10 Tricks You Need To Know Before Visiting Hawaii

Aloha!

On my first trip to Hawaii, I decided to visit Honolulu and Kauai. All I can say is that I definitely had a blast. Honolulu is one of those capitals with tons of beautiful beaches and a welcoming weather you love once you step out of the airport. As the largest Hawaiian city, it has its own culture; a mixture of immigrants that have really impregnated their roots to every corner and it’s tangible.

I stood at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. This hotel has a great location and its facilities are gorgeous. During the first hours I went around trying to understand what this beautiful city was about. I tried to visit every small restaurant and ask what would locals order for breakfast or lunch on a regular basis.

Even though, Honolulu looks really American at times, I never expected to see its Polynesian and Philippines roots so present.

When traveling, one of the things that I appreciate the most it’s a country’s appeal. On this case, I loved how every building respects nature and tourism. Their food is delicious (Read Hawaiian Food: Definitely More Than Pineapples); Native Hawaians are probably the most welcoming people in United States. What can I say about the beaches?  Well, they're delightful, especially Lanikai, one of my favorites so far.

These are the top 5 tricks you need to know about Honolulu:

1.    Make your own beach tour

There's nothing better than go around looking for the best beaches and most wonderful views. From Waikiki to Lanikai Beach, there are multiple spots to get tanned. Enjoy Diamond Head Beach Park, Kuhio Beach, Kahanamoku, Lanikai, Fort DeRussy Beach Park and Sandy Beach. These are some of the best in USA, according to 10 Best.  Also, since all the fun happens around Waikiki, I would recommend you to stay near that area even if you do Airbnb.

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2.    Try public transportation

If you want to live a real experience, try to walk around, take “The Bus” or use trendy bicycle rental “Biki.” It’s practical and fun.

3.    Go for local food

There are lots of places where you can find great food with Hawaiian real essence. Read this: Hawaiian Food: Definitely More Than Pineapples. 

4. Plan your nightlife ahead for the weekend

Honolulu’s nightlife happen much more during the weekend. Try to set your agenda before Friday and look up for the different options especially boat tours, nightclubs, karaokes and party buses. 

5.    Do not miss historical places

Go visit all historic locations like Pearl Harbor, Byodo In Temple, Chinatown, Hawaiian National Zoo, Merchant Street Historic District, Bishop Museum, the Botanical Garden or the Kyoto Gardens of Honolulu Memorial Park. Honolulu offers a lot of history and interesting cultural places you cannot miss.

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Kauai

This destination is still growing up, so try to schedule your activities upon arrival. Kauai it’s absolutely beautiful. It has stunning sightseeing; plenty of outdoor activities and it’s the perfect spot if you’re looking for a relaxing venture.

This is what you can’t miss while in Kauai:

1-   Rent a Car

When visiting this island, it’s almost mandatory to have a car. There are some popular companies like Hertz or Thrifty that offer car service 24 hours for as low as $40 dollars per day if you rent it a week before. Taxicabs around the area are almost impossible to reach. Believe me, you need your own transportation to walk around.  

2-   Schedule outdoor activities

This island is really popular for its extreme sports, green tours and adventure. List all the activities of your interest so that you don’t miss all the fun. See different options and prices to select the one that best fits for you. We had the opportunity to practice Zip Line with KauaiAtv and we had a great time. 

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Zip Line adventure in Kauai

3-   Look up for free activities

While a lot of companies take you everywhere, you can also find many recreations for free and still have a blast. Wailua Falls, Queen’s Bath and Na Pali Coast are totally accessible.

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4-   Check your local Supermarkets and farm markets

In case you stay at a resort, timeshare or Airbnb, try to store your refrigerator and prepare some meals in case you want to spend some time with the family and friends. Kauai has different options especially popular farm markets you can support. While staying at Wyndham Bali Hai Villas we felt like home and really enjoyed every part of the facility.

5-   Pricey but worthy

Tours on this island tend to be expensive but for some of them it’s totally worthy to pay $200 bucks. Capt. Andy's Boat tours is one the best experiences you can have. On this one you can meet the stunning Na Pali Coast on a cruise that includes a fancy dinner and ocean excitement. You can also try to go all the way up on a helicopter and delight your eyes with the most beautiful views including famous Wailua Falls. Once you get to the island, look up for the most accessible tours and give it a try!

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Mahalo!