HBO’s White Lotus Season 3 has triggered a worldwide surge in interest in the show’s filming location—the exclusive Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, where villas start at an eye-watering R33 640 per night, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Picture: Sourced
But for travellers with more modest budgets, where can you go for a rejuvenating wellness break? A new report from BookRetreats.com has just revealed the world’s most affordable wellness destinations, and they’re not where you might think.
Released this March, the retreat experts’ 2025 Wellness Cost Index analysed 42 holiday destinations for five common wellness expenses—a multi-day retreat, healthy food items, massage treatment, drop-in yoga class, and local taxi fares—and two of the top 10 spots are in Africa.
Recently crowned the ‘World’s Best City’ by Time Out, Cape Town offers exceptional value for wellness seekers, ranking eighth globally for affordable wellness travel. According to the report, the Mother City averages just €360 for a complete wellness experience, which includes a multi-day retreat and 90-minute massage.
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This African destination outperforms renowned Southeast Asian wellness spots such as Phuket, Hoi An, and Siem Reap, as it ‘combines high temperatures and healthy local food with affordable retreat prices,’ notes BookRetreats.com.
However it’s not Africa’s only standout—Morocco’s Agadir-Ida-Ou Tanane province secured fifth place, offering the same year-round sunshine and pristine beaches as the Canary Islands while saving travellers an average of €212.
‘Local beach towns like Taghazout blend traditional hammams alongside surf breaks, keeping wellness accessible and authentic,’ says BookRetreats.com. ‘Retreat programs in these coastal settings cost €275, and traditional massages are still affordable at €37, instead of the €80-€120 you’d pay in Mediterranean destinations.’
While Africa maintains its reputation for affordability, it was India who claimed both top spots. Leading the rankings is Rishikesh where a wellness break costs less than a single massage in the report’s priciest destination—Valais, Switzerland. Known as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World,’ the city sits at the foothills of the Himalayas along the Ganges River with clusters of colourful ashrams that offer drop-in yoga classes for just €4.
The beach town of Goa places second at €216 for all surveyed items, offering coastal wellness at a fraction of the cost in the US and UK.
The study’s highest prices appeared in Switzerland’s Valais region, where costs for a wellness break average €982—more than seven times the cost in Rishikesh. This premium pricing characterises most of Europe, with Florida and Vancouver also ranking among the most expensive destinations for wellness travellers.
Sean Kelly, Co-founder of BookRetreats.com, comments, ‘The Wellness Cost Index maps the cheapest places to travel for wellness worldwide. While European destinations continue to set luxury standards, our research shows that some of the most affordable journeys can be found in Asia and Africa, where wellness traditions are a way of life.
‘Travelers will find great value in destinations like India, Morocco, Nepal, and Bali this year, with trips costing 72% less than premium Western alternatives. As wellness becomes essential rather than an optional add-on during vacations, destinations that offer authentic experiences at accessible prices are set to lead the way.’
Article originally published by Cape Town ETC
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