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Downward Dog on Distant Shores:

5 great destinations for yoga lovers



Downward Dog on Distant Shores:

5 great destinations for yoga lovers

For solo travelers, yoga can be a grounding routine that brings calm to the chaos of unfamiliar streets. On this #InternationalYogaDay, I’m reminded how both yoga and solo travel invite you to be present, stay curious, and trust yourself—one breath (or border crossing) at a time.
Here are five spots where the journey inward pairs beautifully with a change in scenery. These are places I’ve rolled out a mat and felt at home—even far from it.
Ubud, Bali – Jungle shalas and sound healing.
Rishikesh, India – On the banks of the Ganges where yoga began.
Sedona, Arizona – Vortex hikes and spiritual retreats.
Lake Atitlán, Guatemala – Sunrise flows with volcano views.
Portugal’s Algarve – Coastal retreats with sea air and sunshine.

There’s something about the rhythm of breath and the feel of your palms grounding into the earth that makes even the most far-flung corner of the world feel like home. Let’s dive in to these five destinations that not only welcome solo travelers with open arms, but offer just the right balance of peace, beauty, and inspiration. Each one has helped me reconnect with myself and reminded me that sometimes, the most powerful journey is the one inward.

  1. Ubud, Bali
    Lush landscapes and spiritual calm in Indonesia’s cultural heart.

Why I love it: Ubud’s air carries a hint of sandalwood and the sound of morning bells. The atmosphere is relaxed but reverent, shaped by centuries of Balinese spirituality and the more recent arrival of wellness seekers.  There are mats on rooftops, open-air platforms in rice fields, and people in warrior two before breakfast. The energy here is gentle, spiritual, and slightly bohemian—like the town is exhaling a cleansing breath all the time.

What not to miss:

  • A class at The Yoga Barn (yes, it’s touristy, but still magical).
  • A sunrise session in a smaller studio tucked away near the Campuhan Ridge.

Oh, don’t forget to grab a post-class coconut water from a roadside warung and watch the motorbikes roll by.

  1. Rishikesh, India
    Where yoga began—and a living classroom of its roots.

Why I love it: Practicing yoga on the banks of the Ganges, with temple bells chiming and monkeys swinging overhead, is nothing short of electric. Rishikesh is raw and real. There’s tradition here, and intensity, but also deep peace once you settle into the rhythm.

 

What not to miss:

  • A morning class in a traditional ashram along the Ganges.
  • The Ganga Aarti at sunset—a soul-stirring ceremony —a ritual of fire, prayer, and music
  • Crossing the Lakshman Jhula footbridge while resisting the urge to take 400 photos.

3. Sedona, Arizona

Rocks, energy vortexes, and enough red dust to stain your mat forever.

 

Why I love it: Sedona has a way of making you believe in things you can’t quite explain. Sedona’s geography is stunning, but it’s the energy that keeps people coming back. Locals will mention vortexes; travelers may roll their eyes. But spend a few days here, and you start to notice something in the air—and in yourself.

What not to miss:

  • A vortex hike followed by an outdoor yoga class.
  • Local shops that sell handmade mats, sage bundles, and turquoise everything.
  • Stargazing post-savasana. After dark, find a quiet perch and look up—the cosmos above is remarkable. Just trust me.

4. Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
Volcano views and lakeside quiet in one of Central America’s most tranquil spots.

 

Why I love it: It’s quiet here. Still. And when the morning mist rolls across the lake, the whole world feels suspended. Yoga retreats here are deeply soulful, and the small villages that ring the lake each bring their own flavor. It’s the ideal place for a retreat, especially in San Marcos La Laguna, where yoga and holistic wellness are part of the town’s pulse.

 

 

What not to miss:

  • A retreat in San Marcos La Laguna—the town is tiny, but the spirit is big.
  • Sunrise yoga with volcano views (followed by pancakes made with local cacao—oh, and coffee!  Have you read my Guatemala coffee tour articles?).

And you will definitely want to take a post-class dip in the lake, because this kind of clarity needs to be soaked in.

5. Algarve, Portugal
Clifftop flows and salty air that clears more than your sinuses.

Why I love it: The cliffs along the Algarve coastline make for dramatic yoga backdrops, and the rhythm of the Atlantic is grounding in the best way. Plus, there’s wine. And pasteis de nata. Wellness, meet pleasure.

What not to miss:

  • A seaside yoga class with the sound of crashing waves below.  You’ll find great cliffside options near Lagos or Aljezur.
  • Exploring whitewashed fishing villages.
  • A lazy lunch in the sun after you ‘accidentally’ book a second class for the day.

You don’t have to go far to find peace, but sometimes distance gives clarity. Practicing yoga on the road can keep you grounded while helping you see the world—and yourself—with a little more patience. So for World Yoga Day, stretch a little farther. You’ll be glad you did.

Want to learn more about traveling in Guatemala and that coffee tour I mentioned above?  Click HERE for an in-depth article on where to go and what to see. 

Happy Travels!