Thinking about traveling to the Oahu island of Hawaii? I received quite a few questions on Instagram so I am going to use this blog post to answer them Q&A style. This post is part one of a series of three. Part two will be dedicated to food and part three will include things to do while visiting Oahu.
Okay…let’s get into it!
Which island did you visit? How many days?
We visited Oahu which is where Honolulu is located. We were there for a week, Saturday to Saturday.
How can I travel to Hawaii for a reasonable price?
The most popular questions about Hawaii were price related. This answer depends on your definition of reasonable. I will tell you that our flights were around $800 a piece and our Airbnb was a total of $1,500 for a week. The rental car was about $200. My advice is to plan ahead and don’t book everything at once. You can eat for $50 or less per day.
You can check out the Airbnb we stayed in here!
What was your daily budget on food and alcoholic drinks?
We did not stay at an all-inclusive hotel so we purchased all our meals and alcohol. We did not really budget either (be better than us). I think it’s safe to budget $50 per day (per person) on food and drinks as long as you are not eating at steak and lobster every day. We aren’t big drinkers so most of our money was spent on food. Not surprising since yall know I’m a foodie. However, we grabbed a couple bottles of rum from the liquor store so we wouldn’t have to buy drinks everyday. We did have our share of Mai Tais that were $12 – $15.
How are the prices? Is it true that everything is super expensive in Hawaii??
Restaurant prices are comparable to the mainland. It’s expensive because you are eating out every meal. We thought getting an Airbnb would make food costs cheaper, but grocery prices are astronomical. Since they have to import everything it jacks up the prices. So we found it cheaper or about the same to just eat out. If we wanted a cheap meal we just ordered a pizza. A gallon of milk can cost close to $10!
What’s the range of price of typical excursions?
My favorite excursion was whale watching because it was number 1 on my bucket list to see whales in their natural habitat. We went with E Sea Diver on Groupon and it was $29 per person. Be sure to search Groupon for things you would like to do because there are a ton of deals! Pearl Harbor is also on Groupon and is $38 per person. The best snorkeling spot is Hanauma Bay and it’s $1 to park, entry fee is $7.50, and a snorkel set is $20. You also can purchase a small or large locker for $8 and $10 respectively to hold your keys, phone, and wallet while you snorkel.
The Polynesian Cultural Center was the most expensive because we decided to include the night show. It was cool learning about the culture and the evening show was a great production.
The beach is free and you can do helicopter tours or skydiving and more. So the range is Free – $200+.
Click here to see more activities on Groupon!
What’s the currency exchange comparison to American money?
This is a real question and I included it because there may be others out there wondering the same thing. Although Hawaii is an island off the mainland, it is still part of the United States and therefore uses the USD.
How was the food and drinks?
So many of the questions about Hawaii was food related. I am happy to report that the food was great! We tried a few local cuisines and the garlic shrimp from Shorty’s Island Cafe was our favorite. I also liked the spicy garlic shrimp from Tita’s Grill. We couldn’t get enough of the kalua pork so if you see it on a menu, get it! Don’t forget that Hawaii is part of the US so if you aren’t an adventurous eater, there are plenty of chain restaurants. We saw Popeyes, Jack in the Box, Papa John’s, Pizza Hut, and Dominos.
Drinks – I really liked the Blue Hawaii from M.A.C. 24/7 Restaurant and Bar. If you go to Waikiki Beach be sure to get an Island Surfer from the shack right on the beach. It is non-alcoholic but you can grab a bottle of rum from one of the many ABC liquor stores (one on almost every block). The rum mixes perfectly with the drink, but the Island Surfer is sooooo good with or without alcohol!
NOTE: Alcohol is not permitted on the beach, but it is not strictly enforced.
What’s the best places to eat?
Shorty’s Island Cafe, Kono’s, and Leonard’s Bakery are a few places that you have to try. Stay tuned for all of restaurants we hit up in part two of this series.
Did you try the spam?
Absolutely not! I have tried spam and I am NOT a fan. I was also tipped off that it doesn’t get any better just because you’re in Hawaii lol.
How were the locals?
The locals were amazing! Everyone is so laid back and chill. We met some of the most friendly people ever during our trip. They truly treat you like ohana (family).
Which beaches are the best?
My favorite was Lanikai Beach. The water is clear and a gorgeous blue. I was in up to my waist and could still see my toes. Parking is terrible though. You have to park down the street and walk to the beach access which wasn’t a bad walk. Just play some music with a portable speaker and the walk is pretty enjoyable.
Waikiki is the most popular beach.
If you have any additional questions ask them in the comment section below and I will answer them to the best of my ability! Mahalo (thank you)!
If you cannot make it to Hawaii just yet, but want a quick getaway to the beach, check out this blog post…How to Vacation with $500 or less
Thanks for the information I definitely want to visit Hawaii in the future so this has been helpful! I also always use Groupons on vacation and they are so helpful!
No problem! I haven’t used Groupon on international trips yet but I’m bout to look and see if it works outside the US!
Omg I love Hawaii! I also love this Q&A to help those who want to go!
Thank you!! I cannot wait to go back and visit another island.