Why You Should Go on a Yoga Retreat in Sri Lanka
Yoga retreats are a fantastic way to explore a new country, support ethical tourism, and make like-minded friends. As a solo-traveling woman, I have found yoga retreats to be challenging, exciting, discovery-filled experiences that also provide relaxation and a sense of safety. By joining yoga retreats, I have been able to stay in breathtaking villas deep in the jungle, while still enjoying the comforts of a well-earned vacation.
Yoga retreats and camps are also surprisingly affordable. Most give the option to share large and luxurious dormitories as standard, which brings the price down. Furthermore, most yoga retreats are boutique businesses, expertly run by locals or passion-fuelled entrepreneurs that love their little corner of paradise. This not only makes the experience unique, but eliminates the sky-high prices that chain hotels charge for their humdrum holidays.
Fortunately, the average clientele that travel to a yoga retreat in Sri Lanka are intrepid, nature-loving travelers who value authentic experiences. Because of this, grass-roots yoga retreats are still thriving. If you want to explore the real Sri Lanka and get some adventure with your asanas, read on to discover everything I wish I knew before booking.
Don’t Make This Mistake On Your Sri Lanka Yoga Retreat
As you can tell, I’m a big fan of yoga retreats and absolutely recommend you try one. However, that doesn’t mean it has all been plain sailing. In fact, there are many things I know now that would have helped me make better decisions about my first yoga retreat in Sri Lanka.
While I had researched the climate of Sri Lanka, I really didn’t think through how much it could affect my holiday. I decided to take a yoga retreat in the popular area of Ahangama beach, even though it was the off season. While the weather was still pleasant, the place was totally deserted! This was disappointing, as I was 25, solo, and hoping to socialize after the sunset savasanas. An empty yoga retreat and closed bars made for a pretty lonely week.
Luckily, you won’t make the same mistakes as I did. I’m going to share the top things you need to know before booking your yoga retreat in Sri Lanka.
South-East And North-West Sri Lanka Have Opposite Tourist Seasons
The island of Sri Lanka is unique in many ways, not least because of its curious climate patterns. Sri Lanka is a tropical, year-round destination, with great spots to visit at any time. However, the south-east and north-west coasts have opposite monsoon seasons. Because of this, tourism almost closes down on the rainy coast, while it is booming on the other.
When you plan your trip, this is something you really need to consider. You can save money by booking your yoga retreat during low season. Also, if you really want to avoid the crowds and have a quiet, relaxing retreat, you should skip the tourist traps in the high season. Conversely, if like me you were hoping for nightlife, socialization, and excitement, then you need to know which hotspots will be vibing during your visit.
Essential Guide To Sri Lanka Tourist Seasons
High Season On The South-West Coast
Mid-December to February is the north-east monsoon. Destinations such as Trincomalee and Batticaloa in the north-east will be hit with a lot of rain and will be in low-season mode.
This is the high season in the south-west and the most popular season to visit Sri Lanka overall. The mountainous interior is also the brightest and driest it will be all year, so it’s a good time to visit Kandy and Nuwara Eliya.
Coastal towns such as Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Galle, Weligama, and the city of Columbo will be vibrant and sunny. These areas are known for drawing in backpackers and surfers from around the world.
The Popular Sunny Shoulder Season
March to mid-May is the first intermonsoonic period, when the rainfall changes from one coast to the other. It is dry and hot in most places, but with evening thunderstorms and heavy rains through the mountainous interior and west coast.
Colombo in the west, and the popular destinations of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya in the interior will get evening storms, but are often pleasant during the day. It is a good time to tour the south, east, and north coasts.
HIgh Season On The North-East Coast
Mid-May to September is the south-west monsoon. Rain will fall heavily along the south-west coast and through the mountainous interior. Columbo, Galle, Hikkaduwa, Matara, and Weligama will be largely closed down and very wet.
Rough seas with dangerous currents will deposit trash along the south and west coasts, which I found very off putting. Fortunately, the beaches of Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa remain fairly safe thanks to protection from coral reefs.
The best destinations to visit during this period include Trincomalee and Arugam Bay on the east coast. The yoga-and-surf culture of A-Bay (as it is locally known) made it by far my favorite stop on my month-long tour around Sri Lanka. Many visitors describe it as “Bali in the 70s”, and though I was born in the 90’s and so can’t say for sure, I think they’re probably right.
The Rainy Shoulder Season
October to mid-December is the second intermonsoonic period, when the monsoon is transferring back to the north-east. Unlike the first shoulder season, this one brings heavy rainfall throughout the country thanks to tropical depressions. This is probably the worst time to visit Sri Lanka.
Different Yoga Retreats Have Different Guest Cultures
The wanderlust-inducing marketing for every yoga retreat is enough to make me pack myself off to a remote island without a second thought. This is how I ended up at Soul and Surf in south Sri Lanka during the monsoon season.
The Soul and Surf jungle villa was incredible and I thought it would be an exciting week in paradise. Had I researched better, I’d have realized that it was designed to be a quiet place of rest, and not the adventurous experience I wanted. However, the other two guests could not have loved it more. They were mid-thirties, looking for a tranquil oasis to escape from their high-powered corporate jobs, and certainly found it.
There are plenty of yoga retreats across Sri Lanka, so don’t get drawn into the first dreamy images you see pop up on your Google Ads. Do read reviews, and feel free to ask booking agents about their resort’s ethos and guest demographics. Whether you’re a serious yogi looking to juice cleanse in silence on a mountain, or a backpacker who loves beaches, vinyasa, and vino, the perfect yoga retreat is waiting for you.
You Need To Wear Mosquito Repellant To Do Yoga In Sri Lanka
This one I certainly learned the hard way! Doing outdoor yoga on beaches and in jungles have been some of the most memorable experiences from my travels. Unfortunately, these open-air yoga practices have also earned me hundreds of mosquito bites.
Nothing is more disruptive to a peaceful meditation than being bitten all over by mosquitoes. While some of us will always be a target for mosquitoes, covering your skin and wearing repellant will definitely improve your experience.
Not All Yoga Retreats Are Suitable For Beginners
This is something that I wish booking agents had been more honest about. When I told the agent that I was out of practice, she said “Anyone can join in and the class will be adapted for you”. I was totally assured by this, until I joined a candlelit yoga session on the terrace of my first retreat. After the first 10 minutes, I was almost in tears of embarrassment as the teacher and two (very serious) students swooped silently through the salutations.
I talked to the teacher and resolved the issue before the next class, but it wasn’t the best experience. While almost every retreat will say that they welcome beginners, do read reviews and ask the booking agents very direct questions about the classes, teachers, and average students.
Don’t be embarrassed to be a beginner! We all start somewhere, and you don’t have to be talented at something to love it or reap the benefits. Set yourself up for success in your relationship with yoga, by finding the right teacher and retreat for you.
Enjoy Your Yoga Retreat In Sri Lanka To The Fullest
My first yoga retreat may have been a little more serious and a little less lively than I had hoped for, but it was still a fantastic experience. I spent my downtime exploring Sri Lanka by tuk-tuk, bicycle and 4×4. Within just a few hours of the surf camp I hiked through a tea plantation, released baby turtles into the ocean, and saw hundreds of wild elephants roaming the landscape.
While I did need to be cautious at times as a solo female traveler in Sri Lanka, I also met many welcoming and wonderful local people. One tuk-tuk driver showed me around the local market, while a member of the team at the yoga retreat invited me to dinner with his family. Stepping confidently out the front door and connecting with the local people transformed a lonely holiday into one filled with adventures and memories.