A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Bar Harbor vs. Maui for Beaches, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Bar Harbor or Maui?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bar Harbor and Maui can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a charming, picturesque, and relaxed coastal town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and food.

Maui

Maui is a idyllic, adventure-filled, and breathtaking island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Bar Harbor and Maui: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bar Harbor or Maui?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Maui. Although Bar Harbor and Maui are popular destinations, Maui has more sights and attractions for tourists. Maui is very popular for its museums & sights, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Bar Harbor attracts visitors for its food, shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Maui is more touristy than Bar Harbor and is known for its beach-filled coastline, world-class snorkeling and scuba diving, dramatic landscapes, and paradise environment. It is also well known for Haleakala National Park. Bar Harbor is famous for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park.

How is Bar Harbor different from Maui?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Maui and Bar Harbor. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bar Harbor or Maui?

Maui is a moderate island for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Maui offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people prefer not to spend their time inside or at a museum, but for a rainy day you can check out the Maui Ocean Center.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bar Harbor or Maui? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bar Harbor is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Bar Harbor. The town is famous for its Maine lobster, but there are also countless other types of fresh seafood available. You'll find waterfront restaurants with beautiful views and fresh ingredients.

Maui may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Like the other Hawaiian islands, food is expensive and of varying quality here, but the food scene continues to grow and improve. There are eclectic food trucks where you can try local flavors. There's also plenty of fresh tropical produce like mangos, avocadoes, and coconuts. Seafood is common on many menus as well.

Is Bar Harbor or Maui Better for Nightlife?

Neither Bar Harbor or Maui offer decent nightlife.

People don't go to Bar Harbor for the nightlife. It's a peaceful and sleepy town, so you wont find much in the way of nightlife.

Maui doesn't offer many options. The island is not known for its nightlife, but the limited activities that do exist you'll find in Kaanapali and Lahaina.

Is Bar Harbor or Maui Better for Resorts?

Maui is a well-known place for its resorts. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its luxury resorts.

In Maui, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are a number of nice resorts, but there are also VRBOs, condos, and local hotels where you can stay. High-end luxury resorts on the island include The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua and Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. There are also more reasonable priced resorts without all of the glitz and glam.

With a selection of resorts, Bar Harbor makes a nice vacation spot. The town is all about the cute hotel. Several favorites include Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Bluenose Inn, and Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.

Is Bar Harbor or Maui Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Maui is a well-known place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Bar Harbor is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Maui is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. The island has excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. You can really find it anywhere on the island, but some places are more crowded than others. Some of the best beaches for snorkeling include Honolua Bay, Slaughterhouse (Mokuleia Bay), DT Fleming Beach, and Kapalua Bay.

Bar Harbor is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Maui Better for Beaches?

Maui is terrific for its beaches. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for the beache.

Maui is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The island has stunning beaches and more miles of swimmable beach than any of the other Hawaiian islands. One of the best swimming beaches is Kapalua Beach, but other favorite beaches include Makena Beach State Park, Ka'anapali Beach, Baldwin Beach Park, and Wai'anapanapa State Park.

Bar Harbor offers a nice beach destination. A nice beach is close by but do note that the sand is very shelly and there is a big difference between high and low tides.

Is Bar Harbor or Maui Better for Hiking?

Maui is terrific for the nearby hiking options. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its hiking trails.

Around Maui visitors will find world-class hiking trails. There are many diverse hikes on the island that pass through different landscapes and ecosystems. Hikes range from easy to challenging and are of varying length. Some of the favorites include 'Iao Valley State Park, Haleakala's Sliding Sands Trail (in Haleakala National Park), and The Pipiwai Trail.

Bar Harbor offers some nice hiking trails. Nearby Acadia National Park has plenty of hiking options. There's also the Bar Harbor Shore Path that wanders along the coastline and offers beautiful views.

Is the Shopping Better in Bar Harbor or Maui?

Bar Harbor is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Maui is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Bar Harbor is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Maui has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are many shopping centers where you'll find souvenirs, Hawaiian clothing, and even handmade crafts. If you forgot something from home, you'll also find many of the major chains that are common on the mainland.

Is Bar Harbor or Maui Better for Families?

Maui is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Maui is an extremely popular island to visit for families. It is one of the best of the Hawaiian islands to explore with kids. There's plenty of snorkeling, outdoor adventure sports, and hiking that are great for kids of all ages. There are some kid-friendly beaches where kids can play in the water. There's also the Maui Ocean Center, Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm, and 'Iao Valley State Park.

Bar Harbor is a family-friendly coastal town. It is a small town with a lot of outdoor activities that kids will enjoy. Whale watching, kayaking, and wildlife spotting are all fun activities for all ages.

Is Bar Harbor or Maui Better for Couples?

Maui is terrific for romance. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its romantic activities.

Maui is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Couples will enjoy the outdoor sports, excellent snorkeling and diving, and beautiful waterfalls that make for a romantic getaway. There are world-class resorts and breathtaking scenery that attract honeymooning couples from around the globe.

Bar Harbor makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It is a quaint coastal town that is perfect for a couple's getaway or a short honeymoon. There are romantic restaurants, scenic walks, and beautiful views that make this a wonderful retreat.

Is Bar Harbor or Maui Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Bar Harbor and Maui offer reasonable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Bar Harbor. There is a free shuttle bus that will help you get around town if needed.

Public transit is mostly limited in Maui. The island does have a bus system with 14 routes, but most visitors prefer to have their own transportation to get around.

Is Bar Harbor or Maui a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is a great destination for its high level of walkability. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Bar Harbor is a very walkable coastal town. The town is small enough that it's easily explored on foot.

Maui is not a very walkable coastal town. The island is large enough that you'll want to have access to a car if you hope to explore it in its entirety.

For even more information, also check out Is Bar Harbor Worth Visiting? and Is Maui Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Maui or Bar Harbor?

How long in Bar Harbor or Maui?

Both Bar Harbor and Maui have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Maui than in Bar Harbor. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bar Harbor, and 3-7 days is enough time in Maui.

Families should spend more time in Maui than Bar Harbor. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Maui, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Maui than Bar Harbor. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Maui that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Maui than Bar Harbor if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Maui.

One day in Bar Harbor or Maui?

Bar Harbor is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling around the stunning island of Maui, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bar Harbor or Maui?

Bar Harbor is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Maui, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Bar Harbor or Maui?

Bar Harbor is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This coastal town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Maui, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this island. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Bar Harbor or Maui?

Because Bar Harbor is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Maui is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this island makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bar Harbor and Maui, we can see that Maui is more expensive. And not only is Bar Harbor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bar Harbor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bar Harbor and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Maui would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Maui than you might in Bar Harbor.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bar Harbor Expensive? and Is Maui Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Bar Harbor or Maui?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Maui in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bar Harbor and Maui. Many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Maui in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bar Harbor is cooler than Maui. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bar Harbor in July average around 69°F (21°C), and Maui averages at about 79°F (26°C).

In July, Bar Harbor usually receives more rain than Maui. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Maui in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bar Harbor as well as Maui. Many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Maui for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Bar Harbor is generally much colder than Maui. Daily temperatures in Bar Harbor average around 48°F (9°C), and Maui fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

Bar Harbor usually gets more rain in October than Maui. Bar Harbor gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Maui in the Winter?

Both Maui and Bar Harbor are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Maui because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bar Harbor can be very cold during winter. Bar Harbor is much colder than Maui in the winter. The daily temperature in Bar Harbor averages around 18°F (-8°C) in January, and Maui fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Maui. In January, Bar Harbor usually receives less rain than Maui. Bar Harbor gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Maui in the Spring?

Both Maui and Bar Harbor during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Maui this time of year.

In the spring, Bar Harbor is much colder than Maui. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bar Harbor in April average around 43°F (6°C), and Maui averages at about 74°F (24°C).

Bar Harbor usually gets more rain in April than Maui. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Maui and Bar Harbor