Varkala: A Hidden Gem in South India (and maybe better than Goa) Last Updated: July 6, 2021

A few weeks back, I had the opportunity to visit Varkala for some days. It is a small town situated in Kerala on the Arabian Sea and surrounded by palm-covered red cliffs.

Monsoon is not the best time to visit Varkala but it is not the worst time either. The pleasant weather conditions coupled with lush green surroundings make it attractive to be there during the monsoon. It is still considered as “off-season” though.

Personally, I prefer traveling to places in the off-season when there are fewer people so there is more time to enjoy the place peacefully, not to mention the heavily slashed prices on stay and food.

After spending six days in Varkala, I was convinced I wanted to be back. It is definitely an underrated place in India.

Not many would know but the place is known for Yoga and spiritual retreats. There are quite a few international travelers living in Varkala for months now. Some have been stuck due to the pandemic while some have come to discover their inner happiness.

I stayed at The Lost Hostel – a community hostel for backpackers from around the world. The best part about the hostel was the location. It is located by the sea along the North Cliff. This was my first hostel experience in India and I loved it. 

The staff was friendly and made all the guests feel at home. The food served at the hostel was also delicious. We usually had aloo paratha or sandwiches for breakfast, home-cooked Indian meals for lunch, and dinner including rice, roti, curd, and curry. We also had an option to cook our own food in the kitchen whenever we wanted.
 

A lot of people were staying at the hostel for a few weeks or months on a workation while others were just here for a soul-searching experience.
 

 My weekdays were usually spent working in my dorm during the day and exploring the vicinity in the evenings. Post work hours, we did movie nights, Barbeque nights, or simply bonded with fellow guests at the hostel.

There was a strict lockdown in Kerala during the weekends when I was there. Traveling around the state was not possible but I was more than happy to soak in the beauty of Varkala completely.

We walked around the South Cliff and North Cliff of Varkala, explored hidden cafes, chased sunsets, and tried scrumptious traditional Kerala meals.
 

No pictures will do justice to the beauty of Varkala. Be it the calm sea or the mesmerizing sunsets, there is a lot to explore.

I tried waking up early on some days to explore Varkala by foot along the North cliff. One of the weekdays, I also went on a sunrise kayaking experience with fellow hostel friends in the backwaters of Varkala. It was one of the most calming moments for me in a long time. The stillness of the water with a beautiful view of the backwaters is all I needed for the soul at the moment.

Six days went by super fast but a lot of memories were collected in a short span of time. This trip was definitely a soul-searching experience for me. I would love to be back soon!

If you are looking to visit Varkala anytime soon, please refer to the following resources:

Great option for short term and long-term budget stays: The Lost Hostels (can book through Hostel World or their website directly)

COVID-19 rules as of July 2021

Got more questions? Feel free to comment below!