The 5 Best Wellness Travel Destinations

“If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine; it is lethal.” – Paulo Coelho

Do you want travel to stimulate the senses, expand your horizons, restore your mind and body, and enhance your overall well-being? If so, it’s time to visit one of the world’s best wellness travel destinations.

The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness tourism as the “travel associated with the pursuit of maintaining or enhancing one’s personal well-being.” Not to be confused with medical tourism, wellness tourism typically involves activities to improve your mental, emotional, and physical well-being, such as:

• Yoga and meditation retreats
• Natural hot spring soaks
• Spa visits and massages
• Hiking, skiing, and other outdoor adventures
• Holistic healing workshops (mindfulness practice, herbal detox, nutrition classes, etc.)

If those activities sound wonderful, you’re not alone. Wellness tourism expenditures reached $830 billion globally in 2023, and it will soon be a trillion-dollar industry. Wellness travel destinations abound, and you may even have places within a short drive or bus ride of you.

In this article, we’ll cover the 5 best wellness travel destinations around the world. See what places catch your eye, and start planning your trip!

Thailand

The Land of Smiles is among the world’s most popular travel destinations, and cities around the country regularly make our list of the best digital nomad cities. With gorgeous beaches, mesmerizing jungles, gleaming temples, and delicious food, Thailand is a great choice if you’re looking for rest and relaxation or to energize the mind, body, and soul.

Why Thailand is one of the best wellness travel destinations

Thailand has an abundance of high-quality wellness activities, from forest baths and mindful meditation to yoga and Thai massages. With Buddhism as the most common religion, Thailand is a place to find your zen. And if you seek a little more thrill, that’s available too.

5 wellness activities to enjoy while in Thailand

• Get a massage, herbal steam and more at Tamarind Springs Forest Spa in Koh Samui
• Practice meditation at Wat Umong Temple in Chiang Mai
• Go sea canoeing with Amazing Canoeing in Phang Nga Bay near Phuket
• Visit Chiva-Som Holistic Health and Wellness Resort in Hua Hin
• Take a Muay Thai lesson at the YOKKAO Training Center in Bangkok

Costa Rica

2.6 million tourists visited Costa Rica in 2024—a testament to the beauty of this country’s culture, nature, and atmosphere. Friendly, safe, and accommodating, Costa Rica is a place to relax and enjoy the ride.

Why Costa Rica is one of the best wellness travel destinations

Renowned for incredible biodiversity, Costa Rica’s natural forest extends to 51% of its land area. The wonderfully preserved land makes Costa Rica a top destination for nature lovers and wellness enthusiasts. Whether you wish to hike through breathtaking rainforests, find your balance on a yoga mat, or surf the waves, Costa Rica has you covered. This is the place of pura vida, a place that will show you the importance of positivity, gratitude, and enjoying the simple things.

5 wellness activities to enjoy while in Costa Rica

• Awaken your purpose at Bodhi Surf + Yoga in Uvita
• Experience forest bathing, bird watch, walk the hanging bridges and more in Mistico Park
• Stay at the Finca Luna Nueva Lodge, a rainforest eco-lodge near La Fortuna—the gateway to Volcán Arenal
• Gain perspective in Nicoya, an area known for its healthy, long-living population (it’s one of the world’s six recognized Blue Zones)
• Find your balance at Hacienda AltaGracia, a wellness resort tucked among the Pérez Zeledón mountains

Bali

Bali, a province of Indonesia, evokes images of paradise at its mere mention. A longtime favorite for all types of travel, including wellness travel, Bali is a place to find peace and magic.

Why Bali is one of the best wellness travel destinations

The surfable waves and yoga retreats dominate the headlines, but the Indonesian island offers so much more. A rejuvenating experience awaits at every turn. The rice terraces capture the eyes, the food delights the taste buds, and the temples calm the mind. One journey here and it’s easy to see why Bali is among the best wellness travel destinations in the world.

5 wellness activities to enjoy while in Bali

• Take a class at the Yoga Barn in Ubud
• Try zero-gravity floatation therapy at Solace Float in Canggu
• Trek through the jungle to the Banyumala Twin Waterfalls
• Stay at the Sukhavati Wellness Retreat, an Ayurvedic therapy center, in Medewi, Badung
• Enjoy an ice bath, herbal steam, and sound healing at Yoga Searcher in Uluwatu

France

France has consistently been among the most-visited countries in the world. Whether it’s the iconic landmarks and cafes, or the bustling village life and beautiful countryside, this country offers experiences worth savoring.

Why France is one of the best wellness travel destinations

If you need relaxation, wellness spas in Paris deliver. If you seek a confidence boost, beauty salons are calling. If you need a getaway, the wineries in Bordeaux and beyond beckon. If you want more action, ski in the French Alps. Simply put, France is full of amenities and facilities to invigorate you. That’s why it’s one of the world’s best wellness travel destinations.

5 wellness activities to enjoy while in France

• Cycle through the Loire Valley, one of the world’s best cycling trails
• Spend a few days in the seaside commune of Èze
• Get a massage at the Saud Sai Spa in Paris
• Book a trip to one of the best ski resorts in the French Alps
• Take a thermal bath at Les Grands Bains du Monêtier in the Serre Chevalier Valley

United States of America

If you’re looking to combine wellness with adventure, the USA is an excellent choice—especially for our many readers who live here already. If you’re looking for wellness activities, adventures, or places to decompress, there’s so much to see and do without needing your passport.

Known for iconic cities, an impressive national parks system, and road trip culture, America is a place where you can do it all. Soak in the sunshine in Florida, hike in the Great Smoky Mountains, lose yourself in Las Vegas, and more!

Why the USA one of the best wellness travel destinations

From the islands of Hawaii to the fishing towns of Maine, the United States boasts geographical diversity like no other nation on earth. Combine that with a wealth of spa retreats, healing centers, and rejuvenating activities, and it’s easy to see why America is one of the best wellness travel destinations.

5 wellness activities to enjoy while in the United States

• Get the reset you need at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, Massachusetts
• Broaden your horizons at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina
• Drive California State Route 1 for epic scenes and small-town fun
• Stand in awe at Glacier National Park in Montana
• Hike the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail

Visit one of the world’s best wellness travel destinations!

That sums up our list of the best wellness travel destinations. We hope this has inspired you to plan your next trip, whether that be a scenic road trip in the States or a mindfulness retreat in Thailand.

Obviously, there are more destinations worth adding, so check back periodically. We plan to regularly update this article with more of the world’s best wellness travel destinations.

Do you have any other destinations you’d like to see on the list? Join our Facebook page and leave a comment. We’d love to hear more from you.

About the Author

Nick Callos has always had a passion for reading, writing, and discovering the new and unknown. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Nick holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Boston College. He currently splits his time between his hometown, Chengdu, China, and the open road. A full-time travel writer, Nick hopes his work can inspire others to explore the world more deeply and enjoy the digital nomad lifestyle.