🏄 Backpacking Varkala on ₹1000 a Day: Surf, Eat, Repeat
Backpacking Varkala is proof that soulful travel doesn’t need deep pockets. Perched atop Kerala’s dramatic cliffs, this little slice of paradise serves up epic sunsets, salty waves, and spicy thalis—all without demanding more than ₹1000 a day. Yes, you read that right.
Here’s how to surf, eat, and repeat your way through Varkala—without stretching your budget or skimping on experience.
🛌 Stay: Cliffside Comfort for Under ₹400
Varkala’s hostel game is strong. For solo backpackers, social stays and serene digs are aplenty.
🔑 Top Picks:
- Trip Is Life Hostel – Cozy dorms, chilled garden, daily chai ₹500
- The Lost Hostels – Varkala Cliff – Yoga mornings, ocean breeze ₹600
- Free Spirit Hostel (Edava) – Offbeat charm & organic eats ₹400–₹550
💡 Book direct or walk in after 10 am—some hostels offer walk-in discounts for solo travelers.
🍛 Eat: South Indian Soul Food on a Shoestring
If your tongue loves a curry kick, Varkala won’t disappoint.
🌶️ Sample Day of Eats:
- Breakfast: Masala dosa + filter coffee at local café ₹70
- Lunch: Veg thali with rice, sambar, chutneys ₹120
- Snacks: Banana chips, chai, or coconut water ₹50
- Dinner: Gobi Manchurian + parottas from a cliff shack ₹150
🧘 For Ayurvedic or vegan options, check cafés offering Sattvic meals—most start around ₹100.
🏄 Surf: Catch Waves Without Breaking the Bank
Surfing in Varkala is mellow and beginner-friendly.
🏖️ Budget Surf Tips:
- Group lessons: ₹600–₹800/hour (ask for backpacker rates)
- Board rental: ₹300–₹500/day
- Best time: Early morning before the sun scorches
🌊 No need for prior experience—surf schools are warm, patient, and barefoot-certified chill.
🚶 Free & Soulful Things to Do
When your rupees run low, Varkala still shows up:
- Cliff walks at golden hour
- Sunset yoga by the sea (donation-based)
- Live music at cafés on certain nights
- Temple visits & cultural interactions in Janardanaswamy Temple
- Meet fellow travelers and swap stories over roadside chai
🎸 Sometimes, the richest moments cost nothing at all.
💸 Sample Budget Breakdown
| Expense | Daily Cost (₹) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₹400 |
| Food & Drink | ₹350 |
| Surfing/Activity | ₹200 |
| Misc. (snacks, laundry) | ₹50 |
| Total | ₹1000 |
🧭 Give or take a coconut or two—you’re still good.
🏁 Final Thought: Rich in Experience, Light on Wallet
Varkala lets you travel wide on a narrow budget. It’s not just the surf or spice—it’s the slow mornings, barefoot evenings, and conversations that feel like poetry.
So grab your backpack, roll with the waves, and discover that ₹1000 a day in Varkala isn’t just affordable—it’s unforgettable.