Varkala
Cliffside ocean views. Surf, yoga, and ocean-view desks.
Overview
Varkala is built along a single, dramatic red-laterite cliff that drops into the Arabian Sea. The cliff path is lined with cafés, yoga shalas, and surf shops — a small, walkable strip that has quietly become one of South Asia's most loved long-stay destinations for remote workers.
Why work from here
Mornings for surf or sun salutations. Afternoons for deep work with the ocean on the horizon. Varkala suits creatives, founders, and writers who need scale-out time outside the call.
Beachfront Stays
Cliff-edge studios and garden cottages with sea-facing workspaces.
Surf Lifestyle
Year-round beach breaks suitable for beginners and improvers.
Yoga & Wellness
Daily drop-in classes, week-long retreats, and authentic Ayurveda.
Ocean-View Workspaces
Verified cafés and stays with stable wifi and a horizon view.
Digital Nomad Community
A long-standing, international community — easy to land, hard to leave.
Top Experiences
In and around Varkala.
- 01Sunset Surf Sessions
- 02Cliffside Yoga
- 03Ayurvedic Treatments
- 04Janardanaswamy Temple
- 05Kappil Backwaters Day Trip
A day in Varkala
A sample rhythm from our long-stay guests — adapt it to your own.
- 06:00
Dawn surf
Clean morning sets at Black Beach. Boards from the local shacks.
- 08:30
Cliffside breakfast
Fresh fruit, dosa, and filter coffee with the Arabian Sea at eye level.
- 10:00
Deep work block
Studio desk with sea view — fibre wifi rated for video.
- 13:30
Long lunch
Catch of the day at a cliff café, then a short nap in the shade.
- 15:00
Calls
Afternoons align with European mornings — bookable quiet rooms when needed.
- 18:00
Sunset yoga
Open-air shala on the cliff, finishing as the sun drops into the sea.
What it costs
From ₹20,000+ a week.
Indicative rates from our verified partners. Final pricing is shared on enquiry.
Weekly stay
₹20,000+
Cliff-edge cottage, breakfast included.
Monthly stay
₹60,000+
Sea-view studio with workspace and kitchenette.
Surf lesson
₹1,500
90-minute private lesson with board and rashguard.
Yoga drop-in
₹500
Vinyasa, ashtanga, or yin — multiple shalas daily.
Getting there & living here
- Nearest airport
- Trivandrum International (TRV) — 1 hr by taxi
- Rail head
- Varkala Sivagiri — 10 min from the cliff
- Local transport
- Walkable cliff strip. Scooters ₹400/day for exploring.
- Language
- Malayalam · English fluent along the cliff
- Power
- 230V, occasional brownouts — partners run inverters.
- Coworking
- 2 dedicated spaces + verified café desks
Worth the detour
Day trips from Varkala.
15 min away
Kappil Backwaters
Where the backwater meets the sea — quiet kayaking.
30 min away
Anjengo Fort
Coastal Dutch-era fort, lighthouse, fisherman village.
1.5 hr away
Poovar Island
Estuary islands, mangroves, golden-sand beach.
Questions
Good to know.
Can I learn to surf here as a beginner?+
Yes. Varkala's beach breaks are forgiving and there are certified instructors year-round. Most guests are riding waves within a week.
Is the cliff safe at night?+
Very. The strip is well-lit, social, and walkable. It's the safest pedestrian zone in the region.
Will my call drop during monsoon?+
We don't recommend Varkala in June–August. Outside that window, our verified stays maintain stable fibre.
Are there long-stay discounts?+
Yes — 4-week and 8-week packages with a ~20% discount, plus included airport transfer.
Begin
Plan your Varkala workation.
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