With travel in turmoil last year everybody is looking to book their favorite retreats to get away from it all for when they can.

The trend for 2021 is for domestic or close-by travel with direct flights. Travel corridors such as those between many European countries make a big difference to where to travel as it means avoiding unforeseen problems and being sure of what you can do.

After the limitations we have had to endure, embarking on these inspired yoga holidays together with family has climbed to the top of the list.

There are many incredible places to go on a yoga vacation of your dreams, making that lifetime travel experience come true. Bucket list trips have become the trend for this year and next. Holidays we have always dreamed of such as that perfect luxury experience in Bali, taking part in yoga classes on an ice breaker cruise in Antartica or at a cliff-edge monastery in Bhutan.

And with the constant reminders of late of the importance of our health the most popular retreats trending this year are those that offer the opportunity to improve our overall wellbeing through activities like detox, spa and all other physical activities to partake in to keep fit and healthy.

Guide to Yoga Retreats in 2021

We have here for you what’s hot or not for yoga journeys this year. If you would like to compare these with the destinations’ overall rating then a good place to start is with the TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Popular Destinations Best of the Best for 2021, which are a great measure of how travel friendly and worthwhile these places are to visit – quick lowdown is Bali is first, UK is 2nd, Thailand is 8th.

Whether it’s learning new meditative techniques or focusing on a part of yoga that interests you most, there are many different programs to be involved in that include varied activities like camping, hiking, arts education like writing and painting, in fact the list is endless. And always combined with classes and workshops on your yoga and meditation; plus time on your yoga is well mixed with the wide variety of activities on the vast array of wellness retreats with opportunities for healing, detox, spa, Ayurveda, Yoga Therapy, mindfulness and much more…..the options these days of the retreats available to join in on are incredible.

If perfect comforts and flawless service is your thing then there are many hotels and resorts that offer all the facilities of a modern venue with the personalization and classes of an organized retreat. These well run curated luxury yoga holidays may be just the thing that match what you are looking for in your retreat experience.

Popular is the idea for a long weekend or week retreat in Europe, and direct flight getaways in awesome places like Croatia and the ever more popular Portugal are top of the list here, along with Italy as the peoples’ Top 3 destinations for the best yoga retreats in Europe.

Asia will always be popular with the travelers who are attracted by the mesmerising cultures in places like the crown jewel of Mother India (great option for the large number of retreats in all different locations across the country).

For those who want to visit the tropics on long haul flights you will find the countries open as usual later in 2021, to visit retreats in countries like Thailand, often to visit the relaxed tropical islands. The same strong attraction brings crowds of yogis in search of that ultimate retreat experience and enjoyment, on offer amongst the best yoga retreats on the island of Bali.

For Americans everybody is going to Costa Rica and a little nearer Mexico, making it quick and safe with short flights to and from; and also traveling domestically is an attractive option to find the best on offer in the US such as these featured retreats…

The Americas & Caribbean

1. Location: Midpines, California, US
Featured Retreat: 4 Day Yoga and Meditation Retreat
Price from $650

Spend time around the Yosemite valley, leaving daily life stresses behind. On this lovely break you can adventure locally and on your return enjoy the comfortable spa, catered for with great farm to table meals. And start and finish your day with vinyasa and restorative yoga, meditation, and breath work practices.

2. Location: Boca Raton, Florida US
Featured Retreat: 7 Night Detox Yogi Retreat
Price from $1500

Stay at this retreat center as a great base to holiday in Florida, and enjoy a juicing & health diet and daily classes at this popular community studio. Take part in meditation practice, breath classes, drum circles, open-air and indoor yoga groups, yoga sutra study and Tai Chi.

3. Location: Montezuma, Costa Rica

Featured Retreat: 8 Day Yoga Holiday by the Jungle Beach

Price from $795

Set on the edge of coastal rainforest on the Pacific coast, near Montezuma, here you will find yoga retreats with a balance of relaxation and rejuvenation. This retreat offers an immersion where you can deepen your practice, enjoy the tranquility of the nature, and nourish your body with organic food.

4. Location: Nosara Costa Rica
Featured Retreat: 8 Day Jungle’s Edge Yoga Retreat
Price from $1650

Participate in Hatha Ashtanga and Vinyasa Yoga, plant-based medicine and cleansing classes, all whilst enjoying a relaxing stay in this villa perched high above the sea surrounded by typical Costa Rican beauty.

5. Location: Tulum, Mexico
Featured Retreat: 6 Night Beach & Bliss Yoga Retreat
Prices from $2460

Stay on the beach at this trendy boutique hotel that is set up to cater to your physical activity needs. There are your yoga classes, guided meditations, cooking demons, fitness classes, massage, tours and more.

6. Location: Portland Jamaica
Featured Retreat: 6 Day Reconnect Meditation and Yoga Retreat

Prices from $999

Take a break here in this safe and private area, directly beside a fantastic bay, join the yoga classes either on an outside deck or on the beach. Enjoy Hatha, Kundalini, Yin and Restorative Yoga to help you gain focus on your peace and tranquility for you to make the most of this relaxation retreat.

7. Location: Valley Church Beach, Antigua
Featured Retreat: 5 Day Nature on Beach Yoga Glamping Retreat

Prices from $1699

This opportunity is stunning – rustic elegant tents right on the white sand beach. The purpose of the getaway is for you to leave the busy stress behind you to completely recharge yourself and find new perspectives. To this end the activities are yoga, mindfulness, personal and group coaching and nature-based therapies., but not limited to these.

8. Location: Las Galeras Dominican Republic
Featured Retreat: 8 Day Blissful Yoga and Wellness Retreat

Prices from $1150

Private bungalow in the hills, delicious local and healthy food, yoga deck and pool overlooking the ocean.

During this retreat, you will live an experience to harmonize your body and soul. Totally unwind, let your mind go, and relax while your body immersed in the perfect combination of restfulness and motion-free from external influences. This retreat offers daily yoga practices and interaction with the yoga instructors and like-minded fellow travelers in the incredible picture landscapes.

Europe

Europe will be the big hit for yoga retreats in 2021. Portugal offers many options, including this multi discipline retreat option with great accommodation and facilities.

9. Location: Algarve, Portugal
Featured Retreat: 5 Night Luxury Yoga Hotel Retreat
Price from $1333

On the beach in Algarve this hotel offers great facilities and classes. There are many retreats held here from fitness to spa to pure yoga retreats. Portugal is the yoga hotspot of Europe so expect to meet many yogis here.

10. Location: Rimini, Italy
Featured Retreat: 5 Day Beach Yoga and Meditation Retreat
Prices from $268

Unwind, free the mind from stress with breathing practices and meditative techniques, plus practice effective alignment in postures that will help alleviate stress, anxiety and pain. Enjoy Hatha and Ashtanga classes in the morning and relaxing restorative yoga in the afternoon.

Asia

Bali will be back in 2021 with it’s large selection of rewarding yoga retreats on offer.

11. Location: Ubud, Bali
Featured Retreat:4 Day Sound Healing, Meditation and Yoga Retreat
Prices from $730

This 4 day yoga retreat gives you the opportunity for a short break to focus on meditation and healing for your health and well-being rejuvenation. The location is beautiful, surrounded by the rainforest and river in Ubud. The health cafes and community in town are nearby.

12. Location: Seminyak, Bali
Featured Retreat: 7 Day Surf, Spa & Yoga Retreat
Prices from $1999

Here’s a fantastic retreat for women only to fill their holiday with yoga, fitness, spa and surf – to spend time being fit and healthy whilst in Bali. Enjoy Surf, Yoga, healthy food and unlimited spa treatments with a small private group of ladies.

13.Location: Phang-Nga, nr Phuket Thailand
Featured Retreat: 4 Day Yoga and Meditation Retreat on Paradise island
Prices from $180

On a beautiful paradise island, this retreat is great value with like-minded yogis. Enjoy your yoga and meditation and meet the community. There is a cafe for health and raw food choices.

14. Location: Kerala India
Featured Retreat: 8 Day Ayurveda Rejuvenation on the Arabian Sea
Prices from $1450

Discover the best value professional and traditional Ayurveda health treatments at this beautiful retreat center on the beach. Onsite are gardens growing the Ayurvedic herbs and foods, plus an Ayurvedic hospital with specialist Doctors who agree with you a bespoke and holistic approach to meet your objectives. Cleanse the body, mind and spirit.

15. Location: South Coast, Sri Lanka
Featured Retreat: 8 Day Yoga and Meditation Retreat

Prices from $849

Take in the beautiful coastal area surrounding this boutique and personal retreat center not too far from the beach at all. Get to know all the people on this small group retreat aimed at enjoying some brilliant yoga instruction in a relaxed setting with lots of beach time.

There are so many varied and interesting retreats to join wherever you wish to be.

There are small group retreats which are very personal and as much about the dynamics of the group as they are about the content of the workshops and classes. Often organised by individuals these can be more affordable than those run by the retreat centers. And they can also be more time-extended practice opportunities such as the awesome teacher training retreats open to you abroad.

At established venues that always run retreats and similarly at yoga hotels there is more opportunity to create a holiday for yourself and balance the retreat schedule with your time and what you want to do, whether it’s relaxation, sightseeing, working out or anything else.

This can be especially nice at the times of year when you are looking to really wind down without a busy schedule or the feeling that you need to socialize, like on the retreats over Christmas and New Year which you can view here. People on retreats at this time of year are often looking for something different from the lots of people and a busy schedule that they have left behind at home.

Wherever you choose to go to enjoy your retreat time away, we hope you have an amazing time. And remember, it never has to break the bank, there are plenty of options out there to choose from.

One Love….