Wellness in Peru

If you’re feeling the need to hit pause during your Peru trip, there’s no shortage of ways to unwind here that go beyond the usual tourist spots. Seriously, Peru has a deep connection to wellness rooted in its indigenous traditions and the natural landscape. Think massages with Andean herbs, hot stone therapy using river rocks from the Sacred Valley, or morning yoga sessions overlooking the Colca Canyon.

I remember my first time at a spa in Aguas Calientes,right after trekking to Machu Picchu, the local therapist used coca leaf poultices that left me feeling surprisingly refreshed. Then there are the wellness retreats in the Sacred Valley and around Lake Titicaca where you can unplug completely, surrounded by quiet mountain vistas. And if you want a more urban vibe, Miraflores in Lima has several boutique centers offering everything from shiatsu massages to guided meditation using Amazonian essences.

Tip: If you’re visiting Cusco, try to schedule a session with a local healer or participate in a traditional cleansing ceremony, known as a Kallawaya. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that you won’t find in guidebooks but locals swear by it. Sometimes the best wellness in Peru comes from slowing your pace and soaking in ancient rhythms as much as any modern spa treatment.Wellness centers and Spas are slowly becoming more popular in Peru. And contrary to expectation, they are popping up all over the country, not just in Lima. Here are reasons why to visit a spa in Peru as well as suggestions for where you can go.

To enter a luxury spa offers the opportunity to forget life's problems in a short while. It offers visitors the chance to be grateful for the silence, far from the noise of the city. It means giving yourself up to expert hands in tune with the rhythm of your body, and waters that relieve aches and refresh ideas.