Sri Lanka Yoga & Beach Escape: 6-Day Small-Group Retreat in Bentota

Days here follow a simple rhythm. You start with an energising yoga session in the morning, eat breakfast afterwards, then have the middle of the day free — most guests take the free tuk-tuk shuttle down to the beach, where loungers are set aside for them. In the late afternoon or early evening there's a second, slower yoga class and guided meditation, followed by dinner. A 60-minute massage is included once during the stay.

The yoga is taught by Danushka, who has practised for over 20 years and holds a 500-hour Yoga Alliance certification. He trained at Raj Yoga Rishikesh with Sandeep Bahuguna and at the Sivananda Yoga Ashram in Kerala, then spent more than ten years as resident yogi at a five-star resort in the Maldives. He teaches to the individual rather than the group — adjusting on the spot and reading what each person needs before the class starts.

What separates this from larger Sri Lankan yoga retreats is the scale and the flexibility. With only a handful of guests at a time, you're not competing for the teacher's attention, and because the retreat runs on a rolling basis you aren't tied to a set departure date. You can also extend your stay beyond the standard six days if you want to.

The property sits in Nakalagonda, near Dharga Town, surrounded by greenery about a 1.5-hour drive from Bandaranaike International Airport. The beaches at Bentota are close enough for a morning visit, and Galle, the Madu River and the region's dolphin and elephant tours are all reachable as day trips. Airport transfers can be arranged for $65 each way, paid on-site.

Meals are home-cooked using local ingredients — breakfast after morning yoga, dinner in the evening. The kitchen cooks Sri Lankan food with fresh tropical fruit and gentle spices, and vegetarian and vegan options are available daily. Guests are asked to flag any dietary needs in advance.

What's included

- Morning yoga sessions - Sunset yoga sessions - Daily guided meditation - 60-minute relaxing massage - 5 nights accommodation - 2 home-cooked meals per day - Unlimited drinking water, tea and coffee - Wi-Fi connection - Welcome drink - Free morning tuk-tuk shuttle to the beach - Free loungers at the beach for guests - Free excursions to sites of interest

What's not included

- Flights - Airport transfers (USD 65 per way, paid on-site) - Additional activities not in the itinerary - Additional treatments - Visa costs