Hawai’i is such a beautiful place, the calming ocean and the beautiful weather are just a few of the many awe inspiring qualities of Hawai’i. But touring Hawai’i can be very expensive, here are some mistakes I made when going to Honolulu, Hawai’i on my Honeymoon and how you can avoid them too.
- Souvenirs Ahoy!
Going to Hawai’i means that you can get souvenir fever. Not only does this weigh down your wallet, it can also weigh down your suitcase as well! The desire to buy something unique or different or even just for the sake of getting an item from Hawai’i can be intoxicating. But this is a huge trap when it comes to seeing the islands. Shops line the streets of Waikiki with tchotchkes and cute little trinkets that say Hawai’i. How can you resist! My favorite part was that there were little stands that resembled a market with people willing to haggle for goods. My husband loves to haggle and was very pleased to be able to get a few things he liked for a good deal. The only catch was this… some of these things that are being sold at the market can easily be found online. My husband bought a beautiful jeweled (not real jewels) Turtle, Roosters, and Pineapple. He also had his eye on the bejeweled dolphin as well but decided to pass on it after already spending close to $100 on the others. He ended up searching Amazon to see if he could find a dolphin only to find it significantly cheaper! Along with some of the other items that he had bought. As much as I love to support little shops, when you’re on a budget some things are just not worth it, especially if it is not even unique to the place you are at. There are even the traps of cute things that are not good quality. I bought a cute bag with turtles on it that said Hawai’i from a shop. I was very pleased with my purchase because it was significantly cheaper than the first bag that we bought in Hawai’i that was handmade from a market which was $40! Only for my Cute Hawai’i Turtle Bag to Break on the first day of use and continue to disintegrate into an unusable state. Save yourself the money and be selective with what you choose to buy as souvenirs, had I followed this advice I definitely would have saved $100’s of dollars.
- Not Keeping Track of How Much You Spend. This may be a no brainer but, something I never realized before going was how expensive Hawai’i is! The cost of airfare depending on the season can be over $1000 per passenger and the cost of lodging can be equivalent to rent or a mortgage payment just to stay for a week! When my Husband and I had gone we booked a package deal with flights, and hotel but it still cost us over $5000 for the both of us! We had also opted for the nonstop flight which added to the cost and our hotel offered breakfast daily for an additional cost. Now being $5000 down the last thing you want to do is blow through money like it’s nothing when you get to Hawai’i. But that’s the thing, it can be so hard, especially for someone like me who loves cute little things and random stuff. One swipe after another whether it was food, souvenirs or excursions and next thing you know you have a credit card bill of over $1000’s of dollars! Food is very expensive in Hawai’i and so is just about everything else. Dinner for 2 can range from $50-$200, it is very difficult to find affordable food, even the food trucks cost about $15-$20 a plate if it’s a good food truck. Keeping track of where your money is going is essential to not having a hefty bill and pounds of anxiety when you return from this tropical paradise.
- Not Planning Ahead
Again, some may say who doesn’t plan ahead? But it can happen. For me it was because I was planning a wedding. While I did do my research I didn’t really think ahead to exploring more than just Waikiki. I regret not planning ahead and renting a car, even if it was just for a day. Renting a car in Hawai’i is hit or miss. With so many tourists, rental cars fly out of the lots like the Stanley Quencher Tumbler did off the shelves when it became a TikTok sensation. I wish we had rented a car so that we could explore the island more instead of being restricted to Waikiki which do not get me wrong is beautiful and has plenty of things to do, but if you’re like me and enjoy exploring more than just the popular tourist areas it can become repetitive after a few days of walking the same streets. But do know that if you do have the circumstances and privilege of renting a car, that parking is not always free. Check with your hotel online where you can park and the cost for it. Parking that I have seen can range from $25-$40 a day! Not add that to the overhead cost of getting to Hawai’i and having a place to stay and that can limit the amount you can spend on other activities or souvenirs if you please. There are little go cart looking carts that you can rent for the day but you are only allowed to drive them around within the Honolulu area, they are not to be taken on highways but are extremely fun and cute to ride around in.
- Not taking as much time as I should have to enjoy the beach and ocean
You would think that when you’re in Hawai’i, you would have no choice but to enjoy the beach and relax by the ocean. But If you’re like me, when you’re on vacation, you’re running around like the energizer bunny trying to see everything you possibly can because you don’t know if you’re ever going to be able to come back. When I go on vacation, I’m always doing research as to what the best places are to visit and the must-see attractions. I love things like little shops and quaint little towns with character. I also enjoy the thrill of new activities and immersing myself in the culture of the place I am visiting. But, I tend to keep going, going, going to the point that I forget the point of traveling to me, it’s to relax and escape the reality of day to day life. I love the sound of the Ocean, and hope to be able to live by the ocean someday. But my biggest regret was not enjoying the ocean and beach as much as I could have. Not enjoying the soothing sounds of the waves, that feel like they are washing away all my anxieties as they crash and retreat. When you’re in Hawai’i, do not forget to enjoy nature and the joy that comes from it. Activities and attractions are great, but to me, nothing beats nature because it is truly awe-inspiring.
- Underestimating the Power of the Hawai’ian Sun
I’ve always never been great at putting on sunscreen, and I should be better at it with the rise in skin cancer. But the Hawai’ian sun is no joke. Sunscreen is essential in Hawaii, and the more SPF the better. Keep in mind though that certain sunscreens are not allowed in Hawai’i. You must wear reef friendly sunscreen, in order to protect the beautiful Coral Reefs in Hawai’i. Some sunscreens include:…. Make sure to do your research on what sunscreens are approved in Hawaii. If you choose to buy sunscreen in Hawai’i, then you will find plenty of options at the ABC stores that are found at almost every corner of Waikiki. On our first day in Oahu, my husband and I went to Kailua to ride on jet skis. I do remember putting sunscreen on and after the ride, I wore an SPF shirt, but did not reapply sunscreen (a big mistake really). The next morning, I woke up with raised red skin that was unbearably itchy and burning on my back and arms. I believe it was sun poisoning or an allergic reaction to the sun. I tried Benadryl cream and after sun, but it did not help. I ended up going to a Target Pharmacy and asking what the pharmacist recommended that I use. He recommended hydrocortisone cream, after buying some I immediately applied it in the bathroom. It did eventually calm the unbearable sensations but it taught me a valuable lesson… do not underestimate the Hawai’ian sun. Beautiful and warm as it is, because Hawai’i is located so close to the equator, the sun is much more powerful than it is in the Mainland United States. Do not underestimate the sun in Hawai’i, otherwise it will make you pay for it.
Hawai’i is beautiful and is called the paradise of the Pacific for a reason. There are plenty of activities to do and lots of sun to soak up! As you take your journey through this beautiful island, enjoy every moment of it, but keep in mind once you go to Hawai’i it is almost impossible to not want to go back! I hope I was able to help you on your upcoming trip! Mahalo for taking the time to read this!
