🛏️ Best Hostels in Varkala for Solo Backpackers (2025 Edition)

Tucked between sun-kissed cliffs and the Arabian Sea, Varkala has become a soulful base for solo backpackers. Whether you’re chasing wellness, waves, or new conversations over black coffee, finding the right hostel can make your trip truly unforgettable.

Here’s your curated 2025 guide to the best hostels in Varkala—chosen for vibe, price, location, and solo-friendliness.

🌴 1. Piggy Hostel Varkala

Best For: Chill vibes, artist types, social solo travelers Location: South Cliff, near Papanasam beach Price Range: ₹600–₹900/night

Why It Rocks:

Vibrant garden hangout with communal dinners
Wall murals & open-mic nights
Dorms and private huts for every budget

🎨 Backpackers often end up painting a wall before they leave.

🧘 2. The Lost Hostels – Varkala Cliff

Best For: Mindful travelers, yoga junkies, peace-seekers Location: Varkala Cliff, steps from cafes and surf shops Price Range: ₹700–₹1,200/night

What’s Special:

Morning yoga and journaling workshops
Clean, minimalist dorms
No-pressure social environment—perfect for introverts

🌅 You’ll hear waves while falling asleep and wake up to birds.

🎒 3. Trip Is Life Hostel

Best For: Budget-conscious explorers, sunset chasers Location: Cliffside, tucked into a quieter lane Price Range: ₹500–₹750/night

Highlights:

Hammocks & book swaps
Cozy 4-bed dorms + traveler-friendly staff
Local breakfast included (helloo dosa days!)

📚 Great spot to meet someone heading your way tomorrow.

🏄 4. Cliff & Coral Hostel

Best For: Surfers, digital nomads, remote workers Location: Varkala Cliff main stretch Price Range: ₹850–₹1,400/night

Reasons to Stay:

Dedicated co-work area with great Wi-Fi
Surf lessons and gear rental partnerships
Garden bar for sunset drinks

💻 The kind of place where everyone’s working on something cool.

🧭 5. Free Spirit Hostel

Best For: Offbeat travelers, soul-searchers, holistic backpackers Location: Edava village (10-min scooter ride from Varkala Cliff) Price Range: ₹600–₹1,000/night

Vibes & Features:

Slow living at its best—rice paddies, yoga shala, local organic food
Optional Ayurvedic treatments on-site
Open kitchen, fire pit gatherings, live music evenings

🌾 You’ll arrive alone and leave feeling part of a tribe.

📝 Tips for Booking Varkala Hostels as a Solo Backpacker

Book in advance in peak season (Nov–Feb), especially around New Year
Check for female-only dorms or co-ed options based on comfort
Ask about Wi-Fi speed if you’re working remotely
Join hostel WhatsApp groups or boards—they often organize treks, surf sessions, or cliff-side movie nights
Be open—Varkala’s solo scene is warm, welcoming, and wonderfully unpredictable

🏁 Final Thought: Home Is Where the Hostel Is

In Varkala, hostels aren’t just about beds—they’re about community, creativity, and conversations that ripple beyond the cliff. Whether you’re staying for three days or three months, these places offer space to breathe, belong, and rediscover yourself.

So pack light, walk slow, and let Varkala hold you gently.