Is Hawaii overrated?
Are you ready for the ultimate island getaway? Hawaii has a reputation of being a paradise on earth, with palm trees swaying in the gentle breeze and white sand beaches beckoning to be explored.
But is Hawaii overrated? In this blog post, we’ll take an in-depth look at what makes Hawaii so popular and decide if it really lives up to the hype.
I visited Hawaii and took my 360 camera with me. I flew to Honolulu then took a cruise to 4 islands over a week.
I’ll be posting those videos here and on my YouTube channel once I get a chance to edit them.
In the meantime, I posted some pictures from my regular camera 🙂
Popular Activities in Hawaii
From lounging on picturesque beaches to exploring volcanoes and hiking through rainforests, Hawaii offers a truly unique experience for travelers. But with thousands of tourists visiting each year, some popular activities may start to become overrated or even overcrowded.
Before booking that snorkeling excursion or beach-hopping tour, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of some of Hawaii’s most popular activities and attractions.
Beaches
One activity that often draws visitors to Hawaii is its beautiful beaches. From gorgeous white sand shores to wild black sand coastlines, Hawaii has something for everyone’s tastes when it comes to beach life. Lounging and swimming in the turquoise waters are popular pastimes but beware – during peak season these locations can become saturated with tourists.
Taking some extra time off the beaten path might result in a much more enjoyable experience without all the crowds!
Volcanoes
Exploring Hawaii’s volcanic landscape is also high on most visitors’ lists. A trip to one of Hawaii’s volcanoes could give you breathtaking views and offer up interesting facts about these powerful forces of nature.
However, due to safety concerns with hot surfaces and potential steam explosions, these tours tend to be costly and require lots of preparation ahead of time – making them slightly less worth it in our opinion (unless you really want a unique adventure!)
Hiking
Hiking around rainforests is another highly sought after experience in this lush paradise. Unfortunately, many trails (especially those located within National Parks) can end up feeling like big tourist traps as they get more crowded during peak season. If possible, try going towards less trafficked areas so you can still enjoy nature while avoiding large crowds of people taking selfies!
Shopping
Shopping local is another way visitors try to get a feel for Hawaiian culture and traditions – although it may not be quite as rewarding as other activities on this list. With souvenir shops lined up along almost every main street selling mass produced items like ‘Hawaiian-style shirts’ it might be difficult for travelers to find authentic products made by locals or unique handmade items representing true Hawaiian culture.
You might have better luck searching online or asking locals for recommendations before buying from stores promising ‘genuine Hawaiian items’.
“Traditional” activities
Popular activities such as luaus and ‘hula’ lessons are great tourist attractions but might not be something locals would list as an activity they would usually do on vacation. These activities are quite expensive and often overpriced – so visitors should always check prices beforehand before signing up for those kind of activities.
When it comes down to deciding which activities are best when visiting Hawaii there could be differing opinions between each traveler depending on what they prioritize most – budget restrictions? Insta worthy photos? Unique experiences? Explore beyond the typical tourist destinations and plan ahead – that way you can save both money and stress!
Exploring Hawaii’s Natural Beauty – the main Pro
With so many incredible sights to explore, it’s no wonder that Hawaii is such a sought-after destination. From volcanoes and beaches to tropical rain forests, Hawaii offers visitors the opportunity to explore some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. But is exploring Hawaii’s natural beauty worth your time and money?
The answer is an emphatic yes! Although it may be expensive to stay in certain parts of Hawaii, there are plenty of opportunities for exploring its natural wonders without breaking the bank.
There are hundreds of hiking trails that take you through lush jungles or past cascading waterfalls, allowing you to experience all the beauty that Hawaii has to offer in an inexpensive way. For those who prefer something less strenuous, there are plenty of beaches and coves with stunning views, as well as national parks with incredible wildlife viewing opportunities.
I found it amazing that you could see volcanoes and tropical forests and beautiful beaches and canyons and mountains all in the same small area. Hard to duplicate that experience anywhere else in the world.
And the state and national parks are cheap!
Links to national parks in Hawaii
Main Con of Visiting Hawaii – Price
Visiting Hawaii can be a great vacation experience, but it can also come with unexpected costs.
On the plus side, travelers will find beautiful scenery, warm weather and plenty of activities at their disposal.
However, due to its popularity among tourists, prices for flights and accommodation tend to be higher than other locations in the US. Additionally, although services such as food delivery are available on many islands, shopping centers may still be far away resulting in higher transportation costs.
Prices tend to be higher than expected as well due to local taxes imposed by the state on many goods and services.
Dining out can be a collective experience during your time spent in Hawaii but can prove costly if you don’t do your research first. Traditional Hawaiian style restaurants tend to be small family-run businesses so you may find yourself paying slightly more than you bargained for.
However, there are many small stalls and convenience type stores and food trucks that sell uniquely Hawaiian food like spam masubi and poke bowls and loco moco and huli huli chicken.
Accommodation Options in Hawaii
When you’re considering a vacation to Hawaii, the question of where to stay is one that comes up often. Accommodation options can vary from traditional hotels and resorts to more affordable options such as hostels and Airbnb rentals.
There are also a number of unique stays in Hawaii that provide an authentic experience for visitors. Whether you’re looking for a luxurious getaway or something more affordable, there are plenty of accommodation options in Hawaii to suit any budget. But is it worth it?
I found that prices were relatively high everywhere but got much cheaper staying just a few blocks from the main areas.
We stayed just 3 blocks from Waikiki beach and got great prices at a nice hotel, but with the convenience of being walking distance to lots of restaurants, shopping, and the beach. In fact, many of the nice shopping and restaurants were not right on the beach but 2 parallel streets and so we weren’t far from them at all.
Comparisons to other Pacific islands
When it comes to vacationing in the Pacific, Hawaii stands out as a picturesque paradise. Its rich culture, stunning landscapes, and vast range of activities make it one of the top vacation spots in the world.
Compared to other exotic destinations such as Fiji or Bora Bora, Hawaii is much more accessible and offers all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay.
And compared to many of these other locations, there is a lot more variety of nature as well as modern options in Hawaii. Tropical beaches are common in the Pacific, but not volcanoes, canyons, and mountains all in one area! Plus, big city benefits of Honolulu if you want.
Is Hawaii overrated?
There’s nothing quite like spending time in Hawaii with family, friends, or even alone. But is it worth it? Let’s take a look at the summary of pros and cons of booking a stay in one of these tropical islands.
PROS:
– Shopping:
Hawaii has some truly unique items that you won’t find anywhere else. The selection ranges from handmade jewelry to local artworks to Kona coffee and macadamia nuts, so you’re sure to find something special to bring home as a souvenir.
– Dining Out:
Hawaiian cuisine offers some truly unique flavors that are worth experiencing first-hand. Whether you prefer seafood or have exotic tastes, Hawaiian restaurants have something for everyone.
– Nature
such as lush forests and cascading waterfalls, stunning beaches, captivating sunset views, and majestic volcanoes. With state and national parks being very budget friendly.
CONS:
– High Prices:
While shopping and dining out may be affordable on their own, other amenities such as hotels can come with high prices due to the popularity of the destination spot. If budgeting is important for your vacation, then beware before booking too much!
– Crowds:
With its popularity comes its downside – large crowds of tourists! Be sure to plan ahead with extra planning when visiting popular attractions as they can get busy quickly.
The Answer
Is Hawaii all it’s cracked up to be?
Overall, visiting Hawaii could be considered a very worthwhile experience if done right! With careful planning and budgeting, it is possible to enjoy this sunny location with all its amazing attractions with a reasonable budget.
If you have the budget for the flight, then you can do lots of amazing things involving nature and sightseeing without breaking the bank. And you can eat unique Hawaiian specialty foods at stalls and small quick stores without going to expensive sit down restaurants. And stay at a hotel just off the hot areas. That’s what we did!
But if you have a higher budget, then the sky’s the limit with many luxurious resorts and high end experiences thoughout the islands!
Check out my Youtube channel for my 360 video travels over the world, and my USA travel guides here in this blog.
