Press
Every place has a pulse. This is where you hear ours.
The press section is a collection of articles, interviews, features, and media coverage about Gaia Soul, the people behind it, and the community that has grown around it. From travel publications to podcasts and local stories, these pieces offer an outside perspective on what we're building here on Sri Lanka's south coast..
You'll also find featured interviews exploring the origins of Gaia Soul, the journey that brought us here, and the ideas that continue to shape its future.
Gaia Soul Featured Among the World's Must-Visit SkateBNBs for Summer 2026
We're stoked to share that Gaia Soul has been featured in SkateBNB's list of "Must-Visit SkateBNBs for Summer 2026"!
As a guesthouse built around surfing, skateboarding, yoga, and community, it's an honor to be recognized by both BoardBNBs and SkateBNBs, two platforms dedicated to connecting travelers with skate-friendly accommodation around the world.
Whether you're looking to skate our backyard halfpipe, surf the waves at Maaliyadda Beach, or simply connect with fellow travelers who share a love of board sports, Gaia Soul offers a unique slice of tropical skate culture on Sri Lanka's south coast.
A huge thank you to the SkateBNB and BoardBNB communities for the feature. We look forward to welcoming more skaters from around the world to Kaluketiya.
Keep pushing. Keep surfing. Keep exploring.
Gaia Soul featured on Pineapple Press - More Than a Stay
We’re stoked to share that Pineapple Press recently profiled Gaia Soul in their latest piece on hospitality in Sri Lanka. 👉🏽 Read the full article
From Jobs to Journeys: The article explores a simple but powerful idea: hospitality isn’t just about jobs, it’s about pathways.
At Gaia Soul, that shows up in how the team works and grows. Without rigid roles or formal hierarchies, people learn by doing, stepping into new responsibilities as curiosity leads the way. Founder Baxter Jackson describes it as creating an environment where people feel trusted, included, and encouraged to take initiative.
Small Teams, Big Ripples: What starts as a role can evolve into something much bigger.
The article highlights real stories from Gaia Soul:
- A housekeeper who went on to open her own café, now a local staple.
- A neighbour who became a key part of daily operations.
- Skills that extend beyond the property into the wider community.
It’s the kind of growth that doesn’t stay contained. It spreads. Quietly, steadily, like tide lines reshaping a shore.
Learning by Living It: Instead of formal training programs, the focus is on exposure and experience. Daily interaction with guests builds confidence, language skills, and cultural awareness. Team members aren’t just executing tasks, they’re part of decisions, ideas, and problem-solving.
Why It Matters: Sri Lanka’s tourism industry employs thousands, but its' real potential lies in what happens after someone gets the job. As the article points out, when hospitality businesses invest in people, the impact goes far beyond the property, reaching families, communities, and local economies.
At Gaia Soul, that’s the goal. Not just a place to stay, but a place where something shifts, for guests, for the team, and for the village around it.
How Gaia Soul Began: A Conversation with Lina
In this interview with Lina from Living in Sri Lanka, we go back to the early days of Gaia Soul—before it became what it is now. We talk about how it started, the decisions that shaped it, and the quiet, often unpredictable path of building something on Sri Lanka’s south coast. A simple conversation about beginnings, place, and what happens when an idea slowly takes form. 👉🏽 Follow Lina on YouTube
This is how it began. Now come experience it for yourself.
Gaia Soul Among the Top Boutique Stays on the South Coast
Featured by Pineapple Press as one of the top boutique stays near Hiriketiya. Gaia Soul sits between surf, skate, and slow coastal living on Sri Lanka’s south coast. A place shaped by community, ocean energy, and simple design. 👉🏽 Read the full article
Some places are better understood when you’re actually in them