The World's Best Wellness Destinations To Visit In 2026, According To Travel Experts

If the word "wellness" brings to mind yoga and supplements, meditation apps, and acupuncture, well, you're not alone. Yet wellness is so much more — and it's so much more than just a trend. The endless reachability of modern life, social media addictions, overexposure to news, and excessive work schedules contribute to a stressed-out populace. There's a reason that the wellness travel industry is expected to grow into the trillions by 2027. 

But wellness is more than a trend, and in 2026, we're seeing more wellness destinations incorporate both innovative technology and ancient traditions that naturally promote wellbeing. And speaking of natural, time in nature is playing a big role, as people discover just how integral it is. In some of the world's top-tier hotels and resorts, along with smaller retreats and off-grid escapes, you'll be able experience everything from forest bathing to star bathing, from digital detoxes to contrast therapy. Here are 12 of the world's best destinations for both tried-and-true wellness practices and newer ideas.

Indonesia is home to some of the most beautiful islands on the planet, and the wellness haven of Bali is one of them. There's nowhere like this magical, beautiful, spiritual island for healing your body, mind, and soul. Bali's affordability, relative ease of access, and endless wellness retreats all contribute to its reputation. 

The natural beauty, from waterfalls to beaches to hot springs, seems tailor-made to promote wellness, and the Balinese have tapped into their spiritual roots to create a bevy of meditation retreats, yoga escapes, luxury spa hotels, and off-grid ecolodges. In Bali, you can take breathwork classes, do sunrise yoga, hike to a waterfall, take part in a spiritual cleansing ritual, eat wholesome and fresh food, and surf, all in one day. Bali is ideal for those seeking an all-inclusive retreat, but it's also a great destination to do it all on your own. 

If all of this isn't enough to inspire a wellness escape on Bali, there's more. Says local wellness director Kim Herben (via HITEC.org): "Bali seamlessly blends traditional practices with modern wellness trends, offering various options for self-discovery. The focus is on balancing physical health, mental clarity, and a deep connection with Bali's lush, natural surroundings." Try Balinese jamu, or "golden tonic," a traditional turmeric-based drink said to improve everything from digestion to inflammation, a Balinese massage with locally-made oils, or the innovative IV drip therapy, where the injection of essential nutrients provides a full-body reset.

Wellness travel is not simply a trend in the United States — it's a whole movement. While nearly every state has its own brand of wellness resorts, the Southwest, especially California, Arizona, and New Mexico, practically invented the concept. 

California's combination of sun, sea, forest, and mountain, along with a plethora of fresh produce, makes it a natural fit for a wellness escape. And California has leaned into this concept, offering any kind of wellness retreat your heart desires, from all-inclusive health spas to surf-and-yoga retreats,  from inner-city sanctums to remote wilderness escapes. Many resorts in California also dabble in the newest wellness ideas, like star bathing, the popular European wellness activity floating saunas, or sound healing. Sound practitioner Nancy Trueman told Elite Traveler that sound healing, once considered esoteric, is gaining popularity for its purported benefits: "Sound offers an immediate way to unwind the nervous system. People leave feeling genuinely rested."

In Arizona, Sedona has long been a favorite for those seeking wellness (and mysticism), and the rest of the state has followed suit. Just like in Sedona, many Arizona wellness programs lean into the stark beauty of the surrounding nature and feature a distinct spiritual element, like guided meditation hikes or crystal therapy. In neighboring New Mexico, the "Land of Enchantment" utilizes many ancient healing arts practiced for centuries by local Indigenous groups, such as the Pueblos and Utes. Whether you're swimming in natural thermal pools or enjoying spa treatments made of locally-sourced ingredients, you'll understand why many consumption patients came to New Mexico to "take the cure." 

Japan's many ancient wellness traditions, a plethora of onsens (hot springs), and a general mindset that embraces wellness in all forms combine to make Japan an excellent wellness destination. As travel expert Sara Haney noted to Travel + Leisure, "Japan sets the global standard for wellness. The country's approach blends centuries-old traditions with modern mindfulness practices, where...travelers can restore both body and spirit while connecting deeply to Japanese culture."

Japan is certainly high-tech and connected, and you'll likely get to your retreat on a fast-paced train. Yet, in addition to being one of the safest countries to visit in 2026, this is also the country with some of the world's highest longevity, and not just in Okinawa, a famed "Blue Zone." Much of Japan's culture is centered around Zen Buddhism, known for its meditation practices, which can often seep into everyday life. Strong communities, access to healthy food like produce and fish, and active lifestyles are also thought to contribute to the longevity of the nation, and there are hundreds of wellness opportunities that lean into these ideals. 

This is also the country that pioneered forest bathing, known in Japanese as "shinrin-yoku," which utilizes an outing in a forest to reduce stress, as well as promote relaxation and healing. Japan's many natural vistas are often a part of wellness experiences, whether that's forest bathing, soaking in one of the country's many natural onsens, or meditating in a mountaintop temple with Buddhist monks. 

Not only is Costa Rica one of the best tropical vacation destinations on the planet, it's also known for some of the best wellness retreats in the world. Costa Rica, another country with one of the famous Blue Zones (the Nicoya Peninsula), seems, on the whole, to just not even do stress (they don't even have a military!). The country's motto, "pura vida," which directly translates to "the pure life," is the local ideal of living a relaxed, easy, appreciative lifestyle full of simple pleasures and nature. Pura vida is woven through nearly every aspect of Costa Rican society, and is the foundation for general wellness in Costa Rica (not to mention wellness retreats). Costa Rica's beaches are filled with surf, yoga, and surf-and-yoga retreats, and the jungles combine volcanic hot springs (and their healing properties) with meditation and wellness communities. 

Costa Rica is also the ideal destination to experience conservation as a tool for healing the body, where environmental projects are the focus, and restoration for the individual body is a well-appreciated bonus. What could be more pura vida than that?

Warm seaside retreats, hidden jungle pools, fresh food and plenty of sun all combine to make Mexico the ideal place to go when it's wellness time. Consider Tulum, sometimes known as the "Bali of Mexico" for its laid-back, mystical feel; the iconic town of San Miguel de Allende in the central highlands for classic spas with a Mexican twist; the Baja Peninsula for detox retreats and desert-ocean escapes; or surfing hubs along the Pacific for surf-based wellness retreats. 

Mexico is also ideal for a burgeoning wellness trend: wellness through community, where visitors take part in local ceremonies and learn from healers. Examples of such rituals wellness-seekers can join in Mexico include the ancient Maya temazcal cleansing ceremony (sweat lodge ritual) or a traditional cacao ceremony — for local Indigenous groups, chocolate was considered a "gift from the gods" and consuming a cup often involves meditation and prayer. As Sara Jones, the managing director for MexiCaribe, notes (via HITEC.org), "These ceremonies pay homage to ancestral energies through offerings to Mother Earth, utilizing fire ceremonies and traditional musical instruments like drums and rattles, to foster a profound spiritual connection and promote healing on a soul level."

Peru is another wellness favorite, especially in places like the Sacred Valley, near the famed Machu Picchu. Once the most sacred place for the Incas, it's now emerging as a world-class wellness destination, in part due to the ancient healing rituals that have been practiced in the Andes for centuries. Stay in one of the gorgeous, nature-focused resorts high in the Andes, and take part in traditional Inca star ceremonies, water cleansing, or sacred rituals at ancient religious sites.

The Sacred Valley isn't the only place for wellness in Peru. In the Amazon, the "pharmacy of the world," an astonishing amount of plants and herbs have healing properties, and the locals know how to harness these naturally. Peru is the safest place for travelers to take part in an authentic ayahuasca ceremony, which has been practiced by Amazon shamans (curanderos) for hundreds of years. Legitimate ceremonies, said to treat everything from addiction to trauma, follow a strict protocol that involves health screenings, a certain diet, and mental guidance throughout the process. Ayahuasca expert Dr. Bia Labate notes (via BBC) that ayahuasca trials in Brazil have shown promising results in helping treatment-resistant depression and that the drug has "a cultural, religious and spiritual use" which provides a "path for people interested in personal growth and spirituality."

Peru is vast, and the long coastline, often bordered by desert, also has its fair share of wellness retreats. In general, Peru is the quintessential destination for combining activity, adventure, and restoration, whether you're hiking through the rainforest in search of mystical mountaintops or surfing in the morning and relaxing in the evening. 

Northern Europe has long been known for its ancient sauna practices. The city of Tampere is the world's sauna capital, and that's just the start of wellness in this region. One of the world's happiest countries with exceptionally clean air and water, Finland's wellness retreats are focused on time in nature along with saunas (natch).

Across the Baltic Sea from Finland is another under-the-radar wellness destination: Estonia, one of the three Baltic states. You can get to its capital, Tallinn, in about 2.5 hours by ferry from the unique and creative Finnish capital, Helsinki. Estonia is known for its many islands, forests, and its own sauna practices, like the UNESCO-listed Estonian smoke sauna. As local expert Anna Hints told National Geographic: "Smoke sauna is our sacred place, a ritual for healing and transformation." From forest bathing to saunas, to traditional mud baths to Saaremaa Island, with so many spas it's known as SPA-remaa, we have to say: don't sleep on Estonia. 

Further south is Lithuania, another Baltic state. You can fly to its capital, Vilnius, in just over an hour from Tallinn, Estonia's capital — both among Europe's most affordable destinations for 2026. Lithuania was recently voted "Europe's Top Wellness Destination," and has entire towns dedicated to wellness (try Druskininkai or Palanga). The Lithuanian concept of "sveikatingumas" requires the whole picture for true well-being — as in the body, mind, and spirit — and utilizes the country's natural thermal waters for restorative therapies, as well as experimenting with modern practices. Near Palanga, experience the world's first amber sauna, where the heated amber (local to the Baltics) is said to provide extra healing benefits. 

If you're hankering for a serene mountainous escape, the Himalaya nation of Bhutan, emerging as an up-and-coming wellness destination, where many getaways incorporate ancient Buddhist practices into their holistic practices. According to local sustainable tourism expert Karma Lotey (via Much Better Adventures): "There are many temples to visit; many mindfulness meditations, and you visit people in their homes and farms to experience that first hand. Our day to day lives ... it's Buddhism — mindfulness; sustainability, a sense of spirituality and compassion."

Meditation retreats are especially popular throughout the country (local Buddhists sometimes meditate for days or months at a time), and as Bhutan is a neighbor of India, the birthplace of yoga, there are plenty of yoga retreats, or a combination of both. Bhutan is also traditionally known as the "Land of Medicinal Herbs" or "Menjung," and many of these ancient practices are incorporated in modern resorts. One of the country's oldest healing rituals, the hot stone bath (dotsho), involves soaking in a bath full of local medicinal plants, into which heated river stones are dropped periodically. Other traditional Bhutanese wellness practices include the lighting of butter lamps, forest bathing in the many wild spaces, and sound healing, where local instruments are utilized to calm the nervous system. 

Yoga originated in India, and so it makes sense that this is one of the stars of the wellness world. Wellness is not just a trend in India, but a way of life. From luxurious wellness retreats to simple ashrams, from desert escapes to sky-high Himalaya retreats, from beaches to jungle, India's wellness opportunities run the gamut. Says spa manager Rajesh Padinhakkara (via HITEC.org): "Wellness retreats continue to proliferate across the country, offering travelers opportunities to rejuvenate through practices like yoga, meditation, spa treatments and alternative therapies. ... Digital detox retreats are also gaining traction as individuals seek opportunities to reconnect with nature and themselves."

India's ancient holistic practice of Ayurveda, which balances the body's different energies through yoga, herbs, and other treatments, has been adopted by many other wellness destinations, for good reason (just like yoga). Along with this long-practiced healing ritual, India embraces innovation and modern ideas, from perimenopause-focused retreats to ozone therapy.

Certain areas of India are known for their wellness offerings. Kerala is said to be the place to go for the growing travel trend of "glowcations," also known as Ayurveda treatments, while Rishikesh, along the mighty Ganges River, is considered the yoga capital of the world. Goa is known for its combination of both, with a side of beach, and Uttarakhand is the place to go for that Himalaya retreat. 

Thailand was the most-visited Southeast Asian destination of 2025 — a well-deserved title. And it's also a favorite for wellness-seekers. From lush islands to forested mountains, jungles to luxurious city spas, Thailand has wellness dialed in, often at an affordable price. Thailand is also somewhat of a pioneer when it comes to resorts and retreats. Travel expert John Sutherland told Travel + Leisure, "Thailand has long been a leader in holistic well-being, where spiritual traditions, natural beauty, and hospitality come together to create deeply restorative experiences." 

One such resort is Chiva Som in Hua Hin, which, when it opened in 1995, was one of the only wellness retreats in the world. It's still considered one of the best, and, just like many other wellness-focused resorts in Thailand, it uses traditional practices, like Thai massage and meditation, along with specialized treatments for sleep, health, and more, using the newest technology and science. 

While luxury resorts will still cost you a pretty penny, Thailand has many more affordable options, from DIY-style retreats to more inclusive getaways. Even just a one-hour Thai massage will leave you feeling restored — add in the incredible, fresh food, gorgeous scenery, yoga classes, beachy vistas, and natural escapes, and it only gets better from there. 

Morocco is fast becoming a rising wellness destination star, thanks in part to its diversity of offerings. From surfing retreats to desert escapes, luxurious city hideaways to mountainous jaunts, Morocco provides a different kind of wellness for every kind of traveler. 

In Morocco's section of the Sahara Desert, experience a wellness travel trend set to be popular in 2026: time in "beige spaces," as the therapeutic benefits of spending time in the desert become more evident. As travel expert Tom Marchant noted to Condé Naste Traveler, "That clean line of horizon, from sky-to-sand, steadies the nervous system." The absolute emptiness and pure silence of the desert are restorative, and retreats are further boosted with experiences like camel treks and mint tea ceremonies.

If you're craving more of the therapeutic benefits of "blue spaces" (water/ocean), head to Morocco's Atlantic Coast for a surf-and-yoga retreat, the area's specialty. Or, heal your mind by healing the Earth, and join a coral restoration program. On the same vein, if you're a mountain lover, Morocco's Atlas Mountains are not only awe-inspiring, but are home to Kasbah de Toubkal, where all profits are used to fund community projects, and only locals are hired. And, of course, Morocco is home to ancient hammam traditions, or bathhouses, which are found all over the country. 

Switzerland has been a wellness destination for hundreds of years, whether it was Heidi harnessing that natural healing properties of the Swiss Alps, wealthy heiresses retreating to spas in a stunning Alpine village known as a natural wonderland, or the Romans soaking in the healing waters. And it still remains one of the top places to go for healing, rejuvenation, and medicine, thanks to its fresh air, natural thermal waters, and dozens of incredible spas (not to mention truly mind-boggling views). 

Switzerland is also known for its innovative wellness ideas, and is one of the top places for one of 2026's biggest trends: neurological wellness, or neurowellness. Neurowellness doesn't just mean recovery from brain injuries and strokes, or treatment for neurological disorders (although Switzerland is one of the best places in the world for these). Neurowellness also means mental health care, longevity promotion, sleep hygiene, and resetting the nervous system. 

Several Swiss spas have programs dedicated to neurowellness, incorporating both old-fashioned techniques to prevent cognitive decline (like games) and cutting-edge treatments, like photobiomodulation, which uses LED light therapy to promote brain health, or high-tech tools like a electromagnetic mats to "bathe low energy cells in pure, raw energy supporting the body's natural abilities," according to spa director Bernadette Negri (via Liz Earle Wellbeing).

For this article, we consulted both travel and wellness experts, from bloggers to magazines to established publications, to not only source some of the best wellness destinations for 2026, but also new wellness experiences to discover at said destinations. We used traveler reviews from sites like Reddit and TripAdvisor, as well as destination guides, to inform our research and incorporate up-to-date information.