A small surf and yoga retreat near Canggu where coming alone is easy and meeting people happens naturally.
A solo travellers retreat in Bali sounds simple until you actually arrive. You have to work out where to stay, how to get around, what to do each morning – and who you are going to have dinner with that night.
At Pelan Pelan, you can arrive on your own without having to organise everything yourself. Your surf sessions, yoga, massages, meals, airport pickup and beach transport are already taken care of. You spend your days doing things with the same small group of people, without being expected to socialise every minute.
Most importantly, you are not walking into a retreat full of couples or a party hostel. Pelan Pelan has welcomed solo travellers since we opened in 2014.
Based on 600+ reviews from Tripadvisor & Google
“I spent 3 weeks here, and every day
confirmed how special this place truly is.”
-Irina B. (Solo traveller)
“For a solo traveler it’s a great place to come.
You quickly feel like one of the Pelan Pelan family"
- Vicki H. (Solo)
“One of the best decisions I’ve made”
-Ivy L. (Solo traveller)
You won’t be the only one arriving without a travel partner. Most weeks, many of our guests come on their own – but you’ll also find couples, friends and families here, often from all over the world and across different age groups.
That mix is part of what makes Pelan Pelan feel so relaxed. You might have breakfast with another solo traveller, surf with someone who’s been coming for years, and end up chatting with a couple or family by the pool. Everyone has their own plans, but there’s always someone around to connect with.
Our shared room is the base rate, so there is no single supplement simply because you’re travelling on your own.
If you’d rather have your own space, you can choose a private room instead. It’s completely up to you – share and meet people, or have a room of your own to retreat to at the end of the day.
From the moment you land in Bali, you don’t have to figure everything out yourself. Your airport pickup, accommodation, meals, surf sessions, boards and transport to the beach are all arranged for you.
So instead of spending your first morning looking for a surf school or wondering how to get to the beach, you can have breakfast, meet your guide and get in the water.
There are plenty of natural moments to meet people – over breakfast, during surf sessions, at yoga, around the pool or at dinner.
But nobody expects you to join everything. Want to spend an afternoon reading, having a massage or relaxing in your room? That’s completely normal too.
You can be as social as you like, without ever feeling like you have to be.
Pelan Pelan is small by design. There aren’t hundreds of guests coming and going, so you naturally start recognising the people around you.
And because we welcome solo travellers alongside couples and families, the atmosphere isn’t centred around one particular type of traveller. Everyone has their own reason for being here – surfing, yoga, relaxing, exploring Bali or simply taking a break.
You might arrive alone, but you’ll quickly find people to have breakfast with, surf with and spend time with during your stay. Peaceful enough to relax, lively enough to never feel lonely
Pelan Pelan isn’t a party hostel – and that’s exactly why many people choose it.
The evenings are usually quiet after a day in the ocean, with people relaxing around the retreat, enjoying dinner or heading to bed early. If you feel like going out, Canggu is close enough for an evening in town.
So you get the best of both: a peaceful place to come back to, with people around whenever you feel like company.
Whether you’re looking for a surf retreat in Bali, a yoga retreat, or a surf & yoga retreat, choose the package that best matches your goals and travel style. We offer a retreat experience you’ll find nowhere else. From personal surf coaching to peaceful yoga sessions and authentic Balinese hospitality, every package is designed to help you slow down and reconnect. Whatever brings you to Bali, we’ll help you experience a quieter, more personal side of the island.
Rooms are always booked together with a retreat package, and the room you pick has more effect on your week than most people expect. There is no wrong answer, but they lead to different stays.
Twin beds for one to three guests, with a shared bathroom, air conditioning and mosquito nets. This is the base rate, so there is no single supplement to pay, and it is the fastest way to meet people. Most guests who book it end up travelling on with someone they met in it.
From €779 pp per week
Your own room with a big bed, private bathroom and air conditioning. You still eat with everyone and join the same sessions, but you have somewhere quiet to retreat to. A common choice for longer stays and for anyone working remotely.
From €902 pp per week
The largest option, with a private semi open bathroom, an outdoor shower and its own balcony. Bookable for one guest if you want the extra space.
From 1146 per week (solo)
Every room includes organic latex mattresses, natural toiletries and daily cleaning. Full details on the rooms and suites page, and the shared areas are shown under spaces and experiences.
Bali is a popular destination for women travelling alone, and many of our solo guests are women. Like anywhere, where you stay and how you get around can make a big difference. For most solo travellers, traffic and getting around safely are more realistic concerns than crime.
Staying at a retreat takes away many of the practical situations that can feel less comfortable when you’re travelling alone – arriving at the airport, finding your way to the beach, or getting around somewhere unfamiliar. We take care of those parts, so you can focus on enjoying your time in Bali.
Our travel guide for solo female travellers in Bali goes into more detail on getting around, what to pack and which areas suit a first trip.
Your days have a natural rhythm, but nothing is set in stone. Surf sessions move with the tide and conditions, while the rest of your day is yours to enjoy.
Weekends are yours to do as much or as little as you like. Some guests head out to explore Bali, while others stay at the retreat and slow down. If you’re staying on a package that includes it, you’ll also have a half-day cultural trip to Taman Ayun, Sangeh and Tanah Lot.
Absolutely. Many of our guests arrive on their own, so you won’t be the only solo traveller. You’ll stay alongside other solo travellers, couples and families from different countries and age groups. Because the retreat is small, it’s easy to meet people without feeling like you have to be social all the time.
Yes. Most guests naturally meet through surfing, shared meals, yoga and time around the retreat. There are no forced group activities or icebreakers. You’ll also get to know Emma, Putu and the team, who are usually around during your stay.
No. Pelan Pelan is a small, relaxed surf and yoga retreat rather than a party hostel. Days are active, but evenings are usually quiet. If you want to go out, Canggu is close enough to enjoy the nightlife and come back to a peaceful place to sleep.
No. You can choose between a shared room, a private solo room or, if you prefer extra space, a Suite. The shared room is our base rate and there is no single supplement.
No. Our shared room is priced per person, so travelling alone doesn’t mean paying extra simply because you don’t have someone to share a room with. You can also choose a private room or Suite for an additional cost.
Yes. We welcome many solo female travellers and make the practical side of travelling alone easier. Airport pickup and transport to surf sessions are arranged for you, and you’ll quickly get to know our team and the other guests staying at the retreat.
Absolutely. You don’t need any previous surfing experience. Beginners receive personal coaching in small groups, with a maximum of two guests per surf guide. Your guide will help you with water safety, positioning, catching your first waves and building confidence in the water.
That’s absolutely fine. Your surf sessions are adapted to your level and goals. Our local guides know the coastline and choose surf spots according to the conditions and your experience, while helping you improve your technique and progress.
Our guests range from their twenties to their sixties. You’ll find solo travellers, couples and families staying at the retreat at the same time. It’s the mix of people that helps create the relaxed, friendly atmosphere at Pelan Pelan.
The Surf & Yoga Retreat includes accommodation, five surf lessons from Monday to Friday, board hire, video analysis, four yoga sessions, three Balinese massages, daily breakfast, homemade Indonesian lunches from Monday to Friday, a half-day cultural experience and airport pickup.
You can stay for as little or as long as you like, depending on availability. Many guests choose two or three weeks because it gives them time to settle in, make progress with their surfing and properly slow down.
No. Transport to your surf sessions is arranged for you, either by car or scooter depending on the surf spot and conditions. You can enjoy your surf holiday without having to rent and navigate a scooter yourself.
Yes. We have Wi-Fi throughout the retreat, and many guests combine their stay with some remote work. You can work from your room or from one of the shared spaces around the retreat, then step away from your laptop for a surf, yoga class or a swim when you’re done.
