12 Insanely Cheap Vacations For Fitness Junkies
Vacation is all about relaxation and having a big to-do list of nothing. Or is it?
Fit getaways are an enduring trend these days thanks to how much time most of us spend sitting down at work craving fun and adventure. More travelers are trading spas and cruises for action-packed trips that leave them feeling restored, energized and refreshed.
Unfortunately, wellness tourism can come at a pretty steep price, and taking a trip you can’t actually afford doesn’t really encourage the full enjoyment of your time while you’re there. So we did some digging and found cheap fitness vacations that won’t leave you with a sense of buyer’s remorse. In the list, no activity is off limits and each location offers a fun change of pace without requiring a ton of time to get there. And when it comes to price, all of the trips are accessible for less than $300 per night. (You’re welcome.)
1. Blue Osa — Osa Penninsula, Costa Rica
Enjoy: Yoga, meditation, eco-adventure tours
Price: The “Best of Costa Rica” package starts at just $225 per night.
This vacation retreat makes room for both adventure and rejuvenation. On top of private room accommodations, Blue Osa offers three farm-to-table healthy meals on site, two guided eco-adventure tours of your choosing, a daily yoga class, a 60-minute spa treatment, and travel assistance (to and from the local airport and return airfare to San Jose) all in this single package price.
2. New Life Hiking Spa — Killington, Vermont
Enjoy: Hiking (all levels)
Price: Their mini wellness vacation (2-4 days depending on your schedule) costs $269 per night for a solo traveler.
This hiking trip checks all the boxes: the location makes it super accessible, the Appalachian Trail provides some of the best hiking trails on the East Coast, and the fees are beyond reasonable. It’s the ideal trip if you’re looking for a quick getaway that encourages unplugging from work and reconnecting with nature and yourself. The mini wellness vacation includes room accommodations, three gourmet meals and nutritious snacks, a hiking program, all of their exercise classes and one massage or facial during your stay.
3. Jungle Bay — Dominica
Enjoy: Fitness boot camp (including hiking, yoga and adventure activities)
Price: The weeklong fitness boot camp experience breaks down to just $279 per day when traveling with a friend or partner.
Get fit while exploring a rainforest? Count us in! On this trip, you can hike to hidden waterfalls, discover secret beaches, snorkel along beautiful reefs and even kayak in the ocean. The package includes airport pick-up and drop-off, room accommodations, all meals and fresh local juices throughout the week, a daily fitness program and three 30-minute spa treatments during the week.
4. The Art Of Living Retreat Center — Boone, North Carolina
Enjoy: Yoga, mindfulness, meditation, ayurvedic spa
Price: While the retreat prices vary (all strike that under $300 daily sweet spot), big private hotel rooms are available for $260 per day with a two-night minimum stay.
This beautiful retreat nestled among the Blue Ridge Mountains is home to the top ayurvedic spa in the country, and it is host to several retreats at any given time. Whether you want to focus on mindfulness practices, yoga or life balance in general, they have a program that will perfectly match your interests. And if you prefer an a la carte experience, their general activity list will keep you engaged as well.
5. Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort — Paradise Valley, Arizona
Enjoy: Yoga, Pilates, hiking, bike riding, meditation
Price: A two-night stay for you and a plus one will run you about $269 per day.
This incredible desert wonderland is bound to transport both your body and mind no matter how long you visit. The accommodations are immaculate and their fitness trainers and classes receive a fair amount of praise as well. There are hiking and biking trails on site, and if you feel like exploring Scottsdale, the resort has plenty of pre-planned day trips to choose from as well.
6. Surf Ranch —San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua
Enjoy: Surfing, sailing, yoga, rock climbing, zip lining
Price: This one is a real steal — an all-inclusive three day/two night trip for two is only $199.
The setup at Surf Ranch is the most fun and budget friendly we’ve seen yet: room accommodations are incredibly reasonable and its all-inclusive programs make it so you don’t have to think twice about food, drinks and transportation throughout your stay. You can pick and choose what interests you most from the activity menu, and even though you pay a separate fee for most of them, none on the list are going to break the bank.
7. Dahlonega Spa Resort — Dahlonega, Georgia
Enjoy: Yoga, hiking, biking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting
Price: The thee-night Mind+Body+Spirit program starts at $283 per day.
This southern, television-free retreat is sure to help you press reset. The Mind+Body+Spirit program includes room accommodations, all meals, three yoga classes and $200 worth of spa treatments per person. The resort also offers half-day and full-day tours including hiking, biking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, and visiting wildlife reserves, vineyards or waterfalls. And since it’s just 90 minutes outside of Atlanta, getting there will be a breeze.
8. Red Mountain Resort — St. George, Utah
Enjoy: Hiking, biking, golf, excursions, fitness classes, yoga, meditation
Price: The Red Mountain Essential Retreat program starts at $270 per day.
If you’re into adventure vacations, then St. George is a must-see destination on your list. And the Red Mountain Resort has lodging and activity options for pretty much everyone. The Red Mountain Essential Retreat package includes room accommodations, three daily meals, guided morning hikes, fitness classes, personal discovery activities, cooking demos and more. There is no way you could end up feeling bored in this picturesque place.
9. eXtreme Hotel — Cabarete, Dominican Republic
Enjoy: Kiteboarding, fitness camps, aerial sports, yoga
Price: Hotel rooms start at just $59 per day. (We know!)
This eco-friendly locale encourages all of its visitors to ditch the technology and stresses of daily life, and enjoy nature and fitness-focused activities instead. Whether you want to learn how to kite board (highly recommend) or practice your flying trapeze skills, these folks will take good care of you. This sounds like the most fun way ever to complete that necessary digital detox.
10. Northern Outdoors — West Forks, Maine
Enjoy: River rafting, fishing, hiking, ATV riding, snowmobiling
Price: Cabins go for as low at $127 per day during “value season.”
Talk about an action-packed vacation! Take as many friends as you can fit in your cabin of choice and enjoy a trip filled with river rafting, hiking and more in one of the country’s most beautiful nature scenes. Northern Outdoors offers plenty of housing and activity options to cater to each visitor as best as possible. There’s no way you’ll leave this trip with the word “bored” in your vocabulary.
11. Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat — Nassau, Bahamas
Enjoy: Yoga
Price: All room options cost well below $200 per day.
This zen vacation will help you better connect with nature, yourself and others all while not stressing about the state of your wallet. You can opt for the Yoga Vacation Program for just $20 per day in the summer months ($32 otherwise), which includes meals, yoga classes, daily workshops, and access to the beautiful beach, ashram grounds and amenities. You won’t return home the same old you, that’s for sure.
12. Ketanga Fitness Retreats — Multiple Locations
Enjoy: HIIT, bootcamp, yoga, Pilates, SUP and more
Price: It varies per retreat and location, but most slide in just under the $300 per day mark.
This retreat company perfectly balances fitness, adventure and relaxation in one vacation. They understand that people want location and activity options, so they provide them. Whether you want to venture to Spain, Portugal, Costa Rica, Mexico or Upstate New York, you’re covered with Ketanga. They are also hyper-focused on keeping trips affordable so more people can experience how great it feels to include fitness when traveling the world.