Akaka Falls
State Park
Each Hawaiian island is different and special in its own way. The Big Island is beautiful, and far cheaper to explore than Oahu. Here you will find some insider tips on traveling to the Big Island on a budget and making the most of your time.
Instructions
1. If you are not flying directly to the Big Island from the mainland or a country other than the U.S., you will need a connecting flight from one of the neighbor islands. Early morning and late night flights tend to be the cheapest. Check out Hawaiian Airlines and Go! Airlines for tickets, which usually range from $40 to $80 each way. You will need to choose an airport to fly in to- Hilo or Kailua-Kona. If you plan to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park first then fly into Hilo as it is only about 40 minutes (driving) to the park.
2. It is much cheaper to rent a car and explore the island on your own, as opposed to paying a tour company to drive you around. Car rentals tend to be cheaper on the Big Island than islands such as Oahu. If you do not have a major credit card, but instead use a Visa debit card, contact Alamo. Alamo is also a great choice because it allows customers to take rental cars on the Saddle Road, which connects Kailua-Kona and Hilo.
3. Camping and cabins are the cheapest option for accommodations. Cabins run as low as $50 a night. Contact Volcano House or the cabins at Volcano Village to learn more. Hostels are also available, as well as chalets which are similar to hostels.
4. Both Kailua-Kona and Hilo have a Wal-Mart. Stock up on snacks, water, and non-perishable items. It will save you plenty of money in the long run. There are farmer's markets and road side stands that provide great deals on fresh food, and these can be found as you travel around the island. If you do not feel like searching for a road side fruit stand check out the market in Hilo.
5. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park charges $10 for a seven day pass to the park. Parking is free and there are many activities to do for free at the visitor's center. The park itself is huge and it takes days, if not weeks, to fully explore it.
6. Other free activities include tours of coffee mills, macadamia nut farms, Akaka Falls State Park, access to black sand beaches, the green sand beach, and of course all the snorkeling, hiking, and beach lounging you can squeeze in to your vacation. On top of all this, there are quaint little towns here and there, with friendly merchants ready to tell you the history of the Big Island.
Tags: Akaka Falls, Akaka Falls State, Falls State, Falls State Park, Hawaii Volcanoes