reverence
the sri lanka retreat
for queer women, trans and non-binary people
4th - 10th january 2026
the experience
Your return to the sacred within.
7 transformative days immersed in devotion, self-enquiry and soul-rooted practices on the lush, mystical land of Sri Lanka. A sanctuary to pause, reconnect and deepen your relationship to the sacred, both within yourself and in all things.
Yoga. Breathwork. Mantra. Sound Healing. Workshops. Ritual. Nourishing local food. Chill time. All held within an intimate community of queer women, trans and non-binary folk (aka your new soul family).
Far from the noise, the rush and the busyness we’ll gather in reverence for life, for our bodies, for spirit, for each other. We’ll move, breathe, sweat, rest, share and be witnessed in the wild holiness of our aliveness.
A moment to remember: the sacredness of your being, the wisdom in your body, the interconnected web we belong to.
To soften. To rise. To revere.
We can’t wait to hold you here.
the location
We’ll gather at a serene sanctuary cradled by emerald paddy fields and lush tropical greens, just moments from the palm-lined beaches of Ahangama.
This sacred land hums with ancient, grounding energy- a place where time slows, the earth breathes and you’re invited to soften. Mornings begin with mist rolling over the fields and evenings arrive to the steady chorus of nature and distant ocean waves.
At the heart of our laid back, luxurious home for the week lies a beautiful open-air yoga shala, an infinity pool mirroring the sky and winding garden paths leading to secret spots for reflection and radical rest.
Meals are plant-based, seasonal and soul-nourishing, prepared fresh each day with local Sri Lankan produce. Shared under open skies, food here becomes a ritual of connection, to yourself, the land and each other.
This is where simplicity becomes sacred.
This is where Reverence lives.
this retreat is for you if…
You’re feeling called to pause, tune in and explore what sacredness means for you
You want to deepen your spiritual practices, exploring yoga and breathwork more deeply in an intimate, inclusive and elevated setting with experienced teachers
You’re craving a community of LBTQIA+, spiritual, like-minded souls who truly see you + get you (bi babes with BFs/bi-curious huns/non-label folk, this of course includes you too!)
You want to unplug in laid back luxury, slow down and reconnect with the simplicity and wildness of nature
You’re curious about living with more reverence + devotion- for yourself, for the earth, for spirit
You’re ready to choose yourself, honour your rhythms and remember the holy in the everyday
“Life altering”
— Natalie
“This community makes me feel like myself. What a gift that is!”
— Martina
“Thanks to PLU I now know that I am worthy of all the things my heart wants for me.”
— Abigail
“Heart-first queer community”
— Ace
what’s included
7 days, 6 nights at our beautiful eco-retreat centre in the lush south Sri Lankan countryside
Transfers to and from Colombo airport (see travel info below)
Daily plant-based brunches, snacks and dinners, locally sourced and soul-nourishing
Daily 2 hour morning yoga and meditation sessions with Natalia
Somatic Breathwork journeys with Calypso
Workshops, devotional rituals, mantra singing, sound baths and ceremonies
A private Sri Lankan cooking class in our villa
Sharing circles, beach visits and jungle walks
what’s not included
Flights to and from Sri Lanka
Optional activities (surfing, tea plantation etc.)
Taxis/Tuk-Tuks for explorations (beaches, towns etc.)
Optional treatments: Ayurvedic Treatments, Massages etc.
“A loving embrace of queer joy”
— Ace
“My life changed when I came on this retreat. It fast forwarded my journey of connecting to myself which is so much harder to navigate on your own than when you’re surrounded by people who get it. I’ve made life long best friends and couldn’t be more thankful that People Like Us exists.”
— Kathryn
a typical day
7:00-8:00: Silent reflection, teas + nature sit
8:00-10:00: Mantra, Meditation + Yoga with Natalia
10:30-11:30: Fresh local plant-based brunch
11:30-3:30: Free time: beach, naps, dips, surfs + adventures
3:00-3:30: Afternoon tea + tropical fruit snack
4:00-6:00: Somatic Breathwork with Calypso
6:30-8:30: Sunset dinner made by in house chefs
8:30-9:30: Stargazing + late night chats with new queer bffs
rooms, price, book
Quad Room
The perfect space for solo travellers craving connection. This beautiful, airy room has 4 singles, an ensuite and sunset views over the paddy fields.
EARLYBIRD: £1399 [£1599] SOLD OUT
Save your spot with a £399 deposit.
Triple Room
Spacious and calm, these are ideal for solo travellers or friends booking together, with three single beds, an ensuite and plenty of room to unwind.
EARLYBIRD: £1599 [£1799]
Save your spot with a £399 deposit.
Twin Room
A cosy, grounding space with a sweet courtyard view. Perfect for solo travellers open to share. Shared bathroom facilities just a step away.
EARLYBIRD: £1799 [£1999]
Save your spot with a £399 deposit.
Ensuite Twin Room
These light-filled, nature wrapped rooms are a sanctuary, ideal for 2 solo sharers, couples or close friends wanting a little extra privacy. 2 singles or a king bed.
EARLYBIRD: £1899 [£2099]
Save your spot with a £399 deposit.
Please note, deposits are non-refundable and contribute to the total amount of your booking. You then have the option to pay your balance in full or via a payment plan. Payment plan: 2nd payment due 1/8/25. Final payment due 1/11/25. If a slightly different payment plan is required, please drop us an email hello@peoplelikeusretreats.com and we will see if we can accommodate. Klarna and PayPal are also available at checkout. We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking to cover any potential cancellations.
“An amazing, caring community that creates a safe space for queer people to come together to be held and discover more about themselves than they ever felt possible.”
— Sarah
“What I love most about People Like Us is how Calypso and Natalia show love, care, warmth, compassion, authenticity and vulnerability in a way that is entirely infectious, and how everyone in their presence is able to do the same. It’s something I’ve never experienced, and has led to the deepest, most beautiful connections that I will treasure for the rest of my life.”
— Natalie
our part-scholarship
As per all of our previous international retreats, we’re offering one part-scholarship place (25% off) for this retreat, created for someone who would deeply benefit from joining us but would otherwise be unable to financially access this experience.
We especially encourage queer people of colour and trans people to apply.
This spot is in the Quad Room and is intended for those for whom attending at full price truly isn’t an option. If you’re able to make the full price work with a payment plan, this scholarship isn’t for you.
We trust you to honour the spirit of this offering.
Please only apply if you’re confident you can cover the part-scholarship price of £1049 (total), including the £399 deposit due upon confirmation of your place. A payment plan for the remaining balance is available.
To apply:
1. Please complete this part-scholarship application form
2. Complete the retreat booking form below ensuring you have checked the scholarship box.
Your application is not complete unless both of these forms are complete and submitted. Please ensure your name and email address match on both forms. The application deadline is Sunday 29th June 2025. We will be in contact with the successful applicant no later than Sunday 6th July 2025.
travel
We want your journey to Sri Lanka to be as smooth and simple as possible, so here’s everything you need to know:
outbound
If you’re flying from London, there are multiple one-stop night flights departing on 3rd January arriving on the morning of 4th January (currently from around £700 return— check Skyscanner for the latest). There is also a direct overnight flight with Sri Lankan Airlines from Heathrow, departing at 8:40pm on 3rd January 2026, arriving into Colombo at 12:30pm on 4th January (currently around £1000 return).
We’ll be arranging a complimentary group transfer from Colombo Airport to the retreat villa at around 1:30pm. The journey from the airport to the villa takes around 2.5 hours through lush Sri Lankan landscapes.
If you’d like to take this transfer, please book a flight scheduled to arrive no later than 12:30pm on 4th January. If you arrive earlier or are already in Sri Lanka, you’re welcome to hang out at the airport and join the transfer.
return
There are several flights departing Sri Lanka on the afternoon and evening of 10th January. If you’re leaving the country that day, we recommend booking an afternoon or evening flight to allow plenty of time for the 2.5 hour journey to the airport.
For those flying direct, the recommended Sri Lankan Airlines flight to London Heathrow departs at 12:50pm. We’ll be arranging a group transfer from the villa to Colombo Airport that morning in time for this.
If your flight is later in the day, you’re welcome to hang out at the airport or spend a few hours exploring Colombo before departure. And if you’re extending your adventure in Sri Lanka, let us know, we’re happy to help arrange alternative transfers where possible (additional cost applies).
visa + passports
It’s your responsibility to check Sri Lanka’s entry requirements based on your nationality.
Most nationalities, including British and EU passport holders, can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online before travel. This usually takes a few days to process and costs around £15.
Your passport should also be valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival.
about people like us
People Like Us retreats are elevated, heart-led journeys for queer women, trans and non-binary people to pause the noise, land back in their bodies and reconnect with spirit and community.
Held in stunning, nature-rich locations, our boutique retreats offer space to slow down, breathe deep and be immersed in queer connection. You’ll move through yoga, somatic breathwork, sound healing, coaching workshops, cacao ceremonies and tender conversations under the stars.
Founded by couple Calypso Barnum-Bobb and Natalia Spano, People Like Us was born from a craving: for beautiful, intentional spaces where we could gather outside of party culture, move, rest, reflect and feel held by our community. What started as a one-off event in 2023 quickly became something bigger, because it turns out, a lot of us were longing for the same thing.
Today, People Like Us is a curated home for transformational, elevated retreats, somatic experiences and community rituals rooted in devotion, tenderness, spirituality and radical joy. Our spaces centre on safety, belonging and authenticity, welcoming anyone who feels called, whether you’re secure and confident in your queer identity, still exploring your sexuality, bi-curious with a boyfriend or don’t vibe with labels at all.
For the seekers, the softies, the edge-walkers and joy-hunters. For people like us
meet your hosts
Calypso Barnum-Bobb (she/they)
Life + Leadership Coach, Somatic Breathwork Practitioner, Speaker + Writer.
Calypso is a certified Trauma Informed Coach, Somatic Breathwork Practitioner and authentic living guide who helps humans break free from the stories that limit them and come home to their full selves.
Featured in Stylist, Gay Times, and Glastonbury Festival, Calypso is known for creating heart-led, transformational spaces both in intimate coaching containers and on global stages.
With a background in public speaking, 1:1 and group coaching, somatic facilitation and holding conscious community spaces, Calypso sees gold in the places you once called broken and offers practical, spiritual, embodied tools to help you reclaim them.
Natalia Spano (she/her)
Yoga + Somatic Movement Teacher, Dancer, Sound Healer, Reiki Practitioner
Natalia is a 425hr certified Yoga Teacher, Somatic Movement Facilitator, Dancer, Sound Healer and Reiki Practitioner whose work is devoted to helping people reconnect with their bodies, hearts and creative expression.
Having trained in somatic and elemental practices across Bali, India and the UK, Natalia fuses ancient tradition with contemporary movement, holding spaces that are fluid, embodied and soul-led. Her style invites students to drop beneath the surface, move intuitively and honour the sacred wisdom of their bodies.
Natalia also owns and runs a dance studio, regularly teaches across London and internationally and leads for conscious communities and brands.
retreat booking form
Fill out the below and we will be in touch shortly with a link to pay your £399 deposit, secure your booking and join the People Like Us Sri Lanka crew!
First come, first serve. Please note, deposits are non-refundable.
Please note, deposits are non-refundable and contribute to the total amount of your booking. You then have the option to pay your balance in full or via a payment plan. Payment plan: 2nd payment due 1/7/25. 2nd payment due 1/8/25. Final payment due 1/11/25. If a slightly different payment plan is required, please drop us an email hello@peoplelikeusretreats.com and we will see if we can accommodate. Klarna and PayPal are also available at checkout. We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking to cover any potential cancellations.
“Humanity at it’s best”
— Vitti
“The friends and community I have made has been life changing. Not to mention the advancements I've made within myself! Love Calypso and Natalia and the space they've created and the emotions and feelings they've guided me through. Thank you so so so much!”
— Clare