Cancellation & Refund Policy
Last updated: 19 September 2026
This Cancellation & Refund Policy applies to bookings made with Layback (Private) Limited and forms part of our Terms & Conditions.
Please read this policy before making a booking and completing payment.
1. Cancellation within 48 hours of booking
You may cancel your booking within 48 hours of making the booking and receive a refund, except where the booking was made within 21 days of your arrival date.
The 48-hour cancellation period does not apply to bookings made within 21 days of arrival.
If your booking is eligible for a refund within the 48-hour cancellation period, the underlying booking amount will be refunded.
If you paid by credit or debit card, the 4% card payment fee is non-refundable.
After the 48-hour cancellation period has passed, the 25% booking deposit is non-refundable.
2. Cancellation more than 21 days before arrival
If you have paid only the 25% deposit and cancel after the initial 48-hour cancellation period, the deposit is non-refundable.
If you have paid your package in full and cancel more than 21 days before your arrival date, 75% of the underlying package amount will be refunded.
The remaining 25%, representing the booking deposit, is non-refundable.
If you paid by credit or debit card, the 4% card payment fee is also non-refundable.
3. Cancellation within 21 days of arrival
There are no refunds for package cancellations made within 21 days of your arrival date.
This applies whether you:
initially paid a 25% deposit and later paid the remaining balance; or
were required to pay the full amount when making your booking.
Any card payment fees are also non-refundable.
4. Card payment fees
A 4% card payment fee applies to payments made by credit or debit card.
The 4% card payment fee is non-refundable, including when the booking, package payment, airport transfer or add-on itself qualifies for a full or partial refund under this policy.
Any refund due under this policy is calculated on the underlying booking, package, transfer or add-on amount and does not include the card payment fee.
For example, if an underlying payment of €300 is paid by card, the total charged is €312. If the full underlying €300 qualifies for a refund, the refund is €300. The €12 card payment fee is not refunded.
5. No-shows
There are no refunds for no-shows.
If you do not arrive for your booking and have not cancelled in accordance with this policy, the amount paid for your package is non-refundable.
6. Late arrival, early departure and missed activities
Layback operates weekly retreats from Sunday to Sunday.
No partial refund, discount or credit will be provided if you:
arrive later than your scheduled arrival date;
leave before your scheduled departure date;
choose to stay for fewer days than booked; or
miss or choose not to participate in activities included in your package.
Our activities are organised as part of a weekly programme, and missed activities cannot necessarily be rescheduled or replaced.
7. Airport transfers and add-ons
Airport transfers and other paid add-ons will be fully refunded when you cancel your booking.
If an airport transfer or add-on was paid by credit or debit card, the underlying eligible amount will be refunded, but the 4% card payment fee is non-refundable.
8. How cancellation deadlines are calculated
All cancellation deadlines are calculated using Sri Lanka local time.
Your confirmed arrival date is used to determine whether your cancellation falls before or within the 21-day cancellation period.
The date and time at which Layback receives your cancellation request determines when the cancellation was made.
9. How to cancel your booking
To cancel your booking, contact Layback through our official contact details and clearly state that you wish to cancel.
Please provide your name and booking reference so that we can identify your reservation.
Your cancellation is considered received when Layback receives your cancellation request through an official Layback contact method.
10. Refund method and processing
Where a refund is due, it will normally be returned through the appropriate payment method associated with the original payment.
The time required for the funds to reach you after Layback issues the refund may vary depending on your bank, card issuer or payment provider.
Any processing time quoted by a bank, card issuer or payment provider is separate from the date on which Layback issues the refund.
11. Cancellation because payment was not received
Your booking is subject to the payment deadline stated in your Layback payment request.
If the required deposit, full payment or remaining balance is not received by the applicable deadline, Layback reserves the right to cancel the booking and release your room or bed for another guest.
If you have already paid a 25% deposit and your booking is later cancelled because the remaining balance was not paid by the final payment deadline, your deposit will be forfeited and remains non-refundable.
12. Rebooking after cancellation for non-payment
If your booking is cancelled because payment was not received by the deadline, you will normally need to wait 3 weeks before booking again.
If your original arrival date is within 21 days, you may book again without waiting the full 3 weeks.
The waiting period begins only once your original booking has actually been cancelled for non-payment.
Submitting another booking request during the waiting period will not reserve accommodation or give you a new payment deadline.
This policy prevents accommodation from being repeatedly held without payment and gives other guests a fair chance to book.
13. Travel and cancellation insurance
Travelers should have full travel insurance and cancellation insurance covering their trip and stay.
Layback accepts no responsibility for loss, theft or damage to persons or property during a traveler's stay.
We will not issue refunds where a guest is unable to travel, arrives late, or is unable to complete their stay due to circumstances that Layback has no part in, including delays, visa refusal, entry refusal, flight cancellations, war, acts of God, injuries, COVID-19, or the death of second or third-degree family members, relatives or friends.
Our normal Cancellation & Refund Policy continues to apply in these circumstances.
In some cases, Layback may offer the option to reschedule under certain conditions. Any such arrangement is at Layback's discretion and does not create an entitlement to the same exception for another booking.
Where appropriate, we may provide booking and payment documentation to assist you with a legitimate travel insurance claim.
We expect all guests to have appropriate travel and cancellation insurance in place to protect themselves against circumstances that are outside Layback's control.
14. Changes caused by circumstances outside our control
Surfing and other activities are dependent on conditions, weather, safety and other circumstances that may be outside Layback's control.
Surf locations, lesson times, schedules and activities may therefore change during your stay.
Where reasonably necessary, Layback may change the time, location or format of an activity due to surf conditions, weather, safety considerations or other operational circumstances.
These changes do not entitle a guest to a refund where Layback is still able to provide the booked package or an appropriate alternative as part of the retreat.
15. Exceptions and rescheduling
Where Layback agrees to make an exception to this policy, including allowing a booking to be rescheduled or providing credit, that exception applies only to the specific booking for which it was granted.
An exception does not change this policy and does not create an entitlement to the same exception for another booking or guest.
16. Relationship with our Terms & Conditions
This Cancellation & Refund Policy forms part of Layback's Terms & Conditions.
By completing the required payment for your reservation, you acknowledge that your booking is subject to both the Terms & Conditions and this Cancellation & Refund Policy.