The Aropolis in Athens, Greece, one of the best corporate retreat locations

27 Jul Best Corporate Retreat Locations around the World

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Looking to ditch the usual conference room and spice up your corporate retreats, but don’t know where to start? To get the ideas flowing, I’ve rounded up the most adventurous and exciting locations around the world that will have your team bonding over epic experiences before you’ve even arrived.

Forget an afternoon of paintballing, or a team pottery class – these suggestions are the most adventurous, unusual, and, if I may say so myself, the very best corporate retreat ideas out there! Get ready for surfing, safaris, and some seriously fun team-building activities that will take your corporate retreat to the next level.

Let’s get started.

Table of contents:

1. Surf Resort in Southern Costa Rica

Are you running a fast growing dynamic company with fun young professionals in your team? Then you’ll definitely want to be the cool boss taking them surfing in Costa Rica! And we have just the place for you and your team to surf.

In the stunningly lush west coast of Southern Costa Rica you’ll find Surf Expedition, an all-inclusive surf and yoga resort that’s simply perfect for your next corporate team building retreat. Located just steps away from the beach, the setting of this surf camp is ideal when it comes to leaving the office behind, unwinding and recharging as a team.

From start to finish, you won’t have to worry about a thing – because it’s all included! That means all of your gourmet meals, surf classes, surf equipment, accommodation, yoga classes and activities are already taken care of before you’ve even touched down in Costa Rica. This setup is perfect for enabling the entire team to really relax.

So, why is Surf Expedition the best for team building? For starters, you can rent out the entire resort, giving your team the privacy to bond without distractions. You and your team will have an amazing time catching and sharing waves together, all while cheering each other on as you each learn a new and fun sport. Learning to surf together is an incredible way to build trust and communication among coworkers.

You’ll spend your days surfing the longest waves in the world in the warm, tropical waters of Southern Costa Rica, cheering each other on and creating memories that will last a lifetime. After surfing, you’ll enjoy a relaxing, much-needed yoga class in a dreamy shala in front of the ocean.

At the end of each day, you’ll gather together around a big table and share delicious, chef-prepared meals while sharing fun stories and laughs from your day of surfing. In the evenings, you’ll watch each others best waves and funniest falls over a beer.  It really doesn’t get much better than one of the best all-inclusive surf resorts in Costa Rica for team bonding!

Surf Expedition aside, Costa Rica is a fabulous place to host a work retreat. It’s safe, easy and quick to fly to from the US, has wonderful sunny weather during the dry season, and is packed with biodiversity! Plus, when you’re not surfing, your team can explore rainforests, spot exotic wildlife, and embark on adventures like zip-lining and hiking to waterfalls. What’s not to love?

2. Wildlife Safari in Africa

A vehicle driving through the bush on a safari, one of the best corporate retreat ideas

Swapping the board room for the bush and taking your team on a wildlife safari will quickly win you the title of “best boss ever”. 

Africa is jam-packed full of opportunities to spot the Big Five in their natural habitat, but when it comes to the ultimate wildlife-spotting location you can’t go wrong with Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, with Kruger National Park in South Africa being a strong contender.

Booking a guided safari experience will offer your group the chance to explore the park on guided game drives and bush walks before unwinding at the end of each day at a luxurious wildlife lodge. 

Or, if your staff are really adventurous, there’s always the option of staying at a bush camp! When it comes to team building retreats, this may be one of the most expensive on this list, but it’ll be more than worth it.

3. Dude Ranch in Wyoming

Horses on a Dude Ranch with the Grand Tetons in the back ground

Tell your team to dust off their cowboy boots and meet you on a dude ranch in Wyoming for a corporate retreat that’s high on laughs and fun, with an outdoorsy twist. With activities like horseback riding, cattle herding, and campfire cookouts on the roster, this is easily one of the best corporate retreat locations if you’re looking to recapture that “summer camp” vibe with your employees. 

The Wild West vibes and outdoor setting of Wyoming’s Dude Ranches are about as far a cry from the office as you can get, offering you and your team to bond together in a totally new setting. And who knows, it might throw out a few surprises. Maybe one of your team can secretly throw a mean lasso? You’ll never know unless you go!

4. Napa Valley, California

Lovely table set with wine glasses in Napa Valley for a Corporate Retreat

For a relaxing team getaway, look no further than the vineyards of California’s Napa Valley. Known for its world-class vineyards and stunning scenery, it’s the perfect out-of-office escape to bond with your team. On a retreat here you’ll get to indulge in wine tastings, learn all about the local specialties in the process, tour vineyards, and savor gourmet dining experiences – all without leaving the US!

Does it all sound a bit too sophisticated? No problem! As well as those classic Napa activities, there are plenty of unique and unusual things to do in Napa too. Grape stomping is sure to have everybody bursting out into fits of laughter, and taking a hot air balloon ride over the gorgeous vineyards is an epic treat your team will never forget. 

This is one of my top company retreat ideas for those who want to have an adventurous trip without leaving the US.

Tip: Tying the knot? Check out our favorite ideas for outdoor bachelorette parties!

5. Madrid, Spain

Aerial view of the city of Madrid, Spain, one of the best destinations for a team building retreat

A corporate retreat in Madrid means museums, flamenco, and all the tapas you can eat! The city is packed with so many activities that you’ll struggle to narrow it down, but when it comes to team building, there’s nothing better than a tapas tour to some of the city’s best local spots. If sharing mouthwatering dishes like patatas bravas, croquetas, and more, all washed down with amazing Spanish wine, doesn’t bring your team together, I don’t know what will!

Start the next day with a visit to the Prado Museum, one of the top art galleries in the world. Madrid is famous for its flamenco shows, but not all are equal. For an unforgettable experience, book a table at Tablao Flamenco Torres Bermejas, where you can enjoy tapas dinner and wine while watching some of the most soul-stirring flamenco in the city.

Don’t miss the Madrid Royal Palace, one of the city’s most famous tourist attractions – and it totally lives up to the hype. Take a guided group tour with a local guide and then spend the afternoon hanging out in Retiro Park, renting paddle boats on the lake. When it comes to city break corporate retreat locations, Madrid is my favorite!

6. Scottsdale, Arizona

Yellow Volkswagen Bus driving on a road surrounded by red rocks in Scottsdale Arizona, one of the best places for a corporate retreat

If you combine the great outdoors with luxury, you’ll get Scottsdale, Arizona. This is one of my favorite corporate retreat locations in the US thanks to the epic scenery, fabulous dining options, and range of outdoor team building activities. Whether you opt to hike the iconic Camelback Mountain, relax on a well-needed spa day, or rocket through the vast Sonoran Desert on a jeep, there really is something to suit everybody here!

After a day of activities, treat your team to a meal at one of Scottsdale’s top restaurants, like Cafe Monarch or The Mission, where you can enjoy farm-to-table cuisine and creative cocktails. For a more interactive dining experience, book a private group cooking class at Sweet Basil Gourmetware & Cooking School, where your team can learn new culinary skills together.

Another reason to opt for Scottsdale is its year-round sunshine, meaning that the risk of having to cancel your exciting team building plans because of rain is pretty minimal.

7. Miami, Florida

Aerial view of the coast of Miami, one of the best corporate retreat locations

Miami is a fabulous option if you’re looking for a corporate retreat that offers stunning beaches, unusual activities, and super fun nightlife.

If the weather’s on your side, get your Miami corporate getaway off to a great start with some watersports, whether that’s paddleboarding, jet skiing, or even deep-sea fishing, before heading over to South Beach for a spot of sunbathing and swimming in the ocean. For a funny and fascinating start to the evening, taking a group salsa class is the obvious choice.

When it comes to sightseeing, Miami has plenty of options: the Art Deco Historic District is a fan favorite, and its colorful buildings will be the perfect backdrop for a new team photo. Oh, and don’t forget to visit Little Havana, where you can immerse your team in Cuban culture, enjoy live music, and savor delicious Cuban cuisine. Yum!

8. Athens, Greece

The skyline of the Acropolis in Greece, one of the best corporate retreat locations

Athens is one of the top work retreat ideas because it’s affordable, packed with world-class historical attractions, and has delicious Greek food around every corner. What’s not to love?

The crown jewel of any trip to Athens is exploring the Acropolis, a historical complex of ancient buildings that sits overlooking the city. The star of the Acropolis is the Parthenon, a massive temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, with its towering columns and impressive marble details that will leave your team in awe.

Athens is also a fabulous base for exploring more of Greece. Arrange a group day trip to the car-free island of Hydra, where it feels like you’ve time-traveled back a few centuries with its charming stone houses and donkeys as the main mode of transport. Another must-see is the iconic ruins of Delphi, once considered the center of the world in ancient Greek religion. For a mind-bending experience, head on a day trip to the towering monasteries of Meteora, impossibly perched on top of rock pillars and offering kick-ass views.

9. Iceland

Waterfalls and rolling green grass and hills in Iceland

For businesses located in the US, or in the Montreal area, a trip to Iceland with your team is ideal because it’s just a short flight from the East Coast – around 5 hours – and you can catch direct flights there! Kick off your adventure in Reykjavik, the capital city, where you can sample the local culture with a visit to the Harpa Concert Hall, a taste of Icelandic cuisine like lamb and seafood, and a stroll down Laugavegur Street for some shopping and nightlife. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights dancing across the sky!

Iceland isn’t all about Reykjavik, though. Snorkeling between the tectonic plates at Silfra, located in Thingvellir National Park, is a must-do. It’s one of the only places in the world where you can swim between continents! Another solid choice is taking your team on a glacier hike on the Sólheimajökull Glacier, complete with ice climbing for those up for the challenge.

On your way back to the airport, there’s one stop you won’t want to miss – the famous Blue Lagoon! Here, your team can unwind in the warm, mineral-rich waters – a perfect way to round off your Iceland work vacation.

10. Alaska

Grizzly bears catching salmon in Alaska over a waterfall

If you want to see and do it all in Alaska, there’s really only one way to go – an Alaskan cruise. Think whale watching, glacier exploring, and fishing in some of the world’s most pristine waters. This is the ultimate corporate retreat if you want to escape the office and dive into nature, breathing in the crisp air and stargazing under skies free of light pollution.

Once on board, you’ll kick off the adventure by cruising through the stunning Inside Passage with its fjords and islands. Along the way, your team can bond over kayaking in Sitka, hiking the rugged trails of Skagway, and spotting wildlife like bears and bald eagles in the Tongass National Forest. These are experiences you just can’t find in the office!

Why book a team building retreat

Still not convinced? Here are a few reasons why taking your team on a corporate retreat is a great idea. Yes, even from a business perspective!

Increases team bonding

Getting out of the office and into a new environment helps your team connect on a personal level. Sharing experiences like adventure activities or exploring a new environment together will foster stronger relationships within your team, improving their ability to work together when you return to work.

Lowers burnout

Everyone needs a break from the daily grind. A corporate retreat gives your team the chance to unwind, recharge, spend time together without the pressures of work and family duties, returning to the office with a fresh perspective. Just make sure the workload isn’t crazy before the trip, so they can truly relax and enjoy.

Improves productivity in the workplace

A change of scenery can spark creativity and fresh ideas. When your team returns from a retreat, they’ll be more motivated and productive, bringing new energy and perspectives to their work.

Unearths hidden talent among team members

Team-building activities can reveal skills and talents you never knew your team had. Whether it’s problem-solving during a group challenge or showing leadership in a new setting, retreats can reveal individual strengths that benefit the whole team.

Best Team Building Retreats- Final Thoughts

Ready to book your company retreat? Although all of these options are fantastic, if I had to pick just one, it would be Surf Expedition in Southern Costa Rica. They offer the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, with days spent learning to surf together and evenings spent unwinding with yoga by the ocean. 

Plus, Costa Rica is safe, easy to get to, and offers gorgeous, warm, and sunny weather. If you’re ready to hit the waves with your team and make memories you’ll never forget, book your Surf Expedition retreat here!