Varkala - Cliff side Village in the South (Varkala)

Member Name: Madmoiselle L

Product:	Varkala
Date:	08/07/00 (77 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very scenic, small and homey!

Disadvantages: Not much to do especially in the evening

This was my first time in the south of India, as big lover of the North from a trip 9 years ago. I was mostly impressed with Varkala which is in the state of Kerela on the SouthWestern coast of India. This is a really special place. If you are looking for a really chilled out experience with nothing much to do but read, write, beach and watch the world go by on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean then you will love this place. It's very busy with backpackers in the high season and there is really no sign of package tourism like it's neighbor to the south Kovolum which is apparently a "tourist" hell place at this point. It is touristy enough to have some really decent if not fabulous hotels and is really safe as far as India goes.

The cliffs edge is lined with restaurants where you could sit all day reading and drinking fresh tropical juice or shakes. In the evenings the fairy lights come on and each restaurant displays the fresh seafood of the evening and lights up the tandoori ovens. The food was fabulous and amazingly cheap.

Be warned, that there really is not a lot to do here. After 10pm there are not alot of people around and there is not a bar to be found. Its actually difficult to get a beer in the restaurant. If you do it will be served in a teapot as no-one has a license to sell it.

I would highly recommend Varkala if you are looking for a relaxing holiday. Very romantic and mystical... Don't forget your torch as the power goes out often!

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