Do people vacation in Hilo?

Kona and Hilo are both worth visiting – just adjust your schedule based on whether you prefer beaches and upscale shops or rainforests and history. You can't go wrong with either destination! If you've visited the Big Island before, do you prefer Hilo or Kona?



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If you're looking for a rainforest climate and lots of hiking, Hilo might be for you. If you want to use hotel points or prefer a drier climate, Kona is a great choice. Since the two cities are about a 90-minute drive from each other, you don't have to choose just one.

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Lower Tourist Population = Lower Prices This means greater room availability and lower prices for accommodations in and around Hilo, making a Hawaii vacation within easier reach for those traveling on a budget.

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Hilo pretty much closes down after the dinner hour, as far as legitimate activity goes, other than the big box stores and markets, so you don't want to be walking around in the historic area with dark alleys and parks, just enjoy that area during the day.

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Hilo is more pedestrian-friendly, with more of a proper downtown area, whereas Kona isn't very walkable. Recommended Hilo Tours: What is this?

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Regardless, it is still almost twice as big as all other Hawaiian Islands combined. If you want to be in control of your own transport there is only one viable option to navigate around the Big Island: renting a car. Getting around without a rental car: With public transport (the bus)

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Hilo weather is rarely dry for days at a time. The driest month is June, with just over 7 inches of rainfall on average. The wettest month is November with an average rainfall of nearly 16 inches.

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According to the National Weather Service, Hilo averages about 130 inches of rain a year. That is a mind-blowing 10 feet of rain a year on average.

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Farther up the road, Onekahakaha Beach Park has it all: safe swimming, small white-sand beach, lifeguards, and amenities. Turn left onto Onekahakaha Road and park in the lot of Hilo's favorite family beach.

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Hilo Beaches Enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the calm waters at Carlsmith Beach.

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If you've got a week on the Big Island, try 3 days in Kona, 2 in Hilo, and 2 in Volcanoes National Park. Or consider swapping out a day in Hilo for one on the less-populated northern side of the island, perhaps in Waimea or Laupahoehoe.

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For example, the town of Hilo is in Zone 3, a safe zone despite its proximity to a volcano.

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It can be very hot and humid in summer. Rain, you know, it just depends. This summer has been rainy on the whole island because of the very active hurricane season. But sometimes in summer, Hilo weather is sunny for days or weeks.

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Hilo is the wettest city in America. The opposite of Kona, rain is more common in the morning than the afternoon. A clear and sunny Hilo morning is a rare treat. Puna is similar to Hilo and is very wet.

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