Is Varkala worth a visit??

mari77 · Jun 25th, 2009, 20:52

Hi,

I am planning a trip to India for December 09 for me and my boyfriend – we have 3.5 weeks.

We are flying into Delhi and making our way to Mumbai via Agra – Jaipur – Udaipur over about 9 days. 2-3 days in each place (1 in Agra)

Then we are looking at catching a flight down to Kerala on the 19th December and this is where my problem comes in…. we are looking at flying into Cochin, then spend a few days around backwaters / Alleppey / Kumarakom area and maybe 2 days inland near Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary or Eravikulam National Park, but I am also torn if we should go down to Varkala to the beach for 2-3 nights. We could potentially stay in Kerala till 27th Dec.

Or if we should just stay in Alleppey / Kumarakom area and go up to Goa early around 23rd, to arrive before xmas.

I am wondering if Varkala would be a nice experience and different to Palolem (goa)..and worth spending time there and cutting Goa from 10 days to 7 days.

Does anyone have any opinions on Varkala?

Also, does anyone know of cheap / backpacker budget places near Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary or Eravikulam National Park – any suggestions which one is better? If any!!

Many thanks!

jot20 · Jun 25th, 2009, 21:16

Hi,

Varkala is lovely, and fairly different from Palolem, although it is becoming more and more busy and built up every year. It is extremely busy around christmas/ new year and prices for accommodation are much higher (same as everywhere touristy I guess). Sounds like a fantastic trip with a lot of traveling. I reckon that after all that moving around you will enjoy a few days of playing in the sea and gorging on seafood in Varkala. . .

Jo

mari77 · Jun 25th, 2009, 21:45

Yeah in know – I’m afraid we are moving around too much!!

I just saw a thread on a place called Kannur, north Kerala… looks like a nice beach – has anyone been??

Varkala vs Kannur??!!

Thanks!

CliveG · Jun 26th, 2009, 17:54

Haven't been to Kannur but enjoyed a few days in Varkala this year. There is accommodation to suit all budgets - we paid Rs700 per night for a bamboo hut on the cliff top. Plenty of eating places. It can get busy but is a good experience.

amine · Jun 26th, 2009, 18:34

Hi Friend.
Goa is very rush than varkala at December last.
In Kerala you can stay in Cochi, Munnar (Eravikulam National Park),
Periyar (Wildlife Sanctuary),Kumarakom(backwater s),Aleppy(houseboat),varkala or Kovalam(Beach),
In every places you can stay Home stay or budget hotels,
But you book now because December is the peak season.

In Kerala I can do any help for you.

Amin

Jorge Reverter · Jun 26th, 2009, 18:39

Go to Varkala, is a nice place and I'm sure you'll enjoy your time. Palolem too is a great site for your holidays but quite different. Varkala have a Railways Station, so you can easily go by train either from Alleppey or Kochi.

Jorge

twoshoes · Jun 27th, 2009, 22:24

I was in Varkala last year, and of course it's very different than my first trip there 30 years ago! My wife and I preferred staying away from the cliffside, back toward the village. Much more authentic feel, less noisy,and I don't believe we paid more than $4 for two, off season, for a big spacious second-story room that is usually rented to long-term people. Varkala is worth a stop
just for a break in the surf and some very good restaurants.

Jorge, what kind of camera do you use? Beautiful photos!!!
I was thinking of either a canon g10 or nikon d40 for our
upcoming trip to Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

kinda · Jun 28th, 2009, 00:16

Varkala is definitely worth a visit if you are looking for a little "beach" and "chill out" time. Alot more relaxed than Goa!!!

Jorge Reverter · Jun 28th, 2009, 00:38

I'm using since a couple of years a Canon EOS 450D but I'm not sure if I should recommend because I have to edit almost all the pics with Photoshop CS2 because I don't like too much the results. I must also say that I have very few knowledge about photography.

All the best

Jorge

marar · Jun 29th, 2009, 17:53

This post has a section on Varkala and Kannur. This may help you to make the call.

kedgeman · Jul 1st, 2009, 00:35

Hi mari77

As marar said, both places are covered in my trip reports.

Kannur is a real chill out place and has a large strech of beach. But still not as big as Goa. Varkala is more vibrant and has a good if small beach (compared to Kannur)

Hope that helps

Jun 25th, 2009, 20:52	#1
mari77 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: London Posts: 34	Is Varkala worth a visit?? Hi, I am planning a trip to India for December 09 for me and my boyfriend – we have 3.5 weeks. We are flying into Delhi and making our way to Mumbai via Agra – Jaipur – Udaipur over about 9 days. 2-3 days in each place (1 in Agra) Then we are looking at catching a flight down to Kerala on the 19th December and this is where my problem comes in…. we are looking at flying into Cochin, then spend a few days around backwaters / Alleppey / Kumarakom area and maybe 2 days inland near Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary or Eravikulam National Park, but I am also torn if we should go down to Varkala to the beach for 2-3 nights. We could potentially stay in Kerala till 27th Dec. Or if we should just stay in Alleppey / Kumarakom area and go up to Goa early around 23rd, to arrive before xmas. I am wondering if Varkala would be a nice experience and different to Palolem (goa)..and worth spending time there and cutting Goa from 10 days to 7 days. Does anyone have any opinions on Varkala? Also, does anyone know of cheap / backpacker budget places near Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary or Eravikulam National Park – any suggestions which one is better? If any!! Many thanks!

Jun 26th, 2009, 18:34	#5
amine Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kerala Posts: 8	Kerala Hi Friend. Goa is very rush than varkala at December last. In Kerala you can stay in Cochi, Munnar (Eravikulam National Park), Periyar (Wildlife Sanctuary),Kumarakom(backwater s),Aleppy(houseboat),varkala or Kovalam(Beach), In every places you can stay Home stay or budget hotels, But you book now because December is the peak season. In Kerala I can do any help for you. Amin

Jun 27th, 2009, 22:24	#7
twoshoes Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: new mexico Posts: 43	Varakala comments and a question for Jorge I was in Varkala last year, and of course it's very different than my first trip there 30 years ago! My wife and I preferred staying away from the cliffside, back toward the village. Much more authentic feel, less noisy,and I don't believe we paid more than $4 for two, off season, for a big spacious second-story room that is usually rented to long-term people. Varkala is worth a stop just for a break in the surf and some very good restaurants. Jorge, what kind of camera do you use? Beautiful photos!!! I was thinking of either a canon g10 or nikon d40 for our upcoming trip to Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

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Jun 25th, 2009, 21:16	#2
jot20 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: London Posts: 6	Hi, Varkala is lovely, and fairly different from Palolem, although it is becoming more and more busy and built up every year. It is extremely busy around christmas/ new year and prices for accommodation are much higher (same as everywhere touristy I guess). Sounds like a fantastic trip with a lot of traveling. I reckon that after all that moving around you will enjoy a few days of playing in the sea and gorging on seafood in Varkala. . . Jo

Jun 25th, 2009, 21:45	#3
mari77 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: London Posts: 34	Yeah in know – I’m afraid we are moving around too much!! I just saw a thread on a place called Kannur, north Kerala… looks like a nice beach – has anyone been?? Varkala vs Kannur??!! Thanks!

Jun 26th, 2009, 17:54	#4
CliveG Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: PORTSMOUTH U.K. Posts: 926	Haven't been to Kannur but enjoyed a few days in Varkala this year. There is accommodation to suit all budgets - we paid Rs700 per night for a bamboo hut on the cliff top. Plenty of eating places. It can get busy but is a good experience.

Jun 26th, 2009, 18:39	#6
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,456	Go to Varkala, is a nice place and I'm sure you'll enjoy your time. Palolem too is a great site for your holidays but quite different. Varkala have a Railways Station, so you can easily go by train either from Alleppey or Kochi. Jorge

Jun 28th, 2009, 00:16	#8
kinda Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 11	Varkala is definitely worth a visit if you are looking for a little "beach" and "chill out" time. Alot more relaxed than Goa!!!

Jun 28th, 2009, 00:38	#9
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,456	I'm using since a couple of years a Canon EOS 450D but I'm not sure if I should recommend because I have to edit almost all the pics with Photoshop CS2 because I don't like too much the results. I must also say that I have very few knowledge about photography. All the best Jorge

Jun 29th, 2009, 17:53	#10
marar PK Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kochi, Kerala, India Posts: 19	This post has a section on Varkala and Kannur. This may help you to make the call.

Jul 1st, 2009, 00:35	#11
kedgeman Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bolton, U.K Posts: 40	Hi mari77 As marar said, both places are covered in my trip reports. Kannur is a real chill out place and has a large strech of beach. But still not as big as Goa. Varkala is more vibrant and has a good if small beach (compared to Kannur) Hope that helps