5 Retreat-Ready Stays for Transformative Getaways

As a Fora Advisor and owner of Elevate Wellness Collective, I focus on partnering with retreat leaders and wellness inspired groups to help find ideal destinations for transformation. This is my list of top boutique spots.

Art of Living Retreat Center (Boone, NC)

This destination feels special because it genuinely understands what nervous systems need right now: quiet, nature, and just enough structure to help people exhale. Perched high in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it offers those big, cinematic views that instantly make your own life feel a little more spacious. I still think about the feeling of stepping out onto the terrace early in the morning, mist in the valley, a cup of tea in hand, and the sense that the whole property is designed to help you slow down without feeling “stuck.”

For retreat leaders, it’s incredibly easy to plug your own programming into their existing wellness ecosystem. You can layer your sessions around their yoga, meditation, or Ayurvedic offerings so your guests feel both held and free to explore. I especially love their vegetarian, Ayurvedic-inspired meals—they’re simple, grounding, and surprisingly crowd-pleasing even for guests who are new to wellness travel.

Tip: If you’re hosting a group, ask about the mix of “retreat” vs. “hotel-style” rooms and walking distances between spaces so you can match room types to guests who want to be either in the heart of the action or a bit more tucked away.

Wild Rice Retreat (Bayfield, WI)

Wild Rice feels like a love letter to creativity and rest. The architecture and interiors are thoughtful without being fussy with clean lines, warm wood, and big windows that invite in the light and the trees. Paired with nourishing, beautifully plated meals and the grounding presence of Lake Superior, it creates a space where people can actually slow down enough to hear themselves think. It’s special to me because it proves that wellness doesn’t have to be flashy to be deeply transformative; it can be simple, beautiful, and quietly powerful.

This is one of those places where you can build in true white space between sessions and actually trust the environment to do some of the work for you. Guests can linger over breakfast, wander the paths, sit in the sauna, or curl up with a journal in their cabin without feeling like they’re “missing out.” I love recommending Wild Rice to groups who crave both inspiration and calm—artists, writers, founders, and anyone in a creative or leadership role.

Tip: If you can, pad your retreat with an extra night so guests can explore Bayfield and, in season, the nearby Apostle Islands—the contrast between the retreat’s cozy cocoon and the wild lake landscape is magic.

Jade Jungle Resort (Belize)

This destination is special because it offers true immersion in nature without sacrificing comfort. From the moment you arrive, you’re surrounded by lush jungle, birdsong, and that deep green stillness you just can’t fake. There’s a feeling of stepping out of “normal life” and into something more elemental and honest; exactly the kind of environment where people start to reconnect with parts of themselves they’ve put on hold.

For retreats, I love that Jade Jungle strikes a balance between adventure and restoration. Days can include river swims, waterfall hikes, or visits to nearby Mayan ruins, followed by grounding practices, group circles, or slow dinners back at the property. The list of nearby excursions that can be layered in allows for retreats of any pace. It’s an especially good fit for groups who want to do inner work but also want to feel the thrill of being somewhere wild and alive.

Tip: Encourage guests to pack light, breathable layers and shoes that can get muddy, and consider building in one “off-program” afternoon so everyone can follow their own curiosity—whether that’s a guided experience or simply a hammock, a book, and the sounds of the jungle.

A space at Jade Jungle

Lunita Jungle Retreat (Riviera Maya, Mexico)

Lunita feels like a sanctuary for people who are ready to go deeper; spiritually, emotionally, and somatically. Nestled in the jungle yet still accessible from the coast, it holds this beautiful tension between raw nature and intentional, held space. Nights under the stars, mornings with birds and soft light filtering through the trees … it’s the kind of place where time stretches in a good way, and the work you do with your group tends to linger long after everyone flies home.

What I love most about Lunita is how personal and intimate it feels. It’s ideal for smaller, boutique-style retreats where everyone knows each other’s name by the first night and there’s room for real conversation at the dinner table. You can design programming around things like breathwork, somatic practices, or spiritual exploration and know the setting will support that depth. If your group is curious about the region, consider adding a cenote visit or beach day as a “treat” at the margins of the retreat—but keep the core of your work anchored in the jungle stillness.

Tip: If you’re hosting, ask about full buyouts and private chef options; being the only group on property really amplifies the sense of safety and connection.

Lunita Jungle Retreat

AmaTierra Retreat & Wellness Center (Costa Rica)

AmaTierra is special because it embodies the warmth and soul of Costa Rica in such an intimate, heartfelt way. The mountain setting, open-air spaces, and surrounding greenery create a feeling of being wrapped in nature without being cut off from the world. There’s a softness to the way time moves here; slow meals, lingering conversations, and that “you’re family now” energy that’s so characteristic of Costa Rican hospitality. Speaking of "you're family," Bob and Jill, owners of AmaTierra, are personally invested in ensuring your retreat is a success and share a passion for holistic wellness, yoga, and locally sourced herbs and vegetables from their garden.

For retreat leaders, AmaTierra is a beautiful canvas for groups seeking both healing and connection. The open-air practice areas, holistic wellness offerings, and small scale of the property make it easy for guests to feel seen and supported. This is a great choice for retreats centered on nervous system healing, spiritual growth, or women’s circles. I often recommend planning at least one day that includes a gentle excursion—maybe a trip to the beach or a local town—so guests can experience more of Costa Rica, then return to the calm of the mountains.

Tip: Group transfers from San José simplify arrival day enormously, and this location is only about 90 minutes from the airport.

AmaTierra Resort

It's incredibly valuable for retreat leaders to partner with a travel advisor when planning and scaling a successful retreat. The right advisor can help you match your vision and budget with the ideal venue, navigate contracts and group policies, and think through rooming, transfers, and add-on experiences you may not have considered. That support not only protects your margins and your time, it also lets you stay in your zone of genius—serving your guests—while someone else handles the logistics behind the scenes.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our wellness travel page.