Accommodation: Finding Your Cliffside Corner
Your biggest expense will likely be your stay. Varkala offers a wide spectrum of choices. Hostels like Zostel and Lost Hostel are popular with remote workers, offering dorm beds for ₹400–₹800 per night and a built-in community. Private rooms in guesthouses
and homestays can range from ₹1,200 to over ₹3,000 per night, depending on proximity to the cliff and amenities. For longer stays, many places offer weekly or monthly discounts, making it a more affordable option. Before booking, especially for a workation, it is crucial to inquire about Wi-Fi. While most places advertise it, speeds can be inconsistent. Reviews from previous guests are your best friend here; look for mentions of internet stability for video calls and work.
Food: From Cliffside Cafes to Local Gems
Varkala’s food scene is a tale of two price points. The picturesque cafes lining the North and South Cliffs offer stunning sea views but come with tourist-level prices. A meal for one at a cliffside spot like Cafe Del Mar or Darjeeling Cafe can easily cost ₹300–₹500. While perfect for a sunset dinner or a coffee break, eating every meal here will quickly drain your budget. To save significantly, venture a few hundred metres inland. You can find delicious and authentic Kerala meals for as little as ₹120–₹150. A smart strategy is to mix it up: enjoy a budget-friendly local breakfast and lunch, and then treat yourself to a scenic dinner at a cliff cafe. This balance allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds without overspending.
Wi-Fi: Staying Connected for Work
For a successful workation, reliable internet is non-negotiable. While many cafes and hotels offer Wi-Fi, the speed and stability can be a gamble, often ranging from 5-15 Mbps, which may struggle with heavy tasks or video calls during peak hours. The most dependable solution is to have a robust mobile data plan as a backup. In the Varkala area, Jio and Airtel offer the strongest 4G and expanding 5G coverage, with speeds often reaching 20-50 Mbps. A monthly plan with 1.5GB to 2GB of data per day is a wise investment. Some cafes, like InDa Hotel Cafe and AUM Cafe, are known for being more work-friendly with better Wi-Fi and power outlets, but it's always good etiquette to order regularly if you plan to stay for several hours. For those needing guaranteed connectivity, Zostel's coworking area is a known hub for digital nomads.
Crafting a Daily Budget
So, what does a daily budget look like? A backpacker or stringent budget traveller can manage on approximately ₹1,500–₹2,000 per day. This would include a hostel dorm bed (around ₹600), local meals (around ₹500-₹700), and miscellaneous expenses. A more comfortable mid-range budget would be closer to ₹2,500–₹3,500 per day. This would allow for a private guesthouse room (around ₹1,500), a mix of local and cliffside cafe meals (around ₹800-₹1,000), and perhaps a scooter rental or an occasional activity like a yoga class or massage. Remember that these are estimates, and costs can fluctuate based on the season. Travelling during the shoulder months of September-October or April-May can often result in lower prices for accommodation.
