Four ways to jump-start your self-care routine at an All-Inclusive resort
2022-08-22Get ready to say yes to self-care — your wellness journey may be the best souvenir ever.
There’s a lot of talk about self-care these days, but there’s not enough talk about how difficult it can be to come by at home, where devoting time to yourself can seem impossible. For self-care made simple, an all-inclusive vacation could be the answer: you’ll have the time and mental space for soothing spa treatments, locally inspired meals, fun workouts and culturally grounded experiences. Afterward, that feel-good momentum goes home with you. Here’s how to make your all-inclusive self-care escape as memorable as possible:
- Treat yourself: Indulge in tradition-meets-today spa rituals
- Get away on your getaway: Explore wonders of the world near your resort
- Dive into wellness: Scuba diving counts as a workout on this trip
Relaxation is calling
A self-care spa day might seem like a treat — and it is. But spa rituals also deeply benefit body, mind, and soul in fundamental ways. Massage, for example, can release toxins from the body, ease the mind and restore the spirit. Ancient civilizations have long utilized massage therapy, baths and hydrotherapy for healing, and these practices are just as relevant today.
Hilton Playa Del Carmen’s Innan Spa is all about sinking into that sense of ease, balancing both ancient and modern healing rituals from the region. On the multi-step hydrotherapy circuit, you’ll sweat out your worries in a sauna and steam bath, before hopping into a cold plunge pool — the contrast between temperatures reinvigorates your circulatory system and leaves you feeling calm and stress-free. In the mood for chocolate? The Mayan Cacao Body Wrap puts the spotlight on the traditional Mexican ingredient — and its powerful antioxidants — to preserve youthfulness while relaxing the mind.
For a one-of-a-kind experience, consider the temazcal ceremony, a traditional cleansing ritual with deep Mayan roots. Under the guidance of a shaman, you’ll sit in an aromatic steam bath while the rhythm of ancestral drums and chants helps you align your inner self. The purification ceremony aims to leave you with a profound sense of peace.
Get lost in local flavor
Maybe your understanding of self-care means fueling up with a fresh, healthy meal. Or perhaps it means indulging in a multi-course dinner slowly over time, where you can savor every bite and linger over another perfectly paired glass of wine or sip of tequila. However, you approach your next dining endeavor, it can thrill and awaken your senses, nourish your body and renew your spirit, if you let it.
Mexican cuisine is complex and regional. Enjoy the ocean-fresh flavors of ceviche at Hilton Vallarta Riviera All Inclusive Resort’s Cocomar, or head to Maxal, where your culinary journey can include spicy mole from Oaxaca and savory Michoacán carnitas. Toast the whole experience at Azulinda, appreciating the nuances of Mexico’s signature spirit through tequila and cocktails.
Work up a sweat — above or underwater
From a heart-pounding workout toor gentle meditation, physical activity can help you reconnect you to your body, leaving you grounded and reinvigorated. Spending time in nature can also be a form of self-care — particularly when the land and seascape is as scenic as you’ll find in the Dominican Republic.
At Hilton La Romana, an All-Inclusive Adult Only Resort, getting in touch with your body begins in the fully equipped fitness center and continues with on-site merengue lessons. With the Bayahibe Beach (Playa Bayahibe) and the Caribbean Sea just out the resort’s back door, you can also take your workouts surfside — the alfresco fitness options can be as mild or as wild as you wish, from beach volleyball to snorkeling and windsurfing. Ready for a day trip? Check out Cotubanamá National Park, where guided scuba dives explore stunning caves — some containing Taíno petroglyphs — and underground lagoons. With all that fun in the sun and water, you’ll hardly know you’re working out.
Explore another culture
Travel can both broaden and comfort the mind. There’s something calming about experiencing cultural practices different from our own, about the world being bigger and more beautiful than we realize.
A trip to the Yucatán Resort Playa Del Carmen perfectly positions you to visit Chichén Itzá, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World — its complex of 26 Mayan ruins centers around a massive step pyramid known as The Castle (El Castillo). During private or group tours, guides will clue you into the Mayans’ incredible astronomical and mathematical knowledge.
Tip: If you can time it right, visit the site during the spring equinox, when a play of light and shadow makes it seem as though a serpent is crawling down the steps of The Castle. The marvels of ancient architecture are a sure way to expand your mind, a transformative sort of self-care.
Make your self-care memory
Workouts or meditation on the sand, enriching spa treatments, cool cocktails and culinary adventures — taking care of yourself comes naturally at all-inclusive resorts.
By Ashley M. Biggers
