FAQs
Common questions and answers
Our ACCOMMODATION
Our Luxury Cabanas and Twin Eco Cabanas are equipped with air conditioning. All other rooms have standing and ceiling fans.
The Sanctuary is ideally located near the beach, offering a refreshing coastal breeze for respite from the heat. Our buildings have also been designed to maximise airflow, and for added comfort, we also provide ceiling and standing fans.
The Eco Cabanas and Luxury Cabanas are en-suite and fitted with solar panel showers, while the Gallery rooms have shared bathrooms.
The Luxury Cabanas face the Indian Ocean, with a private balcony overlooking the treetops of the tropical forest and glimpses of the sea.
The Eco Cabanas face the lagoon, with a balcony overlooking the tropical forest treetops.
We encourage a mindful digital detox while you are with us, allowing you to be in the present moment. However, we understand that some guests have other commitments, and therefore, we enable Wi-Fi access for one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening at allocated times.
Check-out time for the room is 11 a.m., however, where possible, we will try to accommodate late checkouts for an additional charge.
Yes, all rooms come with a mosquito net over the bed.
The Sanctuary
We have a beautiful saltwater plunge pool designed to mimic the sea and promote healing.
The beach is under two minutes away by foot.
Our Food And Drink
We serve authentic, home-style Sri Lankan meals that are predominantly plant-based and wheat-free, created using seasonal and local ingredients. While the Vata-Pitta-Kapha diet is commonly practised at Ayurvedic retreat centres, its full benefits only unfold during longer stays (6 months +) and instead, can be excessively restricting for shorter stays. We believe in a more flexible approach that aligns with the broader concepts of Ayurveda, therefore, we have created a nurturing space where healthy habits can be established and carried long after your stay.
Meal times offer the chance to nourish oneself through fresh and balanced traditional home-style dishes within the harmonious environment of our communal table.
Yes. If you have any concerns about our menu fitting your dietary requirements, please let us know and we will make sure our menu is best suited to you.
We are an authentic retreat centre and do not serve alcohol or coffee at the Sanctuary.
Our Wellness Programmes
We offer a variety of wellness programmes throughout the year ranging from 1 to 21 days. Find out more about our Bespoke Retreat packages and please do contact us if you would like to find out about available dates and for further advice.
Our retreat programmes are personalised to meet your individual needs, and can help to:
- Destress
- Improve your yoga and meditation practice
- Break addictions and habits
- Help digestive and skin problems
- Help with depression, anxiety and fatigue
- Alleviate insomnia
- Detox and weight loss
- Enhance wellness
- One-to-one consultation with our resident Ayurvedic Doctor on arrival and before departure, with daily support
- 2-3 Ayurvedic therapies daily according to your body type, totalling approximately 90 minutes
- Daily sunrise and sunset yoga/ and or meditation, open to all levels
- Weekly meditation led by our visiting Buddhist Monk
- Ayurvedic herbal medicine to support your retreat (for 5 days + retreat programmes)
- Acupuncture treatment (for 5 days + retreat programmes)
- Private sound bath/meditation sessions with our visiting Buddhist Monk (for 7 days + retreat programmes)
- Dietary advice and dietary guideline sheet personalised to your health needs during your stay and to take home (for 7 days + retreat programmes)
Our group Signature Retreats and individual Bespoke Retreats offer uniquely different experiences.
Our Bespoke Retreats are available year-round, and we welcome guests for 1 day, to 3 weeks or more to suit your schedule. Each programme is uniquely tailored to your wellness goals and will support your journey.
Our Signature Retreats are a 10-day sacred group experience available seasonally, hosted by Sen Wellness Founder and Medical Director Sam Kankanamge. A maximum of 16 guests come together and an intention is set at the start of the retreat for the group as a whole. Additional group activities and excursions may be included over the course of the retreat.
Planning Your Trip
The Sanctuary is situated in Tangalle, South Sri Lanka. Tangalle has its own microclimate, with less rain than in other areas of the island. The weather tends to follow the following pattern: December to March brings hot and dry weather, with the rainy season starting in mid-April. May and June are typically more humid, and July through to September brings dry and sunny days with rainfall returning in October and November.
Following the seasonal shifts, December to March and July to September are hot and dry and tend to be the best time to plan your visit. April to June and October to November are generally humid, which is particularly suited for those seeking deep cleansing and Panchakarma.
The car journey from Colombo Airport to the Sanctuary takes about 2.5 to 3 hours depending on traffic. We can arrange for private transfers in advance.
We invite our guests to set an intention before joining our retreat. Once you have booked your retreat with us and your deposit is received, we will send you a Welcome Guide with information outlining what to expect and how you can best prepare for your stay. We will also share a questionnaire with you 10 days before your scheduled arrival date, so we can better understand your intentions, as well as any specific ailments or dietary requirements you may have, enabling us to provide personalised care throughout your journey.
We are always available to answer any questions by email or via phone call at +44 207 4863 373.
Our yoga and meditation classes are open to all levels.
Applying for your visa to Sri Lanka can be done online in less than 10 minutes. The visa will then be automatically linked to your passport number.
Read more about the vaccinations you may need or check with your doctor. Malaria tablets will not be necessary for your visit to the Sanctuary.
Please read our terms and conditions and our cancellation policy here.
