If you crave an escape from your everyday life, the Philippines offers some incredibly idyllic retreats. This southeast Asian archipelago is blessed with far more than its fair share of natural beauty, from valleys nestled at the foot of mountains like Mt. Pinatubo to breathtaking coastal locations.
Between them, these wellness retreats in the Philippines offer so much more than spa facilities. They also offer authentic local cuisine, adventures, and activities so you can discover the area, plush accommodations, yoga and fitness classes, and even world-class surfing.
Keep reading to discover the Philippines’ finest get-away-from-it-all retreat vacations.
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Badian Island Wellness Resort
Badian Island Wellness Resort has been operating for more than three decades and is the brainchild of a German and Filipino partnership. A key feature of this retreat is the outdoor Thalasso pools and waterfalls, where the waters are said to have restorative properties.
If you like to support the local economy when visiting new places, you’ll love that this resort was established to boost tourism and create jobs. It’s also an open-air retreat, so every guest can feel at one with Mother Nature.
The approach at Badian Island is holistic, combining healthy eating with yoga and a range of pampering and revitalizing spa treatments. Luxury accommodations and fine-dining restaurants are also part of the experience. Guests can also enjoy excursions to explore the local area and beach-based activities.
Choose Badian Island for deluxe suites, three restaurants, Thalassotherapy, massage, snorkeling, yoga, and more.
Revive and Thrive Yoga Beach Retreat
This yoga beach retreat runs for five nights and six days, so guests can become fully immersed in the experience. The Revive and Thrive Yoga Retreat also has a two-day program is also available for those who are short of time.
The philosophy is to revive and thrive in the present moment without the distractions of modern technology that can detract from the experience. While disconnecting from the contemporary world, guests can connect with nature, all in a paradisiacal island setting.
The yoga classes suit all skill levels, from beginner to advanced. They practice a range of yoga types, including Hatha Yoga, Nidra Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga, and much more. They also offer guided meditations.
This holistic Revive and Thrive retreat also includes cultural experiences, relaxing activities, and local adventures so you can discover the Philippines while winding down. Food is local-style too, featuring local produce and Southeast Asian flavors.
You’ll stay in comfortable accommodations featuring bamboo huts with coastal views.
Goddess Retreat
The five-day Goddess Retreat is held at Harmony Healing Resort in El Nido, Palawan. It’s aimed at women seeking a supportive and restorative experience. There are multiple strands to the program, including fear release, emotional connectivity, energy movement, and much more. They’ll help you make the most of your divine feminine energy.
By the end of the program, women will be fully equipped to let go of any past negative experiences. They also teach you to love yourselves and receiving life’s gifts with thanks rather than always giving to others.
General yoga and other specialties like hatha and vinyasa are all practiced at the Goddess Retreat with classes suitable for all levels. It’s all part of finding inner peace, as well as switching off from technology and the stresses of everyday life.
The Goddess Retreat has a strong sensual element, including body positivity, eye gazing, and the power of touch. All such activities are optional, so you can plan your stay just how you want it.
Awake Siargao
Awake Siargao stands out from your typical Filipino wellness retreats because it offers a mixture of surfing as well as yoga and fitness classes and local excursions. The pristine local beaches provide the perfect setting for honing your surf skills, practicing yoga, and unwinding with other retreat attendees.
Compact, teardrop-shaped Siargao Island is renowned as the best surfing location in the Philippines and has been recognized as one of the best islands in Asia in the past by Conde Nast Travelers.
There are numerous highly-rated surf spots on the island, ranging from the tunneling waves of Cloud 9 to beginner favorite Jacking Horse. Cemetery, meanwhile, provides soft, long, left-handed waves, and Quiksilver is ideal for experienced surfers seeking a challenge.
You can also practice yoga and meditation, join strength and conditioning workouts, take island-hopping boat trips, and enjoy freshly prepared Filipino feasts while staying at Awake Siargao. All the meals here feature local tastes and Western delights prepared by chefs.
Sri Lanka is another beautiful place for attending a wellness retreat.
The Farm at San Benito
The Farm at San Benito occupies a lush site among the Malarayat mountains, offering over 50 hectares of space. It’s a multiple award-winning retreat, including awards for the top hotel spa by Travel + Leisure.
The Farm has 60 deluxe villas and suites, some with up to four bedrooms. Some have their own pool, making this the ideal resort for families, couples, and solo travelers.
Three restaurants on site offer vegan, vegetarian, or pescetarian cuisine. All serve food made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and dishes are plant-based, nutrient-rich, and organic wherever possible.
The Farms at San Benito has a strong holistic approach to how they do things. You’re welcome to stay in one of their over 60+ beautiful villas. They all feature classical Philippine-style designs and have beautiful overlooks.
Hiraya Wellness Resort and Ecopark
Taking a break at Hiraya Wellness Resort and Ecopark is all about giving your mind and body a chance to slow down, unwind, and rebalance. The experience includes luxury accommodations, the Indira Kamalayan Spa, and local adventures. I
There’s a strong environmental ethos, and the resort also supports local philanthropic causes. Rooms and villas are furnished with locally made items. Couples’ and family villas come with private plunge pools, while the White House villa for up to 10 offers access to a larger pool.
A variety of complimentary activities is included with room rates at Hiraya. These range from yoga, trekking, biking, and outdoor fitness classes to seasonal adventures. Optional paid activities available include pizza making, movie evenings, bamboo rafting, and bonfire and S’mores nights. Apart from massages, the Indira Kamalayan Spa also offers pedicures and manicures.
A selection of a la carte services and spa packages can restore your body and mind. For food, you have two dining options on-site: a grill specializing in Filipino fare and a cafe serving international cuisine.
Nurture Wellness Village
Nurture Wellness Village is fully Filipino-run, so by choosing this option you can help the local economy to thrive. It’s all based around ecotherapy, offering a unique brand of wellness tourism that’s accessible to all.
A selection of packages is offered, covering day spa facilities or overnight stays for couples and families. If you book a longer stay, accommodation options range from garden or forest view rooms and family rooms to top-of-the-range Cañao Spa Suites.
The Nurture Wellness Village Spa is one of the Philippines’ leading destination spas, and all massage staff are Department of Health licensed. The Amu’in massage oils used are locally blended fresh.
Nurture also offers a range of treatments to ensure overall well-being, including biomat therapy, acupuncture, and more. Aesthetic and other procedures can also be arranged through the resort. The Farmer’s Table Tagaytay also serves farm-to-table fare al fresco.
Shanti Wellness Sanctuary
Shanti Wellness Sanctuary is a peaceful retreat in the Tagaytay-Batangas valleys conveniently close to Twin Lakes Tagaytay. The resort offers private dining experiences and a range of activities, in addition to spa and wellness amenities and services.
Accommodations are supplied in Junior Tent Lodges or a range of Dome Pool Villas. All offer serene views over the forest, pool, or spa village. Tented accommodation has a shared bathroom, while the more luxurious options have private pools and en suite facilities.
Private dining options available at Shanti Wellness Sanctuary include glam picnics, bohemian outdoor dining for two to six people, or romantic set-ups complete with candles and rose petals.
The wellness village is a key feature of the resort and uniquely offers a range of activities that can be accessed on a complimentary basis. These include balance, stone, and labyrinth walks, a pumice garden, rock balancing, forest bathing, and more. Additional options also include a sweat lounge, a signature bath, sound bathing, and more.
Kamana Sanctuary
If being by the beach is what your mind and body crave, then Kamana Sanctuary’s Nabasan Bay location should more than suffice. As well as being situated right by the golden sands, the resort also boasts a lovely infinity pool offering sweeping ocean views. Backing the resort is a tropical rainforest.
Accommodation is provided in standard or deluxe single, twin, and double rooms, family loft rooms, suites, and casitas. Many have private verandas offering soothing mountain views.
The dining menus at Kamana Sanctuary range from meat-free dishes like Chinese greens and mushrooms to rib-eye and Salisbury steaks. Breakfast choices include eggs, chorizo, or brioche. Foods with an international flavor include Asian glazed salmon, beef nachos, and New York-style pastrami.
Kamana’s in-house spa specializes in massage treatments, incorporating Swedish, Shiatsu, foot, and full-body massage to pamper and revitalize from head to toe.
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