FAQs

Makahiya Fitness is situated 10 minutes inland of Unawatuna, on the sunny south coast of Sri Lanka. Our retreat is 20 minutes east of Galle and 20 minutes west of Ahangama – one of the island’s most popular surf spots. Colombo, the commercial capital, is two hours north on the expressway.

We offer three types of stays: the Signature Package, the B&B Package, and the option to arrange a call where we’ll create a completely bespoke package for you. The Signature Package includes unlimited access to fitness classes, gym facilities, workout spaces, and the pool, along with three nutritious meals a day. It also includes 2 ice baths, 1 personal coaching session, and 1 massage. The B&B Package offers breakfast, gym access, and pool access. You can find out more on our Packages page.

Bandaranaike International Airport is situated 45 minutes north of Colombo. Getting from the airport to Makahiya couldn’t be easier: the island’s main expressway runs all the way to Galle. The journey takes an easy 2hrs 15mins by car. We can help with arranging transfers.

Our retreat is open all year round. The traditional season for the south coast runs from December to March, when the sun is hot, the surf is good, and there’s very little rain. Temperatures reach their peak in April. Monsoons normally fall in May-June and October-November, while July and August usually serve up sunshine between scattered showers. That said, we’re in the tropics, so anything can happen! It’s often beautiful even when it’s meant to be rainy, and sometimes we get brief spouts of rainfall during the season. Generally, when it rains, it’s fleeting and followed by clear skies and gorgeous weather. We train in every season, whatever the weather.

Honesty is the best policy, especially when it comes to cash. We’re not the cheapest fitness holiday out there – and we’re not trying to be. We never jack up our prices just to seem exclusive (we’re not jerks). But we also don’t cut corners to keep costs low. So yes, our world-class retreat packages come at a premium, but they also offer guests the absolute best bang for their hard-earned buck.

That means boutique rooms, quality nutrition and first-class gym equipment – the kind you only find in top-tier training rooms. It also means expert coaching and personalised support from our team of dedicated trainers, across group classes and individual consultations. And it means a full suite of treatments to boost your recovery. All hosted at our purpose-built hilltop facility, complete with infinity pool and paradise views to match.

A stay at Makahiya is an investment in yourself – one that we reward with a truly exceptional fitness experience. Forget our hype: take this feedback from the Makahiya Massive as your guarantee.

Makahiya is the ultimate place to host a fitness retreat in Sri Lanka. Whether you’re a travelling trainer or a fitness influencer, we’re open to hosting third-party retreats at our purpose-built site. Get in touch using this form and we’ll be in touch to see how we can work together to make your plans a reality.

Makahiya Fitness has everything you need for the ultimate fitness retreat. Our training room and workout spaces are fully equipped with a range of resistance machines, free weights, functional training gear, rigs, racks and more. We also have resistance bands, rollers and percussive massage guns available. If you do have a physiological issue which requires specific kit to manage, please speak to us in advance.

Stay at Makahiya, and we’ll provide balanced meals to fuel you through the day, with meal inclusions varying depending on your package. Our restaurant is open every day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and you can always order additional snacks, sides, desserts, drinks, or anything from our menu.

Whether you’re non-dairy, gluten-free or paleo, we do our best to accommodate every type of dietary requirement. You’ll find a range of meat, fish and vegetarian meals available at Makahiya Eats – and most dishes have a vegan option, too (including our protein shakes). If you have more specific dietary needs, please speak to us before your stay and we’ll make sure we have the right stuff in stock to fuel you.

Fitness has no age limit and neither does Makahiya. From young guns to seasoned buffs, we welcome guests of every generation. Our community is built around big energy and big effort, regardless of your birthday rep count. Every Makahiya workout is designed to be challenging but inclusive, and our expert trainers will happily adapt elements to suit individual abilities.

From Melbourne to Dubai, many members of the Makahiya Massive are young professionals swapping their desks for tropical deadlifts. But you don’t need a 9-5 to find your happy place on our hill: we’ve hosted sporting legends, military veterans and fitness fans from every walk of life. Leave your ego at the gate and you’ll find your new favourite crew in wait.

And rest assured: however old you are, you’ll still know more about TikTok than co-founder James.

Absolutely! In fact, while we love #couplegoals and regularly accommodate group retreats, most of our guests are travelling solo. All of our rooms can be booked for single or double occupancy, with packages priced accordingly.

At the core of Makahiya is a like-minded crew we like to call the Massive: an inclusive community with a passion for self-improvement and a shared hatred of burpees. From curry nights to movie screenings, we always go big on group vibes. Whether you stay for a weekend or a fortnight, you’ll leave Makahiya with mates for life.

Makahiya has eight boutique rooms in total:

• 3x Core Rooms
• 4x Boost Rooms
• 1x Super Suite

Click here to find out more about our luxury accommodation

Corporate crew, gym squad or a batch of mates abroad: we’re more than happy to host big groups at Makahiya. The retreat can comfortably sleep 18, with the option to configure a four-bed dorm for the ultimate bonding experience. Speak to us about group package rates

We have several expert trainers on hand at Makahiya to help you reach your fitness goals. If you would feel more comfortable working with a female PT, we’ll try hard to make this happen – but please do speak to us in advance to confirm availability.

Makahiya’s closest beach is Dalawella, where you’ll find a pool protected by coral reef and inhabited by turtles. The walk takes 20 minutes, passing through scenic paddy fields and small Sri Lankan villages. It’s a lovely way to stretch your legs – and befriend a few street dogs. In a hurry? We can help arrange tuk-tuk rides or scooter rental. Alternatively, you’ll usually be able to flag down a tuk-tuk at the bottom of our hill. That’s also the best way to reach Unawatuna beach, which is a 10-minute drive away.

It depends what you’re driving. Our hill is a fairly steep single track, mostly suitable for scooters and tuk-tuks. Vehicles with good ground clearance are also fine – and we’ve had minibuses make it up. But we advise those in normal cars to park at the bottom and walk up. We do have limited spaces in our car park, halfway up the hill.

Running in Sri Lanka has its challenges, but can be a rewarding experience. Many of our workouts include runs on the infamous Makahiya hill, while the roads around the retreat will lead you through stunning paddy fields and lush patches of jungle. We can recommend a range of routes and loops to try, but please note: it’s wise to have your wits about you. Once you hit the road, you’ll need to watch out for speedy tuk-tuks and inquisitive street dogs. For a more peaceful evening run, we recommend a visit to Galle Fort – 20 minutes away by tuk-tuk. Alternatively, head to one of the many stretches of golden sand – nearby Habaraduwa is a favourite.

Between workout classes, gym access and pool sessions – plus three nutritious meals a day – life at Makahiya is packed with fitness potential. And if active rest is on your agenda, we can hook you up. Included pursuits vary depending on the retreat package you’ve picked, but our activity catalogue won’t leave you wanting.

Surfing is a cinch to arrange: we’re just minutes from some of Sri Lanka’s very best breaks, with spots to suit newbies and rad riders alike. We can help you with board hire and tuition if you need it.

If the scenery’s caught your eye, ask us about cycle rides through the paddy fields or a walking tour of our nearest tea plantation. We can also put you in touch with local guides for jungle hikes, boat trips and Royal Enfield excursions – you only have to ask.

And if a long day in fitness paradise has left your feeling knotty, don’t forget our full selection of therapy treatments. From ice baths to sports massages, we’re all set up to supercharge your recovery.

Power cuts are still a relatively common occurrence on the south coast of Sri Lanka – and they’re often unpredictable. Generators are tricky to come by, but we’re working on getting one. For now, if the power’s out and you need to crack on with work, we can recommend a couple of nearby cafés which have generators (and that all-important Wi-Fi).

Sri Lanka is a sweaty place at the best of times, let alone after a hardcore workout. Luckily, all of our accommodation is air-conditioned, as well as our gym – so you can chill out before, during and after your training. We also have big fans in the open-sided café area to keep the airflow moving.

It’s a fact: Makahiya is a cool place for kids to hang out. Just ask Dusty, our resident toddler. That said, please note that we don’t have an on-site crèche. Children will need to be supervised at all times: there is no railing around the infinity pool and the Makahiya site has a lot of steps.

From fresh juices to protein shakes, the Makahiya bar serves all sorts to refuel you. Looking for something stronger? We also serve Lion lager – the local beer – as well as wine and a small selection of spirits. If you’d like to bring liquor of your own, please ask us in advance – there may be a corkage charge to pay.

Sri Lanka’s south coast is home to countless surf spots and brilliant breaks – all within a short tuk-tuk ride from Makahiya. Keen to catch some waves during your stay? We’re happy to store your board when you’re off the water.

Need to wash your workout gear? We can deal with your dirty laundry. Drop it with us and we’ll have it cleaned (for a fee) – ready for you to get it sweaty all over again.

Item descriptionWe get this one a lot. Makahiya is a plant which goes by many names: touch-me-not, shy plant, or nidhikumba in Sinhala. Touch its leaves and see what happens.