Varkala Travel Guide: Everything a Tourist Needs to Know About Varkala
This Varkala travel guide will give you in-depth information about all you need to know about this marvellous place on earth called Varkala.
About Varkala
Varkala is a beautiful coastal town in the South Indian state of Kerala. It is popular for its pristine beaches, some of which are untouched and unknown. It is also well-known for its ancient temples and thousands of coconut trees that grow along the shores of the beaches.
Apart from scenic beauty and historical importance, Varkala is home to Ayurvedic treatments and therapies that are famous worldwide. Varkala is one of the best places to explore some of the best Ayurveda retreats in Kerala as well as yoga retreats.
Many people from all over the world travel to Varkala to rejuvenate in the pristine surroundings while enjoying the age-old practices of Ayurveda and yoga.
Best Time to Visit Varkala
Varkala receives heavy rainfall. Starting from June going into August, Varkala gets heavy rain and is advised to be avoided as all the beach shacks are shut and it is dangerous to swim in the ocean due to heavy currents.
See Also: Vagamon Tourism and Travel Guide
Varkala receives further rainfall from October to December. The best time to visit Varkala is from mid-December to March when the weather is most pleasant. You can enjoy swimming in the ocean, take part in yoga and meditation sessions on the beach and also enjoy relaxing by the beach shacks.
During summers, from the month of May to June, it is very hot and humid, and the temperature fluctuates between 25 degrees to 30 degrees Celsius.
The temperature in the monsoon fluctuates between 21 degrees to 27 degrees Celsius. The weather remains cloudy and gloomy most of the time.
The temperature in the winter comes down to 15 degrees Celsius and is the most pleasant and enjoyable time to visit Varkala.
How to Reach Varkala
Car
You can drive down from Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu as Varkala is linked by state and national highways to all these States.
Flight
Trivandrum is the nearest airport to Varkala. The distance between Varkala and the Trivandrum airport is 50 km which takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Bus
State buses are available from Trivandrum and different parts of Kerala to Varkala.
Train
Varkala beach is easily accessible by train. If you are coming from Trivandrum or Cochin, the train is a good option as all trains stop at the Varkala Railway station.
Cabs and autos are available from the Varkala Railway Station to wherever you are staying. The Papanasam Beach is 5 km away from Varkala railway station.
How to Travel In Varkala
Cabs and autorickshaws are the easiest ways to commute in Varkala. So, you can take taxis or autos wherever you need to go.
If you are staying nearby to the beaches, the best way to travel is on foot, while you savour on the picturesque views of the surroundings.
There are local buses available too that can take you around Varkala. You can also rent a motorbike to explore this fascinating city.
Languages Spoken In Varkala
The native language spoken in Varkala is Malayalam. English is also widely spoken in Varkala due to an increase in tourist population.
Best Places to Stay In Varkala
Cliff Stories
Cliff Stories is nestled 90 meters from the Aaliyirakkm Beach, and you can reach the beach on foot by walking for a few minutes. This place has a restaurant, free parking and the best thing about Cliff Stories is that they also have a private beach.
The rooms are well furnished and have well-equipped bathrooms. Varkala beach is just 1.4 km from this fantastic beach property. The Trivandrum airport is 43 km away, and the property provides airport shuttle services as well.
Le Sansora
If you are on a budget, then this is one of the most top-rated homestays in Varkala. It is almost 1 km away from the Varkala Cliff where you can enjoy the serene waters of the Varkala beach.
Le Sansore offers free Wi-Fi and free parking services. The airport is 45 km away from this property and they too after paid shuttle services from the airport.
The rooms are well-equipped with all the modern facilities.
Magnolia Guesthouse
It is one of the best guest houses in Varkala. With simple yet beautifully designed rooms and well-equipped bathrooms, they provide ayurvedic massage treatments and yoga sessions.
The Odayam Beach is just a 3-minute walk while the main Varkala beach and cliff is just a 10-minutes walk from the guesthouse. The airport is at a distance of 50 km, and the Varkala railway station is 5km away from the property.
Gateway Varkala – IHCL
This is an amazing property if you are looking for a high budget lavish ambience and infrastructure. Their rooms are extravagant and well furnished with sofas and all the necessary equipment.
Bathrooms are well equipped and ideal for modern day travellers. This property offers stunning views of the Arabian Sea and also hosts a massive outdoor swimming pool. Kappil Beach is just a 7-minutes walk from this gorgeous property.
Varkala also has various hostels for budget travellers or backpackers.
Where to Eat In Varkala
Darjeeling Café
This is a fantastic café that serves amazing food with breathtaking and serene views of the seaside. This café has a simple yet graceful décor which makes it stand out from the rest of the cafes in Varkala.
With its kind and joyous staff, delicious food and serene sea views, this is a must-visit place on your trip to Varkala.
India Café
This is another must-visit place in Varkala. They offer healthy food that not only satisfies your tastes buds but is also healthy for the body and mind. The food is not only delicious, but the chefs put in extra effort in the presentation of the dishes.
One of the most loved dishes at this amazing cafe is the Buddha Bowl. Give it a try and get delighted.
Things to Do And Places To Visit In Varkala
Water Sports in Varkala
Varkala has beautiful beaches where the hills and cliffs meet the deep ocean. Here you can enjoy adventurous water sports like parasailing and paragliding. You can also enjoy other water sports like banana boat ride and many others.
Varkala Beach
Varkala beach is the main beach and is a must-visit beach in Varkala. It is one of the most loved and visited beaches in Kerala. Many yoga retreats in India and Ayurveda retreat in Kerala are held near the Varkala Beach.
Edava Beach
This is one of the most pristine beaches of Kerala and also an untouched and unknown beach. Not many people visit the beach, thus it is much cleaner than some of the other beaches. If you want to spend some time alone with yourself, this is the perfect beach to relax and explore.
Sivagiri Mutt
This is a beautiful Ashram near the Varkala beach. Started by Sri Narayana Guru, it is a quiet place where you can connect to yourself and the divine spirit through a meditation session.
Traditional Dance Shows
Enjoy the traditional dance show of Kerala called Kathakali. This is a beautiful and colourful dance form that tells ancient stories of love and devotion through dance movements. This is something you do not want to miss out on and at least watch once on your trip to Varkala.
The show is held at North Cliff, and the entrance charges are 250 INR.
Ayurveda and Yoga retreats
Varkala offers some of the best Ayurveda retreats in Kerala. The retreats centres here offer healing and cleansing ayurvedic therapies like Panchakarma, stress release therapy, ayurvedic massages, touch therapy, and so much more.
There are some highly popular yoga retreats in India held in Varkala where qualified and experienced yoga teachers offer in-depth training to the students. Apart from yoga teacher training programs, one can also take part in Ayurveda and yoga retreats that are usually of shorter duration.