Yoga Retreat Center in Brazil's Rainforest — Garopaba, Santa Catarina

Enchanted Mountain is a purpose-built yoga retreat centre in Garopaba, in the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. It's one of the largest retreat centres in South America, set on 100 acres of Atlantic rainforest with capacity for up to 100 guests. It doesn't sell seats on a set programme — it rents the whole place to yoga groups and retreat leaders, most of them coming from the US, Europe and South America.

The property has three yoga practice rooms, each with hardwood floors and both heating and air conditioning, sized for 25, 45 and 55 practitioners. That means a group can split into smaller classes, run a large morning session and a smaller evening one, or keep a workshop separate from the main practice space. Accommodation is 40 rooms in single, double, triple and dormitory configurations, each with its own bathroom, heating and air conditioning, and each with a deck and hammock. Total capacity is around 80 participants depending on how rooms are assigned.

Food is handled by the centre's own kitchen and dining hall staff, who cook vegetarian meals as standard and cater to gluten-free and lactose-free requirements. For anything more specific, that's arranged with the kitchen in advance. There's also an Ayurvedic massage centre on site offering a range of massage styles and therapies, and a natural pool fed by a mountain spring.

The location is the other half of the draw. Ten beaches are within about 3km, some of them among the best in Brazil. Hiking trails start from the property and lead to waterfall pools and viewpoints over the ocean and forest. Transfers from Florianópolis airport can be arranged, as can sightseeing trips to the local beaches. Daytime temperatures sit around 24°C through the year, so the studios don't get stifling and the trails stay walkable.

For retreat leaders, the practical detail is this: groups of 20 or more get two retreat leaders staying free. Rates for larger groups are quoted on request.

What's included

- Accommodation in single, double, triple or dormitory rooms - En-suite bathroom in every room - Heating and air conditioning in rooms and studios - Deck with hammock in every room - Access to three yoga studios (capacities 25, 45 and 55) - Use of the natural spring-fed pool - Access to hiking trails and waterfall pools - Use of the on-site Ayurvedic massage centre (treatments booked separately) - Dining hall and kitchen with vegetarian catering - Gluten-free and lactose-free options - Choice of single, double, triple or dormitory occupancy

What's not included

- International and domestic flights - Airport transfers (available on request, at extra cost) - Sightseeing tours to local beaches - Ayurvedic massage treatments - Personal expenses - Travel insurance - Additional food or drink outside the meal plan