With the wellness craze that has taken off all around the world, it’s no wonder that yoga has become a new mainstay in fitness programs within luxury hotels and resorts. From the San Camp in Botswana to the Vista Celestial resort located near the whale-loving shores of Costa Rica, visitors can flow into downward dogs and do meditation on serene yoga pavilions at some of the most beautiful locations on the planet. And just think, these same destinations that boast sunny weather, exotic animal life, and tranquil waters beg to be explored by way of hiking, biking, kayaking, and diving. With that in mind, what better way to wind down from a day of adventure than with some yoga against a cool breeze? Below, explore AD’s top destinations for outdoor yoga pavilions—locals that promise to rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul.
Fusion Resort Cam Ranh (Nha Trang, Vietnam)
An all spa-inclusive resort on Vietnam's south central coast, the Fusion Resort Cam Ranh has a serene outdoor yoga pavilion that overlooks a lotus pond. Complimentary yoga, Tai Chi, and meditation are offered inside the 170-square-foot pavilion. Remco de Hoog, Fusion's chief design officer, created the space with a galvanized steel box frame concealed within bamboo cladding, a traditional bamboo and palm-leaf roof. The floor has been crafted from Cho Chi, a strong and versatile timber cut from the Parashorea chinensis tree, an evergreen giant native to northern Vietnam and southern China. Which is all to say, this pavilion is as traditional to its surroundings as it is relaxing. fusionresorts.com
Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (Krabi, Thailand)
Perched on the white sands of the Andaman Sea in Krabi, Thailand, Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, has a pavilion called Sala Srichan. The architect, Mathar Bunnag, created the pavilion using wood by combining modern design with accents of traditional Thai style (including a peaked roof and gold flower inlays on the eaves). As if this space couldn't be more beautiful, Phulay Bay offers candlelight yoga activities at dusk. ritzcarlton.com
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa (San Diego, CA)
Surrounded by lush gardens, the Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa has a new 1,000-square-foot partially open-air Serenity Yoga Pavilion, which features a floating dock for the instructor and evokes a Zenlike atmosphere. Todd-Avery Lenahan of TAL Studio designed the Yoga Pavilion to look directly to the resort’s creek preserve area surrounded by eucalyptus, Mexican palms, triangle palms, fruit trees, Senegal date palms, and oak trees. The tranquil space is equipped to host a range of fitness programs, such as Yoga Barre and Ballet Sculpt. ranchovalencia.com
San Camp (Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana)
Perched within Botswana's Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, San Camp offers game drives focused on desert-adapted species such as aardvark, gemsbok, springbok, the rare brown hyena, and gangs of habituated wild meerkats. For winding down, the camp has a yoga tent with a small pool attached. Spacious and airy, the white tent was made using sustainable teak from Zimbabwe. naturalselection.travel
Sansara Surf & Yoga Resort (Cambutal, Panama)
Planted in a small village inside a verdant jungle next to the Los Buzos Sea in Panama, Sansara Surf & Yoga Resort specializes in world-class yoga exercises. Co-owner Mike Phillips is a former stonemason and building contractor, and built the open-air yoga shala with a thatched roof rancho facing the Pacific Ocean. The entire wooden structure is all sourced locally, including the handcrafted wooden yoga blocks sourced from local artisans. sansararesort.com
Vista Celestial (Uvita, Costa Rica)
Located 2,000 feet up in the mountains of southern Costa Rica, Vista Celestial is in a largely untouched forested area. Guests are able to enjoy sunrise or sunset yoga sessions on the property’s Jungle Yoga Platform, which was built around a large tree (the space comfortably fits 20 yogis). The platform allows for regular monkey sightings and the occasional sloth visit. vistacelestial.com