Colombia has quickly established itself as one of the premier wellness vacation destinations on the face of the planet and for good reason. A wellness vacation is not your typical vacation. This type of vacation is focused on self-care. Some of the reasons to go on a wellness vacation is to enhance your healthy lifestyle and increase your own sense of well-being.
Colombia has some of the most beautiful beaches and amazing forests along with incredible culture and history. Not only can you receive life-changing medical treatments, you can enjoy all that Colombia has to offer.
There are plenty of reasons that you should head down to Colombia for your wellness vacation. Let’s dive into the ways that you can come back from your vacation feeling refreshed, stronger, and more dedicated than before.
1) Medical and Stem Cell Therapy
The World Health Organization ranked Colombia’s health care system ahead of both Canada and the United States. Colombia has recently embraced all forms of medical treatment as it looks to be the number one travel destination for medical treatments.
This vision of the future was one of the many reasons that BioXcellerator decided to open its stem cell therapy clinic in Medellin, Colombia. Being able to use the most advanced and latest stem cell therapy procedures was critical to providing patients the best clinical care. BioXcellerator is dedicated to advancing stem cell therapy and bringing patients life-changing treatments.
Not only is the overall health system better in Colombia compared to the US, but the cost of procedures is cheaper as well. You can take advantage of ground-breaking healthcare treatments all while spending less than you would at a typical doctor’s visit.
2) Hot Springs
Colombia has a number of hot springs that are located throughout the entire country no matter which part you have decided to visit. The best part of these hot springs is that they are always surrounded by immense beauty. There are hot springs located inside mountains and just outside of Medellin.
Hot springs have been long thought to provide many medicinal benefits to travelers. The Los Volcanes Thermal in Macheta are full of sulphur and iron. These vitamins are thought to help skin irritations and other skin issues such as rashes and eczema. Hot springs may also help with digestive problems, dry scalp, and arthritic pain.
There are plenty of hotels, restaurants, and shops that are built around these hot springs as they are a large tourist attraction. You can spend a couple of days enjoying the hot springs all while still enjoying first-class amenities and food.
3) Mud Volcano
One of the most interesting places you can visit during your trip to Colombia is in the town of Arboletes. Just a few minutes from the center of the town lies a mud volcano. The volcano has a diameter of 55 meters so it can easily accommodate any visitors. Arboletes is located off the beaten path as it is 462 kilometers northwest of Medellin.
There were eruptions in 2006 and 2010, which gives the mud a unique density. The mud actually allows people to float and swim on the surface. You can levitate on top of the mud while letting it envelopes you without fear of sinking. Locals visit the mud volcano weekly due to the medicinal benefits that it provides. Healthy and moisturized skin is just one of the benefits tourists can take advantage of.
Arboletes is not the only place in Colombia with a mud volcano. El Totumo is the much more popular and famous mud volcano. On top of a 50 foot volcano, the mud pit can be easily reached by climbing a small staircase. Tourists can actually receive massages from attendants while they are bathing in the mud. Attendants also take pictures and help tourists clean mud off of themselves.
The issue with this mud volcano is there is only room for about 10 people at a time. If you happen to stop by on a busy day then you could be waiting around to get your chance in the mud volcano for who knows how long. Most tourists who visit this mud volcano go with a tour group, which can either improve the experience or take some of the magic away. El Totumo is certainly a tourist hotspot.
4) Parque Arvi
Colombia has some of the most beautiful forests in the entire world. The Amazon rainforest is partially in Colombia and there are plenty of parks and forests for wellness tourists to enjoy.
When you are visiting Medellin you will find that one of the best nature parks that you can visit is the Parque Arvi. One of the best parts about this gorgeous nature park is that all you have to do is take a short metro ride away from the heart of Medellin. With more than 54 miles of walkable nature trails you will be walking all day long and enjoying the sights. Getting in touch with nature is a key part of your well being and mental health.
You can see 72 butterfly species, 69 bird species, and 19 mammal species. No worries though, there is nothing frightening such as jaguars or poisonous snakes. If you are on a budget this could be a great choice as entrance into the park is free. They also offer guided tours for only a couple of US dollars.
5) Retail Therapy
Some wellness advocates may not consider shopping a form of wellness, but there are plenty of people who love to go shopping. Luckily, Colombia is filled with not just beautiful nature, but there are plenty of great shopping malls and boutiques that you cannot find anywhere else in the world.
BioXcellerator’s stem cell clinic is located inside of a beautiful shopping center called El Tesoro where patients can go enjoy themselves after finishing their treatment. El Tesoro holds more than 400 stores. There are plenty of U.S. brands located inside of the mall such as Levi’s, McDonald’s, Nike, and Nine West.
If you are looking to get out of the same shopping mall that the stem cell clinic is located, Viva Envigado is the newest mall in Medellin. It just opened in October of 2018 and it has the biggest movie theater in Medellin as well as the only IMAX screen in Colombia. There is also an incredible outside space with a ferris wheel.
6) Yoga Retreat
Yoga is one of the easiest and most beneficial ways that anyone, young or old, can improve their overall health. Yoga retreats are all of the rage nowadays. The best yoga teachers take their show on the road and perform yoga retreats all over the world, including in Colombia.
Colombia has a number of different yoga retreats located all over the country. You can find modern yoga retreats and retreats where you have no access to electricity. Depending on your level of intensity you may want to opt for a simple yoga studio located in Medellin.
There are plenty of reasons to start doing yoga. From increased flexibility to better cardiovascular health, you will notice the health benefits relatively soon after starting. If you are dedicated to yoga or just a beginner, you can easily find a class or retreat that is perfect for you.
7) Makuira Beer Spa
Drinking beer may not be the first activity that comes to mind when it comes to your overall wellness. But, a couple of alcoholic beverages every now and then will certainly not hurt your health. Alcohol may actually be good for your, albeit in small quantities.
The Makuria Beer Spa is a unique experience that will surely decrease anyone’s stress. It is a spa first off that offers traditional spa amenities such as deep tissue massages and dry saunas. There is a twist that makes this spa stand out from the rest of spas that you can find in Colombia.
After you wash down you will get to relax in the hot tub. This is not any normal hot tub, as there is an unlimited beer tap right outside that you can enjoy at your leisure. Many spa goers end their journey with a pitcher of beer being poured on their head. That is an experience that you cannot find anywhere else in the world! You may leave the spa feeling refreshed, renewed, and possibly slightly intoxicated.
8) Coffee Tour
There has been a lot of recent research into the fact that coffee is good for your health making Colombia a great wellness vacation destination. Colombia is the third biggest coffee producer in the world. Not only are they one of the biggest producers of coffee, but they have some of the best coffee tours around.
Coffee drinkers are less likely to die from some of the top diseases, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease. Interestingly, coffee drinkers have lower DNA strand breakage than their non-coffee drinking counterparts. DNA breakage can lead to cancer and tumors. All in moderation though, one to three cups of coffee a day will give you the benefits that you seek. You can find plenty of tasty coffee right from the source in Colombia.
One of the best and longest coffee tours is the WakeCup Experience Coffee Tour. This is not your average coffee tour that only lasts a couple of hours. This tour shows you not only how coffee is made, but showcases how coffee has had a significant impact on Colombia and their culture. You will get to mingle with coffee pickers, Jeep drivers, farmers, and coffee entrepreneurs. A truly unique unique experience that few coffee lovers get to participate in.
9) Scuba Diving
Scuba diving comes along with the territory of having beautiful beaches. Colombia has some of the best scuba diving in the world where tourists can enjoy the full spectacle of sea-life. There are a number of diving centers right in Medellin where you can set up a trip to various diving spaces around the country. If you have never been scuba diving before, they can teach you everything that you need to know. Trying new experiences such as scuba diving, is a great way to grow as a person and increase your overall wellness.
Focusing on your breathing is one of the key benefits of scuba diving. People all over the world struggle with their breathing. Divers need to focus on their breathing in order to have a good experience. Better breathing techniques will lead to lower stress, smaller chance of a lung-expansion injury, reduced mucus build up, and a lower heart rate.
Depending on where you dive you can find some incredible sea-life such as the rare sunray shark. Take in everything in and enjoy the beautiful beaches and enchanting undersea life that Colombia offers.
10) Paragliding
Paragliding is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and getting to do it in Colombia will set you apart. Taking to the air will free you from all of your problems, even if it is for a short period of time. The feeling of flying will give you an adrenaline rush like nothing else will. Creating new memories and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is the key to staying young and well.
Paragliding Medellin is the perfect service to use if you are visiting the BioXcellerator facilities. They have completed over 8,000 successful flights. All of their online reviews loved the beautiful sights and how safe they felt the entire time they were in the air.
Make your next vacation a wellness vacation. You will leave feeling refreshed and ready to get back to your everyday life. Plus, you will bring home some incredible memories that you can take wherever you go.