The Ultimate Budget Travel Guide to Hawaii
Seen as the ultimate summer destination all around the world, Hawaii has always been seen as a luxury destination. Like all destinations, a vacation in Hawaii does not have to drain your savings. In fact, there are plenty of ways to get around Hawaii while still staying within a modest budget.
Here are our tips on how you can get the best out of the Hawaiian experience without spending too much.
Eat like a local
One of the things that make Hawaii crazy expensive is the food. Sure, it would not hurt to treat yourself at least once over the course of your trip. However, eating meals three times a day from your hotel will easily drain your pocket money and chip off of your credit balance.
Visit local groceries to score salads like lomi-lomi salmon and poi. They are incredibly healthy and affordable, all while still giving you an authentic local Hawaiian experience. Another fantastic way to save money is to drop by their farmer’s market where you can get fresh produce and seafood.
Sure, it might feel less of a holiday or an ultimate vacation to have to go to the grocery or a farmer’s market. However, if you are serious about saving money while in Hawaii, this is actually the best way to go.
Travel off-season
A staple to any budget guide, traveling off-season is really your best way to save money on a trip. What makes this especially applicable to Hawaii is the fact that Hawaii is a great destination all year round. The months that we find to have the best discounts are between October and November.
When traveling off-season, you get to enjoy less crowd, cheaper fares, and discounted accommodations. It’s a win-win.
Opt for affordable accommodation
We know how tempting it is to book that hotel with a great ocean view. If you really think about it though, how much time are you planning to stay in your room anyway? It is best to just book a modest space and enjoy the rest of Hawaii outdoors. You can book a Homeshare or just book a mid-range hotel.
Of course, as a rule of thumb, the farther it is from the beach, the cheaper it tends to get. Still, we would not recommend going too far as you may end up spending just the same for the transportation back and forth.
If you are up for it, there are plenty of campsites around Hawaii too that you can look into. This will, for sure, save you a lot of bucks. Plus camping out in Hawaii sounds like the ultimate adventure.
Enjoy the outdoors
While everything else in Hawaii can get expensive, the best part about it is that most outdoor activities are free. Hiking, swimming in waterfalls, jumping off of high beach cliffs, and sunbathing. Other activities that are not free can be pretty cheap, too. For instance, you can rent snorkeling gears for as low as $6 per day.
Events like the Kuhio Beach Torch Lighting and Hula Show are free. You can also score free classes online on hula dancing, lei making, and ukulele. You know what they say, even in Hawaii, the best things in life are free.
Excited for your trip to Hawaii? Check out 7 Unique and Fun Things to do in Hawaii next.
