r/varkala

I’ll be in Varkala from 16-19 July and I’m looking for safe (esp for female solo travellers), hygienic and chill hostels. Distance to the beach is an important deciding factor too. No bs reviews really appreciated.

Some names I’ve found: Molly’s (super mixed reviews) Barefoot Cliff & Coral (few people mentioned it should be avoided) Hope

Also suggest what I could do there, since I’ll be reaching on 16th evening and go back on 19th morning.

Hi I am visiting varkala this month end, and this place cafe Sarwaa has been popping up all over my feed and I want to go there once during my trip. I heard that it’s hard to get a table.
So any suggestions on how to get a table?

Were can we get beer and alcohol in varkala cliff like resto bar not just a bar

I am visiting varkala last week of july and want to know will any beach be open, I see people saying everything will be closed. I am visiting for 3 days so want to know if there are other things which I can substitute such as maybe visiting allepy or anything else nearby to varkala ?

Guys can some one help me to figure out best mandhi spots in varkala or nearby

guys whats the best transport to get from varkala to kollam (apart from trains) ?

I have a train from Kollam at 5:38pm, and the closest train to kollam is one that arrives kollam at 4:12 and I will have to wait more than 1 hour 30mins...

I want to know if theres any bus or anything more suitable for this to reduce wait time.

Thank you!!

I really want to visit Varkala, Kochi, Kollam, and Kovalam, but my main goal is getting good photos and enjoying some sunny beach vibes. I'm seeing a lot of dramatic monsoon videos online, but I'm wondering if there are actually solid windows of sunshine during the day, or if the sky just stays cloudy 24/7. If I'm looking for decent lighting and tropical aesthetics for a photoshoot, is the coastal belt going to be a total miss this month? Would love to know what the current vibe is like out there right now.

So I am exploring options to buy a decent property for Airbnb ing in Varkala. I am not able to see any good options on online platforms like old or housing.com. How and where to find good options?

I came to varkala, after 6months, and the scene is quite different than last time….

Due to rain, the beach access is closed, so that is out of question…

Although I like the beach views and the relaxation, honestly I‘m getting somewhat bored just sitting around in the hostel

people who are here- how are you spending your day?

Suggest some beach view rooms in varkala. Planning to visit in August, no plans to do anything except just laze around in the room with sea view. Traveling with husband and 3 year old.

Hi
I had made a booking to Elixir Cliff Beach Resort And Spa Varkala for 1 July to 3 July 2026,
due to an emergency I had to cancel my plan and since ticket from Agoda being non refundable, I am thinking to sell it to someone at same price at which I booked at INR 12,300/-
Interested then please connect with me I have all the original booking reciept, willing to sell this so I don't incur any loss and someone needy can make use of it

https://preview.redd.it/md3v1c826dah1.png?width=788&format=png&auto=webp&s=92c96964ee8d98883d1c4789a0606579209c8afb

https://preview.redd.it/myytwuq76dah1.png?width=367&format=png&auto=webp&s=372481662ff74c68df9a697d1b9d4338b0b27eaf

I’m in a train right now to varkala as of typing this…

day after tomorrow, I’ll be turning 23..

(for the first time on bday) I was away from my family, so thought of going on a solo trip to spend my birth day with myself in a little different way than every-time.

last year has been a crash course of life, transforming and transitioning a lot of things….so its gonna be a great time to reflect back on that

so, I would like to hear thoughts and ideas/inputs of all the things I can do for myself on that day….

bonus points if anyone who has been to varkala before can recommend specific places or activities to try

I came to Trivandrum for a relaxing week exploring the beautiful coastal side of Kerala. Honestly, it was such a good experience.

A big thanks to the fellow Redditors who helped me plan this itinerary, especially with the Poovar boating suggestion. It turned out to be one of the best parts of the trip.

Sharing my 7-day itinerary and experiences below for anyone planning a similar trivandrum trip.

Day 1: Kapil Beach + Kayaking:::

Stay: Gateway Varkala

Kapil Beach

Kayaking experience

Cost: ₹500 per person ,30 minutes (I felt it's a bit expensive for the time maybe because I'm from outside kerala that's why they chargd this much am not sure)

Kapil Lake views

Beach walk

Sunset photos

Relax at resort

Day 2: Varkala Beach & Cliff

Varkala Cliff walk

Varkala Beach

Black Sand Beach

Café hopping

Sunset at the cliff 🌅

Day 3: Varkala.

Anjengo Fort

Janardhana Swamy Temple

Local shopping

Slow morning + beach time.

Cafe reccos::: Darjeeling cafe, cafe trip is life ( the Eng Breakie 😋)

Day 4–5: Kovalam

Stay: Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel & Spa

Lighthouse Beach

Samudra Beach

Beautiful coastal views

Sunset by the sea

Day 5: kovalam

Morning beach walk

Vizhinjam Harbour

Aquarium visit

Day 6 - poovar

Stay: Poovar Island Resort

🛶 Poovar Backwater Boating ( cruoo website - https://cruoo.com/ )

Booked through Cruoo website - cheapest I must say

₹2100 total for 3 people

2 hours boating

Mangrove views

Backwater cruise

River meets sea view

Evening:

Golden Sand Beach

Sunset

Day 7:

Resort breakfast

Final beach time

Definitely a trip I’ll remember for a long time. ❤️

One of the best week escapes I’ve had in kerala.

If you're going to be in Varkala on July 10, there's a Fake Sangeet Party happening in the evening.

🗓️ July 10

⏰ 7:00 PM onwards

🎟️ Entry: ₹500

If you're interested, comment below or send me a DM, and I'll share the booking link.