So you’re planning that long-awaited bucket list vacation to Hawaii – how exciting! Once you’ve decided which island(s) you’re visiting, then comes the fun part of planning the rest of your trip. Of course, your travel agent will be happy to guide you, but to start, here are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.
Plan when to visit wisely. DON’T visit during holidays. While you may have time off of work and the kids are out of school, but visiting Hawaii (or most popular destinations for that matter) is not the best idea during the holiday season. This is one of the busiest times of year, especially over Christmas and New Year, and is the time when crowds and prices truly soar. Same goes for Thanksgiving week. Instead, look at spring and autumn when you’ll find the islands to be less crowded, prices will be lower, and the weather is generally good.
Start saving early. You’ve probably heard that Hawaii is expensive, and that would be correct, it is expensive. And we are not talking about *just* hotels or airfare – you’ll find that food is more expensive as well, because most everything in Hawaii is imported from somewhere else. Those costs will be passed on to you in a variety of ways, from higher prices than you’re used to back home, to extra resort fees at your hotel. It all adds up quickly, so it’s super important to create a realistic vacation budget for your visit to Hawaii. Don’t forget to budget for a car rental, because the best way to get around in Hawaii is definitely driving on your own.
Allow plenty of time for your vacation. With 6 main islands, there is SO much to see and do in Hawaii! So that you don’t feel rushed and can truly enjoy your visit, plan for at least 7-10 days, especially if you plan to visit more than one island. With flights to the islands being a good 5+ hours at a minimum, this is not a quick weekend vacation, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to make that long trip worth it!
Book – everything – far in advance. Hawaii has always been a very popular vacation destination and is even more so right now – so things are booking up far in advance. Whether it’s booking your accommodations (looking for that ocean view?) or seeing the Haleakala sunrise (one of Maui’s most popular activities) or reserving a rental car, planning far in advance is super important to make sure you have the vacation you’ve dreamed of. A bonus is the further in advance you book, the more time you’ll have to save for your trip!
Pack smart. While you’re going to an island paradise and most of the time you’ll only need summer clothes, you’ll be surprised how chilly it can get if you go to any higher elevations (sunrise at Haleakala can be VERY cold) or take an early morning boat trip. Layering is good, so be sure to pack a sweater or light jacket. You’ll also need reef-safe sunscreen. Didn’t know that was a thing? It absolutely is in Hawaii where they have banned the sale of sunscreen that uses coral-harming chemicals. You can find it on Amazon (of course).
Obviously, there’s a LOT more that goes into planning a vacation to Hawaii, and your travel agent can help and guide you along the way.
Happy planning and aloha!
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