Swap Screen Time for Serene Time at These Digital Detox Retreats

I knew I needed a break from my phone the day I tapped it against the deadbolt of my front door and waited for it to click open, smart lock-style. So one day, I just did it. I left my device on the kitchen counter and took myself on a waterside walk, stopped at a cafe for a leisurely breakfast, read an actual newspaper and silently reacquainted myself with the messages in my heart instead of my inbox.

Oh yeah, I experienced withdrawal symptoms. I tried to expand an article with my thumb and forefinger and reached for my phone to narrate every bite of my eggs Benedict with a photo. I even felt momentarily disappointed when I couldn’t Google “how to make Hollandaise sauce.” It took a minute, but I eventually relaxed into the moment. The longer I remained untethered from nonsensical digital chatter, the more aware I became of the sounds, smells and sights around me.

Since that outing, I’ve dreamed of longer disconnects and doomscrolling-free days. What I’ve discovered is that some of the most gobsmacking destinations around the world make it easy for airplane mode to be a daily mantra. From a Himalayan hideaway to a Big Sky State lodge to the coral-kissed edges of Australia, there’s a place waiting for you to power down and tune in to profound inner peace.

Here are 11 to consider on your next (or first) digital detox vacation.

11 Tranquil Digital Detox Retreats to Revive You

One&Only Nyungwe House, Rwanda

Tucked into an emerald enclave in southwest Rwanda, the 22 modern, treehouse-style rooms of One&Only Nyungwe House are pressed against the ancient canopy of Nyungwe National Park. Home to chimpanzees, monkeys and hundreds of bird species, the park offers an unforgettable opportunity to search for animals up close instead of watching for likes on Instagram.

At the heart of the resort is well-being, and every outing is a lesson in connection, whether it’s a morning spent hand-picking tea leaves alongside warm-hearted local farmers or an afternoon wandering the lush tangles of jungle paths. Be sure to turn up the volume at night when the air hums in a wild cacophony of crickets, frogs, distant hoots and trills, calling you to tap into a slower and more profound sense of what matters in the world.

Sage Lodge, Livingston, Montana

Just 35 minutes north of Yellowstone National Park with more than 1,200 acres to explore, Sage Lodge is a place where the buzz of bees is way more soothing than the ping of text messages. Set along the banks of the Yellowstone River and surrounded by rugged peaks, this rustic yet stylish 50-room retreat blends Big Sky views and Wild West adventure for the whole family.

There’s nothing online that can top a trek with resident llamas or the thrill of whitewater rafting. Days can be filled with quieter pursuits too, such as learning the arts of wood burning, branding, candle making and plein air painting, if that’s more your speed.

Tiamo Resort, Out Islands, Bahamas

Accessible only by boat or seaplane, Tiamo Resort is tailor-made for getting away from it all. This barefoot-chic hideaway has 11 villas, including one with three bedrooms and a private pool, making an unplugged family vacay as easy-breezy as the island life. While there are no TVs or desks in the villas, there are outdoor verandas and direct access to the sandy beach.

Exchange morning Zoom calls for a canoe ride over the fish-filled reef, book a sailing excursion in the turquoise Caribbean Sea or learn to scuba dive with a pro. If reading and falling asleep by the pool is all your agenda can handle, this private island is your ticket to simple bliss.

Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort, British Columbia, Canada

British Columbia’s untamed Great Bear Rainforest is remote, which is a hallmark of Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort. But what you lack in a phone signal, you’ll gain in customized adventures and wellness experiences grounded in a soul-stirring setting, noticeable the second your floatplane skims to a stop.

Spend days heli-hiking to secret waterfalls, fly fishing beneath the watchful gaze of bald eagles, and joining yoga and guided meditation sessions surrounded by Mother Nature’s most sublime artwork. In the evenings, gather for gourmet meals, then hit the hay with a good book. Or better yet, listen to a blanket of stars tell the best bedtime story of your life.

Six Senses Bhutan

At 7,710 feet above sea level, lofty Thimphu is the world’s only national capital without traffic lights, making it ideal for digital disconnection. The tranquil Six Senses Bhutan feels more like a mountaintop village than a city retreat, with just 25 suites and villas tucked into a steep valley surrounded by forested mountains and ancient temples.

A healing spa is designed for spiritual and physical wellness, and connection to something bigger than yourself is de rigueur. Whether you partake in guided forest bathing, meditation sessions in ancient dzongs, a butter tea ceremony or spend the afternoon in a hot stone bath contemplating the majesty of the Himalayan peaks, the rhythm of Bhutanese life will undoubtedly change your definition of plugged in.

ORIGINS Lodge, Costa Rica

In northern Costa Rica’s misty mountains, 3,100 feet above sea level and spread across 111 verdant acres, ORIGINS is a sanctuary of stillness and wellness, far removed from the tug of technology.

Days unfold around horseback riding and hiking through cloud forests; dips in private, wood-fired hot tubs; kayaking on jungle rivers; and daily yoga in the shala. Each of the seven luxury lodges feels suspended between heaven and earth, offering vast jungle-to-sky, lake and volcano views alongside endless opportunities to forget all about the digital detritus back home.

Lizard Island, Northeast Australia

Ditch the traffic, internet and street and head to Lizard Island, a secluded sanctuary in a national park at the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. With 40 elegantly understated suites and villas (and no children under 10), the private island is a perfect spot for seclusion and escape.

Trade Wifi for wellness as you do morning yoga on the beach, snorkel over coral gardens, hike to panoramic lookouts or go birdwatching with a naturalist. After a day of adventure, retreat to the Azure Spa, where sea salt scrubs, botanical facials and gentle massages melt away modern-day stress.

Manna, Arcadia, Greece

In Greek and Roman mythology, the mountains of Arcadia were described as a place of idyllic beauty and peaceful living. That’s reason enough to head to the Peloponnese region of southern Greece, where Manna spreads its natural magic across its 32 dreamy rooms, which exude modern calm amid an ancient forest.

With a minimum age of 11, families with tweens and up can forage for mushrooms and explore the surrounding trails on hotel bicycles, or retreat to the Manna Wellness Hub for yoga on the deck, stargazing and sauna time. Who needs digital entertainment when you have a lily pond and cave pool, plus nearby villages such as Stemnitsa and Dimitsana, with their cobbled alleys, stone fountains, folklore museums and rustic tavernas dishing up traditional Greek food?

Amanoi, Ninh Thuan, Vietnam

Perched above the sapphire sweep of Vinh Hy Bay and tucked against the jungled edge of Nui Chua National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its diverse ecosystems and dramatic mountain-meets-sea landscape, Amanoi invites families to switch off their devices and switch on their senses.

The 36 freestanding villas and pavilions feel more like private homes. They are the perfect starting point for monkey-spotting walks; kayak, catamaran and snorkel treks around the bay; and cooking classes for kids aged 5 to 11. The lakeside Aman Spa, a place to balance mind and body, is not to be missed, with personalized wellness programs and a wide range of restorative Vietnamese and international treatments.

The Point Resort, Adirondacks, New York

Initially built in the 1930s by William Avery Rockefeller II as a private retreat, The Point remains a slice of Gilded Age grandeur tucked deep in the wilderness of the Adirondacks. The pace of life is slower at this upscale adults-only summer camp, where rustic elegance meets refined indulgence across just 11 well-appointed guest rooms in four historic log buildings, each filled with antiques, stone fireplaces and lake views (yet no televisions).

Although Wifi is available upon request in the rooms, The Point has long promoted a digital disconnect, and use of devices in the public spaces is limited to silent actions such as photography or reading. Even so, the urge to count Instagram followers quickly fades away, making it easy to enjoy life on the hiking trails and lake, read books and linger over cocktail hour. At night, dressing for dinner is still encouraged, as is gathering around roaring fires to enjoy multi-course feasts and lively IRL conversations that don’t require friend requests.

Ananda in the Himalayas, Rishikesh, India

Tucked into the dense forests of Rishikesh, a town globally revered as a center for yoga, meditation and holistic healing, Ananda in the Himalayas languishes across a 100-acre Maharaja’s palace estate overlooking the Ganges River Valley, weaving luxurious touches into its deep spiritual roots.

Staff will happily hold on to your phone during your stay (if you want) so you can truly detox in one of the 78 rooms, suites and villas, along forested trails, and in daily yoga, meditation and stretching classes. For a noise infusion of a different variety, try a sound healing session that will make you feel as if you’ve gone viral in your soul instead of on your TikTok feed.

Ready to Unplug?

Whether you’re sipping tea in Bhutan, kayaking in Costa Rica or channeling your inner Gatsby in upstate New York, stepping away from your screen is the new luxury.

Remember, a digital detox isn’t about deprivation, it’s about recalibration. It’s about swapping dopamine hits for deep breaths, pixel light for golden light and discovering something utterly amazing: that you’re still interesting, funny and fabulous, even if you don’t post about it.

Relevant Links:

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Off-the-grid adventure during an Azores vacation in Portugal

One&Only Mandarina: Zen-style pampering in Mexico’s rainforest

Unplug and unwind at El Capitan Canyon in Santa Barbara

Mindful travel tips with kids: How to live in the moment

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.