Adventuring in Hawaii is a dream for many. Its gorgeous and peaceful landscapes, cultural richness, and pristine, stunning beaches create a place where the soul can rest, the body can have fun, and our whole being can experience a little piece of heaven.
I turned 40, and it deserved a unique celebration. Just a few days short of my birthday, I decided to Google flights. I set “anywhere” as the destination. It gave me a list of “affordable” places to fly. I quoted “affordable” because it was what was reasonable on such short notice. Anyway, I booked the flight and got ready for my trip.
I learned a great deal about what to do, how to move around, and what to eat, and I want to save you the trouble of searching for this information yourself.
Keep in mind, though, I have disabilities, so my days weren’t too packed, and I had to rest multiple times.
Remember to click on the links!
Flights
As many of you know, the earlier you search for a flight, the cheaper it will be. Also, when traveling to places like Hawaii, check which island or city is cheaper to fly to. Honolulu was more affordable this time. To book your flight, please visit either of these links Expedia Booking
Transportation.
Before anything else, arrange your transportation. Hawaii isn’t cheap.
There are several ways to get to your hotel and navigate around.
- Hotel shuttle. If your hotel has shuttle services, you’re set. However, many don’t.
- Private transportation, such as a small car or a bus for larger families or groups of friends. Searching in Viator is your best choice.
Moving around
There are a few choices:
- Rent a car. Keep in mind you have to pay for parking everywhere you go, and it is limited. Be sure to check Expedia or Get Rent a Car
- Buy a pass for the Waikiki Trolley Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Honolulu. You can choose how many days you want it for. It has four different lines that take you to various attractions. To me, that was the best choice. I didn’t have to worry about driving, gas, parking, or other expenses.
Where to Sleep and Rest?
I got you. You have a few options to find a nice hotel. My hotel wasn’t the most luxurious, but it was two minutes from the beach and pretty affordable. To me, that’s better than a luxury hotel. I don’t spend much time in the hotel when I am traveling. I go there to sleep, shower, and rest.
Choose among these choices:
Where to Eat:
Well, it will depend on your taste, budget, and the distance you are willing to walk or drive. I mostly stayed in Waikiki. There is a lot to do over there, many nice bars and restaurants, as well as food trucks. Let me tell you, though, food there isn’t cheap. Although it is relative, what’s affordable for me could be way too expensive for someone else or vice versa. I travel on a budget most of the time. My sister rented a car and went to fast-food places for cheaper food. I prefer eating local food.
I am a foodie, so the Downtown Honolulu Food Tour with 5 Local Favorites Tastings is an excellent choice for discovering local places, trying authentic local food, and sharing it with fellow tour participants. Be sure to visit Viator to book a tour.
I sipped on a delicious pineapple filled with juice and alcohol.
Now the fun part!
I took an early flight to arrive early and have the rest of the day to explore and do activities. I left my luggage at the hotel, then went to find food and eat on the beach.
Day 1.
Food and drinks! Shrimp tacos, rice and beans, and a refreshing cocktail welcomed me to Waikiki. In Waikiki, you can go to most places on foot. There are several restaurants, bars, and stores along the streets, and many beachfront properties. The restaurant was located on the second floor, so I took in the beauty of the ocean, the vast green palms, and the people’s happiness from above.
After that, I took my first trolley
Tip: To buy your super-cheap-awesome-deal ticket for the different trolley lines, visit either of these links & link.Each line: Pink, Red, Blue, and Green takes you to other attractions. You can buy it for a single day, two days, 3 days, or more.
I took the trolley and made a stop to walk to the Pier to do the glass-bottom boat tour. To book a very cheap tour, click this link. As you may know, if you read my blog, I am a budget traveler. I get to do fun stuff for an affordable price.
Manoa Falls is a lush, dense rainforest paradise. One of the many reasons people love Hawaii is due to its green color. Manoa Falls embodies the greenery and the summery that characterize Hawaii. The hike is moderate and only 1.6 miles round-trip. It usually takes from an hour to an hour and a half. The terrain is rocky and muddy. I fell, and my sandal sank in the mud. I had to walk back with mud between my toes. The scooter I rented took me there in one piece, even though I almost had a panic attack when cars drove 60+ right next to me. However, I made it, and I learned once again that I can accomplish hard and scary things.
