offers a 4 and 6-day whole-food plant-based (WFPB) cooking and wellness retreats that feature hands-on cooking classes, yoga sessions, nutrition education, and a little free time to explore the beautiful scenery (or just relax, it’s up to you). Many seek out WFPB (eating minimally processed foods, omitting animal-sourced products, and avoiding oils) as a way to tackle medical conditions, lose weight, and improve general health, but it can be a daunting transition on your own.
The experienced facilitators guide participants on a journey of plant-based nutrition that include tried and true (and tasty) recipes to empower them to cultivate a healthier and more compassionate lifestyle. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or exploring plant-based living for the first time, these retreats provide a supportive and inclusive environment where you can relax, recharge, and connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for health and wellness.
