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How to Save Money on Your Trip to the Big Island

Want to save money on your trip to the Big Island?

There are a number of ways you can cut costs and make a trip to Hawaii’s biggest island 100% affordable.

From eating in the local markets and supermarkets to choosing your accommodation options wisely, here’s our quick guide to saving money on the Big Island:

Stay in a budget hotel.

Hawaii may be well known for its high-end hotels and luxury resorts, but there are other options for the budget traveler.

For the tightest budget trying Couchsurfing (an online network) and stay with a local(or host) for free. It’s also a great way to get to know the island.

Alternatively, you can opt for:

  • A hostel, which will cost around $20 a night for a dormitory bed
  • Camp, usually around $5 per night
  • Or a rental home through websites like Home Away, which is especially good if you are staying on the island for a little bit longer.

Hilo also has some great budget bed and breakfast hotels.

Visit public beaches.

Some of the beaches on the Big Island and the rest of Hawaii are privately owned. This means you have to pay a daily fee to access the beach and the resort.

Avoid paying to enjoy Hawaii’s coastline by heading to the public beach parks, such as Hapuna Beach State Park – one of the best beaches and parks on the island.

Hilo and Kona also have public beaches, most of which have toilet and shower facilities, as well as food sellers.

Plan to visit the Big Island during the spring.

From the end of April to the end of May the Big Island sees very few tourists.

This is a small window of opportunity to book yourself a budget vacation to the island. The best way is to book your trip a few months in advance…or to leave it until the last minute.

Set up an alert on airline sites such as Skyscanner and monitor when the flights are at their lowest. You can also wait for the January sales.

Eat at farmer’s markets.

There are a number of exclusive eateries on the Big Island – but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways to save money on food.

Head to the weekly farmer’s market in Hilo, on Mamo Street and Kamehameha Avenue. Open all year round, and every Wednesday to Saturday, you can grab some delicious homemade treats at a fraction of the cost of the bars and restaurants on the island.

There is also a food market in the center of Waimea, which is only open on Saturdays. You can also head to local supermarkets and for a treat, try out some of the food trucks in the city centers – you won’t be disappointed.

Book a tour.

One of the best ways to see the island is with the people who know it best…

Book a discounted tour with HawaiiDiscount.com to make massive savings on tours and activities on the island.

You can save the most money when you book activities that need equipment, such as snorkeling or scuba diving. These tours would otherwise be extremely expensive for the average traveler.

Check the best savings on some of the island’s best activities online, or contact HawaiiDiscount.com by calling 1-866-482-9775 today.