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Holistic hideaways: These tropical destinations make for an ideal fitness-focused getaway

Begin your new year by practicing a holistic approach to wellness. These sun-soaked retreats provide easy and memorable ways to make a fresh start. | By Paul Oswell | February 1, 2023

Making — and keeping — resolutions to create a wellness regimen at home can be tricky. Life and commitments can sometimes get in the way. Why not jet off to an island paradise where you can more comfortably adjust to your new wellness lifestyle? Whether it's yoga on a beach or meditation next to a blue ocean, these fitness-focused getaways will refresh and inspire you.

  • Tantalizing Tulum: Enjoy an eco-friendly workout in the jungle or greet the day stretching out on the Mexican Caribbean coast

  • Awe-inspiring Anguilla: Ride a horse along some of the world’s best beaches and breathe in fresh sea air as you hit the yoga mat

  • Breathtaking Bali: Discover centuries-old wellness traditions and new hobbies, from cleansing water rituals to aqua yoga

spa lounge area
Post-workout: Enhance your well-being journey with ancient rituals and local elements at Conrad Spa Tulum.

Tulum, Mexico

This Mexican resort town on the Yucatan Peninsula has enjoyed a meteoric rise in popularity thanks to its idyllic location on the Caribbean coast and dynamic local wellness scene. There’s a healthy selection of oceanfront yoga studios for you to launch into your new year exercise regimen, many of which offer special classes such as candlelit yoga, beachside Pilates and morning rituals. Inquire about private classes to enjoy a one-of-a-kind session.

If you’re looking to stay fit while working up a sweat in nature, then health magazines have voted the eco-friendly Tulum Jungle Gym one of the best places in the world to work out. The gym equipment here is made from organic materials such as wood, bamboo and stone, all painstakingly sculpted for a comfortable and memorable experience.

Find even more ways to connect with your body and nature at Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya. Join the resort’s certified instructors for classes with the spectacular shores of the Mexican Caribbean as a backdrop. Stretch out and greet the day with a sun salutation ritual, hit the Pilates mat to tone up or give in to the intensity and aerobic challenges of Tabata training. Make the most of the hotel’s high-end facilities or break a sweat in a bootcamp class on the beach. To complement your holistic endeavors, feast on fresh seafood (including sushi made with sustainably caught fish!) at one of the resort’s eleven dining venues.

Top down
  view of boards with towels, basket and water
Find your mind-body connection with an invigorating open-air yoga class.

Anguilla, West Indies

Curate some Caribbean calm in Anguilla, one of the best kept secrets of the region. The island has shunned touristy cruise ship ports, casinos and high-rise buildings in favor of nurturing its natural resources. Tranquil, unspoiled beaches and clear, coral-framed waters make for an authentic island paradise.

Outdoor activities abound — think swimming, hiking and biking. The island is known for its therapeutic beachfront horseback riding trails along Cove Bay, as well as paddleboarding in prime spots such as Rendezvous Bay.

The island also has a healthy and holistic-focused culinary scene. Set in lush tropical gardens, Blanchards has been regarded as one of the Caribbean’s best restaurants since it opened in 1994. High-quality local ingredients and the freshest seafood help make up the deliciously wholesome menu, which includes a wealth of vegan and gluten-free options. The curried veggie bowl, roasted carrot hummus and tuna poke crisps are just a few of the delightful dishes that won’t compromise your good intentions.

It’s especially easy to maintain your Zen at Zemi Beach House, LXR Hotels & Resorts. Twice a week, the property’s Zemi Thai House Spa offers free yoga classes. Relax into your Downward Dog with the sound of the Caribbean washing over you as the crisp sea air fills your lungs. The resort’s concierge can arrange any kind of fitness class you might like to try, and the on-site tennis courts help get that heart rate up. The perfect start to an evening spent indulging in delicious, locally sourced, sea-to-table cuisine at flagship restaurant Stone.

Cyclist take a rest after cycling around beach at Wave Barrier near Karang Beach Sanur, Bali.
Exploring Bali by bike is a wonderful way to work out while also discovering the province's natural beauty.

Bali, Indonesia

This Indonesian province is another one of the world’s most desirable island retreats. Age-old traditions, an abundance of natural beauty and lasting ancient wisdom make for an idyllic location for holistic wellbeing. The island even has its own massage practices — Balinese-style massage is a combination of gentle stretching, acupressure, reflexology and aromatherapy that brings a deep feeling of relaxation and healing.

Water purification ceremonies have been a part of Balinese culture for centuries, and you can visit popular holy centers such as Tirta Empul Temple where you can soak in sacred pools and natural springs on a guided journey to physical and spiritual cleansing.

Conrad Bali’s array of therapeutic amenities at Jiwa Spa is a great place to start, with options like their Signature Sensory Odysseys — a curated selection of transformative wellness experiences. These include forest bathing, sound healing and other holistic wellness journeys that play on your senses and immerse you in local Balinese traditions while rejuvenating the mind, body and spirit. Enjoy sunrise meditation at the water garden, aqua yoga in the spa pool or a bike tour of the region. The 24-hour fitness center welcomes you for everyday workouts in paradise. Elevate your wellbeing experience by dining on fresh vegetables and seafood at any one of the resort’s signature restaurants.

The start of a new year always feels like a natural time to begin new wellness practices. Combining a fresh, holistic outlook with a fitness-focused retreat is an ideal way to kickstart that new mind-body wellness regimen. Set off on a new wellness journey today and return home, transformed.

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