Hawaii is a destination for visitors from all over the world. Consider our tips for your next trip to Hawaii and get your Aloha on!
Hawaii is a stunning location to consider for your next trip, regardless of the type of vacation you are taking. It has fantastic weather, breathtaking scenery, friendly locals, and a wealth of adventures awaiting your arrival to help satisfy even the most curious adventurers.
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So whether you want to put your feet up and sip cocktails around the hotel bar overlooking some of the island’s most breathtaking scenery, you want to get hot and sweaty trekking through some of the more remote parts of the island, or you are planning on doing as the tourists do and booking day trips excursions and learning more about the island, this post has some tips that can benefit everyone who might be Planning A Vacation to Hawaii.
Visit More Than One Island
Hawaii is made up of 137 islands, and visiting just one would be a waste of your trip to Hawaii. If you have an extended period of time, you should plan downtime between a few islands and see everything you can. The only way to move quickly between the islands is to fly.
Try to see as many as your itinerary allows. At a minimum, try to visit one or more of the four main islands Hawai?i, Maui, O?ahu, and Kaua?i. See our comprehensive guides: Kauai , Maui, and Honolulu (Oahu).
Check Visitor Restrictions
Hawaii introduced visitor limits for some of its free attractions some years back. These were put in place to limit environmental damage done by tourists and prevent visitors from encroaching or disrespecting sacred spaces. While it goes without saying you should respect the environment and the culture in each country you visit, not everyone does.
This means that even for free attractions on these islands, you might need to book ahead of your trip to be guaranteed to be able to visit when you arrive. For example, you need to reserve a trip to see Diamond Head on Oahu and walk the Kalalau Trail on Kauai.
Reef Safe Sunscreen
You will need sunscreen when visiting Hawaii to protect your skin from the sun’s rays. Did you know you need a specific sunscreen when visiting Hawaii? Reef-safe sunscreen is a sunscreen that doesn’t contain Oxybenzone, which kills coral and tropical fish. It is actually illegal to use non-reef-safe sunscreen in Hawaii.
You can purchase the correct sunscreen on the island easily, but before you go ahead and pack for your trip, check any you are taking with you to ensure it doesn’t have toxic ingredients and buy one that is safe to use. Click to choose a Reef Safe Sunscreen for your trip.
For more packing tips, see Hawaii Packing List: Pack for Your Hawaii Vacation Like a Pro
Book Early
Hawaii has busy tourist seasons from mid-December to March, and while there is plenty to offer visitors all year round, you can expect the islands to get busier with more tourists. If you plan a trip around these times, prices will likely rise, and things book up faster.
So when you are set on your dates, book everything you might need as early as possible to avoid disappointment. This includes flights, transfers, day trips to other islands, any activities or excursions, and more. If you need it, book it early, regardless of the time of year, but especially during high seasons.
Food Trucks Are A Must
Food and groceries in Hawaii are expensive. This is to offset the cost of everything having to be flown in, adding a premium to purchases. With this in mind, if you want to save money on food and dining out, you should skip some of the more expensive restaurants and enjoy the delights of the many food trucks you can find everywhere.
Depending on where you visit, you will be able to find a wide range of cuisines and delicacies to suit most taste buds, and you’ll be able to feast on well-cooked food. So whether you want a pizza or smoothie or you want to find a classic Hawaiian shrimp truck, you won’t be disappointed.
Allow Downtime
Hawaii has a pace of life for everyone. You can do as much or as little as you like. But remember not to over-schedule yourself, or you might find you are missing out on some of the best parts of the islands. While you might want to see as much as possible, simply taking time to can allow you to take in the activities at a slower pace and experience the famed Hawaiian lifestyle from a different perspective.
So take some time to sit and relax, whether it’s taking a day to hang out at the famous Waikiki Beach or basking in the good weather at your resort’s pool.
Experience the Islands in the Best Way Possible
Hawaii is a stunning place for a long vacation or a quick trip, but do your research ahead of time and come with a plan for your visit. This can make a big difference in experiencing the islands, and allow you to be prepared for what to expect before you arrive.
Tips for Trip Success
Book Your Flight
Find an inexpensive flight by using Kayak, a favorite of ours because it regularly returns less expensive flight options from a variety of airlines.
Book Your Hotel or Special Accommodation
We are big fans of Booking.com. We like their review system and photos. If we want to see more reviews and additional booking options, we go to Expedia.
You Need Travel Insurance!
Good travel insurance means having total peace of mind. Travel insurance protects you when your medical insurance often will not and better than what you get from your credit card. It will provide comprehensive coverage should you need medical treatment or return to the United States, compensation for trip interruption, baggage loss, and other situations.Find the Perfect Insurance Plan for Your Trip
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