The best time to go on a yoga retreat

Destination	Best time for a retreat	Popular areas
Spain	All year (Canary Islands in winter; mainland March–October)	Andalusia & Costa de la Luz, Ibiza & Mallorca, Canary Islands
Portugal	March–October (Algarve and Madeira also mild in winter)	Algarve, Ericeira & the Lisbon coast, Alentejo
United Kingdom	May–September, with cosy indoor retreats all year	Cornwall & Devon, The Cotswolds, Lake District
India	October–March for most of India; Rishikesh is best in spring and autumn	Rishikesh, Goa, Kerala
Indonesia	April–October (dry season) for Bali and Lombok	Ubud (Bali), Canggu & Uluwatu (Bali), Nusa Penida
Costa Rica	December–April (dry season)	Nosara & Nicoya Peninsula, Santa Teresa, Puerto Viejo
Thailand	November–February (cool, dry season)	Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai
Greece	May–October	Crete, The Cyclades, Corfu & the Ionian islands
Mexico	November–April (dry season)	Tulum & the Riviera Maya, Oaxaca coast, Sayulita & the Pacific coast
Italy	April–October	Tuscany, Puglia, Sicily
France	April–October	Provence, The Pyrenees, Brittany
Morocco	October–May (coast all year)	Taghazout & Agadir, Essaouira, Marrakech
Sri Lanka	December–April for the south and west coast; May–September for the east	South coast (Weligama, Mirissa), Arugam Bay, Kandy & the hill country
Nepal	October–November and March–April	Pokhara, Kathmandu Valley, Annapurna region
Guatemala	November–April (dry season)	Lake Atitlán (San Marcos La Laguna), Antigua
Germany	May–September, with indoor retreats all year	Bavaria & the Alps, Black Forest, Baltic coast
Netherlands	May–September; city workshops all year	Amsterdam, Utrecht, Veluwe

Shoulder season is often best

Spring and early autumn usually bring pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds and lower prices, especially in Mediterranean destinations.

Winter sun

For winter escapes from Europe, look at the Canary Islands, Morocco's Atlantic coast, Goa and Kerala, Thailand, Sri Lanka's south coast, Mexico and Costa Rica.

Frequently asked questions

When is the cheapest time for a yoga retreat?

Shoulder and low seasons, typically spring and autumn in Europe and the start or end of the dry season in tropical destinations.