Should I stay on both sides of the Big Island?

We suggest splitting your stay between Kailua-Kona on the west side and Hilo (or Volcano) on the east side during your trip. This will ease a lot of extra driving and allow you to experience both sides of the island.



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Kailua-Kona. Kailua-Kona is a vibrant coastal town located on the west side of the Big Island of Hawaii. It offers a unique blend of natural beauty, rich history, and a laid-back lifestyle that attracts residents and visitors alike.

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Kona offers better weather, the best beaches and snorkeling, newer resorts, more vacation rentals, and more nightlife compared to Hilo Town. Hilo is worth a visit but may not be worth staying for more than a night. Erica and I make Kailua-Kona our launching pad during our Big Island vacations.

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To discover Big Island as a whole, we recommend staying ideally 8 to 10 days so that you have time to explore it at your own pace, as the island is quite large.

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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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For experienced swimmers, Kailua Pier is the best spot for ocean swimming in Kona, and is a good place to potentially join others to swim with, commonly known as the “Pier Group”. ~ 8:00 AM tends to be a popular time with the most swimmers at the Pier.

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All Big Island Beaches
  • Makalawena Beach - #1 Best Beach on the Big Island.
  • Two-Step Snorkeling.
  • Kealakekua Bay.
  • Manini'owali Beach at Kua Bay - #3 Best Beach on the Big Island.
  • Ai'opio Beach.
  • Kona Coast Kekaha Kai State Park - #6 Best Beach on the Big Island.
  • Kiholo Bay Scenic Overlook.
  • Alula Beach.


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Kukio 8,000+ sq. Known to many as the billionaire getaway, Kukio is Hawaii's most exclusive community. Open only to homeowners and their guests – you can't enter the gates without the express approval of a homeowner.

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West Side: Eternal Sunshine, World-Class Snorkeling, and a More Developed Coastline. In contrast to the more tropical environment of the east side, the west coast of the Big Island is known for its noticeably drier climate.

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We have among the highest income taxes and tourism taxes. Now, Hawaii also has a tax called the general excise tax, which is kind of like a sales tax, except it's on all goods and services at every step in the production process. So even though it looks small, it's actually really big by the time it hits the consumer.

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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. Some call these Hawaii Island's 'off-season periods' or the 'shoulder months.

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Kona is a walkable seaside village, so allocate the early hours to exploring every inch of the town on foot.

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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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Good guests are always welcome. The occasional bad guest isn't, but Hilo doesn't get a lot of those. FWIW, locals in Kona resent mainlanders too, but there are so many mainlanders that they have a sort of quorum, whereas in Hilo one is a minority.

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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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10 Ways to Save Money on Hawaii Big Island
  1. Kona Joe Coffee.
  2. Great Hawaiian Mac Nut Trail.
  3. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
  4. Cruise the Kohala Coast.
  5. Spend time on Big Island's colored beaches.
  6. Explore forgotten sugarcane plantations of Ka'U.
  7. Go snorkeling at Honaunau Bay.
  8. Sample local flavors at Hilo Farmers Market.


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However, driving in Hawaii does come with its own set of challenges that you should be prepared for, including poor road conditions. While the more populated islands like O'ahu or the Big Island have decent roads, the more rural isles like Kaua'i have roads that are often unpaved and difficult to drive on.

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