Our seasonal visits to Varkala were two visits to the North Cliff, and we were seeking the same thing, which was the coffee on a balcony and the Arabian Sea right in front of you, and at prices that were less than those of the boutiques.
Here is our candid review of low-end sea-view rooms on the cliff: what we paid, what we enjoyed, what was mediocre and so on, and what to look at before you make a reservation. Varkala is one of the best value sea-view properties in India, but only at the right moment and the right place.
Getting There and Best Time
- Varkala town, Kerala. The cliff prominence is above the Papanasam/Black Beach that has cafes, yoga shalas and guesthouses.
- Reach:
Train: Varkala Sivagiri (4–5 km to the cliff; autos ₹120–200).
Flight: Trivandrum (TRV) 45–55 km; Kochi (COK) ~165 km.
Taxi: TRV → Varkala ₹1,600–2,400 one way depending on time/vehicle.
Best months: November-March when the weather is dry and evenings are breezy. It is very hot in mid-day in April-May but bearable by the sea. Monsoon (June-Sept) is gorgeous with a few cliff steps and paths being slippery and some of the stays being closed down to repair.
Quick Planner: Distance, Time and Typical Costs
| Budget cliff room (partial/front sea view) | ₹1,200–2,200 (shoulder) / ₹2,500–4,000 (Dec–Jan) | AC often extra or night‑only; small balconies |
| Mid‑range cliff boutique | ₹4,500–8,000 | Larger balconies, better soundproofing |
| Auto within town | ₹80–180 | Bargain politely; many places walkable |
| Scooter rental | ₹400–600/day | Handy for South Cliff, Kappil, Anjengo |
| Cafe coffee/breakfast | ₹140–280 | Cliff cafés add view markup |
| Simple Kerala meals | ₹160–320 | Best value off the cliff in town |
| Beach beds/umbrellas | ₹100–300 | Prices vary by season |
| Yoga drop‑in | ₹350–700 | Many studios around the cliff |
Where Budget Sea‑View Rooms Sit on the Cliff
- North Cliff is the central street–perpetual cafes, stores, and majority of sea-view lodgings. Budget rooms are usually:
On top of cafes (1 or 2 levels high)– fantastic scenery, some cafe sound to around 10:30 PM.
In little streets directly over the prom, but less sea view, and stiller, with more sleep. - South Cliff is less busy and more residential; there are sea-view rooms, which are fewer. You’ll walk more for cafes.
Our Stay: What We Paid and What We Got
- Trip 1 (Jan weekday): ₹2,900/night in a simple AC double, view of the sea directly, small balcony. Advantages: the sunrise light, 4-minute walks to the beach, clean linen. Disadvantages: humming generators when having dinner, Wi-Fi connection decreased during peak cafe time, average shower pressure.
- Trip 2 (shoulder season in March): ₹1,850/night on a three-quarter sea-view room in a lane 2 minutes off the cliff. Advantages: no noise, good Wi-Fi, larger bathroom. Cons: had a view of slice of blue and not of full horizon, no lift (two flights of stairs).
- Bottom line: We will be happy to pay ₹2-3k partial/front view in case we have clean bathrooms, balcony, and dependable power back up. Anything further than [?]3.5-4k would have improved soundproofing and a broader balcony.
What to Check Before You Book
| Item to confirm | Why it matters | What we ask the host |
|---|---|---|
| View type (front vs partial) | Many listings call side glimpses “sea view” | Ask for a balcony photo from your exact room number |
| Floor + stairs | No lifts; some rooms are 2–3 flights up | Count steps if traveling with seniors/kids |
| AC hours + power backup | Outages happen; inverters may not run AC | “Is AC 24×7? Does inverter power fans/lights?” |
| Night noise | Cliff cafés play music till ~10:30 PM | “How close are speakers? Is there quiet hours policy?” |
| Bathroom exhaust & hot water | Humidity + salt air = damp | “Geyser working? Ventilation/exhaust fan working?” |
| Wi‑Fi strength | Many work remote here | Ask for speed test screenshot (even 10–20 Mbps helps) |
| Balcony rail height & privacy | Safety for kids; café rooftops nearby | “Private balcony? Any shared terrace overlooking?” |
| Parking | Cliff lanes are tight | “Where do we park? Is it paid/secured?” |
| Monsoon maintenance | Salt spray erodes fittings | “When was last paint/bathroom refresh?” |
2‑Day Cliff Plan (Relaxed but Complete)
Day 1: Cliff + Papanasam
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast with a view; check in or drop baggage.
- 10:00 AM: Swim/paddle in Papanasam (follow flags; the currents change).
- Noon: Kerala has lunch at a mess in town off the cliff.
- 4.30 PM: Golden hour walk along North Cliff; pictures on points.
- Sunset: Seat on the steps on the helipad side; have dinner in some quiet cafe.
Day 2: Black Beach + South Cliff + Kappil
- 7:00 AM: Stroll to Black Beach; tide pools and a small number of people.
- 10:00 AM: Scooter/ auto to Kappil Beach and Edava backwaters (flat, photogenic).
- 1:30 PM: Lunch at Varkala town; have fish fry/curries.
- 4:30 PM: Sunset Coffee or Yoga drop-in on the cliff again.
Food, Transport and Practical Tips
- Food: Cliff cafes are costlier but you are paying the view; you can save money, you can eat one meal/day on the cliffs and have a town mess on the other.
- Water/salt: It takes forever to dry Parishes on the balcony drying with sea–bring dry-clean clothes. Store electronics in zip pockets; salt air is deceitful.
- Prices: UPI is accepted; carry ₹500-1,000 beach beds/parking/small stalls.
- Safety: Cliff edges are not completely fenced- respect. Only swim in marked zones and pay attention to the lifeguards.
- Connection: Wi-Fi: Jio/Airtel are good; Wi-Fi: Depends on the number of people in the cafe–check the speed before committing to phone calls.
Do’s and Don’ts for First‑Timers
| Book with recent photos and ask for the actual room number | Assume “sea view” means front‑row horizon |
| Pack earplugs if you’re light‑sensitive to cafe music | Expect silence before 10:30 PM in peak season |
| Choose partial‑view lanes for quiet sleep | Drag heavy suitcases—cliff stairs are real |
| Swim with flags and mornings only if unsure about current | Climb unsafe edges for photos |
| Eat one meal off the cliff for true Kerala flavors | Leave trash on steps or beach |
Pros and Cons (Our Verdict)
| Horizon views from balconies at budget prices (₹1.8–3k shoulder season) | Music from cafés carries until quiet hours (~10:30 PM) |
| Walk‑everywhere vibe—beach, yoga, cafés, viewpoints | Many rooms are up stairs; limited lifts |
| Sunsets and morning swims minutes from your door | Salt air = damp rooms if ventilation is poor |
| Easy access from Trivandrum and great for 2–3‑night breaks | Wi‑Fi fluctuates with café crowds; power cuts need backup |
| Friendly homestay hosts and good value town food | December–January rates jump; book early |
Our rating for budget cliff stays: 4.1/5 for value and vibe when you pick carefully.
Conclusion
When you need to wake up at the sea without luxury rates, the cliff in Varkala can work the magic, although it takes a realistic attitude on your part to stairs, evening noise, salt-air peculiarities. We had spent the best times in plain, clean rooms, with half or front views, a balcony large enough to hold coffee mugs, and indulgent landlords.
Being able to ask the right questions, to choose the right lane, which should be right out of the main strip in case you are a light sleeper, and to schedule the visit during shoulder months, which makes the best value.
