5 Incredible Vegan Eco-Retreats Worth Crossing the World For

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There’s a special kind of quiet that shows up when you’re somewhere the food is fully plant-based, the electricity comes from the sun, and the loudest thing around is a bird you can’t identify. That’s the pull of vegan eco-retreats. It’s a place built around the idea that how you eat, sleep, and travel can actually be gentler on the planet without giving up an ounce of comfort.

I’ve spent a lot of time digging through vegan-friendly hotels and wellness resorts for clients, and the ones that stick with me aren’t the ones with the fanciest spa menu. They’re the ones where sustainability isn’t a marketing line, it’s baked into the architecture, the kitchen, and the way the staff talks about the land they’re on. Below are five that check every box: fully or largely plant-based kitchens, real environmental commitments, and settings dramatic enough to justify the flight.

What Actually Makes a Retreat “Eco” and Not Just “Vegan-Friendly”

A lot of properties slap “eco” on their homepage without much to back it up. Before you book, it’s worth checking for a few concrete things:

• Sourcing – Is produce grown on-site or bought from local farms, or is it flown in from three time zones away?
• Energy – Solar power, greywater recycling, and low-impact building materials are good signs.
• Waste – Zero-waste kitchens, refillable toiletries, and composting programs tend to separate the real deal from the greenwashed version.
• Community impact – The strongest eco-retreats employ locally and reinvest in the surrounding area instead of just occupying it.

Every property on this list was checked against those points.

5 Vegan Eco-Retreats Worth Building a Trip Around

1. Xinalani Retreat – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Xinalani sits on a private stretch of jungle coastline south of Puerto Vallarta, and the only way in is by boat. That inaccessibility is exactly the point. The eco-resort runs six open-air yoga studios tucked into the hillside, an oceanfront spa, and a kitchen that turns out Mexican cuisine with full vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free menus at every meal. Whale watching season (roughly December through March) adds an extra reason to time your trip well.

Best for: Travelers who want total disconnection without sacrificing comfort.

While you are in Puerto Vallarta, take time to enjoy a full day group trip out on a boat to the Marietas Islands. Choose from all sorts of water sport activities, like snorkeling and kayaking, and enjoy an open bar.

2. Paradiso Pure.Living – Alpe di Siusi, Dolomites, Italy

Perched at over 2,000 meters in the UNESCO-protected Alpe di Siusi meadows, Paradiso Pure.Living is a fully vegan hotel with direct ski-in, ski-out access in winter and trailhead access in summer. The kitchen has earned real culinary recognition (not just vegan-circuit praise) for its plant-based tasting menus, and the wellness area runs on saltwater pools and a genuinely quiet, no-Wi-Fi-at-night philosophy. Note that it closes during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, so check the calendar before booking.

Best for: Vegan travelers who want fine dining and mountain views in the same trip.

Make sure to check out this Dolomites hiking tour! The small group size is perfect.

3. Soulshine Bali – Ubud, Indonesia

Soulshine sits along a river just outside Ubud, on land that’s been farmed organically for decades before the retreat existed. The property runs its own working farm, and the open-air restaurant pulls produce straight from those gardens into a menu with vegan, vegetarian, and raw options at every meal, including house-made vegan ice cream. Between rice terrace views, daily yoga in a rooftop shala, and a strong local sustainability track record, it’s an easy pick for a first vegan retreat in Southeast Asia.

Best for: First-timers who want an easy, welcoming introduction to retreat life.

One of my favorite things about Soulshine is all of the options available. No matter how much time you have, there’s a retreat for you. Absolutely add this retreat to the 3-Day Bali Itinerary. Also….

****Make sure you grab my FREE Bali Travel Guide over on the homepage! ****

4. Mother Earth Vegan Hotel – Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s first fully plant-based hotel is a short walk from Tamarindo beach, and it doesn’t cut corners on the eco side either. Solar panels power the property, greywater gets recycled back into the garden irrigation system, and the poolside restaurant runs a completely vegan menu built around Central American flavors. It’s adults-only, which makes it a solid pick for a couples’ trip or a solo reset.

Best for: Beach lovers who want a fully vegan property, not just a vegan-friendly one.

And how can you not add on a Sloth Watching Rainforest, Coffee, Chocolate & Swimming waterfall tour! Explore a breathtaking rainforest where sloths rest peacefully among the trees, tropical wildlife surrounds you, and hidden waterfalls flow through untouched jungle landscapes.

5. Vikasa Evolution Retreat – Koh Samui, Thailand

Built into a rocky hillside between Chaweng and Lamai, Vikasa overlooks the Gulf of Thailand from ocean-facing yoga shalas that make the early wake-up calls worth it. The on-site Life Café leans heavily plant-based and raw, with a menu built around whole foods rather than the heavy, oily fare a lot of resort restaurants default to. It draws a strong community of long-term yogis and digital nomads, so it’s less “resort” and more “temporary home base.”

Best for: Solo travelers who want community and structure built into the stay.

Enjoy an sightsseing tour while you are there to see all of this beautiful island.

Quick Comparison

Retreat	Location	Fully Vegan Kitchen?	Best For
Xinalani Retreat	Puerto Vallarta, Mexico	Vegan/vegetarian options	Total disconnection
Paradiso Pure.Living	Alpe di Siusi, Italy	Yes, 100% vegan	Mountain fine dining
Soulshine Bali	Ubud, Indonesia	Vegan/vegetarian/raw options	First-time retreat-goers
Mother Earth Vegan Hotel	Tamarindo, Costa Rica	Yes, 100% vegan	Beach + fully vegan property
Vikasa Evolution Retreat	Koh Samui, Thailand	Plant-forward, raw-leaning	Solo travelers seeking community

What to Pack for a Vegan Eco-Retreat

Most of these properties are remote enough that a quick run to the store isn’t really an option, so it’s worth packing thoughtfully.

• Reusable water bottle – I’m obsessed with this sleek, stainless steel bottle! Perfect for keeping my drinks cool all day long.
• Reef-safe sunscreen – This sunscreen is the only one I use.
• Packable travel yoga mat (many retreats provide one, but it’s nice to have your own) – This foldable yoga mat folds down to a compact square that fits easily in your carry-on, backpack, gym bag, or suitcase. 
• Vegan protein snacks or bars for travel days – These bars are my go-to for a quick, nutritious snack.
• Lightweight, breathable layers for shifting temperatures – These lightweight hoodies are perfect for outdoor adventures.

When you are ready, The Essential Vegan Travel Guide: How to Plan Any Trip with Ease is a great place to start.

Frequently Asked Questions

External Resources

• HappyCow for finding additional vegan dining options near any of these retreats
• BookRetreats.com for comparing dates and pricing across multiple vegan and vegan-friendly retreat centers