7 Beautiful Yoga Retreats in Bali (2024)

If you’re looking for the perfect yoga and wellness vacation on a beautiful, tropical and spiritual island then look no further than Bali, Indonesia.

Bali has so much to offer – from lush rice terraces to sun-kissed beaches, ancient temples, world-class spas, vegan eateries and welcoming people. Plus, there’s a huge number of amazing yoga retreats in Bali for all experience levels and budgets.

Whether you are looking for drop in classes at Bali’s best yoga studios, beginner friendly budget yoga retreats, fun surf and yoga holidays, luxurious spas and wellness retreats or yoga teacher training courses, there’s no shortage of options for yoga in Bali.

Bali’s yoga retreats are certainly among the most magical, and affordable, in the world. But with such a huge range to choose from it’s hard to know where to start! But don’t worry, I’m here to help.

A Guide to Yoga Retreats in Bali

Bali is my favorite yoga destination in the world. I’ve been lucky enough to spend a lot of time on the island and try some of the best Bali yoga centres. I even did my yoga teacher training in Bali. I also know how overwhelming it can be to find and choose the perfect Bali retreat and I want make it easier for you.

So in this post I’ll guide you through what makes Bali such a great wellness destination, give you my recommendations for the best yoga retreats in Bali, tips on how to choose the best one for you and essential information for planning your trip. For more tips for visiting Bali check out our comprehensive Bali Travel Guide.

If you’re in a hurry and want to skip straight to my Bali yoga retreat recommendations click here.

Why Bali is an Amazing Yoga Destination

The plethora of wellness centers and spas in Bali lead the island to become one of the world’s leading wellness destinations and yoga hotspots. Whether you’re looking to meditate, practice yoga, or rejuvenate your mind and body in the spa, Bali is the ultimate destination for wellness retreats.

Another reason wellness, yoga, meditation and spiritual retreats in Bali are so popular is because of the stunning scenery and vibrant spiritualty the island offers.

Bali is also known as ‘the island of the Gods‘ due to it’s deeply spiritual culture, incredible temples, lovely people and long history of healing which makes it such an amazing place to practice yoga.

Bali is a land of healing, spirituality, and rich cultural traditions that date back centuries. Much like India, the birthplace of yoga, Bali follows the Hindu religion and offers a plethora of opportunities to heal and dive deeper into the practice of traditional yoga.

Beyond the yoga mat, Bali’s numerous workshops, holistic healing therapies and ceremonies are sure to pique your curiosity and expand your understanding of wellness culture.

For solo female travelers Bali’s thriving yoga community offers a warm and welcoming environment. The locals are friendly and the island is clean, safe and genuinely lovely making Bali the perfect place even for first time solo retreat.

Best of all, many of the best yoga retreats in Bali provide a complete vacation package that includes daily yoga sessions, delicious healthy food, meditation classes, spa treatments, sightseeing tours and cultural activities, making them exceptional value for money.

The Best Places for Yoga in Bali

While you can find retreats all over Bali, the most popular destinations for yoga in Bali are Ubud and Canggu.

Ubud: The cultural, spiritual and artistic center of the island. Located inland, Ubud also offers numerous vegan cafes, workshops, healing therapies, yoga teacher trainings and is home to the Yoga Barn – the most famous of all the yoga studios in Bali.

Canggu: If you’d prefer a beach yoga retreat or fancy learning how to surf, Canggu is a great choice. The beaches of Canggu are famous for their surf spots and there’s a lively yoga and surf scene with plenty of hip cafes, boutiques and nightlife nearby.

Ulu Watu is another area of Bali with a growing yoga scene and famous surf breaks. Located at the southern tip of Bali it’s home to the beautiful Ulu Watu temple where you can witness a traditional kecak dance.

The Islands: If you are dreaming of a blissful island escape consider a yoga retreat on neighboring small islands like Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Pendia or the Gili Islands.

Bali is a popular tourist destination and can get quite busy. If you want to escape the crowds and really immerse yourself in traditional Balinese culture and lifestyle there are also some great ashrams, yoga and spiritual retreats like Balitrees located away from the touristy areas.

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7 of the Best Bali Yoga Retreats for 2024

So let’s get on with my pick of the top Bali yoga retreats based on personal experience and reviews.

• Eco Luxury Yoga Retreat – De Moskha
• Yoga and Meditation Retreat for Beginners – Firefly
• Balinese Culture and Wellness Retreat – Balitrees
• Yoga and Surf Retreat – Pelan Pelan
• Budget Yoga Retreat – Serenity
• Yoga Retreat on Nusa Lembongan – Yoga Bliss
• Yoga Retreat in the Gili Islands – Flowers and Fire

How to Choose the Best Bali Yoga Retreat for You

With so many incredible yoga and wellness retreats in Bali it can be difficult to choose the right one for you. Here’s a few things to consider when choosing a yoga retreat in Bali.

Level and Style of Yoga

While most Bali retreats can cater for beginners by offering modifications for the more advanced poses it’s important to be honest with yourself about your level of experience to ensure you find a retreat most suitable for you wherever you are in your yoga practice.

If you are a beginner or it’s your first yoga retreat, you’ll probably feel overwhelmed and not have a great experience if you end up on a yoga teacher training retreat. Whereas if you are more experienced yogi a retreat aimed at beginners might not be challenging enough for you.

Some yoga retreats focus on just one style of yoga whereas others may offer the classes in a variety of styles. When choosing a retreat consider whether you prefer dynamic styles like Ashtanga and Vinyasa flow or more relaxing yoga styles like restorative and yin.

Some even offer the opportunity to try ariel and acro yoga and yoga nidra. Bali even has it’s own style of yoga called Watukaru. If you’re not sure go for a multi style or traditional Hatha yoga retreat.

Beach or Jungle Location

Bali is a bigger island than most people realise so choose your location wisely. If your dream yoga holiday involves being immersed in the jungle choose an inland retreat near Ubud, or if you dream of relaxing on the beach and learning how to surf then look for a beach yoga retreat.

Also be aware that some areas most popular tourists have more busy, crowded, party areas, not ideal for a relaxing yoga retreat but it can be fun and convenient to be close to the nightlife and sights – it really depends on what you are looking for.

Accommodation, Meals and Facilities

Whilst facilities in Bali are generally of a very high standard the type of accommodation, facilities and meals included can vary.

Sometimes accommodation on budget retreats in Bali will be in shared rooms or dormitories whereas luxury yoga retreats in Bali will normally offer beautiful accommodation in private rooms or villas, swimming pools and a spa.

Food is another important factor to consider, most wellness retreats in Bali will serve healthy, delicious, organic food, but many only offer vegetarian or vegan meals. Some do not serve alcohol either, so check that the food meets your requirements. 

Other Included Activities

Yoga holidays in Bali are often great value for money depending on what’s included in your retreat package. In addition to daily yoga and meditation classes many also include some spa treatments and massages, surf lessons, sightseeing excursions, airport transfers and cultural activities like cooking classes and offering making.

Always check what’s included in the retreat package. Some budget retreats may not include all meals and spa treatments, additional activities and airport transfers might be charged extra. So you might find an all inclusive retreat is actually better value for money. 

Bali is a beautiful island so it’s really worth exploring. If you want to book extra activities, tours and transfers a good place to do this is on Viator or Get Your Guide.

Check the Reviews

While some yoga retreats may look beautiful it’s important to check the reviews from previous guests so you know what to expect. Be aware that reviews on a retreats website or social media pages might not tell the whole story so its best to check reviews on an unbiased website like bookyogaretreats or bookretreats before you book.

Also, read this article for more tips on how to choose a yoga retreat.

Tips for Planning your Trip to Bali

Once you’ve found the perfect Bali yoga retreat it’s time to start booking your flights and planning your trip to this magical island. Here’s some essential travel tips to help you get started and don’t forget to read our essential Bali Travel Guide too.

The Best Time to Visit Bali

Bali is a tropical island so it’s warm all year round with the temperature being between 82°F to 90°F (28°C and 32°C) all year round. The more mountainous areas, like Ubud, feel slightly cooler. 

There are two distinct seasons in Bali that you should know about and take into account when planning your trip.

Bali’s dry season generally runs from April – September and is the best time to visit Bali for beach days, sunbathing, hiking, diving and most outdoor activities. The dry season is the main tourist season with July and August being the busiest, peak tourism months. Beginner surfers are also better off visiting Bali in the dry season.

The wet season is from November to March with the frequent tropical downpours that give Bali is luscious, tropical, greenery. The wet season is a good time to visit Bali to enjoy cheaper prices at the spas and luxury resorts and escape the crowds but of course it’s not the best time to practice yoga outdoors. It doesn’t rain all day and some areas like East and North are not so wet, whereas areas like Ubud see the most rain. Christmas and New Year are also busy times.

Traveling to Bali 

Flights: Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) also known as Denpasar International Airport is very close to the beaches in the south and is Bali’s only airport. 

There are cheap, direct flights to Bali from most Australian cities. If you are traveling from Europe or North America there are frequent connections in Asian hubs like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.

To reach Bali from Europe or America you’ll probably have to fly to one of these cities and then change so why not break the journey and have a few days stopover and explore somewhere like Singapore on the way.

Find the best flight deals on WayAway. It’s a new flight aggregator that gives you cashback! It not only finds you the cheapest prices, but also the most convenient flight times, connections and layovers.

Visas: Most nationalities can get a 30 day Visa on Arrival at the airport which costs USD 35. This can be paid in cash in several major currencies or by card. Check most up to date entry and visa requirements on the official Indonesia tourism website. If you want help applying for your visa use a trusted agent like ivisa. You can extend the visa by a further 30 days by visiting the immigration office in Denpasar.

Airport Transfers: Many of the best yoga retreats in Bali offer airport transfers as part of the package so check with the retreat first but don’t worry if not. You can book a safe and convenient airport transfer with Viator to get your trip off to a smooth and stress free start.

Transportation: The best way to get around Bali is by taxi or private driver. You can also rent a scooter or motorbike but Bali’s roads are narrow and busy so only do this if you are experienced and confident driving in Asia.

You can use Grab and Gojek to book car and motorbike taxis at affordable prices. You can also order food delivery with these apps.

The best way to book flights, trains, buses and ferries in Asia online is on 12 Go Asia. If you are heading to the Nusa islands or Gili islands book your boat here.

Internet: Most places have wifi and once you arrive in Bali it’s easy to get a local sim card to stay connected while avoiding high roaming changes. If you need an esim check out Airalo

Travel Insurance: Don’t forget to take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy that covers you for cancellations, sickness or injury. Make sure it covers yoga and all the other activities you plan to do on your trip.

We have annual multi trip plans with Heymondo. As we are frequent travellers this is the most convenient and value for money option. They also offer short and long trip insurance and cover Covid-19 too.

What to Pack: Take light weight clothing, swimwear and a light rain jacket for Bali’s tropical climate. You’ll also need a sarong for visiting temples. Check out our essential yoga retreat packing list for more packing tips and our list of recommended books to read on a retreat.

Another thing you can do to help prepare for your Bali yoga trip is to read our article about the commonly used Sanskirt yoga words you need to know and tips if it’s your first retreat.

Other Places to Visit and Things to do in Bali

Bali has so many beautiful places to visit and unique things to experience, so make sure you allow some time to explore the island.

Some highlights not to miss include:

• Exploring the island of Nusa Penida and snorkeling with Manta Rays
• Visiting holy temples like Tanah Lot, Ulu Watu, Besakih and Lempuyang (Gate of Heaven)
• Participating in a Balinese water purification ceremony at Tirta Emplu
• Visiting the Tegalalang Rice Terrace and Sacred Monkey Forest
• Watching a traditional Balinese dance at Ubud Palace
• Taking a surf lesson and visiting the waterfalls
• Climbing Mount Batur at Sunrise
• Island Hopping in the Gili Islands

The easiest way to arrange sightseeing trips before you get to Bali is on Viator or Get Your Guide

Final Thoughts about Retreats in Bali

With so many amazing retreats in Bali it can be difficult to pick just one. But as long as you’ve carefully considered your personal requirements and preferences you can’t really go wrong with Bali.

There’s something for everything here, everywhere is beautiful and the vibe is super special which means that any trip to the Island of the Gods is bound to be a wonderful experience.

I hope this post has helped you to find your ideal Bali retreat and that you’ll love Bali as much as I do.