By Alex Ruelas

Top zen villas

Every wellness retreat begins with a refuge, the kind of place that will really put your mind and senses at ease. And there are several private villas in the Riviera Maya that have the perfect atmosphere for you to find peace and connection with your surroundings.

Casa Adama has strong zen vibes. Balinese and Moroccan craftwork gives this modern home in Tulum a laid-back personality that fits with the green environs. The home was designed with yoga retreats and healing rituals in mind and was decorated to create a soothing ambiance where your senses can relax and take in the sounds of the surrounding jungle.

Located right at the beach, in the gorgeous Soliman Bay, Villa Mariola is the place to connect with the ocean. The outdoors is simply breathtaking, with a pool and deck that transform into a white-sand private beach adorned with coco palms. The five-bedroom residence even has kayaks that you can take out to paddle in the tranquil bay, where turtle and ray sightings are not uncommon.

16TULUM is an alluring minimalist refuge of total privacy. Conveniently isolated but still a bike ride away from vibrant streets and idyllic beaches, this villa in Tulum was designed for guests to feel the tropical energy. It has eight independent suites, an 18-meter swimming pool, and even an outdoor bath ideal to relax in the water while stargazing. 

Another beachfront abode we love is Villa Amara. This exquisitely decorated home is nestled between a beautiful cenote and the Caribbean Sea. The views from the master bedroom are especially impressive, with the panoramic windows and the electric blue of the ocean framing the open bathtub. Few things can be more relaxing than waking up to that wonderful scene.

And if you want to feel truly immersed in the jungle, then Villa Verde is the place you are looking for. Its open-plan architecture and local materials will make you feel enveloped by the tropical setting. There are loads of features to enjoy here. The master bathroom has an open-air bathtub. The rooftop terrace is an open invitation to watch jaw-dropping sunsets. While the swimming pool and gardens will have you spending your days chilling in the sunshine.

In-villa wellness

Once you have found the perfect hideout, it is easy to transform it into your personal spa. You can start with a massage. If you feel like you need extra help to unwind or simply want to spoil yourself, you can have a masseuse come to your villa and turn the day into a repairing wellness session. 

There is a collection of spa treatments available, from classic back, neck, and shoulder massages to aroma reflexology treatments. All the services are designed to repair your body and use products that are good for your health and the environment.

You can also have a rejuvenating facial in your vacation home. Deep cleansing facials, collagen masks, cacao treatments, you name it. All of these are available any time and you can book for yourself or the entire group to get the holiday mood going. Nail treatments are offered too, so you can get a manicure and pedicure in total privacy.

And if you’re looking for a more active way of taking care of yourself, private yoga classes are always a good idea. Simply choose a date (or several) and Yogi Haydee, our exclusive instructor who has more than 12 year’s experience and is certified in Ashtaga and Vinyasa yoga, will come to your home to guide you through an invigorating experience. We can also provide yoga mats, reusable water bottles, and some music to make sure everything is set for you to focus only on quieting your mind.

A self-care journey in the Riviera Maya

With its unique combination of Maya heritage, unbelievable nature, and mystical energy, the Mexican Caribbean is a perfect place to take care of yourself. Wherever you decide to stay, you are guaranteed to find nearby activities to replenish your mind and body close to your villa.

There is probably no better opportunity to get to know the most intimate traditions of this land and pamper yourself at the same time than with a temazcal. This ancient Maya treatment is akin to a steam room, where herb-infused vapor is used to cleanse mind and spirit. Each of the “doors” – when more water is poured into the hot stones in the middle of the igloo-like hut – has a different meaning in regional folklore. After the ceremony, visitors can freshen up in the crystalline waters of a cenote and then delight in traditional Yucatecan food. 

Going to a spa is also a great option. At Yäan Healing Sanctuary you can find all kinds of treatments that fuse pre-Hispanic wisdom with modern rejuvenating therapies. Every experience begins in the Healing Waters Circuit, which comprises warm and cool massage pools, a sauna, and a steam room with an adjacent marble-stone hammam. 

After this relaxing session, there is a number of treatments to choose from, including their Exclusive Mexican Therapies. The Maya Renaissance, for example, is a Copal Auric cleansing followed by a deep rhythmic massage with an infusion of rose petals and sacred Mayan herbs. The ritual is designed for opening you to the blessings of the universe, this treatment renews spirituality and self-love. You can also find here more classic treatments, all the way from deep tissue massages to reflexology therapies. 

If you want to reactivate your body, experience some extraordinary tropical scenery, and try something new at the same time, you will want to join for stand-up paddle yoga sessions. These organized group classes – which you can book privately for your entire party – combine balance on a paddleboard with yoga asanas, all in a gorgeous setting.

You can choose between two locations. The first is cenote Chikin Ha, a beautiful open-air pool surrounded by greenery that is fully booked for your party to have a peaceful practice. The second is the breathtaking Kaan Lum lagoon. Located just a few kilometers south of Tulum, on the edge of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, it is a spectacular location to float on turquoise water and feel the morning sun while you work on your poses. The experience is five hours long and includes transport, lunch, and all the gear you will need. 

The Riviera Maya has many hidden secrets. It is a place to explore and to take care of your mind, body, and spirit. It is also a destination to reconnect with a landscape that embraces us. Perhaps above all, it is an invitation to be kind to ourselves and to enjoy every minute. So if you need to relax, a wellness retreat by the waves of the Caribbean might be just the thing you are looking for.