Monastery Stays in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, there are several monasteries where foreigners can stay, offering a diverse range of experiences that cater to different needs and preferences. Monastery stays in Sri Lanka can vary greatly, from large, bustling temples in the heart of the city to peaceful, remote retreats nestled in nature. Whether you’re seeking a Buddhist meditation retreat or a mindfulness retreat, Sri Lanka has something for everyone. Some meditation centres in Sri Lanka offer a strict schedule, while others are more flexible, allowing you to find the pace that suits you best.

The quality of teaching also varies across these monasteries. Some provide exceptional, one-on-one guidance, while others offer group meditation classes. Additionally, there are meditation programs in Sri Lanka that give you the opportunity for individual meditation, allowing you to go deeper into your practice. Whether you’re staying in a more structured environment or prefer a private meditation retreat for a more personalized experience, your stay in a monastery in Sri Lanka will provide a unique and enriching journey.

From spiritual retreats to yoga and meditation opportunities, these monasteries offer a variety of paths for those looking to deepen their spiritual practice. Whether you are looking for the best meditation centres in Sri Lanka, a serene, remote experience, or want to connect with the teachings of Buddhist meditation in a peaceful environment, you’ll find a perfect place to reflect, grow, and find peace.

Learn which monastery is the best meditation place in Sri Lanka for you!

**Please note that the reviews of the monasteries below are based on my personal experiences, and your experience may differ. I tend to be straightforward in sharing both the positive and challenging aspects of my stays, and I don’t hide anything, so please take my perspective with that in mind. Things may have changed since my stay, so I encourage you to do your own research and approach each place with an open mind, as your journey may be different from mine.

Since the end of January 2024 until March 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to immerse myself in meditation at monastery stays in Sri Lanka and Thailand. During my time in Sri Lanka, I stayed at several monasteries, each offering its own unique atmosphere and experience.

I wanted to share my journey with you, especially for those of you who are planning to travel to Sri Lanka. I’ll take you through the details of my experiences at each monastery, from the accommodations to the meditation schedules, the rules, the food, and everything in between. My hope is that this guide will help you find the place that aligns best with your own needs and intentions, so you can embark on your own transformative journey with confidence and clarity.

Let’s look at these Monastery Stays in Sri Lanka in order of my experiences. Watch this video of my experience at Wat Ram Poeng, a monastery in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Kanduboda Meditation Centre, Colombo

Kanduboda Meditation Centre, about 1.5 hours drive from Colombo.

Kanduboda Meditation Centre is divided into two sections: the old and the new. I stayed in the old section, which offers a more traditional experience. Here, the monks and nuns are completely separated, and the schedule is structured with great discipline. The day begins at 4am with meditation, followed by a warm drink at 5am, breakfast at 6am, and the routine continues in a similar manner.

The language barrier was notable, as very little English was spoken. So, I simply followed the lead of the nuns and Sri Lankan lay women around me. Meals were simple: breakfast and lunch, which is typical for most monastery stays.

Meditation at Kanduboda involved both walking and sitting practices. One of the nuns, who spoke English, encouraged me to walk very slowly—and when I say slowly, I mean slower than you might think is possible! The pace felt meditative in itself, allowing space to truly connect with the present moment. It was a beautiful reminder that sometimes, slowing down can deepen the practice in unexpected ways.

Walking and sitting meditation, Mahasi Technique
Strict schedule
No mobile phones
Small fee at the beginning of your stay
Two week course, but no English
Bowing at feet of Monks
Strict dress code with white clothes: long sleeves, pants and a sabai (a sash going across the chest – for women)
Nuns tend to fight with each other here, but you won’t know this if you only stay for two weeks.

After my two-week stay, I was granted permission to extend my time for another week. During this time, the Nuns kindly arranged for me to receive English-speaking meditation instruction from the Czech Monk in the new section of Kanduboda. So, while I continued staying in the old section, I had the opportunity to visit the newer area. It was a bit more relaxed, offering a contrast to the more disciplined structure of the traditional section.

Routine was encouraged
Mobile phones were allowed
Normal modest clothes were okay
No course, but your own meditation routine.
Meditation instructions given daily (your personal session)
Donation was asked for here too.
Not much bowing – it was more friendly than strict.

Rathmalkanda Meditation Centre, Ella

Rathmalkanda Meditation Centre was, without a doubt, my favourite place for many reasons. Ven. Madawali Upali is an exceptional Dhamma teacher, and his talks truly opened my mind in ways I hadn’t expected. I spent a total of three months at this serene retreat in Kitta Ella, just a 15-minute Tuk Tuk ride from the popular tourist destination of Ella in the mountains.

What I loved most about this place was the cool, refreshing air and the peaceful meditation walking paths that wind through a beautiful pine forest. The centre has a suggested meditation schedule posted in the meditation hall, but the freedom to find your own rhythm in your practice is something I truly appreciated.

Breakfast is at 7am, and lunch is at 11:30am, with the Dhamma talk and meditation reporting at 4pm. Outside of those times, you’re free to choose how to spend your day—whether that’s meditating in the hall, in your room, or simply sitting in the tranquil forest.

If you decide to visit, I wholeheartedly recommend attending each of Ven. Upali’s Dhamma talks. Every one of them is unique and filled with deep insights. Some talks dive into profound aspects of the teachings, while others highlight key points in certain suttas or emphasize important elements of meditation practice. Bhante tailors his talks based on the questions and needs of the attendees, so be sure to come with your own questions—his answers are truly transformative.

Set times for meals and the Dhamma talk
Mobile phones allowed
Modest dress style
Friendly, in-depth Dhamma talk unlike any other monastery in Sri Lanka!
You have your own room and washroom.
Cool, crisp mountain weather – even in summer!
Bhante even feeds the dogs, cats and birds!

Rating 10/10

Sirimangalo International Meditation Centre, Ratnapura

I’m torn about whether to mention this place, as my stay there left me with mixed feelings. One thing that stood out was that the website didn’t acknowledge the Head Monk, a Sinhalese monk who had been on the property for over 10 years. Instead, the website was created by a Canadian monk who arrived just the previous year, and he didn’t mention the Head Monk at all. During my stay, a foreigner even made an uncomfortable remark to me about a “rogue Sri Lankan monk invading the space”—which I had to correct, explaining that this was, in fact, the Head Monk.

I’ll keep my description brief, focusing on what was happening during my stay. New accommodations were being built, so I was placed in a Kuti that was quite far from the monks. When I asked to move, I was given another Kuti in the forest, but the windows didn’t lock properly, which didn’t feel ideal.

The Canadian Monk (the teacher) and the American Monk (his student) followed the Mahasi technique, which insists on getting 4 hours or less of sleep per night. This approach often left them feeling “spacey” and disconnected. A few weeks later, I visited a remote forest monastery and learned that this extreme sleep deprivation wasn’t necessary—proper technique can naturally lead to restful sleep without pushing the body to the point of exhaustion.

Unfortunately, these two English-speaking monks seemed unaware of what was happening on the property. They appeared disconnected from their students’ safety, well-being, health, and happiness, not to mention their meditation practice. This lack of attention to the basic needs of those staying there was a significant concern during my time at the monastery. Summing up…

Phones allowed.
Temporary ordination possible, for men and women.
Normal modest clothes okay.
Attend breakfast and lunch, and the meditation meeting in the afternoon (5-10 minutes max)
2 Dhamma talks per week, which are directed at the camera, being recorded for YouTube, and not interactive with students who are at the property.
Food is spicy Sri Lankan, which is either collected during the Monk’s Alms round or brought by locals.
The Sri Lankan Head Monk is angry and grumpy, but is the most friendly and warm Monk there – who actually cares for meditators.
No real meditation teachings, no explanations – just do this, do that.
No real Dhamma talk – only watered down Western version (go to Rathmalkanda for this!)
Beautiful river to swim in, but they don’t tell meditators this. I found out on the day I left.

Rating 5/10.

Nissarana Nunnery x2

This review will be brief, as my stays were short, and I do not feel comfortable recommending these nunneries for foreign women seeking safety. The two Nissarana Nunneries I stayed at were quite remote, and the women there were mostly by themselves.

The first nunnery, located near Colombo, had security concerns. Local thieves were known to target the area, often sneaking around while the nuns were doing their evening chanting and stealing from them. I didn’t feel safe and decided to leave the next morning.

The second nunnery was an improvement in some ways, but it still wasn’t what I was hoping for. There was no meditation teacher, which was something I was really seeking at the time. I also had to request that the lock on my door be repaired. While there were meditation caves, I was discouraged from using them due to the presence of many poisonous snakes in the area. However, I was give an alms bowl as an eight precepts lay woman, and joined them on Piṇḍapāta (alms round – begging for food) – which was an interesting experience.

Unfortunately, my experiences at both nunneries didn’t provide the peaceful meditation or lessons I had hoped for. In fact, at the second nunnery, I felt uncomfortable with the gossiping I overheard among the nuns, which felt at odds with the values Buddha taught.

For these reasons, I wouldn’t recommend these nunneries, especially for foreign women who may feel vulnerable in such remote settings. I think men are more supported.

white clothes, long sleeves and pants
no phones allowed
if you want an alms round experience, following a line of Nuns – this is perfect!
strict early routine with wake-up at 5am, sweeping and drink soon after – and then alms round
food from Piṇḍapāta was enough food for two meals
very little English
no depth of teachings or meditation here

Rideekanda Forest Monastery, Matale

This forest monastery is definitely remote and not the easiest to get to, but the teachings here are absolutely incredible! I gained so much insight into my meditation practice, which helped confirm some important experiences I had been having.

The Monk offers a 7-10 day program that his Master developed during five years of solitary meditation in the forest, studying the teachings of Buddha directly. The depth of their knowledge is impressive—they also have backgrounds in neuroscience, which adds a unique understanding of how meditation interacts with the mind. Overall, the knowledge here is advanced and truly transformative!

The monastery is quite remote, but during my stay, there was a professional chef helping out, especially with the foreign guests. He cooked amazing, chef-quality meals, which made the experience much more enjoyable. The rooms didn’t have working locks, and they were quite close to each other, which made me feel less isolated compared to other forest monasteries where I had stayed in more solitary kuti accommodations.

The views from the verandah of the wooden cabin and meditation area were breathtaking, especially at sunset. The meditation schedule was flexible, allowing us to practice on our own terms, but there were daily lessons with instructions to complete by the next day, keeping the classes moving forward. There wasn’t a strict schedule for wake-up times, but breakfast and lunch were served at the usual times for all monasteries, with only two meals a day. However, there was a kitchen available where you could make your own tea and have biscuits if you needed.

For me, this monastery felt the closest to the authentic practices suggested by Gautama Buddha. The focus wasn’t on strict rules, but rather on deeply advancing your meditation practice, helping you reach deep trance states quickly. I highly recommend this monastery stays in Sri Lanka if you’re serious about your meditation journey!

Mind-blowing deep teachings
Knowledge backed by science
The Head Monk was intellectually and spiritual “switched on” – something I haven’t yet seen in a monastery
Peaceful environment for meditation
The practice is easy to follow, with clear steps given each day.
The practice fills you with so much joy!
Note: I consider this teacher as “My Master”, because he was more advanced than me!

Truc Lam Monastery, Kandy

Truc Lam Monastery is a beautiful Vietnamese monastery located near Kandy in Sri Lanka, known for its stunning gardens and a peaceful “be happy” atmosphere. One of the highlights of my visit was a welcoming tea ceremony with the Head Monk. During the ceremony, he guided us through a serene meditation focused on the breath moving in and out of the nostrils. I was struck by how, in his presence, I was drawn into the present moment with such clarity. It felt as though I “awoke” to the here and now, entering a blissful state.

I stayed at this Vietnamese Truc Lam monastery for nearly two weeks, and during that time, many large groups came for meditation courses. One day, nearly 100 Sri Lankan men and women, including school principals, attended, and on other days, groups of 70 or even high school students came for blessings before their exams.

The women’s quarters were in a place called “Happy House,” which had three rooms and five beds. The house also housed a commercial kitchen, which was used to prepare meals for the large groups. This meant that from early in the morning, around 5 a.m., the chef and his helpers would begin preparing breakfast and lunch. As a result, the house wasn’t the most peaceful space, and the meditation hall was often full of people. While the gardens were beautiful, the atmosphere wasn’t ideal for deepening one’s practice due to the busy environment.

Modest clothes were okay
Phones were allowed
No strict schedule, do your own practice
No teachings, but you could join the groups
Yummy Vietnamese food – a nice break from the spicy Sri Lankan food
Close to Kandy, so you could go out during the day
Super friendly atmosphere with cute dogs and cats
Donations welcomed

Dhammaviwekaraamaya, Lewalla Bridge

I didn’t enjoy my time here. The schedule was strict, work started at 5am and went until 7.30am. Yes – work. I didn’t see anyone meditating. I was also ridiculed and mocked a few times. I only stayed for two nights—enough said.

4am wake-up, 5am working for 2+ hours
Loud speakers played chanting at 5am, sound like Islamic Temple
Lunch at 11.30am.
Too much meditation was frowned upon
Phones were allowed – YouTube videos, talking, etc – perfectly fine.
Walking distance to shops

Sri Subodha Meditation Centre

The cabins here are lovely, and the atmosphere is quiet and peaceful, perfect for meditation. While there is no daily teacher or formal teachings, they do plan to host meditation retreats. It’s a friendly place, but it appears that the monks and nuns come and go on a weekly basis, so it doesn’t seem like anyone actually resides here permanently. The caretaker mentioned a daily accommodation fee after my 3rd morning there. Monasteries do not usually “ask” for money.

Breakfast at 6.30am, and lunch at 11.30am
Do your own meditation
Modest clothes okay.
Payment required, but you’re not told this until after a few days.
Beautiful cabins with own toilet, and group rooms too.
Lovely and peaceful forest environment with old boulders – stunning!
Quite remote, and not walking distance to shops

Overall, my monastery stays in Sri Lanka were life-changing. The journey was filled with unique experiences and insights into the role of women in Theravada Buddhism. I also had the privilege of meeting two powerful teachers, whose guidance has greatly improved my meditation practice.