Green Peace Inn Retreat FAQ -
Frequently Asked Questions
Green Peace Inn is a beachfront retreat centre in Weligama on Sri Lanka’s south coast. Our 8-day small-group retreats combine yoga, meditation and breathwork with fully vegan, plant-based meals. Below you’ll find practical answers about the retreat program, food, accommodation, travel and booking.
-
Green Peace Inn is located directly by the beach in Weligama Bay on Sri Lanka’s south coast. We are on a quieter stretch of the bay, while Weligama town centre is only around three minutes away by tuk-tuk.
-
Green Peace Inn is directly by the beach. You can step outside and be by the ocean within moments, making the beach a natural part of the retreat experience.
-
Our main retreat is an 8-day holistic retreat combining yoga, meditation, breathwork, reflection, nourishing plant-based food and time to rest and integrate.
-
The retreat includes daily yoga, meditation and breathwork sessions, accommodation, plant-based meals, a daily fruit plate and dessert, as well as one Ayurvedic massage and one Shirodhara treatment.
Depending on the retreat program, additional experiences may also be included.
-
The retreat starts with a welcome drink, snack, and gathering at 3 pm on the day of arrival, and check-in is between 1 and 2 pm. Check-out is after brunch and a sharing between 1 and 2 pm on the date of departure.
-
We only place guests of the same gender in the same room.
-
We recommend joining the full eight days, as the retreat is designed as a complete experience and each day builds on the previous one. In some circumstances, we may be able to make an exception for guests who can attend the first six days. Please contact us before booking.
-
Please talk to us; maybe there is a way to collaborate.
-
From time to time, we may offer special rates or alternative room options depending on availability. Please contact us if the regular price makes it difficult for you to join.
-
Our days follow a supportive rhythm of practice, nourishment, learning and integration.
The morning usually begins with yoga, meditation and breathwork. Brunch is served later in the morning, followed by time to rest, reflect or enjoy the surroundings.
The late afternoon includes a yin yoga session at sunset, followed by dinner and an evening meditation.
We intentionally create space between sessions so that the retreat does not feel like a constant schedule of activities.
-
We encourage participants to experience the retreat as a complete journey, as the different practices are designed to complement one another.
At the same time, we want you to listen to your body and communicate with us if you need rest or if a particular practice does not feel appropriate for you.
The retreat is not about forcing yourself through an experience. It is about learning to work with yourself with greater awareness.
-
There is free time during the retreat, and the beach and Weligama are very close to Green Peace Inn.
Weligama Beach is around an eight-minute walk away and is well known for beginner and intermediate surfing.
However, the retreat is designed as an immersive experience, so we recommend keeping outside activities relatively simple during the week and allowing enough time for rest and integration.
1. About Green Peace Inn & the Retreat
2. Yoga, Meditation & Breathwork
-
The retreat is suitable for both beginners and advanced participants. It offers a diverse, thoughtfully designed program, and our teachers and facilitators adapt to everyone—providing more support for beginners and advanced options for experienced participants. A key part of the retreat is tuning into your body, discovering where your limits are, when to take a break, and where you want to face and overcome a limitation.
-
Our morning yoga practice is designed to gently activate the body, bring greater fluidity to the spine, and awaken the senses for the day ahead.
In the evening, the practice becomes slower and more grounding. It gives the body and mind time to integrate the day's experiences, soften tension, and prepare for evening meditation.
For us, yoga is not primarily about performance or flexibility. It is a practice of bringing greater awareness and connection into the body, breath and mind.
-
Meditation is an important part of the retreat and is practised regularly throughout the week.
We use guided and silent practices that help you develop greater awareness of the breath, body, thoughts and emotions.
Meditation gives us an opportunity to observe our inner experience more clearly and learn to remain present with what arises.
-
Breathwork is one of the central elements of our retreat.
Throughout the week, we explore different ways to consciously work with the breath. Some practices are gentle and regulating, while other sessions can be deeper and more intensive.
We also explore the theory behind breathing and how breath, body, emotions and the nervous system influence one another.
-
No. Our retreats are open to beginners as well as people who already have an established practice.
You do not need to be flexible, experienced in meditation or familiar with breathwork before joining.
We guide the practices step by step and encourage everyone to work within their own abilities and boundaries.
-
Our yoga and breathwork sessions are reserved for retreat participants and staying guests. We do not offer drop-in classes during retreats, as maintaining a consistent group helps us create a safe, personal and connected atmosphere throughout the eight days.
-
You can read more about breathwork on our website:
https://www.greenpeaceinn.com/breathwork-in-sri-lanka
3. Vegan Food & Dietary Requirements
-
Yes. All meals served during our retreats are fully vegan and plant-based.
Our menu is also gluten-free and free from refined sugar.
Find some pictures of our food here:
https://www.greenpeaceinn.com/ahimsa-cafe -
Although the menu is gluten-free, meals may contain traces of gluten because the kitchen is not certified for people with coeliac disease.
-
We prepare fresh, nourishing meals using mostly local and seasonal ingredients and organic ingredients whenever possible.
Our food is inspired by both Sri Lankan and international cuisine. You can expect colourful bowls, local vegetables, fresh fruit, Sri Lankan dishes, creative plant-based meals and desserts.
The menu changes regularly so that you can experience different flavours, textures and ingredients throughout the retreat.
Find some pictures of our food here:
https://www.greenpeaceinn.com/ahimsa-cafe -
We can accommodate many dietary requirements, although this depends on the individual allergy or intolerance.
Please inform us about any allergies or medical dietary requirements before booking so that we can confirm whether we can safely accommodate them.
For severe allergies or conditions such as coeliac disease, please contact us before making your reservation.
-
Yes, on selected dates we welcome outside guests for a special vegan multi-course dinner menu. Availability is limited and depends on our retreat schedule.
Please contact us in advance to check available dates and reserve your table.
4. Rooms & Accommodation
-
We like everyone to arrive on the same day so we can start the retreat together. If you'd like to stay longer after, talk to us.
-
Green Peace Inn has 11 rooms with a mixture of private and shared accommodation.
We offer private ocean-view rooms, shared twin rooms, private garden rooms and simpler garden accommodation.
Most rooms have air conditioning, and all rooms have a private bathroom.
-
Most of our rooms have air conditioning.
A small number of our simpler garden rooms have fans instead of air conditioning, so please check the room description carefully when booking.
-
Yes. We have rooms with double beds that are suitable for couples who would like to stay together.
Availability depends on the retreat date and room category, so we recommend booking early if you would like a private double room.
-
Yes. Between our scheduled retreat weeks, Green Peace Inn is also open for individual stays. You can stay with us without participating in a retreat and enjoy our peaceful beachfront location in Weligama.
Please note that during these non-retreat periods, we do not offer our regular yoga, meditation, or breathwork program. Private yoga, meditation, or breathwork sessions may be available on request and can be booked separately.
Our vegan café is only open on selected dates and does not operate every day outside of retreat weeks. We recommend checking with us in advance to see whether food will be available during your stay.
5. Travel to Green Peace Inn
-
Unfortunately, as a retreat center, we are unable to assist with booking flights. However, we would be happy to recommend a flight agency to help you with your travel arrangements.
-
Yes, as sri lanka is a tropical country, humidity is high. The south is warm (25–32°C) all year long. Whether you need AC depends on your personal preference—many of our guests are comfortable with the weather even without it.
-
The easiest option is a private taxi transfer directly to Green Peace Inn in Weligama.
The current price for a private transfer from Bandaranaike International Airport or Colombo is approximately €85 per car.
We are happy to arrange the transfer for you before your arrival.
You can also travel to Weligama by train or bus.
-
Yes. Sri Lanka is currently safe to travel to, and daily life in Weligama is normal.
As with any travel destination, situations can change. If there were any relevant developments that could affect our guests or the retreat, we would update this information accordingly.
-
The main international airport is Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), near Colombo. From there, you can travel to Weligama by private transfer, train or bus.
-
No, we offer multi-plugs in your room that work with most of the worldwide used plugs.
-
Visa requirements depend on your nationality and the length of your stay. Please check the current requirements directly with Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration before travelling.
Some visitors need to apply online for the tourist visa (ETA). You can do this with the following link:
https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/visainfo/center.jsp?locale=en_US -
We provide all the yoga equipment (yoga mats, blocks and bolsters). Bring clothes which you feel comfortable in: Sport clothes for the yoga and breathwork and clothes you would wear on a beautiful sunny day on your balcony or terrace. For the evening you might need a scarf or long sleeve to feel more cozy.
Please make sure to bring enough clothes for all the 8 days, as we don’t offer laundry service.Please also bring your shower and bathroom essentials (shower gel, shampoo, toothpaste etc.)
6. Booking, Payment & Cancellation
-
You can find our policies and payment terms at the following link:
7. Health, Safety & Suitability
-
Yes. Many of our guests join the retreat on their own.
The retreat naturally creates opportunities to connect with other participants through shared practices, meals and conversations, while still leaving space for privacy and time alone.
You do not need to come with a partner or friend.
-
Green Peace Inn is best suited for people who are looking for:
A structured retreat program rather than a conventional holiday
A combination of breathwork, meditation, and yoga
A deeper understanding of the theory behind the practices
Creative, plant-based culinary experiences
A peaceful location close to the beach
Practical techniques that can be continued at home
Our retreats may not be the right fit for you if you are mainly looking for a conventional beach holiday or if you are not open to personal growth, self-reflection, and exploring new perspectives.
-
Our retreats are intentionally kept relatively small so that there is space for personal connection and individual support.
Most retreats have around 14 participants, with a maximum group size of 16.
-
The retreats are facilitated by Alex and Martina.
Both have many years of experience working with yoga, meditation and breathwork.
Martina is a certified 760-hour yoga teacher trained in Hatha, Synergy and Yin Yoga and a certified 400-hour breathwork facilitator through Alchemy of Breath. She is also trained in Reiki and NLP and is currently training as a Buteyko Breathing Instructor.
Alex has practised meditation for more than 15 years and has been teaching yoga, meditation and breathwork for around eight years. His breathwork training includes Alchemy of Breath as well as additional training and study with different breathwork approaches.
You can read more about both facilitators on our About page.
-
Some intensive breathwork practices may not be appropriate for everyone.
Before participating, we ask you to inform us about relevant medical conditions, injuries, pregnancy, medications or psychological conditions.
Depending on your individual situation, we may recommend modifying or avoiding certain breathwork practices.
If you are uncertain whether intensive breathwork is suitable for you, please speak with your doctor or qualified healthcare professional before attending the retreat.