Meditation & Yoga Retreats in Sri Lanka

101 retreat centers

Sri Lanka is one of the world's oldest continuously practising Theravada Buddhist countries and remains a serious destination for silent meditation. The forest monasteries of the Kandyan highlands — Nilambe Meditation Centre is the best-known international-facing example — offer simple residential retreats on a donation basis, often led by Western and Sri Lankan teachers in English. Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the ancient capitals, are pilgrimage sites with active monastic communities that occasionally host longer retreats for committed practitioners. The southern coast around Galle and Mirissa hosts yoga retreats in colonial-era guesthouses and beachside settings; Ayurvedic wellness retreats are common in the south-west, particularly around Bentota and Beruwala. The hill country around Ella and Haputale offers cooler-climate yoga and silent retreats. Sri Lanka's tea-country setting and tropical biodiversity make it a uniquely pleasant retreat environment. English is widely spoken at retreat centers and monasteries. Vegetarian food is the norm at meditation centers; Ayurvedic resorts serve traditional regional cuisine. The southwest dry season runs December–March; the east coast is best May–September. Most Western passports get visa-free or e-visa entry. Cost: monastic stays from $15/day donation; paid yoga and Ayurveda weeks $700–$2,500.
Goenka (S.N. Goenka) (6) Theravada (2)
Abhayagiri Sangha Foundation Donation Photo: Thilina Alagiyawanna / Pexels

Abhayagiri Sangha Foundation

Sri Lanka Hakmana Theravada

A donation-based center in Sri Lanka, guided by Ven. Kalupahana Piyarathana.

Aditya Resort Paid AI-generated

Aditya Resort

Sri Lanka Hikkaduwa

A southern-coast hotel for yoga and detox retreats, with tropical grounds and private suites featuring pools or plunge pools.

Alexander Keil Paid

Alexander Keil

Sri Lanka Weligama

Breathwork, meditation, and yoga in coastal Sri Lanka.

Ayurvie Weligama | Sri Lanka Paid AI-generated

Ayurvie Weligama | Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Weligama

An oceanfront wellness resort in Weligama, pairing traditional Ayurvedic healing with a relaxed stay on Sri Lanka’s southern coast.

Ayuthantra Ayurveda & Wellness Paid

Ayuthantra Ayurveda & Wellness

Sri Lanka Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte

A garden-framed Ayurvedic wellness retreat with doctor-guided meals, yoga space, treatment rooms and comfortable accommodation near Colombo.

Barbara Mus Paid

Barbara Mus

Sri Lanka Hikkaduwa

Yoga, dance, and surf culture meet under the Sri Lankan sun.

Being-Space Donation Photo: Lyn Hoare / Pexels

Being-Space

Sri Lanka Kalpitiya

A donation-run meditation retreat in Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka, with retreat arrangements to confirm directly with the host.

Blue Lotus Yoga House Paid

Blue Lotus Yoga House

Sri Lanka Hikkaduwa

A six-room Hikkaduwa retreat house with rooftop yoga, fresh breakfast and a relaxed base for mindful practice.

Blue Whale Resort Kalpitiya Paid AI-generated

Blue Whale Resort Kalpitiya

Sri Lanka

Coastal Sri Lankan resort offering Hatha and Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga on a donation basis.

Bodhi Bauddha Madyastana Dayaka Sabawa Donation AI-generated

Bodhi Bauddha Madyastana Dayaka Sabawa

Sri Lanka Colombo Theravada

Buddhist organization in Colombo, active since 2001, operating by donation.

BreatheMama Paid

BreatheMama

Sri Lanka Dikwella

A mother-and-child-friendly yoga retreat with time to rest, reconnect and enjoy Sri Lanka’s southern coast together.

Coconut Retreats Paid

Coconut Retreats

Sri Lanka Habaraduwa

Dance and yoga retreats on a lakefront property in Sri Lanka, with Michelin Star vegan meals.

Coppenrath Hotel & Hostel Paid

Coppenrath Hotel & Hostel

Sri Lanka Kandy

A relaxed hotel-and-hostel stay described beside the ocean, best approached as an independent beach trip rather than a scheduled meditation retreat.

Dhamma Anuradha Donation

Dhamma Anuradha

Sri Lanka Anuradhapura Goenka (S.N. Goenka)

Vipassana meditation in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, following ancient traditions.

2 course types
Dhamma Arana Donation Photo: Thilina Alagiyawanna / Pexels

Dhamma Arana

Sri Lanka Wellawaya Goenka (S.N. Goenka)

Experience ancient Vipassana meditation as an 'Art of Living' at Dhamma Arana.

1 course type
Dhamma Dakkhina Donation Photo: Ruwan Lakmal / Pexels

Dhamma Dakkhina

Sri Lanka Thihagoda Goenka (S.N. Goenka)

Learn Vipassana meditation through ten-day residential courses in Thihagoda.

1 course type
Dhamma Dharani Donation

Dhamma Dharani

Sri Lanka Negampaha Goenka (S.N. Goenka)

Vipassana meditation in a rural Sri Lankan setting, running by donation.

1 course type
Dhamma Kuta Donation

Dhamma Kuta

Sri Lanka Peradeniya Goenka (S.N. Goenka)

Vipassana meditation in Sri Lanka's scenic hill country, surrounded by mountains.

3 course types
Dhamma Sobhā Donation

Dhamma Sobhā

Sri Lanka Kosgama Goenka (S.N. Goenka)

Experience Vipassana meditation amidst the serene mountains of Sri Lanka at Dhamma Sobhā.

3 course types
Dharmadhatu Paid

Dharmadhatu

Sri Lanka Kataragama

Holistic yoga and Ayurveda retreats in Sri Lanka's jungle, focusing on tradition and sustainability.

Dr Michelle Mars Paid

Dr Michelle Mars

Sri Lanka Ahangama

Deep restoration, self-inquiry, and transformation in a tranquil Sri Lankan jungle setting.

Paid

Dreamsea Ahangama

Sri Lanka Ahangama
EMBODi Retreats Paid

EMBODi Retreats

Sri Lanka Ahangama

Reconnect with body and breath in a Sri Lankan colonial mansion.

Earthlinks Paid

Earthlinks

Sri Lanka Hikkaduwa

Plant-powered retreats in Hikkaduwa, focusing on self-discovery and nourishing plant-based meals.

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