Yoga is a great way to relieve stress, improve flexibility, and have fun with friends. With so many yoga retreats popping up all over the world, it can be hard to find one that fits your budget. Whether you are looking for an exotic destination or just need a break from life in general, this list will help you find the perfect place to go!
A vacation is great, a yoga retreat is even better. While they often seem pricey, retreats simply offer more value than traveling on your own. Not only do you get to chill in a zen location for a few days, but the retreat package price typically includes vegetarian, possibly organic meals, meditation and yoga classes, personal growth workshops, excursions, airport transfers, and even occasional spa treatment.
For the best deal, bring a friend (or, make new ones) to share a room with. “You can typically save around 25 percent by sharing dorm-style accommodations,” says Sean Kelly, co-founder of BookRetreats.com, a yoga retreat booking site. “It makes sense that staying in a private room is going to cost more.”
Planning ahead can also save you between $100 and $500, depending on the price of the retreat. These early-bird specials are listed about two to three months prior to departure, Kelly adds. Keep in mind that some early-bird specials are given to the first few spots, and once they are filled, everyone else pays the full price.
If you’re on a really tight budget, reach out to the retreat leader to see if there is any room for negotiation—a rustic location may give you a slight discount if you bring your own tent, or perhaps you can ask about bundle pricing if you sign up with a few friends. “It doesn’t hurt to ask, and you may be surprised by a positive response,” Kelly says.
Ready to book a trip? We found some of the best retreat deals—from the mountains of Colorado to lush gardens of Thailand—that cost $250 per day or a lot less.
13 Affordable Yoga Retreats
1. Love Don’t Fade Bhakti Fest in Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica
April 21–28, 2018
Verdant is an understatement when it comes to describing the Osa Peninsula, home to the intimate and eco-friendly Blue Osa Yoga Retreat & Spa. The clear air of the beachside Costa Rican jungle makes it the ideal place to fine-tune your pranayama practice. Miami-based teacher Jaya Dev will guide you through an (8 limbs path) Ashtanga & bhakti retreat to delve deeper into understanding your practice and meditation. Dev’s approach to bhakti yoga and kirtan aims to elevate conscious thoughts to “the soulful level.”
2. Restorative Yoga Retreat in Rhinebeck, New York
May–October 2018
Just walking through the verdant grounds of the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies is restorative—signing up for this Rest & Rejuvenation Getaway will be next-level decompression. This laissez-faire retreat lets you customize your own experience by choosing classes that focus on uncovering your inner artist, writer, or naturalist. Yoga Nidra, Lunar Astrology, Aura Cleanse, and Watercolor are just a few samples of past offerings. In your free time wandering the 250-plus acre campus or simply paddle across the lake. Insider tip: the daily fee ($25 per weekday, $38 per weekend day) is waived in May, September, and October.
3. Rest and Wellness in the Outer Banks, Corolla, North Carolina
May 27–June 3, 2018
The laid-back vibe of the Outer Banks is clearly felt in quaint Corolla, the idyllic village that will serve as your retreat base for the next week. Alternate between beach Hatha, power, and restorative yoga and practicing hot yoga at the local studio. In your free time, lounge by the private pool, soak up the salt-water air at the beach (just steps from your charming cottage), play tourist and visit the historic town center, or book excursions like parasailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and wild horse tours. “With so many options for activities, Corolla still manages to feel like your own private beach town,” says retreat co-leader Suzanne Burns. “The retreat offers all the modern amenities one would need but the environment to completely disconnect and recharge as well.”
4. Yoga, Fitness, and Movement for the Soul in Sayulita, Mexico
June 30–July 7, 2018
The hand-built Haramara Retreat Center, nestled on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean coastline and the Sierra Madre Mountains, is a jungle gem. “There’s something unique about Haramara and the way it disconnects you from technology and reconnects you to nature and to people around you,” says retreat co-leader Nathania Stambouli, who is organizing her fourth retreat to Haramara this year. The property is a perfect setting for this hybrid retreat that incorporates yoga, plyometrics-based workouts, and Animal Flow, a movement practice designed to inject some zing into your zen. Expect a bevy of workshops (nutrition, mala bracelet making, arm balance, and inversions), plenty of hiking, and gliding on the 70 mile-per-hour zipline. Spring for the extras, like cooking classes and a session at Temazcal, a sweat lodge ceremony that gives detoxing a whole new meaning.
5. Yoga and Wellness Cruise, departing from Camden, Maine
July 22–26, 2018
Sun salutations aboard the 95-foot Windjammer Angelique take on an entirely new meaning. This wellness cruise is led by local yoga instructors that accommodate guests of all levels. Each morning choose whether you want to vinyasa onshore or to start the day with pranayama on deck. Over the course of this four-day cruise, guests will get to enjoy about 6 hours of sailing each day in Penobscot Bay. The “mindful lunch” lets you munch in silence as the boat sails through tranquil waters. Each night, you’ll anchor in a new spot: perhaps a historic town like Castine or a fishing village like Stonington. One of the evenings is set aside for a beachside lobster bake (with plenty of vegetarian options) ashore a deserted island along Maine’s coastline. At anchor, guests can borrow rowboats and stand-up paddleboards—we dare you to Down Dog on the water.
6. Glamping Yoga Retreat in Ithaca, New York
July 27–29, 2018
You’ve heard that practicing yoga in nature can really enhance your practice. Jennifer Hess, the owner of Finger Lakes Yogascapes, agrees. The Baron Baptiste-trained vinyasa instructor is hosting an all-women’s retreat with the help of Firelight Camps, a nature-meets-nurture campground that provides just enough luxury to be comfortable (plush robes and beds with crisp linens), yet maintains its adventurous spirit (waterfall hiking and foraging excursions). In addition to four yoga sessions—three vinyasas and one restorative—the retreat embraces the true spirit of camping with nightly s’mores and stargazing.
7. 420 Yoga Retreat in Parshall, Colorado
August 3–5, 2018
The retreat kicks off with Laughter Yoga at 4:20 p.m., setting the tone for an eclectic weekend. Each guest will receive a special goodie bag with joints and ganja medicinals to assist in modifying their yogic experience and practice, at least while they are at the cannabis-friendly Aspen Canyon Ranch, just 2 hours west of Denver. The daily classes range from Sativa vinyasa flow to “Stoner Nidra” to partner yoga (with Mary Jane) to lit silent meditation. “We always attract a great group of people from all over the world,” says Darrin Zeer, the retreat leader. “[These are] regular folks seeking deep relaxation, a nature adventure and to connect with a friendly community. We have a lot of fun and laughter with an intention for each person to ‘go with their own flow.’” In between yoga and meditation sessions, hike the 450-acre property in the midst of the Rocky Mountains or find your balance on a slackline.
8. Yoga, Meditation, and Cultural Immersion in Bali, Indonesia
October 1–7, 2018
Bali has a reputation for its healing powers, so it only makes sense that spending six days at Nandini Jungle Resort & Spa, nurtured by the lush rainforest Payangan, will positively shift your awareness. “Being removed from the distractions of the outside world, immersed in sounds of the rainforest soothes the soul on a whole new level,” says retreat leader Mary Tilson, an international yoga instructor with more than 1,000 certified teacher training hours. “The most magical part is its access to a highly revered location on the Ayung River that runs through the forest walls below, where the energy is so powerful that a shift in consciousness feels inevitable. It’s a place you need to not only see but to feel firsthand to truly appreciate.” The proximity to Balinese villages offers a rare, authentic experience in understanding the spiritual practices of local culture. In addition to a dynamic vinyasa flow in the morning and restorative yoga in the evening, you’ll also learn to cook traditional Balinese dishes, trek to Mt. Batur volcano at sunrise, and partake in the blessing ceremony in the mystic Ayung River, said to be powered by God Siwa, who represents the idea of divinity in everything.
9. Practice, Breathe, Surf Nicaragua in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
November 10–17, 2018
Start each morning with a 90-minute power yoga practice—led by renowned Vancouver-based Rocket instructor Risto Duggan—at one of the yoga shalas on the premises of the eco-friendly Costa Dulce. Once your muscles are warmed up, grab a surfboard and hop in the water. “My yoga practice and riding waves are the perfect marriage,” says Duggan. “The paddling position is related to Cobra Pose. The ‘pop’ prep resembles Up Dog, and the surfing position is similar to a Warrior II. Both of these physical practices are pivotal in keeping your ego in check.” The secluded beach accommodates both novice surfers and those who live for the waves. If you want to meet a few baby turtles, seek out “Tim the Turtle Guy,” who’s released over 60,000 of these little dudes into the ocean. Wrap up the day with AcroYoga and a family-style dinner (fish tacos + coconut mojitos = yum!). A yin practice is a perfect nightcap before you nod off in one of the open-air bungalows.
10. New Year Bikram retreat with Siri Om & Hargobind in Puerto Morelos, Mexico
December 30, 2018–January 5, 2019
You’d never guess that there is a yoga haven just 20 minutes from Cancun. While Casa Om, a boutique property with just 11 rooms and an in-house hot yoga studio, offers plenty of retreats throughout the year, welcoming the New Year with a repertoire of yoga workshops (Bikram, Vinyasa, and Backbend & Inversion) is sure to set the tone for the next 365 days. The twice-a-day classes are taught by owners Siri Om and Hargobind Khalsa, who both were raised with a yogic lifestyle before becoming teachers. When not on the mat, venture out to kaleidoscopic Playa del Carmen or snorkel in the bio-diverse coral reefs off of the property’s beach.
11. Sivananda Yoga and Meditation Holiday in Paradise in Nassau, Bahamas
Year-round
Bahamas’ breeze and yoga, please. That should be the slogan for Sivananda, an ashram specializing in yoga retreats. Founded by Swami Vishnudevananda, a disciple of Swami Sivananda, the guru who encompassed his teachings into six words: “Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realize.” Sivananda is ideal for anyone looking to find a reprieve from the daily grind to find spiritual growth, healing, and relaxation. A typical day starts with a 6 a.m. meditation, followed by an asana and pranayama session. You then craft your own curriculum (workshops, snorkeling, lectures) before taking another late afternoon yoga class. Refer to the Sivananda program calendar to specialize your stay—workshops range from “Chair Yoga Teacher Training” (March 1–4) to “Define You, Define Your Purpose” (May 14–17). Conclude the day with a Satsang, meditation, or chanting. Repeat.
13. The Art of Living Happiness Retreat in Boone, North Carolina
Year-round
While you won’t be sweating through asanas during your stay at the Art of Living Retreat Center in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this weekend course will teach you meditation and breathing practices to help you focus on the present. You’ll learn Sudarshan Kriya, a breathing technique that helps you sync with your body’s natural rhythm to eliminate stress, fatigue, and other negative emotions. As you let go, break away to wander through the outdoor labyrinth—a metaphor for a pilgrim’s journey—to maintain that sense of inner balance.
12. Museflower Retreat and Spa Yoga Retreats in Chiang Rai, Thailand
Year-round
The best part about booking a yoga retreat at Museflower is that you can do it on your own terms. Consider visiting in September or October, after the rainy monsoon season, when the weather cools and nature is at its greenest. Need a nudge? Visit during the Life Festival (October 5–8), a holistic healing event that gives 5 percent of weekend retreat proceeds to Emoto Peace Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating children all around the world on water. Bonus: October airfare isn’t as high as the peak season which starts in November and goes through January. Each holistic retreat package—whether it’s three, five, or seven days—includes two daily hatha yoga classes, organic vegetarian farm-to-table meals, and a massage. Amenity not to miss: the Himalayan crystal salt pool. You’ll stay in lakeside cottages surrounded by misty hills and have easy access to hill tribe villages, cultural excursions to temples and bazaars, and even elephant-trekking tours.
Conclusion:
Yoga Retreats You Can Actually Afford in 2018
So, whether you’re looking to escape the cold this winter or take a vacation in the spring or summer, consider one of these 13 yoga retreats that you can actually afford in 2018! From North Carolina to Thailand, there’s a retreat for everyone and every budget. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your yoga getaway today!
