We visit spas for numerous visits: To take a break from the outside world; to rejuvenate our minds, bodies, and spirits; to lose a few pounds or tap a new source of energy; to relax and spend time with friends. How about adding cultural experience to that list?

Every place around the world has its own rituals to promote well-being, whether it’s chanting along with a shaman or dipping into curative mineral waters. These spas draw on the indigenous ingredients and customs of their locales, offering the visitor a singular experience that cannot be found anywhere else. Expect unique treatments that have nothing to do with Swedish massages or ubiquitous European-style facials, and may even teach you a thing or two about the place you're visiting.

In addition, each one of these destination spas is superlative in its own right and enjoys a beautiful, rich setting, from a low-key Italian island off the Amalfi Coast to the verdant jungles of the Riviera Maya in Mexico. We picked spas both big and small; near and far; and at various ends of the cost spectrum.

Trust us, cultural immersion never felt so relaxing.