Best Hostels to Stay in Varkala for Solo Travelers

Varkala is one of those places in Kerala where it’s surprisingly easy to arrive alone and not feel alone for long. With its dramatic cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea, laid-back beach atmosphere, cafés, yoga spots and growing backpacker scene, Varkala has become a popular stop for solo travelers exploring South India.

And when you’re traveling solo, where you stay can make a big difference. A good hostel isn’t just about finding a cheap bed for the night, it can give you the chance to meet fellow travelers, join spontaneous plans, get local recommendations and have a more social experience without spending a fortune.

But with several hostels and backpacker stays around Varkala, choosing the right one can be tricky. Some are better for meeting people and socializing, while others are more suited to travelers looking for a quieter stay. Location, dorm quality, cleanliness, amenities, atmosphere and value for money can also vary considerably.

In this guide, we’ve put together some of the best hostels in Varkala for solo travelers and compared them on the things that matter most when you’re traveling alone. From social backpacker hostels to more relaxed stays, this list will help you find a hostel that fits your travel style and budget.

So, whether you’re spending a few days in Varkala, working remotely by the coast, or simply looking for a friendly place to meet other travelers, here are the hostels worth considering for your solo trip.

Hostels in Varkala for Solo Travelers

Hostel	Area	Google	Booking.com	Hostelworld	Best For	Vibe	Price per Day (Dorm)	What Travelers Say in Reviews
Hope Hostels (Sea View / Helipad)	North Cliff / Helipad	4.6 / 5	7.8 / 10	9.1 / 10	First-timers, social solos, digital nomads	Balanced social, lively yet chill, cliffside views	₹500 – ₹700	"Incredible location right by the cliff. Great common area to meet people without it feeling like a non-stop party."
Zostel Varkala	Black Sand Beach / Odayam	4.3 / 5	7.1 / 10	7.1 / 10	Solo backpackers looking to make friends easily	Energetic, highly social, community-centric	₹650 – ₹850	"Classic Zostel experience. Very easy to connect with fellow solo travelers, great sea view, though a short walk from the main cliff area."
Barefoot Hostels	Thiruvambadi Road (North Cliff)	4.8 / 5	9.2 / 10	10 / 10	Laid-back solo travelers, beach lovers	Peaceful retreat, cozy, ultra-friendly	₹400 – ₹600	"Super clean and comfy. Extremely warm hosts who treat you like family. Walking distance to the beach."
The Hostel Stories (Helipad Road)	Near Helipad	4.7 / 5	8.7 / 10	9.8 / 10	Solo budget travelers wanting local guidance	Homely, supportive, welcoming	₹500 – ₹700	"The host goes above and beyond with local recommendations and scooter rentals. Feels like home away from home."
Ostello Varkala	Near Kurakkanni / Cliff approach	4.5 / 5	8.6 / 10	8.0 / 10	Remote workers, slow travelers, quiet seekers	Calm, boutique feel, relaxed workation space	₹450 – ₹650	"A cleaner, calmer environment for working or unwinding without the noisy crowd. Highly recommended for long stays."
Zebra Hostels	North Cliff / Temple Rd area	4.9 / 5	9.5 / 10	10 / 10	Solo female travelers, budget backpackers	Safe, peaceful, community-focused	₹400 – ₹550	"Extremely safe for solo female travelers. Exceptional hospitality and high attention to cleanliness."
Molly's Hostel	South Cliff / Aaliyirakkm Beach	4.4 / 5	8.4 / 10	10 / 10	Cozy/homely seekers, budget long-stayers	Rustic, intimate, non-commercial	₹350 – ₹500	"Feels like living in a friend’s house with a garden. Steps away from quiet beaches, away from heavy tourist noise."
Mellow Ladies Hostel	Kurakkanni - Odayam Road	4.5 / 5	8.5 / 10	8.5 / 10	Solo female travelers prioritizing privacy & safety	Quiet, safe, relaxed	₹500 – ₹700	"Immaculate vibes with great bed privacy, big lockers, and a quiet atmosphere right near the main strip."

Note: Hostel ratings, prices, and availability can change over time and may vary between platforms. Ratings shown above are based on the latest information available at the time of research. Check the booking platform for the most up-to-date details before booking.

Varkala Hostels Comaprison Matrix

Hostel Name	Social	Location	Work	Comfort	Budget	Solo Female	Solo Friendliness	Key Amenities
Hope Hostels (Helipad/Sea View)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Sea view lounge, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, common movie/social space, 24/7 security, cafe/kitchen
Zostel Varkala	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	In-house cafe/restaurant, high-speed Wi-Fi, game area, beach access, daily activities
Barefoot Hostels	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Lush garden, games area, Wi-Fi, lockers, laundry service, scooter rental assistance
The Hostel Stories	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Community kitchen, outdoor terrace lounge, Wi-Fi, travel desk, bike/scooter rentals
Ostello Varkala	⭐⭐☆☆☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	Workstation lounge, high-speed Wi-Fi, power backup, quiet garden, air-conditioned rooms
Zebra Hostels	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Self-cooking shared kitchen, free Wi-Fi, lockers, concierge desk, female-friendly common area
Molly's Hostel	⭐⭐☆☆☆	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	Shared garden space, Wi-Fi, open kitchenette, luggage storage, direct access to South Beach area
Mellow Ladies Hostel	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	All-female dorms, privacy curtains, large personal lockers, work desks, Wi-Fi, high security

Which Hostel in Varkala Is Right for You?

For Solo Travelers Who Want a Social Atmosphere

• Hope Hostels (North Cliff / Helipad): Combines a social sea-view lounge, open-air vibes, and community events that make meeting other backpackers effortless without feeling like a continuous party house.

  
  

• Zostel Varkala: Features a lively in-house café, communal game spaces, and structured icebreakers that turn solo trips into instant group adventures.

  
  

For Solo Travelers Who Want a Cozy and Quiet Stay

• Barefoot Hostels: Tucked slightly away on Thiruvambadi Road, offering a serene green sanctuary and a warm, home-like environment for a restful escape.

  
  

• Ostello Varkala: Set up specifically for slow travelers and remote workers who want peaceful gardens and a quiet atmosphere away from noisy crowds.

  
  

• Molly's Hostel: A rustic, non-commercial stay near South Cliff with an intimate garden setup perfect for quiet reading and unwinding.

  
  

For Solo Travelers on a Tight Budget

• Barefoot Hostels: Offers some of the most competitive dorm rates in the North Cliff area without compromising on cleanliness or host hospitality.

  
  

• Zebra Hostels: Extremely cost-effective for budget backpackers, featuring low-cost dorm beds and shared cooking facilities to save on meal expenses.

  
  

• Molly's Hostel: An affordable option near South Cliff, ideal for long-stay travelers looking for clean, essentials-only accommodations.

  
  

For Solo Female Travelers Seeking Extra Safety & Comfort

• Zebra Hostels: Widely praised for its top-tier safety standards, ultra-clean environment, and welcoming, security-conscious management.

  
  

• Mellow Ladies Hostel: A female-focused sanctuary with dedicated privacy curtains, large personal lockers, and quiet workspaces tailored for independent women travelers.

  
  

For Remote Workers and Digital Nomads

• Ostello Varkala: Outfitted with dedicated high-speed Wi-Fi, power backup, comfortable desk setups, and a calm, focused environment.

  
  

• Hope Hostels (North Cliff / Helipad): Offers strong Wi-Fi, air-conditioned workspaces, and plenty of sea-facing corners to take calls between surf sessions.

  
  

For Solo Travelers Who Want Direct Access to Varkala’s Cliffs & Beaches

• The Hostel Stories: Strategically positioned right on Helipad Road, putting you just a two-minute walk from North Cliff’s top cafés, shops, and beach steps.   

  
  

• Hope Hostels (North Cliff / Helipad): Located directly on the Cliff side, giving you uninterrupted ocean views and fast access to local surf points.

  
  

"If I Were You" in Choosing a Hostel in Varkala

If I were choosing a hostel in Varkala as a solo traveler, I wouldn’t simply pick the highest-rated property on paper. I’d first decide what kind of coastal trip I want a party-friendly social vibe along the cliff, a focused workation space with reliable Wi-Fi, direct beach access, or a quiet, safe sanctuary to recharge.

Then, I’d narrow it down to two or three stays that match my style, comparing their distance to North Cliff, community feel, and recent reviews before booking.   

For instance:

• For a social, effortless first trip to the Cliff: Hope Hostels or Zostel Varkala.

  
  

• For a safe, quiet stay to work or relax as a solo female traveler: Zebra Hostels or Mellow Ladies Hostel.

  
  

• For an ultra-budget, cozy stay close to nature: Barefoot Hostels or Molly's Hostel.

  
  

Ultimately, the best hostel isn’t the one with the highest star score, it’s the one that matches the exact Varkala experience you're looking for.

Final Thoughts

Varkala is a paradise for solo travelers, but the key to a great trip is choosing a hostel that fits your specific travel style rather than just picking the highest-rated option online. If you want a social atmosphere with ocean views, stay near North Cliff at Hope or Zostel, while solo female travelers seeking extra comfort and safety should look into Zebra or Mellow. Remote workers will thrive in quiet, work-friendly spaces like Ostello, and budget-conscious travelers can find cozy, affordable stays at Barefoot or Molly's.

Ultimately, matching your accommodation to your personal energy, whether that is surfing, working, or relaxing, is what will make your Varkala experience unforgettable.

Frequenty Asked Questions (FAQ's)

1. Is Varkala safe for solo travelers (especially solo female travelers)?

Yes, Varkala is widely considered one of India’s safest coastal destinations. Hostels like Zebra and Mellow offer female-only dorms, secure lockers, and well-lit cliff access for total peace of mind.

2. How easy is it to meet other people if I travel alone?

Very easy! Social hostels like Hope and Zostel feature common rooftop lounges, daily icebreaker activities, and in-house cafes designed for easy conversation.

3. Is the Wi-Fi reliable enough for remote work or calls?

Yes, but pick the right stay. Ostello and Hope Hostels offer high-speed Wi-Fi, power backups, and quiet workstation areas away from party noise.

4. Do I need to rent a scooter, or can I walk everywhere?

 If you stay near North Cliff or Helipad Road (like Hope or The Hostel Stories), cafes, shops, and beach steps are just a 2–5 minute walk away. For quiet spots like Odayam, renting a scooter is cheap and convenient.

5. What is the real cost of a dorm bed versus a private room?

Dorm beds range from ₹400 to ₹800 per night depending on the season, while private rooms run from ₹1,000 to ₹2,500 per night. Staying in hostels with shared kitchens can save you even more on daily food costs.