Otherwise, this category is kind of a wash. Reservations are offered in two hour increments beginning at 6AM (6AM-8AM, 8AM-10AM, etc.) You can visit Punaluu in tandem with Volcanoes National Park. Kona is home to some of the best beaches in Hawaii. Tourism is less noticeable here than on the Kona side of the island, but there's plenty to do. Hilo is a great jumping-off point for exploring many of the Big Islands natural sites. Compared to Maui, Oahu, or Kauai, the Big Island is enormous, and you must travel long distances to get from one point to another. Within the town of Hilo, you can easily get around on foot as most restaurants and bars are clustered near each other. If youre unable to get an advanced reservation, you can try for a day of, walk in ticket. There are 3-4 large resorts in the area and two fairly good sized shopping centers. Kona vs. Hilo, who ya got? - West Hawaii Today Its often considered one of the best and more unique things to do for your trip to the Big Island. If this area looks good to you, check out the Royal Kona Resort and King Kamehamehas Kona Beach Hotel (Courtyard Marriott). There is something for everyone, from resorts, luxury villas, and beachfront hotels to some budget-friendly options. It also offers free amenities for all ages. And some sell out well before you arrive on the island so you really need to have some sort of a plan. You wont need to worry about figuring out directions as your driver will likely be knowledgeable about the area and where to go. For better out worse.. Lol. Before we begin, lets answer the important question below. As mentioned above, Hilo has a more local and (at the risk of sounding negative) even a more run-down vibe than Kona. Now you may be wondering, what are the differences between Hilo and Kona? Its the perfect jumping-off point for the islands most famous waterfalls, valleys, and Volcanoes National Park. So what kind of activities can you actually get up to in Kona? Whether you stay in Hilo or Kona will make a difference for your budget. This mountain summit rises far above the clouds and houses active telescopes. The Hilo side tends to be more affordable than Kona. While most people associate Kona with the golden sands of Kailua Beach and the clear turquoise waters, there are also plenty of cultures here too. Panaewa Zoo is a must-visit if you have kids. As mentioned, Hilo caters to the local crowd, while Kona caters to the touristy crowd. You can book a tour here. If you want historic Hawaii, the volcano, waterfalls and rainforest, choose Hilo. Almost all goods delivered on the island arrive through Hilos port, meaning theres less logistical costs as compared to transporting it to the Kona side of the island. Its best to drive slowly to both ensure your safety and take in the beautiful sights. The Hilo side of the island (roughly the eastern half of the Big Island) is as lush a place as youll find anywhere in Hawaii. 11 Secrets to Planning Your Honeymoon in Hawaii on a Budget. What is the Cheapest Hawaiian Island to Visit? This is perhaps even more important in Hilo as youll want to be able to drive to different natural sites, beaches, and national parks in the area. So this can also be a flexible way to get around without shelling out the cash for a rental car. Its a no brainer. The public transport here is called the Hele-on bus, and can be a cheap way to get around the island. I strongly recommend creating an account before and making sure youre logged in at 7AM HST because its not uncommon for reservations to sell out quickly. Hilo is located on the wet side of the island, and upon arrival, youll quickly see why its called this. Are you choosing between Kona and Hilo? Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation is the closest to Kona and offers visitors free tours of the plant. 2023 The World Was Here First All rights reserved. Kona vs. Hilo- Where Should You Stay? - Uprooted Traveler But no rain also means the best beaches (the vast majority on the Big Island are found on the Kona side) and therefore all of the resorts and condos. Many travelers want to be able to explore all the amazing aspects of Hawaii. Hilo is not nearly as touristy as Kona and you wont find any big resorts here but you will find plenty of budget options that make a great home base from which to explore this part of the island. The Big Island is pretty, well, big and is divided into six areas: Kona, Hilo, Kohala, Hamakua Coast, Kau, and the Puna district. Hilo is worth a visit but may not be worth staying for more than a night. It covers a larger area, is more developed, and has more tourism amenities (beaches, hotels, etc.) Hapuna Beach and Makalawena Beach are two of the most famous beaches, but you really cant go wrong. Its easy to access both towns without needing to feel restricted by a tour or bus. It has gorgeous waterfalls, lush jungle hikes, majestic black sand beaches, and more budget-friendly accommodation options. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii - Wikipedia Its the biggest airport on the island and is most often used by tourists visiting The Big Island. Ultimately, it all depends on your preferences and how long you plan on staying. Entry times are staggered in 10 minute increments from 7AM to 1:20PM with roughly 1000 slots being assigned in advance every day. If you want to see some of the best black sand beaches on Hawaii Island, be sure to spend some time in Hilo. The best option is what suits your needs the best and what you hope to do on the island. Travel is BOOMING in Hawaii so a lot of state and national parks used the closure and reopening to institute reservation systems at some of the islands most popular spots to make things a little more sustainable. This allows you to simply hop onto a shuttle and enjoy a tour of the area as you make the trip to Hilo. If there is any flexible way to get where you need to get to go, it has to be Uber, as you can literally request a vehicle right to your location. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a2af99839cc1b7aaa6ea25e3ac112737" );document.getElementById("b934630cd5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Hi! Within the town of Hilo, check out the farmers market, Pacific Tsunami Museum, Kaumana Caves, and Imiloa Astronomy Center. On both your interests (do you like lazy beach days or rainforest hikes? And if none of that suits you or is exactly what youre looking for, there are soooooo many condo and vacation rental options on the Big Island. Kona feels more like a touristy suburban town, while Hilo has the vibe of an antique small town. Let us know in the comments! Of course, what you may lose in your ability to make stops may be made up for in the costs, as it may be a lot less than what you would have spent for a rental car. The average rain amounts for each region vary significantly due to their different elevations. Map: See the Damage to Lahaina From the Maui Fires - The New York Times Lyft is also another option, although it might not be considered a budget option. and ending at 6PM. Theres probably a couple of reasons that goods and services are more affordable in Hilo: So, if youre on a tight budget, Hilo (and all of its outdoor adventures!) that require advance reservations. They have an array of bright, clean and comfortable rooms to choose from, a perfect swimming pool and a private beach area, as well. So if youre on a budget, you can certainly find more modest accommodations around Kona (although, sadly, youll probably not be driven around on your own boat), but expect the most affordable lodging to still run you at least $100+ a night. Throughout all Hawaiian Islands, the touristy areas are going to be more expensive. The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has a lot to offer: spectacular hikes, impressive lava tubes, and mesmerizing views from the summit of Mauna Loa. This can make it more expensive than some of the other options. However, tickets are going to be priced at a fairly cheap $1-$2, which is a very inexpensive way to get to and from each location. We stayed in Pahoa on our most recent trip to the Big Island, and we are glad we did. Almost all are easily accessible by car or even a short hike. If you want more nightlife during your visit to the Big Island, Kona is going to be your best bet. ), youre going to need a rental car, regardless of which city youre staying in, to be able to properly explore. Heres a quick overview of the Big Island to better understand the differences between Hilo and Kona. So if you find a nice place to stay in Kona but you want to see Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hilo, the waterfalls, the black and green sand beaches, etc. Top 20 things to do on the Big Island Aug. 17-23: Benefit concerts to 2) Shuttle & Entry: If you cant get parking at the trailhead, theres also a shuttle option. The schedule for the bus can easily be found online, and the service runs six days a week. That said, for both destinations, make sure you have sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, and a swimsuit. Mostly, it rained between midnight and sunrise, so it didnt interfere with our daytime plans. We highly recommend doing so if you have enough time to visit both. What makes the decision a bit easier is that theres not a place in Hilo that I LOVE to stay. Excellent perspective! Traveling back and forth from there to Kona gave us a great view of almost the entire island. However, tickets are going to be priced at a fairly cheap $1-$2, which is a very inexpensive way to get to and from each location. This is due to it being smaller with fewer resorts, so fewer people overall. Its $10/timeslot (parking) plus $5/person and you have to reserve every person when you initially book. Kona is famous for its luxurious experience, with pleasant weather year-round, several private tours and resorts, annual events, cultural experiences, white-sand beaches, and even an annual Kona Coffee Festival . Regardless of your origin city, direct flights from the mainland to Hilo arent common. Here are some of the best things to do in Hilo: Hilo is home to some of the best black sand beaches in Hawaii. Kona offers important historical sites such as Captain Cook Monument, King Kamehameha Statue, Old Kona Airport, and Hulihee Palace. Comparing accommodations in Kona and Hilo kind of goes hand-in-hand with the cost conversation above. Its usually easier to find affordable flights into Kona and most of the islands big resorts are located nearby. The town of Kona is quite attractive and has a unique blend of locals and tourists. If you want to take the boat tour at Pearl Harbor out to the USS Arizona, its recommended to make advance reservations here. Without taking any breaks, you can get to your destination in under two hours. Click here to browse more Kona hotels! To be honest, Hilo has a gritty, or even dated kind of feel, with funky murals and faded paint splashed across many of the storefronts. Lets talk about actual Kona town. LEARN MORE Where to Stay on the Big Island of Hawaii: Kona or Hilo? Accordingly, airfare is typically slightly cheaper to fly into Kona than Hilo (although Id definitely recommend checking both airports from your home city on Skyscanner you never know when there may be a deal!). in Kona or on the Kohala coast) and the south/eastern side (in Hilo or Volcano Village). Kailua-Kona (the biggest city in Konas region) has many restaurants and shops, but its also very crowded with mostly tourists. You can also stop by the Southernmost Point in the United Statesa park where you can find excellent views in all directions. To hike to the top of Waikikis famous Diamond Head, you must make reservations in advance here. 2) Split your trip and stay part of the time near Kona and part of the time near Hilo. I wish you luck finding the best transportation option for your travel needs. Her next trip to Hawaii is never too far away! Most vehicles arent allowed to drive on their own to the top. Here Kilauea Volcano continues to take . You can rent a car to visit other select parts of the island. We recently visited the Big Island and stayed on the Hilo and Kona sides. Generally speaking, Kona tends to be more popular to fly into and sees more visitors than Hilo. Since the two regions are only a couple of hours from each other, a car will still be your best option in this situation. Thanks for sticking around and reading this whole post! 2. No ifs, ands, or buts about it, Kona is a lot more pricey than Hilo, ranging from everything from gas to food to accommodations. Although many travelers are trying to figure out whether to stay in Kona vs Hilo, both places have a lot to offer and I would recommend trying to visit both. You can access them by driving to their respective trailheads and then taking a short hike to the viewpoint. Last entry is at 1:30PM, the beach is cleared at 3:15PM and you have to leave the facility by 4PM. Kualoa Ranch UTV Tour (Oahu): Everybody loves Jurassic Park so getting to ride UTVs where they filmed the movies is very popular. The views are amazing! Youll have quite a few more rental company options in Kona and accordingly, may be able to find a better rate here. Also, if you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). This article will discuss what makes each place unique and why we think they make great destinations for your next trip. Pearl Harbor Tours From Big Island | Hilo & Kona Day Trips To Oahu Thank you for supporting the brands that make the Lincoln Travel Co possible. Punaluu Black Sand Beach, Polulu Valley Beach, and Poihiki Beach are our favorite black sand beaches in Hilo. Hilo vs. Kona: Which Side is the Best? - This Travel Dream Youll find charming mom-and-pop restaurants, rusty surf shacks, vibrant murals, and small villages making it feel worlds apart from Kona. There really is no answer to this question. Your support really helps me keep this blog running! We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. They also have a waitlist. The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is open Wednesday through Sunday (CLOSED MONDAY AND TUESDAY) from 6:45AM-4PM. You can browse car rental options here. There are also botanical areas and petting areas. The shuttle runs every 20 minutes 6:20AM to 6:40PM. Today: Frequent showers in the morning, then frequent showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. The summit is spectacular during the day and you dont need reservations for sunset. Source: Times analysis of satellite image by Planet Labs; building footprints from Maui County and OpenStreetMap. There are three time slots available: 6:30AM-12:30PM, 12:30PM-5:30PM and 4:30PM to sunset. Its $25/person to snorkel at Hanauma Bay (12 and under, active military, and locals with HI ID are free). Also, if youre walking or biking to the trailhead you can do this option. On the other hand, Kona only gets around 18 inches of rain, which is a huge difference. If you have ANY questions about planning your trip to Hawaii, you can join my free Facebook group here. Swimming with manta rays is an experience you can only have on the Big Island. in the comments below! An analysis by The New York Times using satellite images identified . Offering traditional dorm beds (with some female-only options), they also have great self-catering facilities, and good common areas to enjoy. There are plenty of colorful fish and coral, and if youre lucky, youll see some sea turtles and dolphins too! Hilo vs. Kona: Which Has the Best Weather? Hi, I'm Trysta B, a travel expert passionate about exploring Hawaii. Interestingly, while the distance between the two regions is about 60 miles, the distance by road is going to be bumped up to around 80 miles. If youre planning a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, youre in for a great time. Which one of these places is better? Remember that Hilo and Kona are only an hour and a half from each other! There are also a limited number of tickets released two days before. This is of course why they call it the Big Island.
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