Now that the weather is turning colder, why not head to a sun-splashed paradise such as Aruba, where the entire island offers a wealth of dazzling ways to do your Downward Dog — and everything else. There’s still time in September — and afterwards — to make a fast break and get away for a last-minute love affair with all-things-wellness. Several resorts are offering distinctive yoga programs.
For example, Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort offers rejuvenating yoga activities Mondays through Saturdays at 7:30 AM under the Big Palapa on beautiful Palm Beach. Taught by the island’s premier instructors, Hyatt’s classes range from energy healing on Tuesdays to Aerial Yoga on Saturdays. The luxurious Ritz-Carlton Aruba offers guided yoga classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, inviting guests to enjoy an energy-infusing tranquility on their lawn, just steps from Palm beach and the famed eternity bridge.
But for a crème de la crème experience — and for something completely different — you just may want to visit Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort – a Four-Diamond award-winner, and an adults-only posh property that usually has a 97% occupancy, it is so popular. It offers an all -encompassing wellness program and is led by certified wellness specialists. A key differentiator for Bucuti & Tara's approach is that it connects guests with only the very best wellness professionals in each specialty that is available in Aruba.
Guests can do as little or as much as they wish and the resort's certified wellness specialists and their personal concierge begin working with them long before it's wheels down in Aruba. Wellness itineraries are completely customized at the resort and can incorporate nutrition, fitness, mental wellbeing and mindfulness. The resort's cornerstones are romance, wellness and sustainability.
So here’s something quite special. Full Moon Yoga ($35pp) is available each full moon from 8:30-9:30 PM and takes place right on Bucuti & Tara's wide stretch along Eagle Beach (named “The Best of The Best” in 2024, according to Tripadvisor). The dreamy, serene setting puts guests in the heart of nature: Quiet beach, soft waves, moonlight and brilliant night sky.
This 60-minute twilight session is yoga with guided meditation to release all things that no longer serve you and consciously create the next four weeks of your life. All levels feature modifications to meet participants where they are with their yoga practice. After that, you just might want to relax in a hammock – well, sort of.
Cocooning Mediation & Antigravity Yoga takes place in Bucuti & Tara's Wellness Hut or it can be in a private setting. This practice lets guests feel weightless, experience new yoga positions and is ideal for spinal decompression. Each guest has their own hammock and space to focus on their individual needs with a focus on attuning their mind with their body.
Small group lesson price is $30, per person. Private lessons are $95 per person of $125 per couple. After that, well, there is serene slumber in a cocoon of comfort.
Bucuti & Tara has elevated the sleep experience with a multifaceted approach. The resort features Tempur-pedic mattresses, mattress toppers and a pillow menu. Every evening at turndown, guests are served hot tea and can select from various teas, each with its own specialty such as sleepy time tea.
Every accommodation has an air purifier and dehumidifier. Blackout curtains keep out unwanted light while doubling as the same for nesting sea turtles on the beach below during turtle season. Beyond yoga, guests can also opt for sound healing and breathwork sessions to help relax them for sounder sleep.
The highest room category are the penthouses. There are four and they each come with daily use of a private cabana on the beach. And here’s an insider tip that I discovered on one of my many trips to Aruba: Aruba Aloe .
Aruba’s aloes, for sure, are considered some of the best in the world, and the Aruba Aloe Company grows, harvests and processes its premium aloes onsite at its factory in Aruba (which also offers free tours every 15 minutes). Its premium skin, hair, and suncare products are Aruba-in-a-tube-a! But even better, these are the complimentary high-end bath amenities that you will find in all of the rooms at Bucuti & Tara. (I’ve tried these products myself and they are great.
) Also bear in mind my other Aruba must-do insider tip – and possibly my favorite: Make sure to visit the supermarket! As A Dutch nation, Aruba’s grocery stores offer genuine Dutch chocolate, surely some of the world’s finest. Let’s hear it for Droste! For more about my Wanderlust and Wellness travels, please Follow me on Instagram at @DebbiKickham ..
