Essentials
- City
- Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala, India
- Population
- Approximately 40,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-100 Mbps on Fiber (Asianet, BSNL); 5G available via Jio/Airtel
- Currency & Banking
- Indian Rupee (INR). 1 USD ≈ 83.5 INR, 1 EUR ≈ 90.5 INR
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use filtered water or mineral bottles like Bisleri (₹20/L)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/D/M sockets. Power cuts common; ensure accommodation has power backup.
- SIM Card
- Jio and Airtel. Available at Varkala Helipad shops (approx. ₹299/month for 1.5GB/day)
- Banking for Expats
- SBI, ICICI, and HDFC ATMs. Revolut/Wise work, but high ATM fees (₹200-300 per txn)
- Accommodation
- Homestays (₹15,000-30,000/mo), Boutique Resorts (₹50,000+/mo), and Guesthouses.
- Cashless Friendly
- Increasingly common via UPI/Google Pay for locals; International credit cards accepted in larger cafes on the Cliff.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local walk-ins (cheaper for long stays).
- Budget Accommodation
- Zostel Varkala (approx. ₹800/night for a dorm), Lost Hostel (₹600/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- North Cliff (Varkala Cliff) for views, dining, and immediate beach access.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Kurakkanni or South Cliff for quieter environment and better monthly rental deals.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Soul & Surf (Coworking packages available) or various 'Workation' setups at Zostel.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Coffee Temple (North Cliff) - great coffee, reliable Wi-Fi. Inu Zen (quiet garden setting).
- Networking Events
- Friday night social mixers at Soul & Surf; Yoga Teacher Training (TTC) graduation meetups.
- Social Events for Expats
- Varkala Digital Nomads Facebook Group; Kerala Tech Nomads meetups.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber/Ola are limited; use 'Indriver' or local Auto Rickshaws (₹50-150 for short trips).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Monthly rentals from local shops near the Helipad (₹5,000 - ₹8,000 per month for a Honda Activa).
- Best Beach Nearby
- Papanasam Beach (Varkala Beach) for sunset; Black Beach for a quieter vibe.
- Top Regional Airline
- IndiGo, Air India Express flying from Thiruvananthapuram (TRV).
- Top International Airline
- Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad (via TRV International Airport).
- Highway Access
- NH 66 connects Varkala to Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station (VAK) - major stop for Kerala express trains.
- Public Transport Passes
- No digital passes; Pay per ride on KSRTC buses (₹10-50 for regional trips).
- Regional Travel
- Train to Kochi (4 hrs, ₹150 for Sleeper); Bus to Alleppey (₹200).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Sree Narayana Mission Hospital (SNM Hospital) near the railway station.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Pranam Yoga Joseph; AyurSoul (Ayurvedic treatments starting from ₹1,500).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Universal Gym (near Varkala Temple Junction) - basic iron gym (₹1,000/mo).
- Laundry Services
- Numerous shops near North Cliff; approx. ₹50-80 per kg for wash and dry.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Swiggy and Zomato (limited coverage, mostly main town outlets).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Kerala Fish Curry and Appam; Karimeen Pollichathu (Pearl Spot fish).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- True Food (Vegan options), Darjeeling Cafe (Vegetarian-friendly bowls).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Abba Restaurant & Bakery - famous for Apple Pie and Cheese Cakes.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Varkala Main Market (near Temple) for local produce and clothing.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.in and Flipkart (deliveries take 3-5 days to Varkala).
- Grocery Delivery
- BigBasket (limited) or local delivery via Dunzo/Swiggy Genie.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Varkala is quiet (prohibition laws apply); Beer/Wine available at Rock n Roll and God's Own Country Kitchen.
- Local Brewery
- None (Kerala has state-run liquor stores/BevCo; private breweries are rare).
- Wine Bars
- High-end resorts like The Gateway Hotel (Taj) serve wine and spirits.
- Street Food Stalls
- Mundu stalls near the Helipad serving Beef Fry and Parotta (₹100).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Tibetan Kitchen (Momo and Thukpa); Little Tibet.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Varkala Cliff (Geological Monument); Janardanaswamy Temple (2,000 years old).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Varkala Cultural Center (Kathakali and Kalaripayattu performances nightly from 6:30 PM).
- Historical Sites
- Anjengo Fort and Lighthouse (10km away) built by the British East India Company.
- Religious Sites
- Sivagiri Mutt (resting place of social reformer Sree Narayana Guru).
- Annual Events
- Arattu Festival at Janardanaswamy Temple (March/April); Varkala Surf Festival.
- Cultural Districts
- Temple Junction for traditional Kerala atmosphere.
- Theater Venues
- Open-air performances at the Varkala Helipad during festivals.
- Local Markets
- Varkala Maidan market for fish and local textiles.
- Music Scene
- Acoustic nights and drum circles at North Cliff cafes (e.g., Cafe del Mar).
- Street Art
- Murals on Cliff walls depicting local marine life and Hindu deities.
- Cooking Classes
- Priya's Cooking Class (Standard Kerala dishes; approx. ₹1,200 per session).
- Art Galleries
- Local handicraft shops selling Tanjore paintings and wood carvings.
- Historic Buildings
- British era bungalows near Anjengo.
- Local Heritage
- Ayurveda heritage – Varkala is a primary hub for traditional Marma healing.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Kappil Lake and Beach (8km north) - where the backwaters meet the sea.
- National Parks Nearby
- Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary (50km away) – Elephant rehabilitation and lion safari.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Walking the 2km North Cliff path; Cycling route from Varkala to Kappil along the coast.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Edava Cliff – dramatic, less crowded sea views.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Varkala Backwaters / Kappil Lake (Kingfishers, Herons).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Black Beach (permitted by some guesthouses on the sand).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- India Post (Near Railway Station); DHL/Blue Dart via agencies at Helipad.
- Tech Repair Services
- Mobile care shops at Temple Junction (limited; major repairs require Thiruvananthapuram).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Some hostels like Zostel have recreational tables.
- Language Classes
- Local tutors for Malayalam; many Yoga schools offer basic Sanskrit.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Sivagiri Mutt Library (Religious and philosophical texts).
- Community Centers
- Narayana Gurukula (Philosophy and study center).
- Gaming Lounges
- Small internet cafes in the main market with basic PC gaming.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Prohibited in Kerala.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ₹110,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₹4,400,000 / $53,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ₹75,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₹3,000,000 / $36,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ₹100,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₹6,000,000 / $72,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ₹65,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₹3,900,000 / $47,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ₹90,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₹7,200,000 / $86,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ₹55,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₹4,400,000 / $53,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% for domestic companies (plus surcharge/cess).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for residents; 20% for non-residents.
- Tax System
- Residence-based (Residents taxed on worldwide income).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 30% (excluding cess/surcharge) for income above ₹1,500,000.
- VAT
- GST (Goods and Services Tax) - usually 5%, 12%, or 18%.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- POEM (Place of Effective Management) rules apply.
- Property Tax
- Yes, annual tax paid to Varkala Municipality based on plinth area.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp duty (8%) and Registration fee (2%) in Kerala.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa; most stay on 180-day e-Tourist visas (not for local work).