Sometimes we just need a little break from reality.
Whether it’s work that’s got you down or a never-ending to-do list, living life nonstop without a bit of “me time” can get exhausting. We think these three resorts in Latin America and the Caribbean have all the answers, though.
Book a much-needed getaway for an escape that’ll work miracles on your body and soul. Visit a rainforest resort in the mountains of Costa Rica, an Inca-inspired Peruvian spa or a European-influenced blond beach off the coast of Venezuela—you may never want to come back and that’s OK, too.
One thing’s for sure: When you do return to your everyday routine, you’ll have a refreshed perspective and a greater appreciation for the wonders of wellness.
A Happy Wellness Retreat in Aruba
In Palm Beach, Aruba (a Dutch Caribbean island just 15 miles or so off the coast of Venezuela) you can ease your mind, body and spirit at Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino.
The resort’s ‘Wellness Retreat Package,’ a 360-degree wellness approach, takes guests on a healthy and rejuvenating journey. This package includes a private beach yoga class to clear the mind, a healthy cooking class with the Executive Chef to boost energy levels, a $100 Mandara Spa (the largest spa on the island) credit to unwind with the treatment of your choosing and Premium Ocean View accommodations so you can stare at the ocean all day—or night—long.
And wait, summer’s not over yet. For the rest of the season, this Marriott Resort will offer complimentary ‘Bon Dia’ beach strolls (free of charge on Tuesday and Thursday mornings) with the resort’s Happiness Host so that guests can start their day out on the right foot. What does this mean, exactly? Your Happiness Host will guide you in a one-hour walk along the beach while sharing positive stories, facts about the island and tips for living your best life while on vacation.
The Wellness Retreat package starts at $328/night, with a four-night minimum required. Use code SPA when booking online.
Inca-Inspired Rejuvenation in Peru
Another Marriott, but unlike any other you’ve stayed at (I’m sure of this), the five-star JW Marriott El Convento Cusco is housed inside a history-rich, restored 16th-century convent (swoon!). The property has two exhibition halls filled with ancient Peruvian artifacts and a subterranean spa.
The full-service spa and health club is inspired by the Inca calendar and their magic rituals and features a relaxation pool, steam room, four treatment rooms and a sauna. Treatments here combine authentic elements to honor the ancient culture that lives within the property.
Visit Machu Picchu (remember to buy your tickets online in advance), 70 miles northeast of Cusco, and spend the day exploring before returning to the resort and indulging in a luxurious Andean Mud Wrap. The one-hour full body treatment includes enriched seaweed from the Pacific Ocean combined with mud from the Andes, which contains natural salt minerals, and is said to boost body-slimming while stimulating all your senses.
A Hot Spring Rainforest Getaway in Costa Rica
Spread across 900 acres of lush rainforest near Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano, Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa is a dream come true. It’s been a few years since I last visited (I’ve been lucky to stay at Tabacon more than once with family and friends), but I can’t wait to return—this place never gets old.
Fly into either San Jose or Liberia—both are around 80 miles from the resort and it’s inexpensive to hire a shuttle or get a rental car—and get started on your trek to a rainforest oasis that’s straight out of a fairytale.
Tabacon boasts a thermal mineral spring, where guests can soak in the natural pools with temps reaching 105°F. The waters here are rich in minerals such as silica, calcium and lithium, known to promote overall health and rejuvenation.
There’s also crazy wildlife in the area; you’re bound to spot toucans, tree frogs, howler monkeys and more. Don’t be surprised if you hear the animals before you see them. Who needs Pandora when you have Costa Rican nature sounds all around you?
