My Top 5 Soulful Stays Around the World

As a yoga teacher, diver, and seeker of meaningful experiences, I’ve wandered across oceans and jungles, cities and islands — always drawn to places that offer more than just comfort. I look for soul. For intention. For magic.

Here are five places that have stayed with me — not just for their beauty, but for how they made me feel.

1. Natura Cabana – Dominican Republic

Eco-chic tranquility in a tropical paradise

Natura Cabana feels like home. Nestled between jungle and sea, this boutique eco-resort on the north coast of the Dominican Republic is a sacred space for slowing down and tuning in. The open-air yoga shala, the earthy cabanas, and the nourishing, mostly plant-based meals — everything flows with nature. I’ve had the joy of teaching here, waking to ocean waves and ending the day under a sky full of stars. It’s peaceful, real, and deeply grounding.

2. Joali – Maldives

Luxury with artistry and heart

While working in the Maldives, Joali took my breath away. Yes, it’s luxurious — with overwater villas and turquoise everything — but what sets it apart is its soul. Every detail is curated with intention, from the art and architecture to the island’s sustainability efforts. You can feel the blend of beauty and consciousness. It’s a place that inspires creativity and deep rest — like floating in a dream woven from salt and sunlight.

3. Utopia Eco Hotel – Guatemala

Off-grid magic near Semuc Champey

Reaching Utopia Eco Hotel is part of the adventure — winding through lush mountains and rivers until you arrive at this hidden jungle haven. I stayed in a simple riverside cabana surrounded by cacao trees and birdsong. It’s rustic in the best way: no Wi-Fi, just connection. The vegetarian meals are made with love, the community vibe is welcoming, and the surrounding nature is powerful. It’s one of those places that reminds you how little you need to feel alive.

4. The Yoga Barn – Bali

A sanctuary for transformation and connection

Bali has a special energy, and The Yoga Barn in Ubud is one of its beating hearts. I’ve spent time here practicing, meditating, dancing, and simply being. There’s a magic in the way it gathers people from around the world — all seeking healing, growth, and community. With a full schedule of yoga, breathwork, sound healing, and more, you can easily lose (and find) yourself here. It's a place of rebirth, wrapped in jungle green.

5. Traditional Temazcal Retreat – Mexico

Sacred sweat, ancestral healing

In Mexico, I experienced one of the most profound healing journeys of my life inside a traditional temazcal — a pre-Hispanic sweat lodge guided by local healers. Surrounded by fire, song, and the scent of copal, the ceremony felt like a return to the womb of the Earth. It's more than detoxing — it's emotional release, spiritual awakening, and cultural reverence. Mexico gifted me deep lessons and beautiful reminders of the power of ritual.

Final Thoughts

These places span the globe, yet they share something in common: soul. They’re spaces that hold you, open you, and invite you to return to your essence — whether through luxury, simplicity, or ceremony.

If you’re seeking your next transformational stay, I hope one of these speaks to your heart the way they did to mine.

Namaste,

Clem