Spa and Wellness Holidays
For relaxation and luxury and idyllic setting, Latin America is fast becoming a top destination for spa and wellness holidays.
Nestled within pristine rainforest or situated on the stunning Brazilian coastline, there are some superb spa retreats in Latin America. Volcanic activity along the spine of the Andes mountain range creates some fabulous natural hot springs in beautiful surroundings, and remote locations promote a true sense of escapism. Whether you are looking for complete relaxation and pampering or more activity and fitness, Latin America has many options for spas and wellness, against the backdrop of the beautiful continent.
WHERE TO GO
Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort, Costa Rica
Voted as the best spa in Latin America on numerous occasions and part of the Leading Hotels and Leading Spas of the World group, this is a Latin American spa hotel not to miss. Situated close to Costa Rica’s famous Arenal volcano, the Tabacón hot springs and beautiful rainforest, the hotel makes the best of these three natural resources to offer superb relaxation and spa services. Each of the 114 rooms is decorated with local handicrafts and makes the best of the natural resources while offering views of the rainforest or hotel gardens. The spa itself is really something special with most of the treatments offered in open air bungalows rather than an enclosed room and all inspired by the natural surroundings. The hot springs and waterfalls provide natural hydrotherapy with water heated from the Arenal volcano and infused with natural minerals from the earth. Some favourite therapies are volcanic mud wraps of scrubs using coffee and coconut. This is Latin American wellness at its very best.
Arenal Nayara Hotel Spa, Costa Rica
The Nayara Hotel in Costa Rica offers an authentic and luxury spa experience. Surrounded by lush green forests and overlooking the Arenal volcano this Latin American spa hotel combines the best of sustainable luxury and wellness. Inspired by the natural surroundings and making use of them in the décor and treatments, you will feel at one with nature in this luxurious property. The rooms have view of either the rainforest of the magnificent volcano and most have outdoor showers. The spa makes the best use of local ingredients including coffee and organic cocoa, ensuring that your treatment feels luxurious and good enough to eat!
Tierra Atacama Hotel and Spa, Chile
Located in the Atacama Desert, this Chilean luxury hotel is an adventure spa in a stunning location. Guests are encouraged to explore the area before returning to the hotel for a range of relaxing treatments. From the Atacama salt flats to the surreally beautiful Moon Valley or the relaxing hot springs and natural geysers there are plenty of activities from which to choose. The spa is named Uma, the Aymara word for water and with the essence of revitalisation and rejuvenation this is exactly how you will feel after a few days at this luxury spa. Making use of volcanic mud, desert herbs and mineral rich salt, the treatments offer the best of the local area in true Latin American style. The restaurant serves fine Chilean cuisine, also using local ingredients and the rooms have floor to ceiling windows, allowing you to take in the stunning scenery. You will leave this hotel feeling infinitely more relaxed than when you arrived.
Tierra Patagonia Hotel and Spa, Chile
The award winning design hotel is situated in the stunning Torres del Paine National Park, A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The hotel emerges from the landscape, designed using local materials and Chilean handicrafts. The rooms offer views of the lake and mountain range and with l’Occitane amenities and unique Patagonian details. The hotel offers fill or half day excursions at varying levels of activity and exploring the best of the spectacular National Park. Back at the hotel guests can enjoy the wonderful spa with facilities such as an outdoor Jacuzzi, sauna and steam bath. The massage therapies relieve tired muscles and the overall focus of the spa is to increase positive thoughts and open the consciousness of the body. This is exactly how you will feel after a few days at this luxury Latin American spa, relaxed and elated and in tune with the beautiful surroundings.
Tierra Chiloe Hotel and Spa, Chile
The Tierra Chiloe is a stunning spa hotel on the beautiful Chiloe Island. Like all Tierra hotels the design and architecture are of the utmost quality, combining natural resources and cutting edge style. Excursions from the hotel allow guests to explore the archipelago on foot, horseback, by boat or by bike. A highlight is the hotel’s own boat that takes guests around the fjords and channels of the island. The spa has a sauna and Jacuzzi and views of the beautiful wetlands for guests to enjoy after their relaxing massage. The rooms combine traditional craftsmanship and modern design and wide windows with stunning views. The restaurant offers the best of the land and the sea in delicious traditional cuisine. This Latin American spa hotel is the ultimate in peace and relaxation in a unique location.
Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel and Wellness, Peru
This luxury hotel on the banks of the Vilcanota river in Peru’s Sacred Valley is a perfect escape for anyone looking for peace and tranquillity. Housed in a 17th century colonial hacienda and located in the beautiful Sacred Valley between Cusco and Machu Picchu, this Latin American spa hotel perfectly combines the Incan and Spanish cultures. A variety of rooms are on offer from Deluxe rooms in a separate building overlooking the gardens and original mansion through to Colonial rooms in the house itself, beautiful lake view rooms and a grand Presidential Suite complete with its own Jacuzzi, movie theatre and musical corner. The spa at this hotel is really something special. The largest in South America, it incorporates traditional Andean rituals and ingredients with the best modern day techniques. There is a mediation and yoga area and space for Andean rituals including Coca leaf reading, Incan sauna and cleansing. Other facilities include an oxygen and aromatherapy room, hydrotherapy pools, hyperbaric chamber and vichy shower treatment rooms. The restaurants provide the finest cuisine using local Andean ingredients and the pisco and sushi bar serving the traditional Peruvian cocktails and sushi with an Andean fusion twist are a real gastronomic highlight.
Llao Llao Hotel and Resort, Argentina
The Llao Llao Hotel and Resort in Patagonia is a Latin American spa resort with a difference. Located on its own peninsula and including an 18 hole golf course surrounded by the fabulous Patagonian scenery, it cannot be beaten on location or stunning scenery. The hotel rooms are split between the traditional, colonial style Bustillo wing and the more modern, Moderno wing. All have views of the lake, mountains or garden and many have their own balcony. Activities on offer at the hotel range from golf, water sports on the lake or cycling round the grounds. The spa is one of the best in Argentina with a wide variety of treatments and packages on offer. The health club facilities include relaxation room, body building room, Jacuzzi, sauna and outdoor infinity pool. In the spa you can choose from a few treatments during your stay or a range of packages from two to six days. Treatments are classified according to your need with specialities for athletes, shaping up or mums to be. Our favourites are Relaxation in the Mountains which includes herbal wraps and specialist anti-stress treatments and the One Day Beauty Spa which ensures you feel treated from top to toe. As Latin American spas go, this is one of the best and not to be missed on any tailor-made holiday to Argentina.
Uxua Casa, Brazil
Uxua Casa or ‘Marvellous House’ is exactly that. A stunning luxury design hotel in Brazil’s trendy Trancoso with a fabulous spa. Trancoso is a beautiful town situated on the Bahian coast. Uxua Casa is the only hotel on the town’s quadrado, a UNESCO-protected grassy town square lined with pretty pastel coloured buildings. Each of Uxua’s 11 ‘casas’ is individually decorated meaning that you have your own unique room complete with luxury décor, using materials from local artesans. The spa itself takes inspiration from different cultures including the Pataxo Indians who are indigenous to this region, the African slaves brought over by the Portugese and even the hippies who arrived in the 70’s. The local Almescar tree produces a resin with an alluring, musky scent which is central to many of the spa’s treatments which range from facials to scrubs and massages. Fitness is not forgotten and guests can book in for personal training sessions, use of the fitness room, Yoga or Capoeira classes. A favourite is the white clay lagoon trip where guests travel to a local lagoon and use the white clay as a body mask, a pure, organic ritual tracing back to the indigenous Indians. The hotel pool is lined with Aventurine quartz, used for its healing properties. With a restaurant offering delicious local cuisine and located in one of Brazil’s most beautiful spots, you will not want to leave Uxua Casa.