North Kauai on a Budget
Found on the northernmost part of the Hawaiian chain, Kauai is one of the oldest islands. Although thousands of tourists come here every year, the "Garden Isle" has remained to be a haven for people who are in for a quiet escape. If you're looking for a getaway with minimum presence of tall hotels, dazzling city neon lights, and that migraine-inducing traffic, North Kauai would be an ideal choice for your vacation.
In these financially-draining times, a lot of individuals and families are having second thoughts about spending for a vacation, even if it is long overdue and much-deserved. If you are among them, it is possible to spend a holiday in North Kauai without using your life savings to the last cent. Here are some tips for a worthwhile North Kauai vacation even on a shoestring budget:
Save Up right from the get-go.
Before you even set foot on North Kauai, you should be able to make smart decisions with your travel spending. For your airfare, an intelligent suggestion would be to scour for different rates from various airlines. One factor that will affect flight reservations would be the season, whether it's the holiday season or not in Hawaii. It is not a sure thing, but you may find it more affordable to go to North Kauai on a weekday, as opposed to a Saturday or Sunday. Most travel sites online would take care reservations for you, from hotel accommodation to car rental. It's all up to you to pick out the best deal.
Know where to stay.
The place where you will stay is a prime consideration for the cost of your accommodation and other travel expenses. You also have to take into account the duration of your vacation. Here in North Shore, Kauai, the ideal places to find a budget lodging is the stretch from Wailua to Kapaa.
Here are a few good suggestions:
Hale Hoo Maha - This is a tiny motel that offers spacious rooms at a good price. The establishment allows the following fun activities: horseback riding, surfing, golf, etc.
Kauai International Hostel - It has private rooms and dorms. This hostel is not a bad choice for your family; it has a game room, Internet access, and even bike rental facilities.
Tips for the budget conscious traveler
It cannot be denied, whether you are single traveler or with a family, that touring North Kauai could be very costly if you get careless in watching the expenses. What you can do instead is take note of the following tips to avoid spending too much on your vacation:
Tip #1: Assuming you are staying in a hotel, veer away from the breakfast buffet. A buffet could reach as high as around $30 per head, so how much would that sum up in a week for you and your spouse? If you do the math, you would realize that it is quite a hefty amount.
Thankfully, there are resorts with coffee shops. Going for fruits or pastries is not a bad idea at all. You could also ask the hotel manager if they offer an "ala carte breakfast special." Also, you do not need to eat in your hotel for every meal during the vacation. Befriend some locals, and they would be happy to direct you to the cheap-but-quality food restaurants.
Tip #2: Assuming you need to rent a car, get one that has enough space for you, your travel companions, and some travel bags. As much as possible, take your eyes off luxury cars or SUVs if you can find an economy car that also saves on gas. This would mean more savings that could be used in other things, say, shopping for souvenirs or going on a mountain climbing tour.
Tip #3: Don't let your tight budget limit the enjoyment of your vacation. Sure, there are things you can't do if you don't have enough cash, such as fine dining or staying in luxurious hotel rooms, but there are activities that can make up for this. For instance, instead of going to hotel restaurants, you can go to cafes for pastries or food stands for some local favorites such as the shave ice. You can also forget about tours and create your own itinerary. Being spontaneous can add to the excitement of your trip, so long as you won't get lost or spend mroe than you should.
Tip #4: Assuming you would be going on a tour, it would be better to book it way before your arrival. Many tour operators offer five to ten percent discounts if you book two weeks prior to the tour. Naturally, you cannot find a good discount tour if you won't take time to do some research. Online, you can search through tourism boards and for tour packages and do some comparison shopping of your own.
Low budget activities
Check out the Kokee State and Waimea Canyon Parks. Visit the lighthouse; this is a majestic view that would cost you nothing. While in Hawaii, also take time to watch the sunset. They say that the setting of the sun is more dramatic here than in any part of the world. The blue sky, cool breeze, and the verdant surroundings only make the scenery all the more breathtaking. Sunrise or sunset, you'll see couples and families gathered around the best viewing spots in North Kauai, where they also go on picnics. Another activity that is relaxing yet free is checking out the beautiful waterfalls. North Kauai has a number of them, and many of them are easy to access.
Naturally, a long vacation would not be complete if you and your family failed to visit the beaches. Anini Beach, Hanalei Bay, and Kee Beach are just among the many sites to choose from. A word of warning though: the North shore waters could have dangerous currents or waves, specially from October up to May. If you have young kids, it would be best to have them just watch the waves instead of wading in them.
North Kauai is a perfect spot for hiking, too. But unless you are a veteran hiker, it is not advisable to hike further than two miles. Usually, beyond this point, the trails could get a bit scary. Also, you might want to take your family to the Spouting Horn. It can be the most unforgettable blowhole in all of Hawaii.
Your choice of accommodation
For a budget vacation in North Kauai, staying in a condo also has its benefits. First, you get to save on accommodations. You could split, say, $200 per night with three of your friends, and that would mean some serious savings for all of you. Even if you are on your own, staying in a condo can also be budget-saving. For one, you could cook your own food. Usually, condo units come with fully furnished kitchen, complete with blenders, coffeemakers, toasters, grills, etc. Aside from these, you'll also enjoy the privacy of having the whole place only to you.
However, staying in a condo also has its downsides. One is that many of them do not have daily maid service. You would be making your own bed and have to get your own clean towels, among other things.
If you don't have money for staying in oceanfront hotels or luxurious hotels, there are cottages, farmstays, and vacation rentals to match your budget. Of course, you can also look for bed and breakfasts that could probably make you feel more at home as you mingle with the locals and other guests.
A final word
Even if you have a big sum at your disposal, it is not reason enough to throw money away without minding your options. Compared to other expensive cities around the world, here in North Kauai, you can still have a great time despite a limited budget. The Aloha spirit will make you feel more at home and comfortable even when staying in economy rooms. You can always look for "cheap eats" in this part of the island and sample the local favorites without having to wear fancy clothes or make reservations in fine dining restaurants.
For tours, you can always ask about the package deals. If they're too costly, perhaps you can have your own adventure with your a map as guide. You can always do your own research about places you are about to visit, so you can appreciate them more once you see them up close.