If your soul is craving silence, serenity, and a deeper connection with nature, you might not need to cross an ocean to find it. According to a recent global analysis by BookRetreats, the most tranquil destination in North America is none other than Canada — a country defined by its expansive forests, glacial lakes, and soul-soothing solitude.
BookRetreats’ Holiday Relaxation Report: A Global Ranking of Peace
In early December, BookRetreats — a leading platform for wellness and retreat bookings — unveiled its Holiday Relaxation Report. The goal? To identify the world’s most peaceful and restorative travel destinations. The team evaluated 76 locations across five core criteria: safety, solitude, serenity, natural environment, and wellness infrastructure.
How the Rankings Were Determined
The methodology included nine data points such as:
- Percentage of protected land
- Forest coverage
- Population density
- Noise and light pollution
- National peacefulness index
- Number of wellness experiences available
Each destination received a final score out of 100, helping BookRetreats narrow down the most restful corners of the world. And in North America, Canada was the undisputed leader — and the only entry from the continent to make it into the global top 25.
Canada: Nature’s Retreat
Ranked second overall globally — just behind Australia — Canada emerged as a sanctuary for those seeking calm. BookRetreats praised its immense biodiversity, citing a Biodiversity Intactness Index (BII) above 90 percent, putting it in the company of conservation standouts like Finland, Sweden, and Norway. A BII above 90 suggests not only a rich natural habitat, but one that’s resilient and minimally disturbed by human activity.
Solitude in Every Square Kilometer
Canada’s vast geography supports just 3.9 people per square kilometer — a dream statistic for travelers who want to escape crowds. This low density earned the country the fifth spot globally for solitude, just behind Iceland, Namibia, Australia, and Mongolia.
The report also ranked Canada ninth for safety and sixth for wellness — metrics that help reinforce its status as a holistic travel destination. Whether you’re camping under the aurora in Yukon or unwinding at a silent lakeside retreat in Ontario, the country offers something for every type of wellness seeker.
Wellness Without Borders
One of Canada’s standout qualities is its commitment to holistic experiences. BookRetreats highlighted Canada’s 4,724 wellness-related activities, including thermal springs in the Rockies, nature-based yoga escapes, and mindfulness retreats embedded in the wilderness. In fact, it beat out Australia in this specific category, underscoring its growing presence in the global wellness travel space.
How Canada Compares Globally
While Canada claimed the top spot in North America, it held its own globally, securing the second place overall behind Australia. Here’s how the top 10 most relaxing destinations shaped up:
- 1. Australia
- 2. Canada
- 3. Iceland
- 4. Finland
- 5. New Zealand
- 6. Austria
- 7. Sweden
- 8. Estonia
- 9. Norway
- 10. Portugal
Additional noteworthy mentions include Botswana (11), Japan (15), Malaysia (20), and Namibia (23) — proving that relaxation is not confined to one continent or climate.
A Perfect Escape, Closer Than You Think
Whether you’re watching the northern lights dance over a frozen lake or soaking in a geothermal pool beneath alpine peaks, Canada offers a different kind of luxury — one built on stillness, space, and natural beauty. In an increasingly busy world, the country provides the ultimate invitation to slow down and reconnect with what matters most.
