Top Destinations for Health-Conscious Travelers

There's nothing quite like a vacation to reduce stress and improve your physical, mental and spiritual health. Nonetheless, a handful of destinations stand out for their appeal to those travelers looking to not only recharge but enhance their overall wellbeing in the process.

There's no better place to focus on your wellbeing than Costa Rica. The Central American destination is known for its calming scenery and numerous wellness and health retreats. Visitors will also find natural hot springs, restoring excursions, organic meal offerings and an endless array of spa treatments.

Your journey to better health in Chile begins in the Atacama Desert. It hosts the annual Volcano Marathon, which is the world's highest desert mountain marathon. This South American hotspot also boasts hot springs, plenty of hiking trails and many other opportunities to reflect in nature.

Whether you're looking to lose weight, detox or simply refresh your mind, the Thai island of Koh Samui's gorgeous beaches and harmonious rainforests will have you wishing that you never had to leave. Luxe spas are plentiful here so you won't be short on options. New Mind and Body Detox Retreats have been helping guests improve their quality of life for nearly 20 years.

The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa is without question one of Iceland's can't-miss attractions, regardless of whether you consider yourself a health nut. The warm mineral waters are not only relaxing but healing. Next month, The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland will open with 62 guest suites, an underground spa and, you guessed it, a revitalizing lagoon.

Relax in a healing mud bath or release that tension you've been holding onto with a yoga session by the beach in beautiful Saint Lucia. The Auriga Spa at Marigot Bay Resort and Marina by Capella is a great place to re-energize as it offers beauty treatments, personal training sessions and other health-boosting services.

Cancun is much more than a beloved spring break destination. Sure, there's loads of fun in the sun to be had here. However, the award-winning Le Blanc Spa Resort and its state-of-the-art wellness center have everything you need to improve your body and mind while also lifting your spirit. Guests can schedule massages, body scrubs, facials, hydrotherapy and aromatherapy.

Mild temperatures and abundant sunshine help make Portugal a premier destination for a wellbeing-enhancing getaway. Hike or bike your way through the country and fuel your journey with some nutritious Mediterranean cuisine. You'll also find refreshing hot springs in this underrated European destination.

In addition to the renowned Miraval Resort, Tucson is home to several world-class health and wellness resorts. The surrounding Sonoran Desert is also fantastic for outdoor activities like hiking and mountain biking. A unique mix of native herbs, one-of-a-kind copper facials and other treatments you won't find anywhere else add to Tucson's appeal to health-conscious travelers.

The natural hot springs in Pagosa Springs, Colorado is its biggest draw and make it an ideal place to replenish your mind, body and soul. The Springs Resort and Spa is home to the world's deepest geothermal hot spring and boasts 23 soaking pools altogether. At least one is sure to offer your ideal temperature.

Home to more than 400 spas, British Columbia is where you go to de-stress. The Canadian province's farm and market scenes are also impressive. Visitors can purchase fresh fruit, produce and dairy products to craft their own healthy meals before or after taking a soak in one of the destination's many hot springs. Some are located in remote areas, which means you'll have to work up a healthy sweat to get there.

While its more well-known for its live music, barbecue and hipster scenes, Austin is a surprisingly health-conscious destination. The Austin B-cycle bike sharing program makes it easy to get around and Zilker Park boasts hundreds of acres of green space on the banks of the Colorado River and Lady Bird Lake, which are popular with kayakers and paddleboarders.

New Zealand's luxury wellness retreats are immensely popular and for good reason. The scenic country is the perfect locale for relaxation, whether you prefer burning off calories and steam on a long hike or recharging your mind with a peaceful meditation session.

SoCal is an excellent place to start feeling better thanks to its stellar weather and proximity to the beach. The all-inclusive Cal-a-Vie Health Spa in Vista, California stands out for its fitness center, spa and emphasis on mental clarity through mind-body-spirit focused classes.

From outdoor massages and chocolate and grape-inspired facials to hydrotherapy and "spafaris," South Africa is a tremendous destination for a detox. There's no shortage of highly regarded yoga studios in and around Cape Town and visitors will also discover plenty of organic food and drink options.

The fact that Bali is essentially paradise on earth should only boost your wellbeing regardless of whether you've got health on the mind. Clear your head with a meditation session by the beach, under the rainforest canopy or submerged in a relaxing hydrotherapy pool. Visitors can also take part in unique treatments inspired by Ayurvedic medicine, which focuses on herbal compounds and special diets, among other peculiar applications.