Lean into Wellness This New Year With a Jungle Retreat
The coming year is set to be one of the biggest for wellness travel. People of all ages are turning to restorative experiences as a remedy for burnout, with activities ranging from stargazing and gardening to slowing down with calming sound baths. And as far as destinations go, travel trend reports say that green spaces will be leading the way. After all, nothing says “wellness” quite like being immersed in the sights and sounds of the rainforest. That includes nature-led retreats like The Banks and The Rainforest Lodge at Sleeping Giant, where travelers can experience true wellness in the jungle.
Countless Ways to Unwind
Surrounded by the lush greenery of Belize’s Sibun Nature Reserve, both The Banks Resort and The Rainforest Lodge at Sleeping Giant offer the perfect backdrop for a rejuvenating wellness retreat. And since both resorts share one sprawling property, there are plenty of jungle wellness activities to choose from, regardless of travel preference.
Whether on foot, by bike, or on horseback, guests can enjoy exploring quiet jungle trails at their own pace. In addition to being an immersive jungle experience, the trails offer the chance to discover a world of surprises tucked away beneath the canopy.
Rope bridges, art installations, and even a peaceful yoga deck all make it easy to explore the art of forest bathing. Meanwhile, for the health-conscious craving a more active approach to rainforest wellness, the uphill trek to our Scenic Mountain Lookout provides the perfect opportunity to work up a sweat while in paradise.
Perched beside the Sibun River, The Banks is also a birder’s dream come true. Our onsite bar and river deck double as a lookout for spotting tropical birds and even the occasional iguana. For a more playful approach to wellness, kayaking along the river combines light exercise with a
New and Upcoming Belize Wellness Activities
Beyond the existing amenities, guests visiting us for the New Year will also have plenty of new mood-boosting experiences to choose from. As wellness continues to shape how (and why) we travel, we’re excited to introduce new activities as part of a new concept. Designed to encourage balance and relaxation, these experiences are intended to help guests truly slow down.
For those who love to stay active, one new activity turns the surrounding jungle landscape into a natural playground. Combining running, hiking, stretching, and a refreshing river swim, our mobility session will offer relaxation in the form of fun adventure in the heart of nature.
For those craving something calmer, slow things down with a yoga session. Ninety minutes of Vinyasa yoga is paired with sensory meditation. The ideal reset for both body and mind, it’s deeply restorative and fit for all. For even deeper relaxation, though, our upcoming sound bath promises a calming environment for releasing tension, quieting the mind, and simply being present.
Rounding out the wellness activities is our newly designed cacao workshop, which turns rest into something hands-on and culturally immersive. Enjoy tasting Belizean craft chocolates while learning the rich history of cacao.
With time to journal, reflect, and savor every flavor, the workshop offers a slow and intentional way to connect with Belize’s Maya heritage.
With so many ways to move, breathe, and nourish both body and mind, we’re making it easy for our guests to start the New Year feeling refreshed. Regardless of whether it’s your resolution or it’s simply a way of life, lean into rainforest wellness with us in 2026 and beyond. Keep an eye on our socials for an official announcement.
Set your intentions on wellness and take advantage of our New Year, New Villas introductory rate at The Banks, with our one-bedroom Jungle Villas starting at only US$249.
Upcoming Wellness Activities:
| Activity | Date(s) |
|---|---|
| Rainforest Mindfulness | January 4, 2026 |
| Yoga Retreat | March 1 – 9, 2026 |
| Equine-Assisted Wellness | March 12 – 16, 2026 |