Some people go to Sedona to find themselves in spiritual retreat or meditation. Some people go to enjoy themselves, indulging in unique shopping, delicious cuisine, and spa treatments. Still others want to lose themselves in Sedona’s seductive natural beauty: its famous red rocks and desert vistas.

There’s no wrong way to experience Sedona, a magical desert destination north of Phoenix. The entire town is known for being a vortex: a center of powerful, swirling energy that can recharge, relax or heal you. This energy is strongest in specific locations, such as Boynton Canyon and Cathedral Rock. Some vortexes have “upflow” energy, lifting you up to a higher perspective; some have “inflow” energy, which enables inward vision and contemplation.

This Sedona travel guide includes the essentials for planning your trip: what to do, where to stay and which restaurants to try.

3 reasons to buy travel insurance for your Sedona vacation

1. You need to protect your trip investment. Because hotels and airlines are tightening their refund policies, you run the risk of losing some or all of the money you’ve paid if you must cancel your trip at the last minute. Trip cancellation and trip interruption benefits can reimburse your unused, prepaid, non-refundable trip expenses if you have to cancel or interrupt your vacation for a covered reason, such as a covered illness or injury. Most of our travel insurance plans include the Epidemic Coverage Endorsement, which adds covered reasons to select benefits for certain losses related to COVID-19 and any future epidemic. (Benefits vary by plan and are not available in all jurisdictions.)
2. Insurance can defend you from travel delays. As forecasters predict an increase in flight delays and other travel disruptions, your travel insurance can come to the rescue.¹ Travel insurance with trip delay benefits can reimburse you for unexpected expenses, such as meals or a hotel stay, during a covered delay. Even better, plans with SmartBenefits® can automatically pay you $100 per person, per day, if you experience a covered travel delay or baggage delay (up to the maximum no-receipts limit). No receipts are required — just proof of the delay!
3. Rental car insurance is a must-have. Renting a car is the easiest way to get around Sedona and venture out to nearby wilderness areas. But if that vehicle gets damaged, you could be looking at an expensive repair bill. The OneTrip Rental Car Protector gives you up to $50,000 in protection for covered loss, damage, and theft, with no deductible, for less than you’ll pay at the rental counter.

Find the right travel insurance plan for a U.S. vacation

Before you leave, download the free Allyz® TravelSmart app! Allyz TravelSmart is an intuitive travel app that allows you to easily access your policy, track flights, get travel alerts, and contact 24-hour assistance.

3 of the best things to do in Sedona

1. Hike to one of Sedona’s less-visited vortexes. Easily accessible vortexes, such as Airport Mesa, are often crowded with curiosity-seekers. You have a better chance of experiencing the energy flows in peace if you venture to quieter spots, such as West Fork or Red Rock Crossing. Get directions to Sedona’s vortexes here.
2. Schedule a shopping day at Tlaquepaque. In the 1970s, Abe Miller built a picturesque village along Oak Creek called Tlaquepaque. Originally intended as an artists’ colony, Tlaquepaque is now a collection of 50+ art galleries and boutiques. Don’t miss nightly flamenco performances in the courtyard (April through October).
3. Take to the air. One of the most magical ways to experience Sedona’s scenery is in a hot air balloon. As the balloon ascends, you can watch the sunrise turn the red rocks to fire. Several companies also offer helicopter tours, which give you an incredible view of remote canyons and Anasazi cliff dwellings.

3 of the best hotels in Sedona

If you’re seeking seclusion, Enchantment Resort is calling. This five-star property in Boynton Canyon invites you to explore its 70 acres or hide away in one of 218 casitas and suites. Every room has a private deck or patio overlooking the canyon. Enchantment’s menu of wellbeing activities includes chakra balancing, creating a prayer arrow, and practicing yoga while the sun rises.

The Lantern Light Inn is a hidden gem: a cozy, welcoming hotel within walking distance of Sedona’s sights but removed from traffic and crowds. The rooms are small but immaculate, and guests love wandering the gardens and sitting around the firepits in the evening. Best of all, the rates are affordable, compared to other Sedona hotels.

Not every hotel in Sedona is family-friendly, but the Arabella Hotel welcomes children. Enjoy a complimentary hot breakfast, two pools and hot tubs, an on-site hiking trail, firepits, bicycles and even stargazing with an astronomer.

3 of the best restaurants in Sedona

Considered one of Sedona’s best restaurants, Elote Café was inspired by Chef Jeff Smedstad’s decades-long study of Mexican cooking. Notable dishes include the lamb adobo with ancho chile sauce, enchiladas made with brisket that’s smoked for 14 hours, and the vegetable mole verde. Reservations are required, and it’s wise to book a table several weeks in advance.

If you’re looking for memorable Mexican in a more relaxed setting, head to Tamaliza for enormous, gourmet tamales, enchiladas, tacos and more. Customers praise the wide variety of vegan and vegetarian options — you can even order vegan horchata.

And for a romantic, last-night dinner in Sedona, you can’t do better than Dahl & DiLuca Ristorante Italiano. A local favorite for more than 25 years, Dahl & DiLuca offers classic Italian fine dining. One iconic dish is the calamari capesante: sautéed calamari steak with lemon, garlic, parsley and white wine, paired with two jumbo diver scallops and angel hair pasta.

Having a tough time getting reservations for a great restaurant in Sedona — or anywhere else? Time to call your personal concierge! Several Allianz Travel Insurance plans include the concierge benefit, which gives you 24-hour access to a concierge specialist to assist with things like dining reservations, golf tee times, travel assistance, booking transportation and accommodations, and more.

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