Best Hotels in Varkala

About Varkala

A long, low hum comes off the Arabian Sea at Varkala just after sunrise, when the cliffside cafés are still dragging chairs out and the first chai of the day steams in glass tumblers. The town sits on a rare stretch of laterite cliff that drops straight into a pale-gold beach, so you’re not just “going to the sea” here-you’re looking down at it from red rock, watching waves fold in like slow, patient laundry. Walk the cliff path and you’ll hear three languages in ten steps, smell filter coffee and incense at the same time, and see priests heading to a puja while backpackers argue (kindly) about surfboard wax. That mix is exactly why hotels in Varkala feel different from bigger Kerala beach belts: intimate, slightly improvised, and full of tiny quirks that don’t make it to glossy brochures.

The town has two hearts. One beats around Papanasam Beach and the cliff walk: this is where cliff-view rooms, yoga shalas, and candlelit seafood grills cluster, stacked above shacks selling harem pants and silver rings. The other sits inland around the Janardhana Swamy Temple and Sivagiri, where pilgrim lodges, homely guesthouses, and more old-school vegetarian eateries anchor daily life. Booking the best hotels in Varkala means deciding which world you want: waves first or temples first. A small detail that matters at check-in time-wifi and card machines sometimes drop when the evening storm rolls in, so having cash and a screenshot of your booking saves a lot of shrugging at reception. Heat and light shape the rhythm here. From late morning to mid-afternoon, the cliff gets bright enough that you start scanning for the next shade patch, which is why cliffside hotels in Varkala quietly turn their fans to “turbo” and draw half the curtains during this window. 

Explore curated Varkala tour packages that combine sightseeing, beach relaxation, and cultural experiences, booking through trusted portals like akbartravels.com ensures the best deals, customizable itineraries, and hassle-free planning.

Varkala Airport Address

Varkala does not have its own airport, so the closest air hub is Trivandrum International Airport in Thiruvananthapuram. The formal details matter when you’re filling in transfer forms or sharing location pins with a late-night taxi.

• Name: Trivandrum International Airport (TRV).
• Address: Airport Road, Chacka, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695008, India.
• Contact: Main phone line is around the +91‑471‑2XXX000 band, and the official email follows the standard AAI format listed on their website; it’s worth saving both before you fly.

Taxi counters outside arrivals quote a flat rate to Varkala; the ride is about 40–50 km depending on your route, and the air-conditioning alone feels worth the fare after a humid landing.

The Best Time to Visit Varkala

One practical rule: if humidity bothers you, avoid late May to early September when monsoon clouds hang low and the sea turns moodier. From late November to February, the air dries out just enough that evening walks on the cliff feel crisp, and sunrise dips don’t leave you gasping for breath before breakfast. That period also aligns with peak domestic holiday traffic, so hotels in Varkala adjust tariffs upward once New Year’s week crosses about 70% occupancy.

March and April bring hotter days but softer prices. The sea stays swimmable in the mornings, yet sand can sting bare feet by noon, so shaded pools or garden courtyards become surprisingly valuable amenities in hotels in Varkala. Late-December Sivagiri pilgrimage weeks shift availability inland-pilgrim lodges fill first, then spillover demand creeps toward beachside rooms, which is why early planning through platforms like akbartravels.com can bail you out when dates are fixed.

How to Reach Varkala

By air:

Most visitors fly into Trivandrum International Airport, about an hour to ninety minutes away by road depending on traffic snarls near Kazhakootam. Prepaid taxis at the airport work on fixed slabs; if you land post‑10 p.m., drivers may quietly expect a small night surcharge, so asking the counter clearly avoids awkward haggling later. Booking hotels in Varkala near airport isn’t really a thing-staying in the city on arrival night then heading to Varkala the next morning gives better choices and calmer driving conditions.

By rail:

Varkala Sivagiri railway station sits a few kilometres inland from the cliff, with steady links to Kochi, Trivandrum, and beyond. Porters know that tired backpacks look and quote slightly inflated rates for luggage; agreeing a small discount with a smile and exact cash helps both sides. Auto‑rickshaw rides to the cliff area cost about the price of a budget thali meal, and this is where hotels in Varkala near railway station make sense if you’re arriving late and hate long transfers.

By road:

State-run KSRTC buses and private coaches connect Varkala with Trivandrum and Kollam, rolling through coconut groves and small junction markets. Night buses are less popular here than in bigger routes, so you’ll mostly deal with early morning or daytime arrivals, which line up nicely with standard hotel check‑in windows. Self‑drive cars should budget an extra 20–30 minutes buffer on weekends due to wedding traffic, as marriage halls add surprise bottlenecks that no online map predicts.

Things to Do in Varkala

• Varkala Cliff: Walk the red laterite cliff edge with uninterrupted Arabian Sea views and a string of cafés.
• Papanasam Beach: Swim, watch rituals, and let the black sand pockets crunch softly underfoot at low tide.
• Janardhana Swamy Temple: Visit this ancient hilltop Vishnu temple just inland from the beach for quiet, incense-filled courtyards.
• Sivagiri Mutt: Explore the serene ashram complex founded by Sree Narayana Guru, especially calm in the late afternoon breeze.
• Kappil Lake: Take a slow boat along this backwater strip where palms lean so low they touch their own reflections.
• Edava Beach: Escape the crowds at this quieter stretch where backwaters kiss the sea along a narrow strip of sand.
• Anjengo (Anchuthengu) Fort: Wander through a compact colonial-era fort and catch sea views framed by old stone ramparts.
• Varkala Tunnel: Peek at this old laterite canal tunnel, a reminder of pre‑highway trading routes and patient engineering.
• Black Beach: Walk down from the cliff to this darker-sand cove popular with early-morning swimmers and sunset photographers.
• Jatayu Earth’s Center (nearby): Take a day trip to see the huge Jatayu sculpture on a hilltop and ride the cable car above rocky scrubland.

Shopping in Varkala

• Tibetan Market, North Cliff – Silver jewellery, singing bowls, and floaty clothes; bargaining stays friendly.
• Little Tibet Handicrafts – Compact shop for prayer flags, brass items, and thicker cotton throws that survive more than one wash.
• Cliff Promenade Stalls – A chain of nameless but reliable kiosks where you grab anklets, fridge magnets, and last‑minute beachwear.
• Kerala Spices Corner – Jars of cardamom, pepper, and masala mixes; the smell hits you before the signboard.
• Coconut Grove Boutique – Handpicked resort wear and kaftans, pricier but stitched better than the average stall stock.
• Varkala Bazaar (inland) – Everyday prices on steel utensils, plastic buckets, and sari fabric-handy if staying in hotel apartments in Varkala.
• Ayurvedic Soap & Oil Shops near Temple – Small pharmacies selling medicated oils and soaps that locals actually buy for joint pain.
• Book Nook on the Cliff – Used paperbacks, yoga manuals, and the odd European novel left by departing guests.
• Bamboo Craft Corner – Baskets and lamps made just outside town, good for light souvenirs that don’t kill your luggage allowance.
• Seashell Lane – A short stretch of stalls near the beach selling carved shells, keychains, and slightly kitschy mementos.
• Tea & Cashew Stores near Station – Packets of chai blends and roasted cashews, great for gifting colleagues back home.
• Tailor Kiosk beside Cliff Path – Quick fixes for broken zips or too‑long hemlines; helpful when a new dress doesn’t quite fit.
• Handloom Co‑op Outlet – More sober lungis, dupattas, and towels woven in nearby districts.
• Small Fruit Carts – Bananas, tender coconuts, and guavas; not “shopping” in the usual sense but these vendors save tired parents daily.

Famous Restaurants in Varkala

• Café del Mar – Cliffside favourite for seafood grills, big breakfasts, and a front‑row sunset seat.
• ABBA Restaurant & Everest German Bakery – Long menu, from momos to fish, with a relaxed terrace vibe.
• Darjeeling Café – Colourful corner with live music nights and steam rising from momos baskets.
• Coffee Temple – Compact café near the cliff steps serving strong espresso and honest pancakes.
• Trattorias – Pizza and pasta with sea breeze thrown in; good for carb‑loading after long swims.
• God’s Own Country Kitchen – Kerala meals on banana leaf, with fish curry that stains your fingers a satisfying orange.
• Oottupura Vegetarian – Simple South Indian meals and evening dosas, popular with temple‑going families.
• Clafouti Restaurant – Attached to a cliff resort, known for its views and tandoor.
• Sea Queen – Beach‑level shacks grilling catch‑of‑the‑day under string lights.
• Juice Shack – Fresh juices and fruit bowls when the mid‑day sun hits too hard.
• Little Tibet Café – Momos, thukpa, and butter tea in a slightly smoky, comforting space.
• Soul & Surf Café – Brunch‑style dishes and decent coffee inside a surf‑yoga property.
• Local Thattukadas (street carts) – Night‑time parotta, beef fry, and tea under buzzing tube lights just off the main road.

Popular Hotels in Varkala

• Hindustan Beach Retreat – Beachfront, with a proper pool and direct sand access.
• The Gateway Hotel (Taj Varkala) – A Varkala 5 star hotel footprint with lawns and more formal service.
• Clafouti Beach Resort – Cluster of cottages along the cliff with sea‑facing restaurant.
• Akhil Beach Resort – Garden‑style property slightly back from the cliff with quieter nights.
• Bluewater Beach Resort – Closer to quieter stretches, good if crowds annoy you.
• Puthooram Beach Resort – Simple rooms right on the action strip of the cliff walk.
• Black Beach Resort – Near the darker-sand cove, walkable to the main cliff but calmer.
• Deshadan Cliff & Beach Resort – Perched a bit above, with pool and decent sunset lines.
• Villa Jacaranda – Boutique guesthouse feel, more personal hosting and a leafy yard.
• Soul & Surf – Surf‑yoga retreat with relaxed, social common areas.
• Krishnatheeram Ayur Holy Beach Resort – Ayurvedic flavour, with sea‑view spots for post‑treatment lounging.
• Rajapark Beach Resort – Walkable to the cliff yet sheltered from late‑night music.
• Varkala Marine Palace – Low‑rise, almost on the sand, handy for sunrise swimmers.
• Palm Tree Heritage – Further toward Odayam, good if you like space and sea together.

These Varkala famous hotels repeatedly show up when people compare where they slept best versus what they paid.

Popular Resorts in Varkala

• Krishnatheeram Ayur Holy Beach Resort – Ayurveda packages with sea breezes between sessions.
• Deshadan Cliff & Beach Resort – Pool, views, and a mix of rooms for couples and families.
• Hindustan Beach Retreat – Almost resort‑like in scale, with lawns and pool beside the beach road.
• Palm Tree Heritage – Quiet beachfront setting beyond the busiest cliff stretches.
• Akhil Beach Resort – Coconut‑filled garden, relaxed restaurant, and a tucked‑away feel.
• Bluewater Beach Resort – Compact but scenic, facing a gentler strip of sand.
• Sanskruti Resort – Slightly inland, with yoga and wellness on the pitch.
• Clafouti Beach Resort – Cliffside cottages that function like a resort cluster.
• The Gateway Hotel – Larger grounds and higher service level for those who like structure.
• Soul & Surf – Structured surf and yoga days, communal meals, and mellow evenings.
• Black Beach Resort – Focus on proximity to water and laid‑back beach days.
• Villa Jacaranda – More guesthouse‑meets‑mini‑resort, but with curated hosting.
• Varkala Marine Palace – Older‑school charm, with chairs right on the sand edge.

Where to Stay in Varkala

Choosing the best places to stay in Varkala starts with a simple fork: cliff, beach, or town. Cliffside hotels in Varkala give constant sea noise, instant café access, and that feeling of walking out of your room straight into holiday mode, but they also pick up late‑night music and early‑morning delivery clatter. Beach‑level spots suit strong swimmers and sunrise walkers; sand in your flip‑flops becomes part of life, and you learn exactly how fast a towel dries on a balcony rail.

The town and temple‑area feels more local. Morning sounds here are temple bells and scooter horns, not waves and EDM, and food skews toward dosa, chai, and vada. This zone hides cheap hotels in Varkala that don’t list aggressively online but show up via word‑of‑mouth or platforms like akbartravels.com, where filters for guest rating and exact distance from the beach keep guesswork low.

Places to Stay in Varkala Near Popular Attractions

• Near Varkala Cliff & Papanasam Beach: Hindustan Beach Retreat, Clafouti Beach Resort, Akhil Beach Resort, Puthooram Beach Resort. All sit within a short walk of the main cliff path and beach steps, which means sunset strolls require zero planning.
• Near Black Beach: Black Beach Resort and Palm Tree Heritage cater to those who like slightly quieter sands but still want café access.
• Near Kappil Lake: Bluewater Beach Resort and a handful of smaller homestays cluster closer to this backwater‑sea junction, better if kayaking beats shopping on your plan.
• Near Janardhana Swamy Temple: Budget lodges and 2 star hotel Varkala options sit within walking distance, convenient during festivals when traffic restrictions tighten.
• Near Sivagiri Mutt: Pilgrim guesthouses and modest hotels in Varkala focus on clean rooms and early breakfasts here, not sea views.

This layout means you plan morning and evening routines around where your pillow is-less commuting, more actual holiday.

Budget Hotels in Varkala

Budget‑friendly hotels in Varkala cluster around the cliff back‑lanes and near the railway station. Look for smaller guesthouses with tiled floors, ceiling fans, and shared verandas where clotheslines double as social networks. The cheapest hotel in Varkala on any given weekend changes based on last‑minute cancellations, but single‑room rates can drop into the range of a nice city dinner if you’re flexible with AC and exact view.

• Book Sunday–Thursday when wedding groups thin out and rates soften by ₹600–₹1,000 per night.
• Check listing details for 24‑hour check‑in, which helps if your train timing is wild.
• Use akbartravels.com filters to cap your nightly budget and sort by guest ratings above 7.5, then message properties for exact distance to the cliff steps.

This way, cheap hotels in Varkala stop being a gamble and become a strategic choice.

Varkala Hotels by Star Rating

Varkala doesn’t overflow with branded 5 star hotels, but the upper end exists in a compact circle. A Varkala 5 star hotel like The Gateway Hotel offers structured service, landscaped gardens, and more polished rooms, while luxury hotels in Varkala such as Hindustan Beach Retreat focus on beachfront romance with pools and sunset‑ready terraces.

Mid‑range 3–4 star hotels in Varkala combine AC rooms, decent breakfasts, and maybe a pool with walking access to the cliff. Below that, 2 star hotel Varkala properties lean on cleanliness and location over bells and whistles-think neat tiles, basic furniture, and hot water that arrives after a short wait on cooler mornings. This layered scene means you can match star rating to travel style instead of chasing labels.

Best Hotels in Varkala Based on Location

For pure sea access, Hindustan Beach Retreat and Varkala Marine Palace lead the pack, as you step from lobby to sand in a handful of strides. Clafouti Beach Resort and Deshadan Cliff & Beach Resort nail the cliffside sweet spot-just enough elevation for drama, just few enough steps that an after‑dinner walk doesn’t feel like punishment. In this bracket, calling them the best hotels in Varkala by view isn’t an exaggeration. 

For quieter nights, Palm Tree Heritage, Bluewater Beach Resort, and Black Beach Resort win points by sitting slightly removed from the busiest cliff zone. Inland, Villa Jacaranda and some compact boutique guesthouses trade sea roar for leafy courtyards and bird calls, which matters to light sleepers more than any spa treatment could. Hotel apartments in Varkala near the bazaar suit long‑stay workers who need a desk, a kitchen corner, and walking access to stationery shops and xerox booths charging about ₹2 per copy.

Family-Friendly Hotels in Varkala

Families with kids need predictable routines: safe water access, flexible meal times, and staff who don’t panic at spilled juice. Hindustan Beach Retreat offers a pool with clear sightlines from loungers, and the beach road out front keeps vehicle speeds lower than highways. Akhil Beach Resort’s gardens give children room to wander under watchful eyes, while breakfast buffets here tend to have toast‑eggs‑idli combos that cover picky eaters and adventurous ones.​

Some staff are strict about pool timing; others loosen up if you explain politely that your child is just taking “one last dip.” Family‑run guesthouses inland sometimes arrange auto‑rickshaw packages to the beach and back at set daily rates, avoiding the “no rickshaws during evening puja” scramble. Checking photos for lift access and ground‑floor rooms matters if traveling with strollers or older relatives.

Varkala Hotels Tariff

Tariffs in Varkala swing according to three dials: season, weekend vs weekday, and event load (weddings, retreats, festivals). When occupancy sits under 60%, mid‑range non‑AC doubles might hover at a comfortable bracket, while AC and sea‑view premiums push higher; hit New Year’s week or big yoga festival dates and you’ll see about 30–50% uplift across the board. This is where careful Varkala hotel price comparison saves money-checking two or three aggregators plus the hotel’s own site, and maybe a quick look at akbartravels.com, before locking dates.

Varkala Travel Tips

1. Use Thiruvananthapuram Airport smartly: Varkala city doesn’t have its own airport; the nearest one is Trivandrum International Airport in Thiruvananthapuram, roughly 40–50 km away. To secure the best fares, it’s advisable to book cheap flights to Thiruvananthapuram well in advance.
2. Time your visit with your priorities: For calmer seas and comfortable evenings, aim for late November to February. For better room rates and thinner crowds, look at March–early May or right after the monsoon, when demand dips and hotels are keener to fill rooms.
3. Book cliff or beach stays early in peak season: Cliff‑edge and beach‑front stays sell out first over Christmas, New Year, and public‑holiday long weekends. Once occupancy crosses about 70–80%, remaining rooms get noticeably pricier, so locking these locations 40–60 days ahead saves both stress and money.
4. Stay near the cliff if you like walking everywhere: North Cliff puts cafés, shops, yoga studios, and the main beach steps within a short stroll. Walking to most places means no constant auto‑rickshaw haggling and easy mid‑day returns to your room between swims, meals, or quick showers.
5. Use the railway station area for budget stays: Around Varkala Sivagiri station you’ll find simpler guesthouses and lodges at friendlier nightly costs. If a 10–15 minute rickshaw ride to the beach is fine, this zone keeps your budget in check and makes early‑morning or late‑night train travel easier.
6. Plan your day around the sun, not just the sea: Midday sun on the sand and cliff steps can feel harsh and draining. Do longer swims and walks before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., and keep the bright middle hours for brunch, naps, or ayurvedic sessions in shaded courtyards.
7. Respect sea conditions and safety flags: Waves can hide strong currents at certain times of year and tide. Swim only in flagged zones, stay close to lifeguard posts, and skip late‑night or alcohol‑fuelled dips so a “quick swim” doesn’t turn into a rescue.
8. Carry a mix of cash and digital payment options: Cliff cafés and hotels handle UPI and cards, but power and network glitches are not rare. Keep small cash handy for autos, coconut stalls, temple offerings, and those “machine not working” moments at checkout.
9. Book ayurvedic treatments with clear details: Ayurveda spots range from simple massage rooms to full doctor‑led centres. Before paying, confirm how many sessions you get, their duration, whether consultation and medicines are included, and exactly which days and times they’re scheduled.
10. Choose footwear that grips: Paths and steps around the cliff can get sandy, wet, or slightly mossy after rain. Sandals or flip‑flops with decent grip reduce slipping risks when you climb back from the beach with wet feet or walk in light drizzle.
11. Use local transport smartly: Auto‑rickshaws and small taxis connect the cliff, town, and nearby spots like Kappil or Anjengo. Fix the fare before the ride, keep near‑exact change, and if you rent a scooter, photograph existing scratches so the return stays calm and friendly.
12. Pack modest clothing for temple visits: Beachwear works on the sand and cliff but not at Janardhana Swamy Temple or Sivagiri Mutt. A light shawl, scarf, or loose pants in your day bag means you can enter temples comfortably without last‑minute shopping or being turned away.
13. Double‑check stay locations, not just photos: Listings may say “near the beach” even if the route involves steep or unlit shortcuts. Use maps and reviews to gauge real distance, then call or message the property to confirm walking time and access so what you expect matches what you find.
14. Protect both skin and devices: Salt, sun, and sand are tough on people and electronics. Use reef‑friendly sunscreen, a hat or scarf, simple dry pouches or zip bags for phones, and rinse skin with fresh water after sea dips to avoid rashes and slow gadget wear.
15. Plan day trips with a small buffer: Side visits to Kappil Lake, Anjengo Fort, or Jatayu Earth’s Center can stretch with traffic or long meals. Leave with at least an extra hour in your plan so you’re back in Varkala before it’s fully dark, with time for a shower, sunset, and an unhurried dinner.

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