Book Top Buddhist Retreats
Discover clarity and insight through timeless Buddhist practices that awaken your natural wisdom and compassion
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Top Buddhist Retreats
100,000 Songs of Milarepa
May 16 - 18, 2025
YELENA says, "If you are looking for a place to unwind and grow spiritually while eating the best food this place is for you. Brand-new beautiful facility, super friendly stuff and relaxing atmosphere - I don’t know the better way to spend a weekend." See more
From $400
/ 3 days
5.00
Home Hermitage - A Day Long Retreat Online
March 2, 2025
Online
Adel says, "This weekend retreat is very valuable and helping stabilaze my focus. Teachers Kiser and Jogen are a tremendous help. I only can recommend this retreat to anyone who has no time for a week retreat but want to do an intense shorter retreat." See more
Donat
/ 1 day
4.91
From Root to Blossom: A Yoga & Meditation Retreat On The Art of Becoming
May 29 - June 1, 2025
Timothy says, "The Frying Pan Valley is a spectacle in itself complete with a rushing river that perfumes the mind 24/7. The staff were attentive, happy to serve and genuinely joyful in their tasks." See more
From $999
/ 4 days
4.94
The Treasury of Blessings: A Practice of Buddha Shakyamuni
Top Rated
April 18 - 20, 2025
Soudabeh says, "Ratna ling is a magical place … Every time I go there for a retreat, once a year, my heart opens up to receive the love of universe and all around … Food is divine, made and prepared with care and benevolent intentions… it tastes great and nourishes the soul, the nature and the sounds supports my practice of being in the present, and the air even is nourishing and rejuvenating … I wished there were more spaces and places like that on our planet … Thank you staff … for helping my stay in your grounds be so meaningful and supportive … Soodi " See more
$800
/ 3 days
4.94
10% Off Until Mar 1
Skymind: Sacred Land, Sacred View
Cameron's Staff Pick
May 30 - June 4, 2025
Leslie says, "Great session! Not too large, not too small. Our group came together with just the right energy and the retreat centre provided the serenity and safety to let us be both serious and crazy." See more
From CAD $1,487
/ 6 days CAD $1,500
4.78
‚‚Creative Refresh‘‘ 8day Retreat - Meditation & Biohacking
April 13 - 21, 2025
From $1,549
/ 9 days
RESTORING OUR VITAL ESSENCE & RECLAIMING THE SOUL: Healing Ourselves with Body, Voice, and Mind with the Spiritual Healing Methods of Sowa Rigpa
March 27 - 30, 2025
Kevin says, "Amazing, on all levels. John is an exceptional educator who wears his passion for fungi and local community on his sleeve. Add in his great sense of humor and you have yourself a inspiring weekend." See more
From $762
/ 4 days
4.50
The Wakeful Body (Online Course)
February 26 - April 7, 2025
Online
Kristen says, "Lama Liz and the Natural Dharma Fellowship community is so incredibly welcoming and kind. I have never seen a community so unbiased and open in my life! This is a community for new and experiences practitioners of Buddhism and is tremendously welcoming to all variations of faith of practice." See more
From $149.0
/ 41 days
4.00
1 Space Remaining
Top Buddhist Retreat Centers
Questions about Buddhist
What happens at a women's retreat?
Women's retreats create dedicated spaces for deep restoration, connection, and transformation away from daily demands. Modern retreats often blend ancient wisdom practices like meditation and ritual with evidence-based approaches including somatic experiencing, breath work, and therapeutic movement. At luxury venues in Bali or Costa Rica, participants might start their mornings with sunrise yoga, followed by journaling circles and afternoon workshops on topics ranging from ancestral healing to authentic leadership.
The magic often happens in those unscripted moments between scheduled activities. Picture women sprawled on cushions sharing life stories over herbal tea, or walking meditation paths through tropical gardens processing profound insights. Some retreats focus on specific themes - grief work, creative expression, or life transitions. Others embrace a more fluid structure allowing space for spontaneous sisterhood, tears, and belly laughs.
Beyond the "spa and yoga" stereotype, many contemporary women's retreats tackle deeper terrain. Trained facilitators guide participants through shadow work exploring internalized patriarchy, mother wounds, or sexual trauma. Traditional ceremonies led by indigenous wisdom keepers might involve cacao rituals, sweat lodges, or womb blessing circles. The physical container of being surrounded by solely female energy for several days often catalyzes profound personal breakthroughs that continue unfolding long after the retreat ends.
Safety remains paramount - reputable retreats require health screenings, maintain clinical support staff, and enforce clear boundaries around touch and sharing. Many integrate trauma-informed protocols developed at leading centers like the California Institute of Integral Studies Source. This allows women to journey as deep as they choose while knowing skilled holders maintain the container.
What happens in a retreat?
A retreat offers sacred space to step away from daily life and journey inward. Traditional meditation retreats often follow a gentle yet structured schedule - rising early for morning practice, sharing silent meals, and alternating between sitting meditation, walking contemplation, and rest periods. Some retreats focus on specific practices like Vipassana or Zen, maintaining noble silence throughout, while others incorporate teaching sessions, group sharing circles, or one-on-one meetings with teachers. The environment itself becomes a teacher, whether it's a remote monastery in Thailand or a quiet center tucked into the mountains.
Every retreat holds its own medicine. Nature-based retreats might include solo time in the wilderness, vision fasts, or ceremonial practices passed down through indigenous traditions. Movement retreats weave together yoga, qi gong, or dance with periods of stillness. Some focus on creative expression through art, music, or writing. Others create space for emotional healing through bodywork, sound healing, or therapeutic processes.
Are spiritual retreats worth it?
Spiritual retreats offer profound opportunities for insight and renewal, though their value depends greatly on timing, preparation, and clear intentions. Traditional meditation retreats in Buddhist, Hindu, and contemplative Christian settings typically provide structured periods of silence and guidance from experienced teachers - creating space to explore one's inner landscape away from daily distractions. A well-chosen retreat can help reveal what's already present but perhaps overlooked in the busyness of modern life. At retreat centers participants often discover both challenge and support: pre-dawn meditation sits balanced with gentle movement practices, shared meals eaten in mindful silence, and skilled teachers available for questions that arise. Yet retreats aren't magic solutions - they're simply dedicated time to pause, reflect, and remember essential truths. Some find a weekend retreat sufficient for renewed perspective, while others benefit from longer immersions of 7-10 days. The key lies not in duration but in approaching retreat time with genuine curiosity rather than looking to fix what isn't broken. When chosen thoughtfully and undertaken with realistic expectations, retreats can indeed be deeply worthwhile investments in understanding oneself and one's place in the larger web of life.
Can a retreat be one day?
Absolutely - a day-long retreat can offer profound benefits and has deep roots in many contemplative traditions. In Zen practice, these are called "zazenkai" - intensive one-day sitting retreats that provide a taste of deeper immersion without requiring extended time away. Modern retreat centers often offer similar day-long programs that might include meditation, movement practices, periods of noble silence, and gentle guidance. The key is creating enough spaciousness within that single day to allow for genuine settling and inner listening. A well-structured day retreat typically runs from early morning until evening, incorporating mindful meals, walking meditation, and alternating periods of activity and rest. This format particularly serves those who cannot take longer breaks from work or family responsibilities, while still offering a meaningful pause from daily routines. Some find that regular day-long retreats actually provide more sustainable transformation than occasional longer ones, as they build a rhythm of renewal that weaves naturally into life's fabric.
How much is a silent retreat?
Silent retreats typically range from $50-200 per day at established centers, with most 5-7 day programs falling between $500-1400 total. Buddhist monasteries often operate on a dana (donation) basis, while luxury retreat centers can charge upwards of $3000 for a week-long immersion. These costs usually include simple vegetarian meals, basic lodging, and guidance from experienced teachers. The real investment goes beyond dollars though. A genuine silent retreat demands complete dedication of time and energy - no phones, no books, no journaling, no yoga, no exercise besides walking meditation. Many centers follow strict schedules starting at 4:30am with multiple meditation sessions throughout the day. Some traditional Vipassana centers, like those teaching Goenka's method, offer completely free 10-day retreats (including room and board) but expect participants to contribute what they can to support future students. Location dramatically impacts pricing. A weekend at a rural American meditation center might cost $300, while the same duration at a Japanese Zen temple could be just $40 per night plus optional dana. Remote retreat centers often charge more due to operations costs, yet their isolation creates the container needed for deep practice. Beyond base rates, factor in travel costs, appropriate clothing, and usually a suggested donation for the teachers who often receive minimal base compensation.
Are there retreats for people with depression?
Yes - specialized retreats exist for those experiencing depression, offering a gentle container for healing while honoring each person's inherent wholeness. Traditional meditation centers provide programs specifically designed around mental health, with on-site therapists and medical support. These aren't meant to replace professional treatment, but rather complement existing care through mindfulness practices, community connection, and skilled guidance. Some retreats focus on specific modalities - Buddhist centers emphasize meditation and compassion practices, while nature-based programs might incorporate wilderness therapy and ecopsychology. At most depression-focused retreats, participants engage in a balanced mix of gentle movement, guided reflection, and trauma-sensitive meditation, always with the freedom to participate at their own pace. The Buddhist understanding of depression as a "visiting" experience rather than a fixed identity can be particularly healing. This perspective sees difficult emotions as weather patterns moving through awareness rather than permanent aspects of who you are. Many retreat centers weave this wisdom into their programs while maintaining grounded engagement with modern mental health understanding.