Hawaii | Must See and The Best of Hawaii

Hawaii

Hawaii

The primary meaning of Aloha in Hawaiian is “love” or “affection”. In everyday language, it most often means “hello”, but also “welcome” or “goodbye”. We speak of “Aloha Spirit” to describe the warm spirit of Hawaiians and their spontaneous sense of hospitality, so much so that the State of Hawaii has been nicknamed the “Aloha State”. These two words appear on vehicle license plates.

Are you ready to spend a crazy vacation on paradise islands, in the heart of the Pacific Ocean? Do you want to party, a flower necklace around your neck and a cocktail in your hand? Do you dream of discovering all the secrets of Honolulu, Oahu or Maui? Grab a ticket to Hawaii and get ready for a trip that will be forever etched in your memory.

To see, to do in Hawaii: the best beaches, the islands, the natural sites… the essential top not to miss anything during your first trip to Hawaii.

Hawaii’s diverse landscapes, year-round warm climate, and many public beaches make it a popular destination for tourists, surfers, biologists, and geologists. Due to its location in the middle of the Pacific, Hawaii with its own Polynesian culture has both East Asian and North American influences.

Visit Hawaii – Which island to choose between Oahu, Maui, Kauai & Big Island?

If you visit Hawaii, you will inevitably ask yourself this question. So let’s start with a small presentation of the different islands:

Oahu (the capital is Honolulu)

It is the most touristic island, main gateway to Hawaii via Honolulu International Airport. Some travelers make the mistake of not visiting it, for fear of seeing too many tourists there. Except on the main beach of Waikiki, there is however no problem! Towards the north of the island, there are very few visitors and there are superb beaches (including Lanikai Beach, our favorite).

There are also several activities that are not found on the other islands (visit to Pearl Harbor and the Polynesian Cultural Center, cage diving with sharks, discovery of many filming sites, etc.)! The island can be visited very easily, with good infrastructure. We advise you to plan at least 4 days to visit Oahu.

Aerial view of Waikiki and Honolulu
An aerial view of Waikiki and Honolulu. Photo credit: werbeagentur-commotion / Pixabay
Maui

This island is the second most visited after Oahu. It is undoubtedly the best island for resting at the beach, since almost the entire west coast is covered with fine sand. There are also some unique and unmissable activities (discovery of the Haléakala volcano, road to Hana, etc.). Maui has the highest concentration. We advise you to plan at least 4 days to visit Maui.

Maui makena little beach
Maui – Makena, Little Beach. Photo credit: Source
Hawaii Maui Makena Little Beach LuftbildSource: dronepicr / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Kauai

This is the wildest island but also the least visited among the 4 main islands. Much of Kauai is covered in forest and remains inaccessible. However, many surprises await visitors, including two exceptional natural sites: the Napali Coast and the Waimea Canyon.

The beaches are not to be outdone since there are magnificent stretches of white sand. We advise you to plan at least 3 days to visit Kauai.

Napali coast in Kauai Hawaii
Napali coast in Kauai – Hawaii. Photo credit: Author:Craig James / Flickr(CC BY-NC 2.0)
Big Island (Hawai’i)

It is the youngest island of Hawaii (in geological terms), but also the largest. The distances by car are longer there, and the visit of Big Island requires a little more organization. Once again, there are several activities only offered on this island (volcanoes park, swimming with manta rays, climbing to the top of Mauna Kea, etc.).

There are few white sand beaches on the Big Island, but there are plenty of great snorkeling spots. We advise you to plan at least 5 days to visit Big Island.

As you can see, it is difficult to choose between these 4 islands, which all have different landscapes and assets. If your time and your budget allow it, try to discover them all.

North coast of big island hawaii waterfalls
Title: North Coast of Hawaii Waterfalls (Big Island). Photo credit: Author: Eric Tessmer / Flickr(CC BY 2.0)

Which island to choose for scuba diving?

Each Hawaiian island has its own uniqueness when it comes to scuba diving. To choose which Hawaiian islands to favor, all you have to do is listen to your passion.

OAHU, FOR CAGE DIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF SHARKS

In addition to the beautiful beaches and surf spots for which the island of Oahu is famous, one can also indulge in deep sea diving. Indeed, those in search of thrills can experience scuba diving. cage among sharks. adrenaline rush guaranteed!!!

The island of Oahu is the ideal destination for swimming among sharks.

MAUI, TO DIVE IN THE MOLOKINI CRATER

The island of Maui owes its fame, being one of the best diving destinations in the world, in part to the crater of Molokini. Those who have the privilege of diving in this spot keep magnificent memories of multicolored fish, evolving peacefully in a unique environment, formed by the crater of an extinct volcano.

Opt for the island of Maui if you would like to swim among the multicolored fish in the heart of an environment teeming with marine life.

HAWAII ISLAND, TO SWIM WITH DOLPHINS

The particularity of this island, as a destination for diving, lies in the possibility of doing a night dive there, among the huge manta rays. Unique experience guaranteed! Especially since it is possible to swim among a squad of dolphins. The best spots are found off Kona.

Favor a stay on the island of Hawaii, if you would like to swim with dolphins.

KAUAI, FOR SNORKELLING

The island of Kauai is not the ideal destination if you are passionate about deep sea diving. This superb island has only magnificent beaches and beautiful reefs where it is possible to indulge in snorkelling.

Festival calendar (Hawaii state holidays)

DateNameIsland
March 26thPrince Kuhio Dayall state
MarchKamehameha Schools Music ContestOʻahu
March to AprilMerrie Monarch’ Hula Festival (Music)Hawaii
April 15Damien Father ‘s Dayall state
May 1May Day / Lei dayall state
11th of JuneKing Kamehameha Day Iall state
JuneKing Kamehameha I Hula FestivalOʻahu
July 4thUnited States Independence Dayall state
JulyHawaiian Cultural FestivalHawaii
JulyPrince Lot Hula FestivalOʻahu
3rd Friday in Auguststate dayall state
september 2Queen Liliʻuokalani Dayall state
September to OctoberAloha Festivalsall state

1. Visit Hawaii in road-trip mode: Oahu, Maui, Kauai & Big Island

Free: walks and viewpoints
Paying: car and access fees ($) or excursions ($$) – To be reserved

To discover the diversity of landscapes in Hawaii, we advise you to visit the 4 main islands by renting a car each time. You can then easily explore each island and its wonders: panoramic roads, viewpoints, beaches, hikes and activities of all kinds. You can also opt for guided excursions but it will cost you more…

Tips & Practical Info

Here are the unmissable scenic routes and viewpoints of each island (the landscapes are very varied):

Oahu – North Shore / West Coast / Nu’uanu Pali Lookout

Outside the city of Honolulu, we advise you to discover the superb coastal landscapes of the North Shore. This is where you can see one of the most beautiful surfer beaches, with its impressive rollers (Banzai Pipeline). There is also a small beach where sea turtles come to rest on the sand (beach). You’ll be more likely to see it if you go there on a sunny afternoon. On the way between Honolulu and the North Shore, do not miss two stops: Nu’uanu Pali Lookout (a beautiful panoramic viewpoint over the whole valley) and Byodo-In Temple (a pretty Buddhist temple lost in the middle of the mountains – see top No. 6).

On the west coast, you will also find beautiful beaches (Makaha beach Park, Makua Beach – See top N°3) and can observe beautiful sunsets.

Maui – Road to Hana / Haleakalā National Park

One of Maui’s main attractions is its incredible scenic drive through the rainforest and along the northeast coast. More than 100 km long, there are 59 bridges, more than 600 bends and dozens of waterfalls! We advise you to rent a convertible car to discover it. Along the way, you will find many interesting stops: impressive waterfalls (Twin Falls & Three Bears Falls), a pretty tropical garden (Kahanu Garden), a lava tube, a large Polynesian temple (Pi’ ilanihale Heiau), a bamboo forest, a coastal landscape with overpowering waves (Ke’anae Peninsula) and of course the small town of Hana, at the very end of the road. It is necessary to plan a (long) day to travel the road and make many stops (and plan the return).

Once you arrive in Hana, we advise you to go to Black Sand Beach or Red Sand Beach, a magnificent red sand beach accessible after a short walk. If you can, try to spend a night in Hana so you can take your time and possibly continue your journey to the Pipiway Trail, a beautiful hiking trail in the heart of a bamboo forest.

Your Maui discovery will also take you on the trails of Haleakalā Volcano (which has national park status with entrance fees). You can access the top of the volcano with any vehicle, enjoying many viewpoints along the way. Departures of hikes are also available. At 3,055 meters (10023 ft) above sea level, you will have a good chance of finding yourself above the clouds (bring something to cover yourself with)! You will have a magnificent panorama of the interior of the volcano and will almost feel like you are on Mars!

Big Island – Volcanoes Park / Mauna Kea Road / Waipi’O Valley Lookout / Rainbow and Akaka Falls

The unmissable route on the Big Island will take you from Kona to Hilo via the south of the island. Along the way, you can stop at different places: Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park (a Polynesian historical site – see top N°7), Green Sand Beach and Punalu’u Black Sand Beach (green and black sand beaches – we often see turtles on the beach at Punalu’u – see top N°3), tropical forest and waterfalls around Hilo (Akaka Falls and Rainbow Falls – two magnificent waterfalls easily accessible) and of course Volcanoes National Park, the park of volcanoes (entrance fees to be expected).

It can easily be visited by car in 1 or 2 days, with various stops offered in the park. You can see huge lava fields and active volcanoes there, although it is no longer possible to guarantee the presence of lava since the massive eruption of 2018. Many hikes are also possible (see top N°2 ). To visit the park, go to the visitor center when you arrive and ask the rangers for the best hikes and viewpoints. They will provide a free map and can advise you according to the conditions of the day. Even without seeing the lava, visiting this site is a must during your vacation in Hawaii!

Between Hilo and Kona, it is also possible to take the road that leads to the summit of Mauna Kea, the highest volcano in Hawaii (4,207 meters – see top N° 9). The altitude being very high, allow half a day for this discovery.

If you go to the north of the island, do not miss the “Waipi’O Valley Lookout” viewpoint. It offers a very beautiful panorama of the ocean and the valley of the same name below. This beautiful valley, secret and isolated, can only be visited with a (good) 4×4, on foot (see top N°2) or on horseback (top N°10).

Kauai – Waimea Canyon / Koke National Park / North Island

The Waimea Canyon is often called “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, and the comparison is deserved! It is one of the most beautiful sites in Hawaii, which can easily be discovered in a day with your vehicle. A road allows you to cross the west bank enjoying magnificent views of the entire canyon. The road then leads to Koke National Park, from where you can see the ocean. Viewpoints are offered all along the road, and can serve as a starting point for beautiful hikes (see top N°2).

Finally, do not miss the north of the island, where there are superb beaches (Hanalei Bay – see top N°3) and beautiful hikes on the Napali Coast (see top N°2).

2. Take a hike in Hawaii, in the heart of volcanic landscapes

Free: walks and hikes
Paying: access fees to national parks ($)
The islands of Hawaii are volcanic islands, with extraordinary and very varied landscapes. There are many volcanoes, canyons, mountains and valleys. It is also possible to go from sea level to more than 4,000 meters in just a few hours! Each island offers beautiful walks and hikes on trails that are accessible to all. With short walks or day hikes, there is something for everyone!

Tips & Practical Info

Here are the main walks and hikes that we recommend on each island:

  • Oahu – Diamond Head Trail / Makapuu Lighthouse Trail
  • Maui – Haleakala National Park (Sliding Sand Trail) / Pipiwai Trail
  • Big Island – Waipi’O Valley Trail / Volcanoes National Park (Kīlauea Iki Trail)
  • Kauai – Napali Coast Trail / Waimea Canyon Trail

3. Relax on the beaches: swimming, surfing and snorkeling

Free: relax on the beach
Paying: surf lessons ($$) – Reservation recommended
If we go to Hawaii, it is also (and above all?) for its magnificent fine sandy beaches with turquoise blue water. Once again, each island has magnificent beaches, each offering a unique setting. There are also many possible activities (surfing, sunbathing, walks, snorkeling, etc.), which should satisfy any type of traveler!

Tips & Practical Info

Here are the beaches that we advise you to discover in priority in Hawaii:

  • Oahu – Waikiki (ideal for learning to surf) / Hanauma Bay (great snorkeling spot) / Lanikai (our favorite beach in Hawaii) / Banzai Pipeline (ideal for admiring surfers) / Laniakea Beach (Haleiwa – you can go there every day see turtles on the sand)
  • Maui – Makena / Ka’anapali / Red Sand Beach (Kaihalulu)
  • Big Island – Kauna’oa (Mauna Kea Beach) / Hapuna / Black Sand Beach (Punalu’u; you can see turtles coming to rest on the sand) / Green sand beach (Papakōlea) / Kahalu’u
  • Kauai – Hanalei Bay (magnificent) / Ke’e / Poipu (ideal for snorkeling)

4. Fly over the islands of Hawaii in a helicopter

Paying ($$ or $$$) – Reservation required
If your budget allows it, we really advise you to book a helicopter flight to admire one of the islands of Hawaii from the sky! These islands all have volcanoes, craters, mountains, heavenly beaches and other exceptional sites. We had the chance to fly over the 4 islands, and each flight was unforgettable! To help you make the right choice, you will find more details below.

Tips & Practical Info

Here are the different overflights offered in Hawaii (by plane or helicopter):

  • Oahu – Flight over Honolulu, the coast and the valleys
  • Maui – Flight over volcanoes, forest, coast and neighboring island of Molokai
  • Big Island – Flight over volcanoes (sometimes active) and valleys
  • Kauai – Flight over the coast, cliffs and canyons

5. Swim with dolphins, manta rays, sharks and turtles

Free: lucky encounters
Paying: supervised excursions ($$) – Reservation recommended
We have already mentioned the possibilities of snorkeling in Hawaii (snorkelling), but know that other experiences allow you to swim with animals much larger than tropical fish! You can swim among wild dolphins, in a cage near sharks, at night with manta rays or even on the coast with sea turtles!

Tips & Practical Info

Here are the main “snorkeling” experiences (diving with a mask and tuba) offered in the different islands of Hawaii (in addition to the beachside snorkeling mentioned in our top N°3):

  • Oahu – Cage diving with sharks
  • North of Oahu, it is possible to swim in a cage with sharks! Lost in the middle of the ocean and surrounded by sharks, we had a great time that we highly recommend.
  • Prize for the best service provider for this activity & Booking in French: Cage diving with sharks
Maui – Snorkeling in Molokini Crater

Maui’s most popular snorkeling experience is the one offered in the heart of Molokini Crater! You can see hundreds of multicolored fish (and even a large moray eel in our case) in a unique environment (we swim in the center of an extinct volcano!). The crater is quite far from the coast and can only be reached by boat. The excursions offering this dive also include a stopover in a reef that is very popular with sea turtles. This will then be the virtual guarantee of being able to swim with them!

Big Island – Swim with dolphins and manta rays

The unmissable experience on this island is night snorkeling with manta rays! Attracted by the lights of the coast off Kona, the rays come to feed on plankton. Clinging to a light spot immersed in the water, we can see the huge rays approaching a few meters (or even centimeters!) from us. This activity alone is worth visiting Big Island! Another exceptional experience is offered in the same area, since boat excursions allow you to swim in the open sea with wild dolphins! We had the chance to swim alone in the middle of about thirty dolphins!

Kauai

There is no truly “one-size-fits-all” experience in Kauai for encountering marine animals. However, many beaches offer superb beautiful reefs for practicing this activity (see top N°3).

Note that it is also possible to go scuba diving in each island of Hawaii, whether for a first dive or for certified divers.

6. Take a boat trip: coastal landscapes, dolphins and whales

Paying ($, $$ or $$$) – Reservation recommended
To discover the landscapes of Hawaii, there is sometimes nothing better than a boat trip! From the ocean, it is possible to observe natural sites inaccessible from land. The icing on the cake: we often come across dolphins during these walks, or whales during the good season (from the end of November to the end of April).

Tips & Practical Info

Here are the best scenic cruises offered on each Hawaiian island:

To save you time, we have selected the most interesting cruises from the hundreds of offers available.

Oahu – Cruises off Honolulu

We advise you to take a catamaran trip off Honolulu and at sunset. You will enjoy a superb view of the Honolulu skyline (= the silhouette drawn by the skyscrapers) and especially of Diamond Head, the volcano which dominates the southeast of the city. This is a very nice activity to do in the early evening.

Maui – Whale Watching by Boat or Kayak

The best cruises on this island take place in the bay between Maui and Lanai. From the end of November to the end of April, it is the place with the highest concentration of whales in all the islands of Hawaii. It is also a great site for kayaking, since you can paddle near cetaceans during this period!

Big Island – Dolphin Watching Cruises

The coolest boat tours take place from Kona. They allow you to observe the coast and have a good time on the water. It is also an ideal place to observe dolphins and sometimes even swim with them!

Kauai – Cruises off the Napali Coast

The boat tours off Kauai are undoubtedly the most beautiful in Hawaii! They allow you to go to the north of the island to observe the Napali Coast, a wild and rugged coast only visible from the sky or the ocean. It is one of the most beautiful natural sites in the archipelago and is therefore an unmissable activity during a stay in Kauai.

7. Admire the sky of Hawaii: starry nights, sunrises and sunsets

Free!!
In Hawaii, we enjoy beautiful sunrises and sunsets over the ocean almost every day. It is also an ideal place for stargazing, close to the equator and relatively isolated from light pollution. So plan to take your time to simply observe the sky and the horizon! Read also: Aurora Borealis and Australis | Why is the northern lights different from the southern lights?

Tips & Practical Info

Here are the best places to watch the stars and sunrises/sunsets in Hawaii:

  • Oahu – West Coast and Sunset Beach (sunsets)
  • Maui – Summit of Haleakalā volcano (sunrise)
  • Big Island – Mauna Kea Volcano Summit (Sunset & Stargazing)
  • Kauai – Hanalei Bay / Polihale State Park (sunset)

In general, be aware that all beaches in Hawaii offer beautiful sunsets, even if they are not facing west (the pink reflections in the sky are often very intense even for beaches facing east ). It is therefore sometimes not necessary to drive several kilometers to find the best spot, it is simply a question of taking your time to enjoy the show :).

HAWAII: THE PRACTICAL GUIDE TO PLAN YOUR TRIP

1. Choose your itinerary

The itinerary is the first step to properly organize your trip to Hawaii. If you want to discover the 4 islands and do not have a budget constraint, it is common to say that it takes at least 4 days on the islands of Kauai, Oahu and Maui and 5 days on the Big Island (Hawaii) which is more big.

On our side, we were on a world tour and we tried to match our time on each island with an acceptable quality/price ratio. That’s why we did 6 days on the islands of Big Island and Oahu and 3 days on the islands of Maui and Kauai.

Consider that the islands are quite large and the distances are often longer than Google Maps says. Don’t plan too many things on the same day to enjoy it and not end up with huge dark circles haha (even if we don’t have the opportunity to come back to Hawaii very often).

2. Which airline should I choose for my domestic flights (inter-islands)?

3 companies operate inter-island routes in Hawaii. Hawaiian Airlines is a classic regular airline, Southwest a low-cost airline but which includes good services such as checking in 2 checked bags included in the price, while Mokulele Airlines offers trips in small propeller planes whose boarding takes place in a small dedicated terminal, often on the tarmac, in “free style” mode, reservations for which are only open 3 months before departure. Island Air stopped flying in November 2017.

3. What type of accommodation to choose

Resorts and hotels

For hotel enthusiasts, there are many accommodation solutions, from small family hotels to large luxurious resorts with swimming pools by the sea. There is something for everyone and for every budget! Many hotel complexes and resorts also offer small apartments or villas often spread over vast green spaces.

The hotel is with condo rentals, the most popular solution in Hawaii.

Renting a condo (Condo Hawaii)

If you want a little more peace and space, the condo solution is an excellent alternative. A condo, or condominium is a small condominium apartment available for seasonal rental. This solution often offers the best space/price ratio and also allows you to be independent thanks to the kitchen or kitchenette.

For example, we paid less for renting a comfortable condo on Maui located just 50 meters from the Pacific Ocean, than a 2-star hotel room in the city!

The majority of condominiums also have a swimming pool and a small jacuzzi, as well as barbecues for cooking fish and meat outside (this is very common in Hawaii). In most cases, a parking space is allocated with the rental. In terms of equipment, some owners sometimes leave beach equipment available.

A condo rental can be very interesting from 3 days. Below 3 nights, it is quite unlikely that it will be rented to you and the end-of-stay cleaning costs will not be advantageous. You can find many condo rentals on American reservation centers such as VRBO, or Booking.

Homestay

You can also find great services on the Airbnb side, even if the prices charged in the archipelago remain rather high in the archipelago and comparable to those of hotels for accommodation only.

The youth hostels

If you are traveling alone or have a reduced budget, you can push the door of youth hostels which are rather welcoming, but whose price is still high. Note that there are relatively few on each island. Some hostels also organize excursions in small groups, which can be very nice for solo travelers. Here are some of the hostels in Hawaii.

Camping

Finally, for very tight budgets or outdoor enthusiasts, you can opt for camping, but beware, wild camping is not authorized in Hawaii and to be authorized to camp, you will have to acquire a permit, knowing that each island has its own regulations. Permit requests must be made in advance via forms on the websites of each “County” of Hawaii. There are private campsites located outside the parks, but there are quite a few.

4. Don’t forget to add taxes and other fees

So be very careful because additional costs could be charged if you stay in a hotel or resort.

Resort fees
The “resort fees” which are fixed at the discretion of each establishment. Some hotels don’t have them, others do, and they sometimes add up depending on the number of days spent there. In some establishments, the “resort fees” can go up to 20% of the overall bill! And often, they are indicated only in very small or very at the end of the reservation. Please note that these costs are to be paid directly to the hotel.

For example it is indicated for a hotel at US$ 126 per night that a tax of US$ 18.75 will be added per room and per night. The price therefore increases to US$143.75 per night.

Don’t forget parking fees

Car park
If you have a vehicle, don’t forget parking fees either! Indeed, if you have to stay in large cities or in large resorts, there is a good chance that parking will not be included in the service.

Parking fees, which are generally around US$ 20 to US$ 30 per day, not including taxes! Sometimes the valet service will even be mandatory in some chic hotels to park your vehicle (and therefore more expensive!).

5. Book rental cars

Although the islands of Hawaii are quite small, a rental car is essential to get around easily. Indeed, a public transport network does exist on all the islands but it is especially developed on Oahu and still mainly in the big cities. For the rest, the connections are either not very frequent, or impractical for tourists, hardly ever serving the points of interest to be confined to the cities.

On the island of O’ahu, you can easily do without a car because the distances are short and the bus network is well organized. Waikiki is a compact enough neighborhood to explore on foot.

In Honolulu, just for the pleasure of blending in with the scenery, there are luxury car rental companies that have set up shop everywhere. How about driving, sorry…, driving a mustang, a chevrolet camaro, a corvette? But pretending to be Magnum for a few hours is a pleasure that is expensive: count around US$ 150 a day.

What model of vehicle to rent

Although the 4WD or 4×4 (Four-wheel drive) is often popular in Hawaii, you should know that it is not essential and even less necessary for 3 of the 4 main islands.

The only island that has a real advantage for 4×4 owners is Big Island, because it is the island where there are the most unpaved tracks, and certain places are reserved for 4x4s such as access to the summit of Mauna Kea, Green Sand Beach or the descent to Waipi’o Valley. But you should know that for these three cases, the vast majority of rental companies will deny you access (it will therefore be at your own risk). You will find more information on access to these 3 places in the dedicated articles.

If you’re more adventurous you’ll also find a few 4×4 trails in central Kauai that basically lead to rough, lightly traveled hikes that we’ve never attempted before (the unpaved road to reach Polihale Beach can be done with a sedan). There are also some 4×4 tracks in Maui on the flanks of Haleakalā but which are not of great interest.

Examples: Jeep Renegade, Jeep Wrangler, Suzuki Jimny, Toyota Land Cruiser, Land Rover Discovery, Mercedes G-class, Range Rover, Subaru XV.

Convertible

To do the scenic road to Hana, I dreamed of renting a convertible. So I realized my dream by renting a convertible with Priceline for $65 for the day. Was it worth it? If you have young children, I don’t recommend it. They sit very low in the car and cannot see the road well. Moreover, when it is sunny, they receive it directly on them. They are therefore excessively hot and we are then obliged to put the roof back on. If you’re taking a romantic trip, the convertible is worth it, especially on the roads of Maui!

Jeep

A Jeep also gives you the option without a roof and the children sit higher and see better outside. On the other hand, gas is expensive and you have to rent the big Jeep because the small one offers practically no room for luggage. I opted for the convertible but should have taken the Jeep for the road to Hana. It is possible to rent a Jeep for the same price as a convertible, depending on demand.

Examples: Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Compass.

Intermediate size

For us, the mid-size (intermediate) format was perfect. We had, three hockey pockets, two strollers, two kids suitcases for toys, a cooler and a day backpack. The model we preferred is Chrysler’s HHR because the case is large. The compact and economical sizes would have been too small for our family. On the Alamo site, they regularly offer a coupon to increase the size of your auto for free. So you can reserve a compact and use the coupon to switch to an intermediate size for free.

Standard rental cars usually fit about 4-5 people comfortably with some additional space for luggage. They get outstanding gas mileage and are easy for just about any traveler to handle.

Example of mid-size cars: Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze, Dodge Avenger, Nissan Sentra…

Full size rental cars

Full size rental cars are typically slightly bigger and more spacious.

Example Full-size: Ford Fusion, Nissan Altima, Dodge Charger, Chevrolet Impala, Ford Taurus, Ford Fusion..

Example of Premium cars

Nissan Maxima, Chrysler 300, Toyota Avalon
Ford Taurus LTD
Ford Crown Victoria
Mercury Grand Marquis, Nissan Maxima, Chrysler 300, Toyota Avalon

Example of Luxury cars

Cadillac ATZ, Lincoln MKZ, Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac STS, Mercedez-Benz, BMW, Lexus.

Example of Minivan cars

Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town and Country
Kia Sedona

6. Weather

The weather is always pretty good in Hawaii and there really isn’t a better season than another. You should still know that on each island, the weather can change very quickly and it can be different from one point to another on the island. We’ve had this on all the islands we’ve done (Big Island, Maui, Oahu and Kauai) where the east side was much wetter than the west side of the islands. Some days it was enough to drive a few miles to go from dire weather to bright sunshine. The weather remains the only unpredictable element in the organization of your trip to Hawaii.

The Hawaiian archipelago is one of those places on earth where the climate stays pretty much the same throughout the year. There are still two seasons, winter and summer, but with very minimal temperature differences, oscillating between 20 and 30°C. Rainy days vary the most in this subtropical atmosphere. Here is some information to help you prepare for a trip to Hawaii.

Located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and cradled by a subtropical climate, the islands of Hawaii enjoy very pleasant weather all year round. However, two seasons stand out.

– From May to October, it is summer.

We then find pleasant temperatures around 30°C and very low humidity. A very good season to visit Hawaii, because the sky remains sunny all the time and is conducive to beach days and hikes. On the other hand, the nights can remain a little cool, this should not be forgotten when preparing your suitcase

– From November to April, it’s winter (but not really winter)

– Winter is not really one; average temperatures never drop below 18°C (86°F). But this season is different from summer by its rainfall, it is also called from November to January, the rainy season. Although sometimes covered by a few clouds, the sun remains present on the coasts. This is a period that athletes will love. During this season, the waves are regular on the northern coast and promise some great surfing sessions. Nature lovers will also be rewarded, as the waterfalls will flow freely and many rainbows will appear.

– Traveling to Hawaii can therefore be done throughout the year, just be sure of the activities you want to do there

If idleness and sunbathing attract you, it will be wiser to go there in summer, from May to October to take advantage of the hot and dry temperatures. On the other hand, if the hikes in the well-filled waterways or the beautiful waves to surf attract you, consider planning your trip from November to January during the wet season.

In any case, do not forget one thing, the Hawaiian archipelago is made up of many islands which each have their own ecosystem. There may therefore be some climatic differences between each of them.

7. Remember to by travel insurance to be covered in all circumstances

It is well known that the USA is a country where the slightest glitch can cost astronomical sums! This is especially the case for hospitalizations and when legal proceedings are initiated following a road accident having caused an injury, even minimal.

Some credit cards offer a travel insurance, make sure to compare with a regular travel insurance.

8. Quality of life

We are not going to lie to each other, it is undoubtedly the black point of Hawaii. Life is expensive on the islands at all levels whether it is accommodation, food, activities, car rental or others. Hawaii is on a budget and you need to know that before you go. However, there is always a way to find alternatives even if it means reducing your comfort (but it’s for the good cause and the adventure). This is a point to take into account when planning your trip to Hawaii.

9. Food & supermarket

On the Hawaiian Islands, you will find yourself a bit like in Los Angeles in the big cities with many shopping centers such as Walmart, Target, Safeway. In less touristy places, there are always small grocery stores to do your shopping.

Hawaii is an island and it shows in the prices for food. You can find everything on the island but the prices are quite high. To stay at the cheapest prices, you have to take noodles or pizzas.

10. What to put in your suitcase?

Don’t forget the essentials of a sunny destination like Hawaii: swimsuit, sunscreen and beach towel! But also remember that the activities are very varied on the archipelago: good shoes and sturdy but light clothing are necessary for the hikes. Remember to take a sweater, a windbreaker or a raincoat for winter evenings, outings at altitude or on rainy days. Finally, if you don’t want to rent one on site, leave some room for your mask and snorkel.

11. Electricity

Electricity line voltage 110 volts, 60 hertz. It is best to bring a power socket adapter for the hair dryer or (switchable!) razor at home.

Sources: PinterPandai, Attractions of America

Photo credit (main photo): Majaranda / Pixabay

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