Sunset cliff walks and sunrise yoga above the Arabian Sea

Varkala has a rhythm of its own, and staying right on the quieter South Cliff made all the difference. While the North Cliff has its vibrant shacks, South Cliff is peaceful, shaded by leaning coconut palms, and smells of sea salt and red earth. We woke up with sunrise yoga on the wooden deck overlooking the waves, walked down the cliff stairs for morning swims before anyone else was awake, and spent lazy afternoons drinking coconut water and listening to Tibetan singing bowls. The property had direct private access to a secluded cove where the water was calm and clear. We ended up extending our stay by two extra days — neither of us wanted to go back to the airport.