Hanalei, Kauai on a budget
Many love to travel and take a vacation, especially if the destination is Hawaii and Hanalei. The problem is, not everybody has lots of money to spend on a vacation. There is a significant number of people who would love to get away for a while but are prevented to do so because of limitations on their budgets. If you are one of those people, you would be amazed to know that you don’t need to spend thousands and thousands of dollars just to have fun in Hanalei, Kauai. Hanalei can be called a backpacker’s paradise in that sense because even if you’re on a shoestring budget, you can still have a fun and memorable time in Hanalei.
Planning the trip
Most of your alloted budget for the trip will be spent on getting to Hanalei. That’s why you should plan ahead and compare travel costs beforehand to ensure that you will get the most savings. For the flights, you should check which one between stopping first at Honolulu and taking a direct flight would give you the most savings. For that, you should look into the offerings of carriers in Hawaii like Go! Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Island Air, and Mokulele Airlines and see which one gives the best deal on air fare.
Of course, the next thing you need to look into would be your accommodations. This is what requires the most research since there are different accommodations that are available in Hanalei. You should look for places that have the lowest rates, and those that provide special discounts and deals. You can also plan your trip and make it coincide with special events because discounts on accommodations are likely to be offered then. You should also go for places that provide free meals and other perks.
The cheapest option is to get a complete package, that is, one that includes air fare, car rental and accommodations. These packages are usually priced slightly lower, and if you’re on a shoestring budget, these will give you the most savings. You may find that the first package you've come across with is already perfect for you but don't get carried away easily, be sure to still look around for some more packages and compare before you pick one.
Another suggestion is to check out free tourism publications and look for discount coupons in them. These can also help you get the best deals in the place that you’re planning to stay in.
Travelling around Hanalei and Kauai
The cheapest option when traveling around Kauai would be the local bus. You get to experience how locals travel and see different scenes without spending much money. The downsides to taking the bus include the fact that the bus stops at a number of points and that the route is specified so you don’t have that much mobility. So, even if you’re on a tight budget, you should at least prepare a budget for a rental car and for gas. This is a worthwhile expense especially if you want to fully enjoy your experience in Hanalei and in Kauai in general.
Activities that you can do
Once you have a place to stay in, the next thing to do is to start exploring Hanalei. Of course, you should head on to the beach. Hanalei has some of the best beaches in the world including the scenic Hanalei Bay and Kee Beach. The good thing is that these beaches are public beaches, so you can swim and bathe in the sun all you want-for free. You can also just decide to lounge on the beach, be lulled by the waves, and then leave only after you have seen the beautiful sunset. If you want to go snorkeling, it’s recommended that you rent your snorkeling gear from a shop that could recommend a good snorkeling spot. This is cheaper than paying for a snorkeling tour. Another upside is that its more exciting to explore the snorkeling spot by yourself. You can also enjoy a good hike by going to the historic and scenic places in Hanalei. You can go to the heiau or ancient temple of Laku and explore the grounds and altar by yourself. Another place you can go to is the Waioli Mission House and the Waioli Huiia Church. These places charge a very minimal entrance fee that you are not likely to regret paying because of the fun that you will have exploring them.
You can also get up close with nature by going to the Hanalei Valley Lookout and the Hanalei National Valley refuge. You can immerse yourself in the natural surrounding of Hanalei and see the different wildlife habitating the area. And of course, once you follow the trail to the lookout, you will get a panoramic view of the valley’s surrounding landscape. For culture and entertainment, you can go to Hanalei town and explore the art galleries, and the various shops for some window shopping. Even if you’re on a shoestring budget, you can surely find trinkets and items that you can buy as souvenirs. Aside from that, you get exposed to local art and culture, which is already a great experience in itself.
You can also find free entertainment in Hanalei. Depending on the season and whether there are events, you can find free hula performances and ukulele concerts on the streets. There are also establishments, hotels, and resorts that provide local performances as part of their offerings for the guests. All you need to do is just walk around during the evening, for sure you can get a glimpse of these performances, even if you don’t have a front row seat.
For food and dining, there are affordable places to eat in at Hanalei. Also, most restaurants have their menus displayed on the outside so you can see immediately which places are within your price range. It is suggested that you order the “plate lunch”. This consists of potato and macaroni salad, two scoops of rice and a meat dish. You have different options for meat: beef stew, curry, kalua pig and cabbage, and more. And so if you want to have an economical alternative to a luau, then you can order plate lunch.
Aside from that, you can also go to local cafes that offer local coffee and light sandwiches for an inexpensive fare. You can also try Saimin, a local noodle broth which has different toppings such as Spam, pinwheel fish cake, scallions, boiled egg, and many more. The result is a delicious mix of flavors unlike any other. And of course, they’re cheap.
And if you’re a golfer, you don’t have to stay at a resort to enjoy golf. You can still enter the Prince and Makai golf courses even if you don’t stay at the Priceville Resort as these golf courses are open to the public. Though you do have to pay a premium to play in such a great golf course, at least you don’t need to pay for a resort accommodation. So, in a way, this is one way to go golfing like the pros on a budget.
Travel is about the experience; not the money
This is true for Hanalei - you don’t have to be a millionaire to fully enjoy Hanalei and to have one of the best vacations in your life. For though the food, accommodations, and the fare are not free, the beauty, culture, and history of Hanalei, and Hawaii in general, are all yours for a song. The only thing that money afforded you is the opportunity to enjoy the Hanalei experience, and not the experience itself. And so, even if your spending power is limited, you can still relax, enjoy, and be amazed by Hanalei.