Spa and Beauty Today

View Original

The 12 Best Spas in Mexico

[Photo credit: Alex Azabach]

A spa experience in Mexico is unlike any other. Steeped in mysticism and ancient healing techniques from Mexico’s indigenous pre-Hispanic cultures, this spa list takes you on a wellness journey from Riviera Maya and Tulum to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City, and Baja California.

Mexico Spa Guide: The Best Spas in Mexico City

From elevated all-inclusive spa wellness resorts to boutique barefoot luxury spas, you’ll discover restorative healing techniques that date back thousands of years. Blending modern technology with the healing properties of Mother Nature and energetics, Mexico’s spas offer much more than just a massage or a facial as master practitioners reveal an ancient culture of healing and connection to the mind, body, and soul.

Mexico Spa Guide: The Best Spas in Tulum

Read on to discover our picks for the 12 best spas in Mexico. If you’re looking for the best deals on flights to Mexico, click here.

ABJA Spa by Casa Velas

Calle Pelicanos 311, Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco 48354, Mexico; 1 -800-823-8802

This adults-only boutique hotel in Puerto Vallarta’s Mexican Pacific Riviera is home to ABJA Spa, a sanctuary that spans over 6,500 square feet including a pre-treatment hydrotherapy lounge with a garden view jacuzzi. Its extensive spa menu choices include a variety of massage, wraps, acupressure, anti-aging, and signature beauty treatments.

Spa Profile: ABJA Spa at Casa Velas

Herbs used for rituals and treatments are hand harvested from its botanical garden and the spa invites guests to customize treatments to rejuvenate the mind and body. The Harmony Massage melts away tired muscles while the Casa Velas Herbal Ritual includes a revitalizing spinal healing technique. The Ritual Bamboo is perfect to renew sun drenched skin.

Atlantis Spa at Palmaïa, The House of AïA

Paseo Xaman - Ha Lote 1, Playacar, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico; (+52) 984-877-3830

Calling both lovers of luxury and seekers of the mystical, Palmaïa, The House of AïA delivers an elevated all-inclusive plant-based immersive wellness journey on a secluded white sand beach in Playa del Carmen. The spa and resort interweave transformational experiences through all aspects.

Spa Profile: Atlantis Spa at Palmaïa, The House of AïA

Its signature Architects of Life personal growth program integrates ancient Mayan rituals, shamanic wisdom, with over 20 rotating classes and ceremonies on the daily. The eco spa itself is a lush jungle sanctuary with winding paths, cenotes, and mangroves. Refresh in a healing ritual before your spa treatment in a private cenote while an ancestral apothecary creates alchemical blends for inner balance and healing.

On the spa menu you’ll find ceremonial rituals and treatments designed for healing at the soul level including the Womb Blessing Ritual—an active ancient meditation in the jungle beside the healing waters of a cenote to experience a guided discovery of a woman’s center of power. Of course, if you just want a traditional massage, the spa offers that too.

Banyan Tree Spa at Banyan Tree Mayakoba

Carretera Federal Chetumal-Puerto Juárez KM 298, Riviera Maya, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico, CP 77710; (+52) 984-877-3688

To harmonize your mind, body, and spirit, Banyan Tree Mayakoba’s Banyan Tree Spa offers customized programming that combines dining, spa, and wellbeing modalities. Guided by an on-property wellness host, create your restorative retreat combining both pre-Hispanic Mayan and Southeast Asian healing wisdom and modalities.

Overwater villas and beach front suites with private pools and elegant outdoor baths add to your serenity along with a heavenly white sand beach and lush mangroves. Its Bali-inspired spa sanctuary offers an extensive menu of treatments and healing.

The Sense of Place Ritual is a Mayan-inspired treatment that synchronizes your body’s energy points and solar seals while applying an antioxidant body mask. Another spa favorite is the Tropical Rainmist, a sensorial experience under a rain shower with a full-body scrub and nourishing honey milk. 

Los Cabos Spa & Wellness at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Los Cabos at Costa Palmas

Eureka-Buenavista, 23570 La Ribera, B.C.C., Mexico ; (+52) 624-689-0292

Nestled in the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Los Cabos at Costa Palmas overlooking the Sea of Cortez, Los Cabos Spa & Wellness boasts two incredible deluxe spa suites perfect for a treatment for two featuring Tata Harper, a high-performance clean beauty line.

Spa Profile: Los Cabos Spa & Wellness

From massages, facials, body treatments, and even reflexology to breathwork, Reiki, yoga, and meditation— all treatments that are 90 minutes or longer come with a complimentary energy cleansing foot salt bath. Try the NOURISHING body treatment to renew your skin after the sun. First is a moisturized scrub and hydrating wrap followed by an aromatherapy session.

Or replenish your skin with the Diamond Infusion Anti-Aging Facial using Natura Bissé Diamond Collection with lifting techniques for a renewed luminous tone and glow.

Muluk Spa at Hotel Xcaret Arte

Carretera Chetumal-Puerto Juárez, Km. 282, Solidaridad, C.P. 77710, Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico; +1 (844) 795-4525

Built into natural limestone caves, a celestial blue green cenote runs along the entire resort of Hotel Xcaret Mexico and throughout Muluk Spa, forming a sacred space for Mayan healing techniques and wellness. Eco-integrated architecture creates an elemental sanctuary where you can choose between traditional treatments, wellness journeys, yoga, sound baths, and blessing ceremonies.

Arrive early for a hydrotherapy session with a dedicated spa concierge who guides you from pool to pool. Nourish yourself at the spa bar with herbal teas and nutritious treats. Relax before and after your treatment in a round swing with cenote views.

For spiritual transformation, experience the Temazcal journey in the jungle. And to relax your body, try a purifying ritual with corn and cacao or the Kaolin Mangrove Wrap with purifying clay.  

Nizuc Spa by ESPA at Nizuc Resort & Spa

Blvd Kukulcan Mz 59 Lote 1-03 Km 21.26, Cancun 77500 Mexico; (+52) 998-891-5700

Perched on a 29-acre natural preserve and two secluded beaches in Cancun, Nizuc Spa by ESPA achieves a tranquil aesthetic with open architecture reflection pools and organic design and natural elements. Featuring ESPA treatments and products, you’ll be utterly pampered first by its signature NIZUC Thermal Experience before your treatment.

The extensive spa menu includes oxygen therapy, scalp massage, a sleep ritual, and its signature Sarani Luna Shanti Treatment that incorporates meditation with massage and a foot bathing ceremony. Another treatment to try is the ESPA Inner Beauty Facial, which cleanses, hydrates, and renews sun kissed skin.

Rancho La Puerta

Carretera A Tijuana Km 5, Tecate 92046-3057 Mexico; 1-800-443-7565

To disconnect from busy culture and give yourself the rejuvenation you deserve, this all-inclusive wellness and spa retreat is just the magic you’re looking for. Turn off your cell phone, turn on your senses, and immerse yourself in over 4,000 acres of transformative natural beauty at Rancho La Puerta.

Just a few miles across the U.S. border in Tecate, you’ll truly relax in your own casita with a fireplace and private patio. Lush landscaping blooms with wisteria vines, tulips, and bright desert flowers that alight your path enroute to meditation, chanting, sound baths, Gyrokinesis®, yoga, and of course, the spa.

Choose between three full-service holistic health centers for curative treatments like the Classic Ranch Massage, Japanese Restorative Facial, and a Scalp Treatment. Holistic therapies also include Craniosacral Therapy, Feldenkrais®, Reiki, WATSU®, and more. Invigorating early morning hikes are just one of the over 50 fitness and wellness offerings every day as part of Rancho La Puerta’s transformative programming.  

SE Spa by Grand Velas Riviera Maya

Carretera Cancun Tulum Km 62, Playa Del Carmen, Q.R. 77710, Mexico; +1 (877) 418-2963

Set in the lush jungle and mangroves of Grand Velas Riviera Maya, refresh and renew at the two-story, Balinese-inspired SE Spa that majestically spans 90,000 square feet.

Choose your journey between 40 treatment rooms, hydrotherapy areas, and a full-service salon to luxuriate and relax. Treatments blend a fusion of technology and pre-Hispanic ancient Mayan wisdom.

Spa Profile: SE Spa at Grand Velas Riviera Maya

The Páak'am Experience invokes prickly pear cactus to rejuvenate your skin while the Wellness Lunar Massage is activated by phases of the moon relaxing your body and mind into a blissful state. To relieve fatigue, the Nik Te Ha Water Massage inspires harmony between the mind and soul.

Sense, A Rosewood Spa at Rosewood Mayakoba

Carretera Cancun Tulum Km 62, Playa Del Carmen, Q.R. 77710, Mexico; +1 (877) 418-2963

Rosewood Mayakoba’s Total Wellbeing program is based on Ayurvedic principles and your journey begins with a scenic private boat cruise winding through mangroves and emerald waterways to arrive at your two-story Wellness Suite. Designed to reharmonize your circadian rhythm, you’ll find yourself utterly pampered with your own dock, plunge pool, reflexology fountain, meditation pavilion, outdoor shower, and a dedicated wellness concierge.

Just steps away is Sense, A Rosewood Spa—a spa sanctuary set amongst a dreamy lagoon. Relax and rejuvenate in one of 12 treatment rooms, an outdoor yoga pavilion, and lush tropical pool. Its Lost Remedies Menu is a must-try where the spa intuitively blends healing practices rooted in ancient Mayan healing modalities.

Choose fragrant herbs from its Kuxtal Sensory Garden and bliss out while an experienced practitioner facilitates physical healing and energetic balancing. The spa’s resident Shaman is also available to read energy and interpret dreams in a private session.

The Wellness House at Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City

Av. Paseo de la Reforma 500 Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City, 06600 Mexico;(+52) 555-230-1818

After exploring the dynamic and vibrant city, The Wellness House at Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City is a welcome refuge to relax and renew. Rotating yoga and meditation classes complement its full selection of facials and body treatments. Get pampered in a luxurious treatment room or relax in your lounge chair and enjoy foot, neck, and shoulder massages poolside.

The Ancestral Signature Treatment is a classic. It begins with an energy and spiritual cleanse with fragrant smoke, following an endorphin-releasing dark Mexican chocolate and tequila wrap that ends with tequila oil massage. Or try the holistic Sensorial Massage with Poultices to detox and relax.

The Spa at Lula Seaside Boutique Hotel

KM 8.2 Carretera Tulum Boca Paila, Tulum, QR, Mexico; +1 (303) 952-0595

The Spa at Lula Seaside Boutique Hotel is barefoot luxury at its best with Mayan and Ayurvedic healing offerings. A newly-opened, beachfront three-story building with a private roof deck with both ocean and jungle views— offers relaxing crystal therapy treatments and facials to enhance your energy flow combined with a traditional Swedish massage.

Holistic lifestyle consultations are also on the spa menu. Just steps away across powder-soft white sand beach is the spa’s Sanará Studio with a floor-to-ceiling ocean view Sanará Studio. Watch the waves as you do yoga or sound healing to create your own retreat.

Wellness journeys also continue outside of the spa into the sacred jungles and cenotes of Tulum with a menu of mystical Mayan journeys including a Temazcal.

Wayak Spa at Viceroy Riviera Maya

Playa Xcalacoco Frac 7 Riviera Maya, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico; (+52) 984-877-3000

Nestled in a relaxing intimate oasis of private palapa villas with plunge pools and swinging hammocks at Viceroy Riviera Maya, a winding narrow path leads to Wayak Spa, a circular grand palapa. Elemental, luxurious, and serene, secluded outdoor massage palapas are surrounded only by jungle.

Spa Profile: Wayak Spa at Viceroy Riviera Maya

The spa’s resident Maák Bacab, a shaman from a long sacred lineage, guides you through Mayan rituals including the Temazcal purification ritual. Here guests enter a sacred healing womb-like space for chanting through rounds of hot infused steam to emerge “reborn” in harmony with Mother Earth.

Take a refreshing break from the sun with a Pure Radiance Facial that starts with a deep cleanse and rejuvenating mask. Or try the Hunan-Kab, a honey ceremony that includes a relaxing massage with medicinal herb compresses and a tea bath.

[Photos courtesy of spas and resorts]

Some of the links on our site may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we may receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain our own.

Donna Sozio is a career luxury travel, wellness, wine, and beauty writer. She's written for JWM Magazine, 5280 Magazine, MSN.com, ThePlumOnline.com, TheCultureTrip.com, OrganicAuthority.com, and more. A twice published author and book coach when she’s not writing you can find her traveling throughout Mexico and Europe. Follow her adventures on Instagram @DonnaSozio