The north of Thailand is a backpackers’ and digital nomad’s dream with both co-working spaces and retreat centers that cater to all budgets and backgrounds. Chiang Mai draws travellers from all over the world seeking spiritual and wellness retreats while experiencing traditional Thai culture and learning about the rich history of the area as the former Lanna Kingdom which grew in prosperity in the 13th through 19th centuries.
These 10 yoga and wellness retreats in Chiang Mai offer travellers many options to enjoy yoga, meditation, thai massage, and other spa treatments and nature discovery treks that will allow you to appreciate the beauty of nature while treating yourself to traditional treatments that will harmonize and balane your mind, body, and spirit.
Suan Sati
Suan Sati is a retreat center that offers yoga and meditation programs all within a frame of a Permaculture community living in harmony, self-sufficiently, and regeneratively with nature and each other. The retreat center is a space where Buddha-Dhamma is practiced through yoga asana, mediation, ecological integration, and community. Will and Lisa, the founders of Suan Sati, share their experiences as yoga practitioners, permaculture advocates, and physiotherapists to offer a variety of programs to modern world weary travellers seeking spiritual sanctuary at affordable prices in Chiang Mai.
Program: Yoga at Suan Sati is based on the belief that yoga is more than just an exercise or a way to de-stress but also a practice for spiritual transformation. Every moment and every interaction is an opportunity to practice yoga and the daily asana and meditation classes offered at Suan Sati help to integrate this philosophy into the lives of guests and long-term volunteers, residents, and even staff at the center.
What We Like: Accommodations at Suan Sati are humble structures that are comfortable and environment friendly. Choices include a shared dorm style bamboo long house, a “Truckalow” which is a 1960s truck that was converted into a livable small bungalow house, or adobe mud huts. Suan Sati stresses being a retreat center and not a guest house so a minimum stay of 5 nights to a week is recommended, although stays of just three nights are also honoured depending on the availability of beds.
Cost: Contact for more information
243 Moo 7, Ban Si Bunreuang Pa Phai, San Sai Chiang Mai 50210
Ban Sabai
Ban Sabai Village Boutique Spa Resort is located at the foothills of the Himalayas, just a short drive north of Chiang Mai.
Fine dining is available at Ban Sabai Village Resort and Spa at their in-house restaurant, the Wild Orchid. A free shuttle to and from the city center may be arranged so you can also explore Chiang Mai at your own leisure. The space was designed to make you feel comfortable and at home.
Program: The center offers a wide range of programs including detoxification, yoga, mediation, and spa and beauty wellness treatments. The center is small enough to give personalized attention and care to all guests but are still able to offer high standard programs and facilities which will make your stay memorable.
What We Like: Guests may choose to book a stay at Ban Sabai Village and enjoy various spa wellness treatments or enroll in a multi-day yoga and meditation program, or even Thai massage or courses that hosted at the retreat center.
Cost: Starting at 1,072 USD
219 Moo 9 San Pee Sua Mueang Chiang Mai Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand
Away Chiang Mai Thapae Resort
Away Chiang Mai Thapae Resort is a unique vegetarian retreat that has been certified by VeggieHotels. Hidden away in one of the historic back lanes in the heart of Chiang Mai, you will be immersed in a blend of colonial and Lanna architecture that adds to the charm of the yoga retreat center.
Program: In addition to yoga and massage classes, Away Chiang Mae Thapae Resort also holds daily arts and crafts classes to immerse yourself in the beauty and design of Lanna culture. Classes in fruit carving, towel origami, umbrella and fan painting, flower garland making, lana flag making, and others may be booked during your stay.
What We Like: And of course, vegetarian cuisine is at the heart of Away Chiang Mai Thapae Resort. The Moreorganic Vegetarian Restaurant serves only vegetarian meals of Thai and Western fusion. The restaurant thrives to use the freshest and finest ingredients available. No meat or alcohol is served on the premises to adhere to the Buddhist value of abstinence.
Cost: Contact for more information
9 Soi 1, Chang Khlan Sub-district, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Xhale Yoga Retreat
Guests who book at any time of the year for a 5-day yoga retreat at Xhale Yoga Retreat Pai will be immersed in a deep dive into yoga as a daily practice and as a transformative spiritual modality. Situated only a few hours north of Chiang Mai, Xhale Yoga Retreat Pai was built in a small mountain town that not only offers a complete escape into nature but also hosts a community of artists and musicians that can be enjoyed in the quaint “downtown” area of Pai.
Program: Yoga practitioners, or those who have yet to discover their personal relationship with yoga, are welcome to book a program at Xhale Yoga Retreat Pai. The program encourages guests to bring awareness into their body and movements to create space for energy to flow better.
What We Like: Vegetarian food is included in the five-day retreat fees and any special dietary requests may be accommodated as long as they are informed ahead of your arrival. In addition to the rich deep dive into yoga and meditation offered during the course of the retreat, private Reiki and massage treatments are also optional for guests to book in between classes during free time.
Cost: 454 – 519 USD
92 Moo 1, Vieng Nuear, Pai, Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand
Yoga Samaadhi
Yoga Samaadhi is not only a yoga retreat and teacher training center, they are also a sustainable and organic living advocacy project. All the offerings at Yoga Samaadhi adhere to their three main essential philosophies:
Self-love and acceptance is the first step to a joyful life.
Discover who you are and find the ultimate purpose in life.
Spirituality and sustainability as a way of life.
Program: Community Outreach programs at Yoga Samaadhi include classes on Sustainable and Regenerative Farming, providing livelihood to locals, and making donations to the Mae Sapok Children’s Center and other support for the Hill tribes living in the area who have limited access to social services, schools, and hospitals.
What We Like: Vegetarian Thai food is served during the yoga retreats and training and the chef and staff is happy to accommodate vegan options and learn how to provide gluten-free meals to guests who require this special dietary need as well.
Cost: Contact for more information
47 Moo 5, Route no. 1013, Mae Win Sub-District, Mae Wang District, Chiang Mai, 50360 Thailand
Mala Dhara Resort is an eco resort, organic farm, restaurant, and retreat center that features unique huts, villas, and other accommodations made from sustainable materials such as mud and bamboo.
One of the highlights of Mala Dhara Resort is Kin Dee Restaurant which serves local, fresh, organic, creative vegetarian dishes. Each item on the menu was designed to be a fun exploration of vegetarian and vegan food that will bring your taste buds on an adventure.
Program: The resort has two yoga shalas. One situated beside their salt water pool and another built in their organic gardens on the edge of the property where it merges with nature.
What We Like: The Mala Dhara Organic Farm, which is located adjacent to Mala Dhara Resort. The farm produces much of the ingredients used in the restaurant and guests will be able to visit the farm when they enjoy the gardens, herbal sauna and fire since they are built on the farm area of the eco resort project.
Cost: Contact for more information
152 m.3, Mae Pong, Doi Saket District, Chiang Mai 50220, Thailand
Freedom Yoga
Daily yoga asana classes are offered at Freedom Yoga in Chiang Mai for drop-ins who are travellling through the city, or for guests booked at the retreat center. In addition to yoga classes and retreats, Freedom Yoga also can arrange vegan and vegetarian Thai cooking classes at Ning’s Kitchen using fresh, local ingredients sourced from the market each morning.
Program: Understanding that different people are at different stages of their personal yoga journey, a variety of mixed style yoga asana classes are offered at Freedom Yoga to cater to as many yoga practitioners of all levels as possible. The one philosophy that binds all offerings at the retreat center is the belief that yoga is about understanding and developing the inner self to discover our truest potential.
What We Like: Adam and Ning, the founders of Freedom Yoga teach most of the classes everyday since they opened the retreat center in 2016. They hope to welcome visitors from all over the world to experience their unique offerings and love for Thai culture and food.
Cost: Contact for more information
Hanuman Yoga Retreat
Hanuman Yoga Retreat offers programs in Chiang Mai and other yoga retreat spaces around the world. Tammy, the founder of Hanuman Yoga Retreat, has studied extensively in various modalities such as Hatha Yoga, TRE, Innerdance Energy Work, Craniosacral Therapy and Biodynamics, Qi Gong and Tai Chi, JourneyDance, and others.
Program: The five-day yoga retreat offered by Hanuman Yoga Retreat in Chiang Mai is an experience in Hatha Yoga, Restorative Yoga, TRE exercises, innerdance conscious trance sessions, non-violent communication, and many more healing and self-discovery modalities.
What We Like: Excursions to nearby natural attractions such as the Sippa Hot Springs will also be scheduled in the retreat and guests may choose to add on extra treatments like massages or rent a bike or motorbike to go exploring during free times.
Cost: 642 – 816 USD
152 m.3, Mae Pong, Doi Saket District, Chiang Mai 50220, Thailand
The Pavana Chiang Mai Resort
The Pavana Chiang Mai Resort is a one-stop desination for healthy living located in the Mae Ann Valley. They combine the Five Habits to Longevity (cleansing, eating properly, exercising, breathing, and mind-purification) to offer a holistic and long-lasting wellness and authentic healing program to balance the body and mind. Programs may be personalized depending on your specific health conditions and needs.
Program: Meditation is practiced at least twice daily at The Pavana Chiang Mai Resort. Each session is 20-30 minutes long to help relax and refocus. Healthy cuisine is served to support your physical, mental, and emotional processes for the duration of your stay.
What We Like: Each private and group space at the Pavana Chiang Mai Resort offers views of nature. The Mae Rim countryside sets the backdrop while traditional Lanna architecture is prevalent throughout the yoga retreat center.
Cost: Contact for more information
Thailand, Chiang Mai, Mae Rim District, Huai Sai, 196 50180
Om Waters Thailand
Om Waters Thailand is a retreat center and resort located just an hour north of Chiang Mai. The center was created to float on a lake for 360-degreee views of nature and water and a full digital detox. All rooms have a full lake view and yoga is offered in open spaces that allow you to take in the beauty of the Mae Ngat Somboon Chon Lake.
Program: The resort is actually completely off-grid with electricity provided by a solar panel for all the power needs of the floating retreat, allowing you to completely surrender into the experience without the distractions and complications of the modern world. Food at Om Waters Thailand is prepared by Cat House Restaurant which serves vegan food cooked with love by the restaurants owner and chef, Jacky.
What We Like: Accommodations at Om Waters Thailand include 20 twin beds with mosquito nets. Towels, a night stand, and partitions are provided for comfort and privacy. The shared bathrooms are well equipped with hot water for showers, and clean toilets and sinks. Water and tea is free flowing during the retreat and guests may use the kayaks, inner tubes and floating unicorns when lounging around Om Waters Thailand. During free time, transportation may be arranged to visit nearby tourist attractions and even a few hours in Chiang Mai city or Sri Lanna National Park.
Cost: Contact for more information
Sri Lanna National Park, Tambon Ban Pao, Amphoe Mae Taeng, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50150, Thailand
Conclusion
No matter what your budget, you will find a yoga retreat center in Chiang Mai that will allow you to escape the stresses of busy modern day life in the big city. Digital nomads have been flocking to this northern Thailand city for its co-working spaces and networking opportunities and also its array of yoga retreat centers to rest, rejuvenate, and recenter at any time of the year. Whether you choose a tranquil retreat in nature, or a quaint guest house in the heart of old Chiang Mai city, all these retreat spaces offer the best of Lanna culture hospitality, design, and quality, attentive care that can rival many luxury resorts.
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