Mexican Wellness Retreats
Amigas time to consider a wellness retreat this year. Sharing my bucket list of wellness resorts, I want to experience. I have been reading about these experiences for a few years, mainly because they honor and connect to my ancestors in some way.
I want to be able to unplug from technology and stress in these beautiful wellness retreats. Imagine a week of cultural holistic healing, yoga, nature, fresh organic food, luxury spa treatments, and crystal-clear ocean vistas that promise to rejuvenate, and reconnect with our souls. Mexico offers many experiences to include full moon ceremonies in honor of Ixchel, goddess of the moon.
Let’s start with my favorite San Miguel de Allende
Winning numerous “best” and “must-visit” awards in the past couple years –San Miguel Allende is a beloved tourist destination in central Mexico. The town blends the most attractive aspects of small-town rural living with the cosmopolitan indulgences of a big city. While most travelers come to San Miguel to walk its cobblestone paths and immerse themselves in its cultural and artistic riches, travelers are discovering the wellness resorts as well. The town is the perfect paradise where relaxation and wellness are in a natural state: the highlight being the nearby hot springs. Some locals even believe that the town was built on a bed of quartz crystals, amplifying its rejuvenating nature.
REJUVENATING SPA TREATMENTS
Casa Sierra Nevada
This is my number one bucket list hotel in San Miguel de Allende. The hotel is a cluster of beautifully restored colonial mansions providing an old-world setting of lush gardens, stone arches, pretty courtyards, and beautiful fountains. The property is distinctive in their offerings which include a traditional Mexican cooking school, an award-winning restaurant for gastronomic dining, and of course its unpretentious pampering at the Laja Spa. Paying tribute to the magnificent Laja River that flows through the mountains and into San Miguel, the spa is a haven of tranquility and rejuvenation combining traditional and modern practices.
Don’t’Miss: They have an array of spa treatments and packages and offer a detoxifying Temescal steam bath to engage guest’s spirits.
RELAX AND RECHARGE YOUR BATTERIES
Rosewood San Miguel de Allende
Another luxury hotel in San Miguel de Allende I have visited is the Rosewood. Built in the style of an 18th century hacienda but provides all modern comforts a discerning traveler would expect, including a world-class spa. Sense, a Rosewood Spa was inspired by San Miguel’s positive energy and provides signature treatments that integrate Mexican healing traditions with indigenous ingredients. They have created several ‘journeys, ranging from a unique multi-sensory experience to a traditional massage/facial/manicure package. Their treatments and therapies are some of the most extensive in San Miguel Allende, along with its facilities.
www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/san-miguel-de-allende
HERBAL HEALING AND BEAUTY REMEDIES
Hotel Matilda
An avant-garde boutique hotel, Hotel Matilda is known for their award-winning holistic spa that stands out for its Apothecary Concierge. Herbal medicine and its beneficial properties are an ancient tradition in Mexico, and the Apothecary Concierge at Spa Matilda personally work with each guest to hand-create with them their very own beauty care concoction using artisanal ingredients.
Don’t Miss: While being led down a sense-stimulating journey of distinctive aromas and textures and learning the healing properties of the natural elements, guests walk out of the experience with a personalized product to fit their needs.
RECONNECTING WITH NATURE
Natural Thermal Waters
The outskirts of San Miguel Allende you can find thermal, alkaline, sulfur, and freshwater springs. There are several mineral springs open to the public (called balenarios) between San Miguel Allende and Dolores Hidalgo that bathers come to visit to relax and soak up the therapeutic natural minerals, ease tensions, and soothe tired muscles. The most popular are Escondido Place, La Gruta and Xoté. Escondido is a paradise of five thermal pools (indoor and outdoor) and three covered springs based on a concept of maximum harmony with nature, tranquility, rest, and sustainability of natural resources.
Spa Treatments Honoring Our Ancestors’ Traditions
Cala De Mar
Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, Mexico
Cala de Mar is an exquisite cliffside escape, each with its own plunge pool and Pacific Ocean views!
The property is all about wellness, emphasizing indigenous Mexican traditions, unique local rituals, and current wellness techniques. At any time, guests can book personalized retreats, curated with activities like daily meditation, sunset yoga (on a deck with an incredible setting), El Capricho Spa therapies and ancient cacao ceremonies led by a local shaman.
Each season, Cala hosts official wellness retreats that focuse on intention-setting and incorporates mind-body connection and dance.
Don't miss: A shamanic Aztec sweat lodge ceremony -- meant to cleanse the body -- at Cala's onsite authentic Temescal (with watermelon and cantaloupe agua frescas for cool down).
Rancho La Puerta
Tecate MexicoRancho La Puerta is one of the original wellness retreats, dubbed a "health camp" when it opened in 1940. Just an hour south of San Diego, California, the destination has continued to evolve, offering individualized schedules with myriad activities from pickleball and Pilates to nutrition lectures and sunset meditation. Inquire about their “14-day "Detox and Cleansing Retreat," which is all about reducing inflammation and waistlines for increased clarity and energy.
Don't miss: There are 4,000 acres to explore at the foot of Mount Kuchumaa, including gardens, hiking trails, an organic farm, diverse species of birds.
Etereo Auberge Resorts
Cancun Maya Rivera
Etereo resort offers a wellness program which takes a deep dive into indigenous health traditions, offers treatments like the Mayan Full Moon Ceremony, held every 28 days in honor of Ixchel, goddess of the moon, conducted by a shaman. Includes a lunar meditation. Treatments include ingredients chose by a botanist, who works with healing herbs and flowers.
Don’t Miss: The “Sana” spa (sana is a Spanish term that roughly translates to “in healthy spirit”.
www.aubergeresorts.com/etereo/
Xcaret Arte
Cancun Maya Rivera
Hotel Xcaret Arte is Grupo Xcaret new luxury hotel overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The property is an adult only and all-inclusive, or as the they refer to as “Fun-Inclusive” resort. The resort is committed to the conservation of Mexico’s culture heritage by honoring Mexican art, food, and wellness rituals. The property is located within crystal clear rivers in the heart of the Mayan rainforest. The Muluk Spa offer personalized treatments and journeys based on the wisdom of Mother Nature and on ancient rituals that purify, renew, and balance the whole being with organic ingredients.
Don’t Miss: Unlimited access to Xcaret themed parks.
This list may take a few years to complete, I already booked my trip to Xcaret Arte in March! Gather your Amigas, Familia or go solo and start planning!
Viva La Vida!
Rose Mendoza
