7 Day New Year Yoga Retreat in Bentota Area, Sri Lanka - A Calm Start by The Ocean
New Year’s Yoga Retreat Sri Lanka
A small place for deeper practice. For people seeking stillness, not parties.
Seven days and six nights near Sri Lanka’s southern coast. A small group of guests. One host who knows your name from day one.
Not a countdown. Not a party. Something quieter — and much more memorable.
You come. Everything else is already taken care of.
Mornings start with yoga in the open shala before breakfast is served in the garden. Afterwards, the tuk-tuk is ready for the beach — complimentary, with sun loungers already waiting by the ocean. Some days, Danushka organises relaxed local experiences such as visits to the famous Kande Vihara Temple, the turtle sanctuary, or a Sri Lankan cooking class with Kanchana.
You never need to plan anything. You simply decide what feels right that day.
Midday is intentionally slow and unstructured. Afternoons drift into Teatime in the chillout garden — tea, something homemade, conversations, reading, or simply doing nothing at all. Evenings end with a softer restorative practice and fresh shared dinners around the table.
On New Year’s Eve, the group gathers for a candlelight ritual, quiet intention-setting for 2027, and a special dinner under the stars.
A gentle, heartfelt way to close the year — surrounded by warmth, calm, and people who quickly stop feeling like strangers.
Many guests travel here alone over New Year. What they often remember most is how quickly Yoga Bee starts to feel less like a retreat — and more like being welcomed into someone’s home.
Only a few rooms available. This retreat usually fills early.
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- • Closing the year in 30-degree warmth — beach by tuk-tuk every morning, sun loungers included
- • New Year’s Eve: candlelight ritual, intention-setting & special dinner under the stars
- • A quiet, heartfelt welcome to 2027
- • 2 yoga classes per day — Personal yoga teaching by Danushka — every session adapted to you-— beginner to experienced
- • Daily meditation — sometimes on the beach as the sun goes down
- • Complimentary morning shuttle to the beach (7 minutes away)
- • Daily Afternoon Teatime in the garden chillout area
- • Kande Vihara Temple, turtle sanctuary & cooking class — offered as part of the retreat experience
- • Breakfast & dinner — homemade Sri Lankan cooking by Kanchana, twice a day
- • Unlimited drinking water, tea, and coffee
- • Welcome drink on arrival
- • One 60-minute massage — in our artist-designed massage room
- • 6 nights accommodation at Yoga Bee
- • Small group — maximum personal attention
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Yoga styles
7 days with instruction in English
Average daily hours of activity: 2.5
Accommodation
Facilities
- Spa
- Air-conditioned rooms
- Yoga shala
- Free Wi-Fi
YogaBee is a newly built, charming, and tranquil yoga retreat place with cozily designed rooms surrounded by lush nature near breathtaking beaches. The inner courtyard, high ceilings, airy rooms, and verandas, in combination with plenty of fresh air and tropical sun, make this house a comfortable and tranquil retreat. Yoga Bee is a courtyard house with a serene, soothing atmosphere. High ceilings and airy rooms, in combination with plenty of fresh air, make this house a comfortable, tranquil retreat. All rooms feature ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning/fan, and have their own balcony overlooking the green surroundings.
You will practice at a beautiful yoga shala and receive a treatment at an artist-designed magic massage room.
Rooms
During this retreat in YogaBee, you will stay either in a single room, a double room, or a twin room. There, you will experience a beautiful place full of tranquility and relaxation. The rooms have queen-sized beds or two single beds. Enjoy comfortable mattresses, soft cotton linen, and pillows in different sizes, air conditioning, mosquito nets, a ceiling fan, elegant wooden furniture with spacious wardrobes in the traditional Sri Lankan style, ensuite bathrooms with large "rain dance" showers, hand showers, high-pressure hot and cold water, and soft towels. All rooms are non-smoking. The rooms and suites also offer free Wi-Fi.
- Shared twin / double - This is a room with two single beds or a double bed. The twin rooms are perfect for two friends. All rooms have a private ensuite bathroom.
- Single room - This is a private room for the person who would like to enjoy the luxury retreat. It is a room with an ensuite bathroom and a very comfortable queen bed.
Program
At this intimate YogaBee retreat in southern Sri Lanka, you will be welcomed into a carefully curated experience designed for rest, connection, and renewal. With only a small number of guests, this is not a crowded retreat. It is a peaceful sanctuary where you can feel personally cared for and truly seen. Especially welcoming to solo travelers and couples, the retreat offers a gentle rhythm of yoga, nourishing food, quiet moments, and warm human connection in a tropical setting. Celebrate the season of peace, reflection, and joy far away from stress and noise. There are no expectations here - only kindness, calm, and space to slow down under the palm trees. Outside of yoga, everything is already organised.
Danushka arranges the local activities - temple visit, turtle sanctuary, cooking class with Kanchana - and lets you know the evening before what’s available. You do not search, plan, or book anything. You just show up. The days have a natural rhythm: morning practice, beach or activity, a free midday, Teatime in the garden, evening session, dinner together. Unhurried. Personal. Already taken care of.
Mornings start with yoga on the open shala. After breakfast, the tuk-tuk is ready for the beach - complimentary, sun loungers waiting. Or join one of the local activities Danushka has organised: a temple visit, the turtle sanctuary, a cooking class with Kanchana.
You do not need to plan anything. You just show up. Midday is yours. Afternoons slow down with Teatime in the chillout garden - tea, something homemade, no agenda. Evenings close with a restorative session, then a fresh family dinner around the table. On New Year’s Eve: a candlelight ritual, intention-setting for 2027, and a special dinner under the stars. A gentle, heartfelt way to close the year - with the small group around you. Many guests travel here alone over New Year and leave with friends for life.
Daily schedule
- 07:00 Morning yoga with Danushka: A 90-minute practice on the open shala - Hatha, Ashtanga, Yin, or Restorative. Adapted to whoever is in the room. Beginners welcome, experienced practitioners challenged.
- 08:30 Breakfast together: Fresh, homemade Sri Lankan breakfast by Kanchana.
- 09:30 Your choice: Tuk-tuk to Bentota beach (complimentary, loungers included) - or a local activity: temple visit, cooking class with Kanchana, or the turtle sanctuary. Danushka organizes it. Neither is compulsory.
- Midday free time: Rest, book your massage, sit in the garden, or explore at your own pace.
- Afternoon teatime in the garden: Tea, something homemade, no agenda. A quiet ritual before the evening session.
- 17:30 Afternoon yoga or meditation: 60 minutes - deep stretching, restoration, or Yoga Nidra. Sometimes on the beach as the sun goes down.
- 19:00 Social dinner: Kanchana’s homemade Sri Lankan food, served together. The evening meal is where the group finds its rhythm.
Some evenings include gentle reflective rituals or quiet gatherings - depending on the group’s mood.
New Year’s Eve (December 31, 2026) - Special program
- Intention-setting ritual - a quiet moment to reflect on the year and set the tone for the next
- Candlelight meditation
- Special dinner under the stars - served together, with warmth and care
- A gentle, heartfelt welcome to 2027
New Year’s Day (January 1, 2027)
- A quiet morning
- Yoga at sunrise
- A special breakfast
This is the first day of 2027, taken slowly.
Included excursions
Local activities are part of the retreat. What is on depends on the group and the weather - Danushka organises everything.
- Temple visit and turtle sanctuary - A visit to the famous Kande Vihara Buddhist temple and the Turtle Conservation Center
- Cooking class with Kanchana - Learn the recipes. Real kitchen, real food.
- Meditation at Bentota Beach - Some sessions move to the beach. Open sky, gentle waves.
- ED’s Afternoon School - Danushka’s free English program for local children. Guests are welcome to join.
Instructors
Danushka Prasat Fernando
Danushka has practised yoga for over 20 years and holds a 500-hour Yoga Alliance certification. He trained with respected teachers in India . For more than a decade he taught as resident yogi at an exclusive five-star Maldivian resort, working with guests of every background and ability level. Yoga Bee is what he built when he was ready to do it his way — smaller, more personal, in the country he grew up in. He teaches every class himself. No substitutes, no assistants. Before I adapt a session, I listen. Sometimes that takes five minutes. Sometimes I already know from the day before.”
Retreat location
YogaBee Guesthouse is located in the charming area of Bentota and its famous beautiful beaches, surrounded by lush nature. The tranquil location creates the perfect atmosphere to rejuvenate the body, mind, and soul, as well as to connect with nature. There are opportunities for many activities, including visiting historic Galle, going on a whale and dolphin watching tour, or even an elephant jeep safari tour. The beach is just a few minutes away by complimentary tuk-tuk, where you can relax on free sunbeds reserved exclusively for Yoga Bee's guests, surrounded by palm trees and the sound of the ocean.
The location is very convenient - just a short drive to the charming area of Bentota and its beautiful beach. In just ten minutes, you can reach the famous Bentota Beach. If you need anything else, the city center of Galle is only an hour away. When it's time to leave, the international airport of Colombo is a comfortable 75-minute drive away from their place.
This Yoga Retreat is vegetarian-friendly
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Food
Food - Joyful, homemade, and full of heart
At YogaBee, food is part of the retreat magic. They serve two lovingly prepared meals a day - a nourishing breakfast after yoga and a delicious dinner under the stars. Indulge in their delicious and healthy meals. Every dish will be homemade with care, using fresh, local ingredients, tropical fruits, and gentle Sri Lankan spices. You’ll taste vibrant flavors, feel light and satisfied, and enjoy a mealtime rhythm that supports deep rest and gentle digestion.
YogaBee's kitchen celebrates simplicity, nourishment, and joy, with vegetarian and vegan options available daily. They’ll also be happy to accommodate personal dietary needs. Enjoy their Sri Lankan specials. The food is freshly made.
New Year's highlight:
On New Year's Eve, the group will gather for a beautifully festive dinner with candlelight, special flavors, and heartfelt touches. It’ll be a celebration not of excess, but of warmth, connection, and gratitude. Go hungry for real food, made with love, and leave feeling truly nourished.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Other dietary requirements on request
Things to do (optional)
YogaBee will be happy to organize everything for you. Just tell them what you'd like to do.
A private yoga class
If you would like to create your own flow or would like to target one area of your body, book a private yoga class.
Additional wellness / massage treatments
Treat yourself to a relaxing massage using YogaBee's luxurious massage foam. Tailored to your needs, their skilled therapists can help ease tension and stress.
Visit Galle Fort, the charming UNESCO World Heritage Site
Visit the charming Galle Fort, book a guided tour, or stroll through the beautiful old streets on your own. Have dinner at one of the restaurants that reside in former old merchant houses, or buy some souvenirs and discover the markets and shops in Galle Town on your way back.
Whale and dolphin watching at Mirissa Beach
For the adventurers at heart, experience the thrill of seeing blue whales, sperm whales, and dolphins on a morning boat tour off the coast of Mirissa. This breathtaking experience is perfect for nature lovers and photographers alike.
Diving and surfing lessons
Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a beginner, the waters of Bentota Beach offer incredible diving experiences. If surfing is more your style, ask YogaBee about surf lessons and ride the waves with expert instructors.
Cooking classes
Participate in a Sri Lankan cooking class to learn how to prepare healthy local dishes, which you can recreate at home.
Cultural excursions
Take day trips to local villages, markets, and historical sites to immerse yourself in the rich culture of Sri Lanka. You can also visit more beautiful beaches in the area by tuk-tuk.
Spa treatments
Spa massage
Experience the soothing application of YogaBee's relaxing massage foam after yoga sessions. Treat yourself to deep relaxation. YogaBee's skilled therapists offer personalized massages that will melt away tension and leave you feeling renewed, body and soul. You deserve this soothing massage in YogaBee's tranquil massage room, along with moments of stillness and self-reflection.
- 1 massage treatment at YogaBee's serene massage space included
What's included
- Twice daily yoga and meditation sessions
- 1 massage treatment
- Beach walks and local excursions
- Optional activities like cooking workshops and cultural visits
- Retreat materials (e.g., mats, yoga props)
- 6 nights accommodation
- Half-board healthy vegetarian meals
What's not included
- Airfare
- Airport transfer
- Visa
- Lunch
- Extra activities and excursions
- Extra spa treatments
- Local transportation
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Transfer not provided
Bandaranaike International Airport
83 km away from your destination
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 40% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
Reviews
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