Varkala is a small, peaceful place just 51km from Trivandrum international airport and 176km from Cochin international airport. It is thick with coconut trees that house many kinds of wildlife, birdlife and butterflies. Varkala’s main beach, Papanasam is long and golden with a stunning backdrop of red laterite cliffs from which healing mineral water springs forth .The Papanasham beach at Varkala is quiet, clean and secluded unlike the Kovalam international beach. The beach at Varkala grew into prominence and caught the attention of tourists only recently. A long sandy beach, towering red laterite cliffs and soothing mineral springs put Varkala in the not-to-miss category. Papanasam is a perfect place to watch the sunset or relax gazing at the horizon. The area is covered with coconut palms and small restaurants that mushroom during the season. The 500-metre stretch is right below a cliff.

Despite the pristine beauty of the beach, it is clear that the Tourism Department has not paid much attention to the place. The drawbacks of Kovalam are evident in this place too. Heaps of uncleared garbage, staring and often pestering local lads, beach sellers and a stream that is an exit point for the garbage that passes through the beach are but a few things that would distract you from having a peaceful getaway.

Like much of the Kerala coast, Varkala too experiences strong coastal rips. Many lives, even that of experienced swimmers have been lost in the turbulence of the tides. It is not advisable to swim too far into the sea.
Varkala has only one lifeguard post with two lifeguards and it is advised to swim around this area. On a crowded day spotting when in trouble becomes difficult.

The Janardhana Temple is said to be 2000 years old and has a Vishnu shrine. It is said that the original temple was engulfed and destroyed by tidal waves. Years later, a Pandyan king came to the site to do penance to Brahma for a sin he committed. The Lord pardoned the king and in return, asked the king to build another temple at the same site. The story goes that in a dream he was informed of the location of the original idol that was lying deep in the sea. With help of fishermen, the king reclaimed the idol and reinstalled it in the temple.
The legend also says that brahma appeared and completed the rituals. Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the inner sanctum of the temple, but are allowed to walk around the sanctum and stroll around the huge banyan tree. The festivals of the temple are colorful with noisy parades. Another Hindu ritual to be watched is the 'vavu bali' performed on the beach on the new moon day of the month of Karkkidakam’ (Malayalam Era).