Find the perfect retreat to restore and rejuvenate 

by JourneyWoman Staff

Wellness travel is on the rise, and no wonder with the increasing stress and anxiety of modern life. Not to be confused with medical tourism, the Global Wellness Institute defines wellness travel as proactive travel to improve health and well-being, motivated by a desire for healthy living, disease prevention, stress reduction and longevity. 

From blissful Bali to the sands of Baja, Mexico, we’ve curated a selection of restorative, transformative retreats hosted by partners in our JourneyWoman Women’s Travel Directory to help you on your journey to self-discovery. Discover a space where rejuvenation meets inspiration and every detail is designed with your well-being in mind, offering you a meaningful pause in a fast-paced world. Find more vetted retreats for solo women on our Women’s Travel Directory here.

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Wellness retreats for women

1. Costa Rica, Iceland, Croatia and Mexico with Ashtanga Yoga Mama

With a focus on mindfulness, self-care, and personal growth, Ashtanga Yoga Mama’s retreats offer a transformative experience that will leave women feeling refreshed, inspired, and ready to take on the world. In April, CEO Irena Bartolee will facilitate a Women’s Circle Yoga Retreat in Playa Azul, Guanacaste, where Costa Rica’s lush nature, ocean rhythms, and grounding energy provide the perfect backdrop for rest, renewal, and reconnection.  In July and August, Bartolee will host two retreats near Plitvice Lakes National Park, with daily yoga, meditations, hot tubs, sauna, river, and forest bathing far away from the daily hustle and bustle.

“Through Ashtanga Yoga Mama, established in 2014, my refined philosophy comes to life: a balance of well-honed strength and proper alignment, equally pledging importance to creativity, individuality, dedication, and tradition,” says Irena Bartolec, CEO. Learn about these and Ashtanga Yoga Mama’s other retreats in Iceland and Mexico here. 

2. Bali, New Zealand and the Cook Islands with Wanderlust Solo Woman Retreats

Based in New Zealand, Wanderlust Solo Woman Retreats emphasizes the importance of cultural connection and with oneself. These small group retreats to allow for more genuine connection, focusing on the mind, body, and soul. Wanderlust Solo Women Tours also encourages conscious travel and a “give back” ethos, with a percentage of retreat profits being returned to local communities and organizations.

CEO Gina Cambridge says: “Women often put travel on the back burner as they lack confidence to do so solo and they also can struggle with a work-life balance, and their own self-care often falls to the bottom of a never-ending to-do list. Taking time out for themselves, their own well-being or their own bucket-list goals can feel uncomfortably indulgent. Yet a travel experience can be a hugely transformative experience, and build confidence that they can take into other areas of their life. Facilitating these purposeful journeys also enables us to support local organizations in giving back to local communities.” 

In addition to annual retreats in Bali and New Zealand, Wanderlust is also offering a bespoke glamping experience on the island of Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands. Nestled at the stunning boutique Ikurangi Eco Retreat, each guest will have her own luxury safari tent or Tropical Are, under the majestic gaze of Ikurangi Mountain. To learn more about Wanderlust Solo Women Retreats, click here. 

3. Japan, Portugal or Cambodia: Yoga for Wellness with Jeni’s Global Yoga Retreats

Dreaming of practicing mindfulness and sun salutations in some of the world’s most beautiful locations? Consider joining Jeni Martinez on a yoga retreat in destinations like Japan, Portugal, South Africa or Cambodia  Famous for the ancient and awe-inspiring temple complex of Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia is now also emerging as the capital of Khmer cuisine and culture. Appreciated for its warm hospitality, this city is a hidden gem that has been transformed into a sanctuary for relaxation, as well as adventure. 

“Currently we offer retreats in Italy, Portugal, France, and the UK, as well as Japan, South Africa and Cambodia,” Martinez explains. “In addition to yoga, each trip includes hiking, walking, and fully immersive cultural experiences. Free time is also built in for napping, dreaming, or journaling. Pack your bags and let’s go!”

Martinez offers solo women intimate, small-group retreats in locations set away from heavily touristed areas to ensure an authentic local experience and meaningful cultural exchange. By partnering with local businesses and guides, she hopes to support the communities visited, creating a positive impact for both guests and hosts.

Learn more about Jeni’s Global Yoga Trips here.

4. Canada, France and Mexico: Transformative Experiences with Advivum Journeys

Canadian Tania Carriere, owner of Advivum Journeys, invites women to shake off the old ways and step into your “Best Life.” With destinations like Quebec City, Kent in England, and Baja, Mexico, Advivum retreats blend destination travel with experiential learning and personal transformation.

“Midlife is the time to re-imagine, re-vitalize and celebrate. ,” says Carriere. “We are so focused on trying, proving, striving, and achieving that we forget the joy of living. Retreats are a way to discover yourself and the world in the company of a community that shares your sense of adventure and curiosity.”

In May 2026, Advivum is hosting its annual “Joie de Vivre” retreat at Mas Edem Vinyard, Provence, France, where vibrant markets and rolling vineyards invite women to redefine what it means to live well.  And in September 2026, Advivum offers “The Cherished Self” at Le Monastère des Augustines, Québec City, Canada. As discovered by JourneyWoman editor Carolyn, this experience is more than just a getaway — it’s an opportunity to reflect, reset, and embrace joy in a supportive and enriching environment.

Learn more about Advivum Journeys here.

5. Spain: Detox & Wellness Retreats with Ultimate Retreat Company

Nestled in the coastal Spanish region of the Costa Blanca, the Ultimate Retreat Company offers a selection of retreats—from physical to mental to purely rejuvenating—with a stunning backdrop of rolling hills and turquoise waters.  Described as “one of the healthiest places to live” by the World Health Organization, the Ultimate Retreat Company is surrounded by imposing mountains & facing the deep blue of the Mediterranean sea. The coastline has remained quiet & offers stunning scenery and breathtaking walks & hikes.

Founder Julie Slade developed the Ultimate Retreat Company over 15 years ago when she felt the industry was sorely lacking: “Back then, your choices were limited to juice cleanses and military-style bootcamps,” says Slade.

Today, with experiences like the Total Life Reset and their Detox & Wellness Retreat, Slade seeks to “alleviate stress at every point of the experience,” from booking to airport to arrival. “I wanted to make sure everyone was super comfortable and that there was no difference in quality of accommodation.”

Here, you can expect a supportive, no-pressure environment and programs crafted to meet the unique needs of women over 50. Retreat sizes are intentionally small so that every guest can receive personalized attention and private accommodation: 

Learn more about the Ultimate Retreat Company here.

6. Japan, Finland, Mongolia and more: Reclaim Yourself Retreats

Founded by Jools Sampson in 2005, Reclaim Yourself is a woman-owned, certified B Corporation known for creating yoga retreats and wellness adventures in extraordinary places. Retreats take place in carefully chosen, less-explored destinations — where nature, culture, and scale gently shift perspective, creating moments of awe and wonder.

Reclaim Yourself Retreats focuses on bespoke yoga and wellness adventures for solo women in remote destinations, partnering with local teams to create meaningful experiences. Founder Jools Sampson has hosted more than 200 successful retreats in countries like Mongolia, Bhutan, Japan, and Patagonia and has been recognized by Condé Nast Traveller as one of the Best Yoga Retreats in the World.

”Our wellness trips create unique and transformative opportunities for women to experience a renewed sense of adventure and discovery,” Sampson says. “For many women, traveling can mean freedom from earlier life responsibilities, such as raising children or career pressures, enabling them to focus on themselves and their interests. We travel to unusual locations and our amazing guests explore new cultures and landscapes with the wisdom and confidence that comes with life experience. We create transformative retreats that have a positive impact not only on our guests but also the people we work with and places we visit.” 

Learn more about Reclaim Yourself Retreats here.

7. Bali, Japan and Sri Lanka: Luxury and Transformation for Women with Goddess Retreats

Since 2003, Goddess Retreats has led the way in luxury retreats for women. It began with the Surf Goddess program in Bali and has expanded into a range of experiences in Japan and Sri Lanka that combine wellness, adventure, and cultural immersion. Goddess Retreats has received numerous accolades, including Best Global Cultural, Wellbeing, and Women’s Retreat nominations in 2024.

“Something wonderful happens when women retreat together. A unique magic unfolds in a nurturing and uplifting space,” says Goddess Retreats founder Chelsea Ross. “In this space, we feel seen, supported, and inspired. Moments of stillness and adventure help rediscover inner power.  We ignite passions and open ourselves to life’s beautiful possibilities. Travel becomes more than an escape. It transforms into a gateway to self-discovery and a deeper connection with ourselves and the world.” 

Programs at Goddess Retreats include everything from yoga and surfing to Ayurveda and spa treatments. Each retreat fosters a sense of sisterhood and personal growth, encouraging guests to rediscover their inner strength and create lasting memories with like-minded women.

Learn more about Goddess Retreats here.

8. Sante Fe, New Mexico and Baja Sur, Mexico with Modern Elder Academy

Modern Elder Academy (MEA) is on a mission to reframe aging by helping individuals – especially women over 50 – navigate life’s transitions with clarity and confidence.  MEA offers science-based workshops around the MEA Method, which has been designed in collaboration with academics from Stanford, Harvard, UC Berkeley, and Yale, who have dedicated themselves to understanding modern midlife. There are in-person workshops at two campuses, one in Baja, Mexico and Santa Fe, New Mexico, with luminaries like Pico Iyer, Anne Lamott and Martha Beck. For those who prefer not to travel, The Digital Campus offers masterclasses, immersion courses and on-demand learning.

“As we age, it’s really common for our scope to narrow,” MEA co-founder Christine Sperber says. “It’s not uncommon to hear someone say, ‘It’s too late for me to go back to school. It’s too late for me to start a new career. And it’s absolutely not too late. In the U.S., if you make it to 60, your chances of making it to 80 are in the 90th percentile. We’re living longer, our healthspans are longer, and we have more time. So, when you put that lens on, 20 to 50, 50 to 80, it opens up a lot of potential, right?”

MEA’s ‘Cultivating Purpose” workshops, include “ROAR into Midlife: Build Your Bold Second Act” with Michael Clinton and Chip Conley, and “Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life’s Purpose” with Martha Beck and Chip Conley. 

“What lights us up now is different once we’re in our 50s, and sometimes we feel a mismatch,” says Canadian Jill Nykoliation, who teaches a workshop called “Who Am I Now?” for MEA. “If you’ve been yearning to honour that voice inside of you, or feel stuck, MEA is an opportunity to gift yourself with a week in a safe space. It’s time to do something for you.”

Learn more about Modern Elder Academy here.

About the JourneyWoman Women’s Travel Directory

JourneyWoman, the world’s first resource for solo women travellers established in 1994, hosts the JourneyWoman Women’s Travel Directory as a free service to help women plan safe, women-friendly solo travel, while supporting women-owned and small tourism businesses around the world. The Directory includes hundreds of curated and vetted multi-day tours, retreats, small ships and train experiences, as well as a concierge service to connect women with travel advisors, coaches and guides. Featured categories include adventure travel, wellness, hiking and walking, special interest trips, as well as accessible, LGBTQ+ and Indigenous tours. Within the Directory, there is a ‘Places to Stay’ resource where women can find and share safe, affordable women-friendly hotels, hostels and other accommodation options. 

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