Workation in Varkala: Why This Coastal Kerala Town is Ideal for Remote Professionals?
A workation in Varkala offers something many remote professionals seek: a calm setting where work hours and coastal life blend naturally into the same day. This beautiful coastal town sits along Kerala’s Arabian Sea coast, and is known for its scenic tall cliffs, relaxed cafés, and a good & steady internet connectivity.
Many professionals from across India and the world now choose Varkala for stays lasting from one week to a full month! This includes writers, designers, developers, vloggers, bloggers, and online entrepreneurs. They arrive, predominantly – for the views, quality of stay for work and leisure, and for the balanced lifestyle.
9 Quick Varkala Workation Facts
| Location | Varkala, Kerala, India |
| Nearest Airport | Trivandrum International Airport (45 kms and 45 mins south of Varkala) |
| Nearest Railway Station | Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station |
| Famous for | Cliffs stretching nearly 6 kms along the beach, some of them 120 to 150 feet high! |
| Best Months for Workation | All through the year, especially October to March |
| Typical Stay Duration | 1 to 4 weeks |
| Internet Availability | Wi-Fi in most resorts and popular cafés |
| Popular Work Areas | Varkala Cliff cafés, especially on southern cliff, and quiet resorts |
| Average Daily Rhythm | Morning beach walks, focused work sessions, evening sunset views |
These factors explain why many professionals now consider Varkala as a strong digital nomad destination in kerala.
7 Reasons Why Varkala is One of the Top Workation Places in Kerala?
Kerala has many workation destinations. However, Varkala offers a rare mix of breathtaking coastal landscape, reliable physical & digital infrastructure, along with a relaxed lifestyle.
Here are 7 key reasons why more remote workers flock to this coastal town:
1. Calm Environment for Maximum Productivity
Unlike busy city centres, Varkala moves at a very slow pace. Traffic remains light or negligible, and the overall atmosphere feels relaxed.
This calm setting allows you to concentrate on tasks without constant noise or interruptions. Zero anxiety. Which means 100% productivity!
2. Unique Cliffside Setting
While Kerala has a coastline stretching about 600 kms, Varkala is the only place in the state where a long stretch of cliff runs along the beach. There are stretches where the average height of the cliff is between 70 to 80 feet.
At the highest point, which is at the southern end of the cliff, it stands at about 140 feet! No matter where you are atop the cliff, you get to see expansive views of the Arabian Sea. The view just can’t be described in words, as it is not even remotely similar to the views from the shores of a beach.
That’s why many travellers say that the cliffs can’t be described. It can only be experienced.
Short walks along the cliff between work sessions is a great way to relax. Most of all, it helps to get some creative dose of energy, and return to work with a fresh and renewed focus.
3. Cafés That Welcome Remote Professionals
The Varkala Cliff area has many cafés where digital freelancers, gig professionals and digital nomads, including women professionals travelling solo, to comfortably spend hours working on laptops.
These cafés often provide fast Wi-Fi, good coffee, and fantastic views of the sea. They function as informal coworking spaces for digital workers in Varkala.
4. Easy Travel Connectivity
Despite its very peaceful setting, Varkala remains easy to reach, be it by air, road or rail. Trivandrum International Airport connects the area to all major Indian cities and international routes. The Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station also links the town to cities across Kerala and India.
5. Reliable Internet Access
Since 5G was launched in December 2022, most resorts today offer high-speed broadband. This makes video calls, file transfers, and online collaboration a fast and efficient. The Mobile network provides a useful backup connection.
Guesthouses, homestays and cafés provide Wi-Fi connections suitable for standard remote work.
6. Walkable Lifestyle
The Varkala Cliff area remains compact and easy to explore on foot. Restaurants, cafés, and small shops sit close together. This walkable layout allows you to move between work spots without the stress of daily transport.
You can also hire a bike or a scooter on a daily or weekly basis to significantly limit your travel time to just minutes every day.
7. Balanced Daily Routine
A Varkala vacation generally comprises of a simple routine:
- Morning: Beach or cliff walk
- Late Morning & Afternoon: Focused work sessions
- Evening: Sunset views from the pool or cliff-edge deck, and café visits
- Night: Relaxed dinner near the sea, and late-night parties along the cliff promenade
This rhythm helps you to stay productive while still enjoying travel.
And the above is only to begin with.
Here’s a snapshot why Varkala stands out among the top workation destinations in Kerala:
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| Destinations in Kerala | Setting | Internet Reliability | Laptop-Friendly Cafes | Stay Affordability | Remote Professionals’ Presence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Varkala | Cliffside Beach Town with Sea Views | Strong in most resorts & cafes | Many along Varkala cliff | Good value for long stays, especially when planned early | Fast-growing community of digital nomads |
| Fort Kochi | Historic Coastal District with Art Cafes | Strong in hotels & cafes | Many work-friendly cafes | Moderate to high | Smaller but active remote worker scene |
| Kovalam | Resort-Focused Beach Destination | Reliable in most resorts | Few dedicated work cafes | Higher during peak season | Limited remote worker community |
| Alleppey | Backwater Town with Canals and Houseboats | Reliable mostly in hotels | Very few cafes for work | Moderate | Minimal digital nomad community |
| Wayanad | Hill Region with Forests & Plantations | Varies by property due to hilly terrain | Very few work cafes | Moderate | Mostly leisure travellers |
If you want a destination where productivity and travel exist together, Varkala stands out as one of the best workation destinations in Kerala.
5 Practical Tips for Planning a Varkala Workation
Remote professionals who stay longer in Varkala often follow a few simple strategies.
1. Choose Accommodation with Reliable Wi-Fi
Select a resort or guesthouse known for stable internet and comfortable workspace areas. This ensures your work schedule runs smoothly.
2. Stay Close to Varkala Cliff
Accommodation near the cliff, especially the south cliff, keeps cafés, restaurants, and beaches within walking distance (2 to 4 mins). This location significantly reduces travel time during the day.
3. Use Cafés as Secondary Workspaces
Working from your room every day can feel repetitive. Many remote professionals spend a few hours in cliff cafés for a change of environment.
4. Plan Breaks Around Natural Scenery
Short walks, sunset views, or beach visits help refresh the mind. These breaks often improve concentration during deep work sessions.
5. Consider Longer Stays
Many resorts offer better pricing for weekly or monthly stays. Longer visits allow you to not only settle into a productive routine, it also helps you in completing projects with very little or no distractions.
Best Time for a Workation in Varkala
The peak season runs from October to March, when the weather remains cooler and the town welcomes travellers from across India and the world.
However, the months from April to September offer a quieter environment, thanks to the monsoon. If you prefer fewer crowds, lush green all around, and absolute calm, often enjoy this slower season. Bonus: You get the best discounts on room prices!
Because workation stays usually last several days or weeks, the calmer months can provide a more focused work atmosphere.
Why Skylar Seaview Is The Best Resort for a Workation in Varkala?
The location, quality of accommodation, and the ambience can together shape the entire workation experience. At Skylar Seaview Beach Resort and Spa, we provide features that suit remote and gig work professionals.
Quiet Cliff-Top Location
Our resort sits on the southern side of the Varkala cliff, which is considered premium compared to the north. This area remains very peaceful compared with the central and northern cliff stretch.
Yet, cafés and restaurants remain only a very short walk away, as they are our properties on either side of ours.
Strong Wi-Fi & Comfortable Work Spaces
Skylar Seaview has excellent internet connectivity that’s suitable for remote work tasks such as video meetings, research, and online collaboration.
We have had guests can work from their rooms, the lawn, the private balcony, or poolside seating areas, depending on their preferred environment.
Room Options with Relaxing Views
As our guest, you can choose between Garden View, Pool View, and Sea View rooms.
The Superior Sea View Rooms (above) offer wide views of the Arabian Sea. Garden and pool view rooms provide quiet surroundings that help maintain focus during long work sessions.
Direct Private Beach Access
That’s right. When you stay with us, you get to walk to the beach, directly from your room, in just moments. You just don’t have to step on to the public road to reach the beach!
Sunset-Viewing Deck
Our resort features a spacious cliff-edge sunset-viewing deck.
Almost all our guests converge there in the evening to experience a glorious golden sunset.
Swimming Pool & Open Lawn
Short breaks between tasks help maintain productivity.
A quick swim, or a few minutes in the open lawn provides a refreshing pause during the day.
In-house Restaurant for Daily Convenience
The resort restaurant allows guests to enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner without leaving the property.
This saves time during busy workdays.
Ayurvedic Spa for Relaxation
Our in-house Ayurvedic spa offers traditional treatments that help relieve stress in the neck or around the wrists after long hours of screen time.
Close to Varkala Attractions
Many attractions remain within a short 5 to 20 minutes’ drive from Skylar Seaview. This makes short outings comfortable and easy during evenings, and especially on weekends.
Closing Thoughts
A workation in varkala offers a rare combination of calm surroundings, ocean views, and practical digital and physical infrastructure for remote work. The town’s cliffside cafés and steadily growing digital nomad community create an environment where work and travel seamlessly blend together.
When paired with a stay at Skylar Seaview Beach Resort & Spa, the experience becomes even more comfortable. Quiet spaces, reliable internet, and scenic surroundings help remote professionals maintain productivity – as they enjoy a slow coastal life.
If you’re planning a remote work escape in Kerala, Varkala is among the most appealing destinations to consider!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Varkala offers a calm coastal setting, reliable internet in many cliff resorts, and several cafés where people can work on their laptops. These factors make it a practical destination for remote professionals.
Internet works very well in most resorts and cafes, especially along the southern cliff. Many remote professionals also keep a mobile data backup to feel extra-comfortable.
Yes. There are many cafés along the Varkala South Cliff that provide Wi-Fi. You may choose to spend a few hours working there while enjoying coffee and great sea views.
Costs vary by the quality of stay and the lifestyle that comes with it. Budget travellers spend relatively little with hostels and homestays, while a resort comes with comforts & ambience for a relatively higher price. Off-season is very popular for discounts up to 40% or 50%.
Absolutely. Many travellers stay for between a week to up to four weeks. The relaxed lifestyle, walkable cliff area, and direct beach access from resorts make extended stays very comfortable.
Yes. Varkala is by far one of the safest destinations in India for solo travellers. The town receives a steady flow of international visitors, backpackers, and gig professionals throughout the year.
There are 4 Key Factors that together make Varkala better than other workation destinations in Kerala: Scenic cliff-beach, laptop-friendly cafés & restaurants, travel hotspots at short distances, and a very relaxed coastal vibe.