6 Incredible Immersive Wellness Retreats in South America

August 22, 2022 | by: Thomas Adams

For travelers looking for an immersive wellness experience which brings together local cultures, state-of-the-art facilities that are steeped in luxury, and the perfect atmosphere for rejuvenation and relaxation, wellness retreats in South America offer travelers a look into wellness practices rooted in history brought into the modern world, that go beyond traditional massages.

While wellness practices are becoming the norm all over the world in the hospitality industry, in South America, wellness has been practiced for decades, becoming a valuable part of daily life in some cultures. Here are six wellness retreats in South America for travelers looking to relax, rejuvenate and immerse themselves in local culture:

1. Tierra Atacama, Antofagasta, Chile

Photo Source: https://tierrahotels.com/atacama/

Located in the famous Atacama desert in Chile, this boutique resort is one of the most unique luxury wellness retreats in South America. It offers guests an authentic experience that draws on the region’s rich history. Considered one of the most “Unique Hotels In the World” by National Geographic, this all-inclusive luxury wellness retreat boasts floor-to-ceiling views of the stunning surrounding desert scenery.

Tierra Atacama’s spa, Uma Spa features an outdoor hot tub, treatments utilizing natural local ingredients and a wide range of spa treatment, including a variety of volcanic mud treatments derived from volcanic mud from the nearby Licancabur Volcano. The spa also hosts indoor and outdoor yoga sessions as well as several spaces for meditation.

2. Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, Aguas Calientes, Peru

Belmond Sanctuary Lodge at Machu Picchu is the only hotel located at the entrance of the 600-year-old historic Inca citadel. The boutique property has just 31 rooms and boasts a relaxing orchid garden, delicious Peruvian delicacies from its Tampu restaurant made from produce grown on-site, and a restorative wellness retreat package for its guests. Visitors can choose from a wide range of wellness activities which include yoga, shamanic ceremonies to cocoa leaf readings. There are a wide variety of spa treatments also available, which guests can enjoy while overlooking Huayna Picchu, offering restorative experiences steeped in Inca traditions. For those looking for utmost luxury and immersion into nature and Incan culture, this is one of the top wellness retreats in South America.

3. Cavas Wine Lodge, Mendoza, Argentina

Photo Source: https://cavaswinelodge.com/

​​Situated in the heart of Andean wine country in Mendoza, Argentina, Cavas Wine Lodge is a sustainable resort, with solar panels, organic waste processing and recycling facilities on site. Just an hour and a half from Buenos Aires, this wellness retreat is perfect for wine lovers looking for a self-care getaway filled with rest, relaxation, and of course; wine. The hotel offers four-night, five-day yoga packages which give guests an all-inclusive experience to enjoy the hotel’s many amenities and programs. Plus, there are private plunge pools and outdoor fireplaces, nutritious meals, morning and sunset yoga practice, Tai massages, healthy cooking classes and guided hikes and meditation all with ample time to try the region’s incredible wines.

4. Las Islas Hotel, Baru, Colombia

Photo Source: https://www.lasislas.com.co/

Though we believe simply sunbathing on the gorgeous island of Baru, with its crystal clear waters and dazzling white sands is a relaxing experience of wellness. This Colombian eco-resort along the coast of Cartagena is nestled among the tropical forests. Look around and there’s also the azure waters of Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park. The peninsula juts into the Caribbean Sea, where most of this underwater national park lies. It accommodates guests in luxurious yet quaint thatched-roof treehouses, beach-side suites, or private-island villas.

Las Islas boasts a comprehensive range of on and off-site wellness activities. In addition to a spa, gym, yoga studio and pool, the resort elevates its wellness offerings. While on the beach, guests can kayak, canoe, paddleboard and snorkel as well as also organize intensive diving tours to see the coral, visit Cartagena, or go island hopping – making for a perfect tropical wellness retreat in South America.

5. Willka T’ika, Urubamba, Peru

Photo Source: https://willkatika.com/

Willka T’ika is a luxury wellness retreat and boutique hotel, located in Peru’s Sacred Valley between Cusco and Machu Picchu with a plethora of ancient Incan ruins, ceremonial sites and temples, as well as an abundance of cultural activities nearby. Developed as a healing center that focuses on the cultural heritage and spiritual tradition of the Andes, Willka T’ika is a small collection of garden suites set in the grounds of a vibrant garden environment filled with flowers, trees, local herbs and medicinal plants. Additionally, guests have access to top tier retreat amenities including a crystal healing bed, Andean massages and hot solar baths infused with fragrant flowers from the garden.

Visitors to Willka T’Ika can explore winding rivers, charming villages and high mountain meadows where llama and alpaca graze. Guest packages include organic gourmet vegetarian cuisine, Andean spa services, authentic Andean rituals, and guided adventures to Incan sites.

6. Pikaia Lodge, Galapagos, Ecuador

Photo Source: https://www.pikaialodge.com/

Though most visitors choose to visit the Galapagos Islands on a cruise, on the main island of the UNESCO protected islands of the Galapagos, Santa Cruz, has much to offer visitors who choose to stay for a wellness getaway.

Pikaia Lodge, a sleek eco-hotel that sits on the rim of an extinct volcano on a lesser-traveled part of the island is a wellness lover’s paradise. The property features floor to ceiling windows all around which truly make you feel as though you are integrated with the surrounding natural beauty. The lodge offers packages for 3-7 nights which offer access to their Sumaq Spa, a Zen sanctum which offers authentic shamanic treatment, the package also includes their many excursions like scuba diving, snorkeling, and sightings of some giant tortoises and iguanas—as well as other local heroes.

Wellness travel has become increasingly popular since the COVID 19 pandemic as a way to relieve stress, prioritize mental and physical well-being and connect with nature and local cultures in a mindful way – through physical, psychological, or spiritual activities. Booking a wellness retreat is more than just a vacation, it’s an investment on improving your quality of life and engaging in activities that leave you feeling refreshed, rested and invigorated to make healthier and more mindful decisions upon leaving the trip. If a wellness retreat in South America  sounds like your idea of a dream vacation, let our team of luxury travel designers at Kuoda plan it for you by reaching out to us to learn more about which wellness destination is a perfect fit for your next trip.