New Global Wellness Institute research reveals a wellness market with relentless momentum, worth 26% more than it was pre-pandemic.
The wellness industry is now roughly four times larger than the global pharmaceutical industry ($1.6 trillion) and nearly 60% as big as all consumer health expenditures ($10.6 trillion).
Despite incredible growth over the last decade, Colombia wellness retreats are no where to be found. Sure, lots of hotels add a spa and gym and call themselves a wellness center.
Converting hotels to wellness centers has fueled the geometric growth. More importantly, billions have been spent to create fabulous wellness resorts all over the world with the latest state of the art equipment and medical devices, 5 star restaurants and every Yoga, Pilates and Ayurveda experience ever invented.
But all of this comes at a big price. Typical high end wellness retreats cost $1,000 per night and more.
Ask yourself…do you really think you are going to change a lifetime of bad habits and establish a sustainable healthy exercise and nutrition program in 3 to 6 days ?
Of course not.
But a wellness retreat doesn´t have to cost you an arm and a leg.
Manizales, located at about 7,000 feet elevation in the famed coffee zone, is Colombia´s safest and most beautiful city. It was also just voted as the 7th friendliest city in the world by booking.com.
Live and Invest Overseas just named Colombia the 3rd Best Country in the world to Retire as one of the lowest cost of living countries in the world with a remarkably high quality of life and the No 1 healthcare in all of Latin America.
Colombia is also the 2nd most biodiverse country in the world and Manizales is in the epicenter with over 800 species of birds and mega flora.
All that adds up to an amazing place to have a wellness center.
Manizales has many unique hotels which could be easily converted to real wellness and weight loss retreats at prices less than 1/2 of the cost of the competition worldwide and include so much more.
Here are a couple examples.
Termales del Otono is a fabulous luxury hot springs resort located about 10 minutes from Manizales. It has traditional ¨Colombian¨ style rooms and bungalows as well as new ¨Marriott¨ style luxury suites with a private hot springs fed pool. There are private areas for yoga, stretching and pilaties, miles of trails with spectacular mountain scenery, gym, spa and aquatics. There are lovely restaurants and meeting rooms.
Estelar Recinto del Pensamiento is located about 10 minutes from Manizales and offers a tranquil natural setting where wellness guests can immerse themselves into countless hummingbirds and 150 species of birds, orchids, butterflies and lush flora including bonsai trees. The hotel is budget friendly and yet offers a lovely restaurant, Juan Valdez coffee bar, meeting rooms, spa and gym.
Most wellness retreats follow a standard itinerary.
There are local experts in Manizales available on an hourly or per person basis for every service offered.
The hotel chef should have no problem with the menu suggested by the Mediterranean diet with all the wonderful fresh Colombian fruits and vegetables.
6 am - Gentle Wake up, Shower and Dress for exercises
7 am - Stretching and Yoga
8 am - Breakfast (mostly fresh fruits, egg, greek yogurt, coffee, water)
9 am - Hiking or gym or fitness and strength training
12 - Lunch (Mediterranean diet - tuna, salmon, fresh vegetables)
1- 3 pm - Siesta, Remote work
4- 6 pm - Aquatics, spa and beauty sessions
7 pm - Dinner (salad, fruit)
8-9 pm - Group Chats with guidance counselor, cooking class, dance
9 pm - Lights out
Cultural and immersive outdoor experiences are easily added at a low cost. Manizales has many beautiful places to visit on a City Tour, to local birding and flora farms like Tinamu and Romelia, coffee plantations like Venecia, Rio Blanco Cloud Forest for over 300 species of birds, Los Nevados, many other hot springs resorts and visiting local pueblos and attractions in Quindio like Parque Cafe and Panaca which are a long but doable day trip.
Healthcare - Chronic diseases are a worldwide healthcare crisis. Many chronic diseases could be prevented if detected early with a Comprehensive Executive Health Check. Manizales has two internationally accredited hospitals offering 4 to 6 hour health checks for about $300.
Medical Tourism - In addition to its excellent hospitals, Manizales has highly rated clinics for a wide range of treatments at prices that are about 1/3rd the cost in the US. Bariatric surgery, Dental, Lasik Eye, Plastic surgery and many others. The savings alone on just one of these treatments can pay for the entire wellness trip.
So, let´s take a look at the costs.
Most people only get 2 weeks paid vacation per year. They lose a day getting to Manizales and a day getting home.That means a 12 day / 11 night program is probably the ideal.
So we have hotel for 11 nights, all meals, daily activities, excursions, airport pick up and return and bilingual concierges to guide them every step of the way.
At these prices, hotels should be booked ! From $3,300 to $4,100 per person.
