The Ultimate Reset: Why Your Next Vacation Should Be an All-Inclusive Wellness Retreat

One of my favorite places in North America is Rancho La Puerta, a family-owned wellness retreat tucked into the mountains of Baja California, Mexico. After a seamless pickup at the San Diego International Airport and an easy border crossing, you find yourself transported into 4,000 acres of gardens, mountains, and total beauty.

Never Take Out Your Wallet

After checking in, everything from meals to fitness and wellness classes is included. Even the gift shop purchases my friend Julie and I made were charged to our casita. It sounds like a small thing, but removing the constant mental math of vacation spending was unexpectedly freeing. No splitting checks. No deciding whether something was “worth it.” No pulling out a credit card after every activity. That alone lowered my stress level!

Self Care All Week Long

Every morning began with an optional guided hike through Mount Kuuchumaa. While Julie slept in, I’d hit the trails, winding through oak groves and into the dramatic, boulder-covered foothills. My favorite was the garden hike to the Ranch's La Cocina Que Canta culinary center, where breakfast and a garden tour awaited. Whether you wanted an easy nature walk or a challenging climb, there was something for every fitness level.

After breakfast, Julie and I headed straight to pickleball. Our instructors Kim and Thea somehow managed to be encouraging, hilarious, and incredibly skilled teachers. We learned a lot and vowed to play when we return. After, Julie gravitated toward restorative experiences like Feldenkrais and sound healing, while I usually signed up for something more active like a Barre class, HIIT workout, or TRX session.

The one class we both agreed was unforgettable was a Disco Dance class with Manuel. I honestly can’t remember the last time I laughed that hard.

Wellness retreats offer classes and workshops all day long. The Ranch offered yoga, meditation, salsa dancing, a new longevity track, strength training, songwriting, and so much more, it was impossible to get bored.

But you could totally skip all that and simply spend the afternoon stretched out beside the pool with a good book. Heaven. That's the beauty of an all-inclusive wellness retreat: your days are entirely yours to shape. There are no cruise ships to race back to, no sightseeing tours to keep up with, just the freedom to do whatever feels right when you wake up. And if relaxation is calling, the restorative spa offers everything from Watsu and reflexology to massages and Reiki.

No Reservations. No Cooking. No Dishes.

Breakfast and lunch were delicious buffets filled with colorful produce harvested from Rancho La Puerta’s own Tres Estrellas Organic Farm, fresh tortillas, nourishing soups (our favorite!), goat cheese made from the goats on the land, and grilled wild Alaskan salmon cooked outdoors.

Like most wellness retreats, the menus focused on seasonal, nutrient-rich ingredients. Every meal was packed with protein, fiber, fresh vegetables, probiotics, and whole grains. By the end of the week, I genuinely felt lighter and more energized.

Dinners were a little more formal, featuring a beautifully prepared three-course meal. We could choose private tables or communal seating. We opted for the communal tables every night and never regretted it. By then we’d already crossed paths with many of the same people during hikes, fitness classes, happy hour, or evening events. I also took a cooking class at the retreat’s La Cocina Que Canta, hosted by a guest chef. (This is an extra fee).

Disconnect Completely

One of the retreat’s smartest features is its limited Wi-Fi. Internet is available only in select public gathering spaces like Bazar del Sol, where guests sip espresso, browse artisan goods, or enjoy wines from Baja’s Guadalupe Valley. Everywhere else you disconnect (especially if you choose a no wifi room). It felt like a relief to put down my phone and disconnect from the news, which is never great for feeling relaxed.

Evenings offered just enough entertainment: Bingo with Barry (which was surprisingly hilarious), folk concerts, movies, and casual gatherings, but never felt overscheduled.

A Casita That Feels Like Home

Our casita quickly became one of my favorite places on the property. Tucked into the hillside with sweeping mountain views, it featured hand-painted tiles, exposed wood beams, a cozy fireplace, and a private patio where mornings began with coffee and tea. At one point, Julie and I joked that we could happily downsize and live there forever. We weren’t kidding.

Why They're Worth It

All-inclusive wellness retreats are not cheap. But when you consider what’s often included, transportation from the airport, luxe accommodations, every organic chef-prepared meal, dozens of daily fitness and wellness classes, guided hikes, entertainment, nutrition courses, and access to amazing instructors, the value starts to make a lot more sense.

There were guests celebrating milestone birthdays, couples reconnecting, solo travelers seeking peace, and plenty of people who had been returning year after year. Some had been coming for decades.

The founder, Deborah Szekely, who celebrated her 104th birthday in May, has become something of a living reminder that prioritizing movement, nourishing food, community, curiosity, and rest might just be one of the best investments you can make. Maybe that’s what vacations are supposed to do, not leave you exhausted from all the planning and sightseeing, but give you enough space to remember what feeling well actually feels like.

If your calendar is already filling up for the second half of the year, consider this a bucket list idea that’s less about checking off attractions and more about checking back in with yourself. You will certainly come home feeling better than when you left.

Check Out These Other All-Inclusive Wellness Retreats 

Lake Austin Spa Resort, Austin, TX

Located just about 20 miles from downtown Austin, this lakeside all-inclusive wellness getaway feels much farther from the city than that. Your stay includes all meals, snacks, and nonalcoholic drinks, including fresh juices and smoothies; access to the spa’s pools and relaxation spaces; wellness activities; and gratuity.

Canyon Ranch, Four Locations

At its four locations across the U.S., you can choose from mind-body activities tailored to your personal goals, enjoy locally sourced, chef-prepared dining that nourishes the body, and indulge in rejuvenating spa treatments specifically designed to restore your energy and leave you feeling renewed.

Art of Living Retreat Center, Boone, NC

Nestled in the serene Blue Ridge Mountains, this modest retreat center offers a customizable journey tailored to your specific wellness intentions. Your stay includes nourishing, Ayurvedic-inspired vegetarian meals; daily access to a wide array of yoga and meditation sessions; and experiences ranging from nature walks to restorative wellness workshops.

Hemlock Neversink, Neversink, NY

Situated in the scenic Sullivan Catskills, this woodsy escape blends refined comfort with true connection to nature. Your stay includes all-inclusive plant-forward dining at the on-site restaurant, Bittersweet; unlimited access to classes including dance cardio, yoga, and meditation; and unique amenities like a goat sanctuary and tennis courts, all designed to leave you feeling completely recharged.