Travel Blog Hawaii

America’s tropical paradise, Hawaii is a group of islands, each with something special to offer a visitor. From the surfing on Oahu, to the wonders of Maui, to the beauty of Honolulu, to the hidden wonders on Lanai, Hawaii is the great tropical escape for those looking to stay within America. There are beautiful beaches, amazing jungles, monstrous waterfalls, excellent diving, and world-class waves. Hawaii is a great destination for honeymooners, surfers, and families. While not thought of as a budget destination, there are plenty of budget options for people to choose from once you leave those resorts on Waikiki beach!

Typical Costs

Accommodation – You can find hostel dorms for $30 USD a night. Regular pricing falls into the $75-100 USD per night range. There are many high-end places, with rooms starting at $175+ USD a night. The smaller, less touristy spots have double rooms as cheap as $60 USD per night.

Food – Since food has to be imported, the cost of food is slightly higher than on mainland USA. You can find lots of food option in the $7-12 USD range. This includes locally run restaurants that feature everything from local plate lunches, Mexican food, sandwiches, and the like. Oahu is starting to see food trucks that range from the $5-10 USD range. Fast food like McDonalds will cost you $6 USD per meal (unless you go after the dollar menu); restaurants like Applebee’s will cost around $10-15 USD per meal. However, most formal, sit down restaurants will cost you around $20 USD or more for an entree. There are a lot of buffets on the islands which around $25 USD.

Transportation – The best way to get around the islands is to rent a car. For a compact vehicle, it’s about $70 USD per day. To rent a jeep or convertible will run about $100-130 USD per day. Taxis start around $3 USD, with $3.20 USD for each mile traveled.

Activities: Scuba diving costs for a two tank dive about $100- $125 per person (equipment included). Surfboard and Stand Up Paddle board rentals start at about $25 USD for a half-day, and sailing and snorkeling excursions usually range from $70-150 USD for a half day or sunset cruise, gear rental included. Helicopter Tours usually range from about $150-250 USD. Zip lining is also available on the bigger islands, with rates of about $100 and up.

Money Saving Tips

Travel off season – Traveling during low seasons (mid-April to mid-June and mid-September to mid-December) will definitely save you money on lodging in Hawaii.