These are some frugal ideas you can use while visiting Hawaii and still enjoy your vacation without paying as much. My daughter who was about 18 at the time, and I took a trip to the Island of Oahu. We stayed in a small room close to the International Market. It was only a few blocks up from the beach and because of this we saved money.
We ate a lot of our lunches at their local McDonalds and saved our money for a very nice entertaining Luau. We received a free breakfast from some company who had us sign up for just 3 of their tours which were very reasonable. My daughter took the snorkeling trip one morning and I took the trip in the yellow submarine. We took the Grand Island Circle Tour and the Pearl Harbor/City Tour learning many things about Hawaii.
We visited the International Market, the Hard Rock Cafe, the Ala Moana shopping center and the Zoo. There were free shows with dancing and singing as we walked along the hotel's on the beach side. What Fun! We saw lots and saved money.
By Jackie from Enumclaw, WA
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We recently went to Hawaii and I think these are great tips. I have a couple to add.
Plate lunches are very cheap and usually delicious. There are carts and little shops set up all over the place. They usually come with chicken (or another meat choice), rice and macaroni salad. It was usually more food than I could eat by myself.
We bought most of our souvenirs at the Honolulu Swap Meet. It is every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine (we know from experience!) at the Aloha Bowl. There are all the usual souvenir things that you see at the International Market but usually much cheaper. Feel free to haggle at both places.
What I would do next time is just window shop the International Market to get an idea of prices (the deeper in you go, the cheaper the prices are, even for the same stuff). Then stock up at the Swap Meet. Don't forget to check out the rows above the main circle as this is where you find your "regular" swap meet stuff. I saw great deals on snorkel equipment, used clothing and household items, not to mention local farmers selling their produce.
There is also a Farmer's Market near Honolulu that would be another great shopping place. Don't forget you have to get it all back on the plane.
I can't wait to go back!
My husband and I went to the big Island of Hawaii about 7 years ago. It was a company sponsored vacation, so we did not have to pay for our room or flight but we had to pay for all our meals and entertainment.
We rented a car because we knew we wanted to see the island. When we got to our hotel, we talked to the bellmen and asked where they go to eat and what beaches they liked best. We did not want to go to tourist places.
They directed us to a few restaurants that were fabulous and inexpensive. The first day we came back from breakfast where we ate omelets and pancakes (way too much food) for $15 with tip. When we talked to people who ate at the hotel, they said it cost them $50 to eat the buffet. We told them about the great place 15 minutes away.
The beaches we went to, were beautiful and not crowded. Definitely local places that you would not know unless someone told you the beach was there.
We drove around the island and found little out of the way places that did not cost anything to enjoy. Viewing the volcano was free and very fun.
My family and I enjoy great vacations but we always do them on a budget. That way, we can vacation more!
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