Varkala for remote workers

Why remote workers pick Varkala

Varkala is a small town on the coast of Kerala (now officially Keralam), north of Thiruvananthapuram. Its best known stretch is the red laterite cliff above Papanasam beach, where a long footpath runs past guesthouses, cafés and small shops with the sea below. It is one of the few places in Keralam where you can walk from your room to a café, work for a few hours, and be on the beach before sunset without needing a vehicle.

That routine is what draws remote workers. The town is used to long-stay visitors, many hosts already get asked about Wi-Fi and desks, and the pace is slower than Kochi. It is also on the main railway line and within reach of an international airport, so getting in and out is simple.

It is not right for everyone. If you need a coworking space with meeting rooms every day, or you get restless without city life, start in Kochi and come to Varkala for a week or two once your routine is set. Our practical guide to a workation in Kerala compares the main bases side by side.

Getting there and getting around

• By air: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is the nearest, roughly 45 to 50 km away by road. Kochi airport is further north and works if you find a better fare there.
• By train: Varkala Sivagiri railway station is on the main line along the coast, with regular trains from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kochi and beyond. The station is a short auto-rickshaw ride from the cliff.
• Around town: the cliff area is walkable. For anything further, autos and app-based rides are the usual options, and some visitors rent a scooter for longer stays. Agree the fare or check the app price before you start.

Thiruvananthapuram is close enough for a day trip if you need a bank, a hospital visit, a bigger shopping run or a change of scene.

Where to stay: the main areas

We do not recommend specific hotels or cafés here, because they open, close and change hands often, and quality varies by room. Instead, use the area to narrow your search, then check the individual stay carefully.

For a stay of a month or more, ask hosts about a monthly rate. Long stays are common here, and many places offer them, especially outside the peak months.

Internet: what to check before you pay

Connection quality in Varkala depends on the building, not the town. One guesthouse can have fibre broadband while the one next door relies on a mobile hotspot. Do these checks before you pay a deposit:

• Ask for a speed test from your room. A screenshot taken in the room you will use, at the time of day you will work, tells you more than any listing.
• Ask whether it is fibre or mobile data. Fibre broadband is usually more stable for video calls.
• Ask about power backup. Short power cuts happen, especially in stormy weather. Check whether the inverter or generator keeps the router running.
• Carry your own backup. Get a local SIM from a different network from your stay's broadband and use it as a hotspot. Test the signal in your room in the first hour.
• Check the desk and chair. A sea view is nice, but a proper table and a chair you can sit in for six hours matter more.

Working from cafés: a simple etiquette

Varkala's cliff path is lined with cafés, and many are happy to have people working on laptops. A few habits keep it that way:

• Order regularly if you are staying for several hours, and avoid taking a large table alone at lunch or sunset, when it gets busy.
• Ask before plugging in. Not every table has a socket, and some places prefer you do not charge at peak times.
• Use headphones for calls, and step outside for long ones.
• Look for indoor seating with a fan or air conditioning for the hotter months. Open-air seating is pleasant in the evening but tiring at midday.

Spend your first two or three days trying different places at the times you actually work. You will quickly find two or three that suit you, and staff often start to recognise regulars.

Seasons: when to go

October to March is the dry season and the main tourist season. The cliff is busiest from around December to February. Book early for those months and expect higher prices.

April and May are the hottest months. Air conditioning in your room and your working space becomes important.

June to September is the southwest monsoon. The town is much quieter, many cliff businesses reduce hours or close for the season, and the sea is rough. It is also green, calm and often cheaper, which suits people who mostly work from their room. Read our guide to a monsoon workation in Kerala before you plan a rainy-season stay.

A sample working day and practical notes

Varkala runs on India Standard Time (UTC+5:30). That is 1.5 hours ahead of the UAE and Oman and 2.5 hours ahead of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, so Gulf working hours fit inside a normal day here. For UK and European clients, your afternoon and evening overlap with their morning.

• Morning: a walk or swim before the heat, then focused work in your room.
• Afternoon: calls and meetings, from your room or a quiet café.
• Evening: the cliff at sunset, dinner, and an early night if you have early calls.

A few practical points:

• Respect local customs. Varkala is also a pilgrimage town. Papanasam beach and the Janardhana Swamy Temple area are important to many visitors, and Sivagiri, linked to Sree Narayana Guru, is close by. Dress modestly away from the beach.
• Be careful on the cliff. Parts of the path are close to the edge without railings, and the cliff can erode after heavy rain. Use a torch at night.
• Swim where it is safe. Currents can be strong. Swim near lifeguards and stay out of the water when flags or staff say so.
• Keep cash and cards. UPI and cards are widely accepted in Keralam, but small places sometimes prefer cash.

Want to compare Varkala with other options? See our honest comparison of Kochi and Goa for digital nomads, and what the state has been doing in our piece on Kerala's workation push. When you are ready to plan, start at Work from Keralam or browse places on Discover Kerala.