How to see Hawaii in 5 days?

Five Day Itinerary: Unmissable Activities
  1. Day 1: Hitting the beaches.
  2. Day 2: Ocean views and adventures.
  3. Day 3: Volcano Village and the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
  4. Day 4 (option 1): Kalapana and the Hot springs.
  5. Day 4 (option 2): Hilo and Waterfalls.
  6. Day 5: Road trip to Waipi'o valley.




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If you wish to discover the island as a whole, we recommend that you stay at least 5 days so that you have time to enjoy its various attractions and go on a few hikes. If you prefer to make only a quick stop to get an idea of life in Honolulu and do only the essentials, 3 days may be enough.

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While you can get a taste of the Big Island in 3 days, spending at least 5-7 days, and ideally more, exploring its diverse attractions is recommended. This allows time for visiting popular sites like Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Mauna Kea Summit, and the beautiful beaches.

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Rent a car – It's the best way to see Hawaii and often there's no other way to reach parts of the islands. At busy times rental cars can run out, so book far in advance. We use Rental Cars to find the best deal and just book the cheapest economy car.

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If it's your first time in Hawaii, your ideal island will depend on your travel style and to-do list. For most travelers visiting Hawaii for the first time, the Big Island of Hawaii should be the winner because it offers the most diverse experiences.

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For a one week trip, that means you'll spend anywhere from $350 to $1000 per week. Just remember that if you do choose to get a car rental in Hawaii, you'll need to be aware of parking fees. Parking fees around the cities cost just a few dollars per hour.

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Depending on when you want to travel and how far in advance you book your tickets, travel between the Hawaiian islands can be very reasonable. Flights can be found as cheap as $39 each way on Hawaiian and Southwest Airlines. $39 is the best we've seen. Expect to pay between $50 to $100 for a one-way ticket.

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5-7 days is perfect for any pace of trip to Kauai. At five days you can cover most of the island at a relaxed pace, have great hikes AND get plenty of beach time. At seven days you can do all that, take time to relax on lots of different beaches, and not feel rushed through exploring.

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The Big Island is definitely worth visiting! It has the most natural diversity of all the Hawaiian Islands, meaning that when you tour it, you'll never be bored with what's outside your car window. All this diversity gives you more than just pretty views!

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But, that said, some months are still better when considering things like weather and your budget. The best times to visit the Big Island of Hawaii, taking into consideration the weather, how crowded, or not, the island is, and demand for accommodations are the month(s) of April, May, August, September, and October.

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Restaurants, shops, beaches, activities and several major attractions (including the Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, Kapiolani Park and the U.S. Army Museum) are within walking distance of most hotels in Waikiki, so if you're not going anywhere else, you won't need a car.

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While many vacations are five to seven days long, we recommend staying for at least 10 days to enjoy your Hawaiian vacation. The time change is difficult to adjust to at first and takes about 3 days to get fully acclimated. So, allowing a couple days to get over the jet lag is important.

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63% of people who come to Maui stay on this island and don't visit any others during their trip to Hawaii. The average length of stay of visitors to each island: Maui: 8.10 days. Oahu: 6.74 days.

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April thru June and mid-August thru mid-September are Hawaii's low seasons, and airfares are lower then. No matter what time of year you travel, you may be able to score better deals if you travel midweek.

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Oahu is the cheapest Hawaiian island to visit, with a total cost of $3,015. A Ko Olina Resort lagoon on Oahu. Maui is the most expensive island to visit, coming in over $2,000 more expensive, with a total cost of $5,142. The Grand Wailea in Maui, a luxury resort.

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The best time to visit Hawaii is between March and September. This is when the islands see the highest temperatures and the lowest amount of rain.

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Honestly, prices in Hawaii are not greater than mainland US. Some restaurants DO charge high prices depending on where (usually ocean side dining costs more, eating at high-end chain restaurants or hotels is expensive). However, there are places to eat where you can expect to pay prices you are familiar with.

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In particular, the last two weeks of December and the first week of January are prime times for travel, and hotels and flights are often booked to capacity. Summer and mid-spring—during breaks from school—are also peak periods.

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Among the Hawaiian Islands, Molokai is known as the Friendly Isle, and those who live there would consider it the best island to live on by far.

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But, there are important differences between Maui and Oahu vacations. If you're looking for a typical Hawaiian tourist vacation, Oahu offers Waikiki Beach, historical memorials and modern culture. Meanwhile, travelers should head to Maui to enjoy outdoorsy adventures, from snorkeling to hiking volcanic peaks.

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