Dry Tripping: Gen Z is swapping booze for wellness on vacations

In an age where self-care has taken center stage, Gen Z is redefining what it means to travel. Gone are the days of booze-soaked beach parties and chaotic spring breaks. Today’s young travelers are embracing dry tripping, a fast-growing trend where the focus shifts from alcohol and nightlife to wellness, mindfulness, and intentional living.

What is dry tripping?

Dry tripping is a travel style rooted in sobriety. Instead of seeking bars and clubs, Gen Z tourists are exploring yoga retreats, nature trails, meditation centers and scenic getaways that offer peace, not parties. The trend is a direct response to the burnout and anxiety so many young people have experienced post-pandemic. For Gen Z, travel is no longer an escape from daily life, but a way to reconnect with nature, with self and with purpose.

From hangovers to healing

Unlike earlier generations, who associated travel with excess, freedom, and nightlife, Gen Z is driven by a different set of values. Wellness is now at the heart of their itineraries. Activities like forest bathing, sunrise journaling, sound healing, and silent retreats are replacing shots and hangovers.

In destinations from Bali to Rishikesh, wellness resorts have reported a surge in younger guests opting for detox packages and alcohol-free experiences. Even major airlines and hotel chains are taking note, introducing ‘mindful travel’ packages that include plant-based meals, spa treatments, and digital detox zones.

Why Gen Z is choosing sobriety

The shift toward dry tripping reflects Gen Z's broader commitment to mental health, sustainability, and meaningful living. This generation is deeply aware of how experiences impact their emotional well-being. By avoiding alcohol and the anxiety that often follows it, they’re creating space for clarity, connection and calm.

Social media has also played a role. Travel influencers now proudly share content centered around sunrise hikes, herbal teas, and mental clarity instead of party shots and bar crawls. The aesthetic of slow, intentional travel resonates with a generation seeking more than just Instagram likes.

A new chapter in travel culture

Dry tripping is not just a fleeting trend—it signals a deeper cultural shift. Gen Z is proving that travel doesn’t have to be about losing control; it can be about gaining perspective. As mindfulness, sobriety, and sustainability become cornerstones of modern living, expect more young people to choose inner peace over poolside parties.