Varkala: Backpackers Paradise in Kerala

Now that lockdown is not getting over this is best time to cherish some wonderful memories.

There are the times when you feel blessed about the things that happened and not happened.

My life has taken many twisty turns where i have learnt a lot and grown into a better person but the turn that rickshaw took in February to that narrow street where that blue building was waiting for me to create some extra ordinary memories was worth taking and writing for.

Firstly, you will find me talking about my stays in hostels in all of my blogs and I do emphasis on it because thats where my journey started of falling in love with my solo trips

The blue building of Zostel Varkala ....

The serenity of this cozy cool and pleasant hostel is just beyond appreciation and the people you meet here makes it just extraordinary.

They have a huge lobby outside the dorms so you wont feel like staying inside your room and would want to just sit on the couch overlooking the beach just across.

The common area is where people mingle and i did the same. Truly I am blessed to have found such amazing creatures in my life with whom the days and nights spent exploring this town became one “Yaadon ki baraat”

Located in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, Varkala’s north cliff is perched right next to the Arabian sea.

If you want beautiful beaches and a laid back atmosphere, Varkala is the place for you.

Varkala is a town where days turns into weeks and you wont even know it.

How to reach?

One can take a flight to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport

Train - Varkala Sivagiri railway station is well connected by railways.

Bus - There are regular buses from Kollam town

Where to stay?

My personal choice is Zostel but there are plenty of options alongside the cliff for luxury cottages and budget rooms.

What to do?

If you ask me frankly speaking “do nothing” when you’re in Varkala.

Just relax by the beach or sit in some cool cafe on the cliff and thats the charm of Varkala.

So you can plan accordingly coz you cannot afford to miss exploring the beauty of this small town so would suggest that you do some interesting stuff here -

Varkala cliff and beach

North Cliff in Varkala has many cafes, small shops selling all kinds of hippie stuff. South cliff in Varkala, on the other hand, is quiet and untouched by tourism. To get a ‘Varkala Feel’ you need to stroll around these cliffs and listen to worldly music being played in the cafes and people calling you out either for a massage or some cheap shopping

The Varkala beach

Its located right off the cliff so you can step down from here.

Benches are distributed along the top of the cliff to enjoy the mesmerizing views. You can walk along the cliff side where you can enjoy the views on one side and the many shops on the other side. The restaurants on top of the cliff have stunning views and make the perfect place for lunch.

Make sure to enjoy your time sitting in one of the cafe sipping some good drink during the evening and watching the sunset.

Hike to beaches further from north cliff

Black beach - Black beach gets its name from the colour itself and while taking this hike you will suddenly see black soil. Trust me all these beaches are so pristine that you would want to just stay there and never go anywhere else.

Odayam beach - You walk little more towards the south and reach Odayam which is another quiet beach.

Edava beach - Untouched and unspoilt by the tourists this beach offers a great view of the blue waters.

Kappil beach - You will cross the Black beach, Odayam beach, Edava beach, and many other undiscovered treasures of South Keralato reach Kapil bach. The walk could take around 2 hours.

The road here divides Arabian sea and Edava lake. The view is just mesmerising.

Surfing

Varkala has a surprisingly large number of surf camps offering a week long surf (or surf + yoga) package. This will usually include accommodation, board rental, lessons and transport to local surf spots and can be great way for beginners to find their feet or for experts to ensure they hit the best breaks along the coast.

Best places to eat

Cliff is lined with restaurants and cafe and there are few that I’d like to recommend

Darjeeling cafe

Cafe italiano

Jairam cafe

Cafe Del Mar

Abba restaurant

These cafes offer candle light dinner at evenings

Best time to visit

Winters because temperature remains calm so you can visit from Nov till March. Avoid going in summers since its becomes really hot so you wont be able to enjoy a lot.

Points worth mentioning

There are no ATMs in the actual cliff area so I’d recommend bringing as much cash as you will require. The nearest one was near the railway station.

Also Varkala cliff get shut in evenings and not open till late night so you can plan and take a night walk on the beach or just stay in the hostel.

Varkala is all about-

“Swim, stroll, walk up the cliff, guzzle down liquids, read a book, try chess or Scrabble, do yoga, fly a Frisbee, or simply laze in the sun and soak in the sea. “

My blog will be incomplete if I do not mention the people I met there and in no time they became friends for lifetime.

Rufza Tushar Mohit Shrenik Ishan Fadhil

We not only chilled and took long walk on the beach but spent some magical times playing games sitting in the common area of our hostel. I cannot forget the unstoppable streak of Jenga, Othello and UNO. Oh mahn that was some serious times when we were so into it.

Those nights were one of the best nights of my life where giggling bantering sessions didn’t take a pause.

Sharing life experiences and talking about our corporate lives and still managing to survive is something I would always remember.

The night when I was leaving and bidding adieu was a bit difficult and I still feel that in my heart. I knew those memories will keep me going for months and years and it surely has done that so much that I am surviving this lockdown pretty well.

“When solo traveller souls meet they wander together and they create some kickass memories to live life for.”

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