Wellness and health

It is travel whose main purpose is to care for body and mind: rest, sleep well, receive a massage, move gently and spend time outdoors. The Ministry of Tourism treats this type of travel within health tourism, which covers services sought for therapeutic and aesthetic purposes, and the World Tourism Organization uses the term wellness tourism.

A wellness trip is not a medical treatment trip: there is no consultation, exam or hospitalization. What is sought is an experience of rest and personal care in spas, guesthouses with body therapies and places with mild climates.

Two types of travel are close to this. Hot natural-water baths are the subject of hot springs resorts. And those looking for silent retreats, meditation or a sacred place take a spirituality trip. The three combine well on the same itinerary.

Mountain climate is the oldest reason for this type of trip in Brazil. Campos do Jordão, in the Mantiqueira Mountains of São Paulo, at about 1,600 meters altitude, has been sought for its mountain climate since the early 20th century. Petrópolis, in the mountains of Rio de Janeiro state, became a summer city in the 19th century, when the court moved up the mountain to escape Rio de Janeiro’s heat.

On the same Mantiqueira, on the Minas Gerais side, Monte Verde and Gonçalves gather small guesthouses among araucarias, many with ofuro, fireplace and massage room. In Cunha, between the Serra do Mar and the Bocaina Mountains, lavender fields and ceramics studios complete restful days. In the Serra Gaúcha, Gramado concentrates hotels with spas and has one of its busiest seasons in winter, from June to August.

On the coast of Bahia, rest is with your feet in the sand. In Itacaré, among beaches surrounded by Atlantic Forest, guesthouses offer yoga classes and massage. In the Tinharé archipelago, in the municipality of Cairu, the walk from Morro de São Paulo to Gamboa beach at low tide passes a pink clay slope where travelers often cover their skin with mud.

A single base of two to four nights works better than an itinerary with many stops. Choose accommodation by its surroundings: green area, distance from the main road, and the possibility of walking without needing a car.

Massages and baths require appointments and have limited availability; it’s best to book them together with your accommodation, especially on weekends and in winter. At most accommodations, therapies are paid separately: check the current price list and what is included with the room rate.

In your suitcase: swimwear, flip-flops, light clothing for classes, a warm layer for cool mountain nights, and closed shoes for walks. Before a massage or hot bath, it’s customary to tell the therapist about conditions such as pregnancy, high blood pressure, allergies, and skin problems.

Spa treatments, massages, and baths are relaxation experiences. They do not replace medical consultation or treatment, and anyone under medical care should continue it during the trip.