A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Columbia River Gorge vs. Maui for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Columbia River Gorge or Maui?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Columbia River Gorge or Maui, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a natural, beautiful, and scenic region. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

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.

Columbia River Gorge and Maui: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbia River Gorge or Maui?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Maui. Although Columbia River Gorge and Maui are popular destinations, Maui has more sights and attractions for tourists. Maui is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Columbia River Gorge attracts visitors for its food and nightlife. Maui is more touristy than Columbia River Gorge 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. Columbia River Gorge is famous for its hiking, biking, and high number of waterfalls.

How is Columbia River Gorge different from Maui?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Columbia River Gorge or Maui?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Maui have reasonable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Columbia River Gorge offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area, but most visitors spend their time exploring the region's natural beauty.

While most people don't head to Maui specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. 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.

Is the Food Better in Columbia River Gorge or Maui? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge. You'll find many great restaurants in the area that serve local dishes that make use of the region's agricultural scene.

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 Columbia River Gorge or Maui Better for Nightlife?

Columbia River Gorge is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Columbia River Gorge has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Local breweries, wineries, and bars offer a relaxing setting with a local vibe.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Maui The island is not known for its nightlife, but the limited activities that do exist you'll find in Kaanapali and Lahaina.

Is Columbia River Gorge or Maui Better for Resorts?

Maui is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a resort destination.

Maui is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. 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.

Columbia River Gorge is not a resort destination.

Is Columbia River Gorge or Maui Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Many visitors go to Maui to enjoy 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.

Columbia River Gorge is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Columbia River Gorge or Maui Better for Beaches?

Maui is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, Columbia River Gorge is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Maui are among the best in the world. 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.

Columbia River Gorge is not a beach destination.

Is Columbia River Gorge or Maui Better for Hiking?

Maui is a world-class destination for the nearby hiking options. Also, Columbia River Gorge is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for its hiking trails.

Known for its hiking, Maui draws a crowd to experience the nature and the 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.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Columbia River Gorge. There are world-class hikes that take you to iconic waterfalls, breathtaking viewpoints, and along scenic waterways.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbia River Gorge or Maui?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Maui are nice shopping destinations.

Columbia River Gorge is a great destination for shopping. Art galleries feature local artwork and artisan crafts. There are photography shops and other venues that sell items highlighting the region's beauty.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Maui. 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 Columbia River Gorge or Maui Better for Families?

Maui is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Columbia River Gorge is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Maui is an amazing family-friendly island to visit. 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Columbia River Gorge is very family-friendly. Kids will love exploring the waterfalls and mountains as much as the adults do. There are kid-friendly hikes as well as bakeries and restaurants with many kid options.

Is Columbia River Gorge or Maui Better for Couples?

Maui is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Columbia River Gorge is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for its romantic activities.

Maui has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Columbia River Gorge makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will love the romantic hikes and waterfalls. There are also beautiful scenic viewpoints and wonderful restaurants.

Is Columbia River Gorge or Maui Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Columbia River Gorge is a great destination for backpackers. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Columbia River Gorge is a great region to visit for backpackers. You'll find hostels and campgrounds in the area that are perfect for backpackers and budget travelers.

Maui is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Like most of the Hawaiian Islands, everything is expensive here and even though there are a couple of hostels, you can still expect to pay high prices for them. Public transportation is also limited so you'll really need to rent a car if you hope to explore the island in depth.

Is Columbia River Gorge or Maui Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Maui offer reasonable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Columbia River Gorge. There are some buses, but don't rely on them to efficiently explore.

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 Columbia River Gorge or Maui a more walkable city?

Neither Columbia River Gorge or Maui are walkable places.

Columbia River Gorge is not a walkable region. You really need a car to explore the area, but some visitors rely on a bike.

Maui is not a very walkable region. 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 Columbia River Gorge Worth Visiting? and Is Maui Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Maui or Columbia River Gorge?

How long in Columbia River Gorge or Maui?

Both Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Columbia River Gorge, and 3-7 days is enough time in Maui.

Families should spend more time in Maui than Columbia River Gorge. 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 Columbia River Gorge. 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 Columbia River Gorge than Maui 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 Columbia River Gorge.

One day in Columbia River Gorge or Maui?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Columbia River Gorge. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the beautiful destination of Maui. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Columbia River Gorge or Maui?

Columbia River Gorge is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

Maui is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Columbia River Gorge or Maui?

You'll find food and shopping around the natural destination of Columbia River Gorge. This region offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many people visit Maui for five days. Many travelers enjoy the shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the beautiful island of Maui. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

A week in Columbia River Gorge or Maui?

The beautiful region of Columbia River Gorge offers shopping and nightlife. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the breathtaking destination of Maui. Many people spend one week here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Maui, one week is sufficent for most.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbia River Gorge and Maui, we can see that Maui is more expensive. And not only is Columbia River Gorge much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbia River Gorge would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge.

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

When is the best time to visit Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge or Maui in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia River Gorge and Maui. Many visitors come to Columbia River Gorge in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Maui for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Columbia River Gorge is cooler than Maui. Typically, the summer temperatures in Columbia River Gorge in July average around 68°F (20°C), and Maui averages at about 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Maui this time of the year. In Columbia River Gorge, it's very sunny this time of the year. Columbia River Gorge usually receives more sunshine than Maui during summer. Columbia River Gorge gets 338 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 290 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Columbia River Gorge usually receives more rain than Maui. Columbia River Gorge gets 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Columbia River Gorge or Maui in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Columbia River Gorge as well as Maui. Most visitors come to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Maui because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Columbia River Gorge is generally much colder than Maui. Daily temperatures in Columbia River Gorge average around 55°F (13°C), and Maui fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Maui. In the autumn, Columbia River Gorge often gets less sunshine than Maui. Columbia River Gorge gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 245 hours of full sun.

Columbia River Gorge usually gets more rain in October than Maui. Columbia River Gorge gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia River Gorge or Maui in the Winter?

Both Maui and Columbia River Gorge are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Columbia River Gorge because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Maui this time of year.

The weather in Columbia River Gorge can be very cold. Columbia River Gorge is much colder than Maui in the winter. The daily temperature in Columbia River Gorge averages around 40°F (4°C) in January, and Maui fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

It's quite sunny in Maui. Columbia River Gorge usually receives less sunshine than Maui during winter. Columbia River Gorge gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 217 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Maui. It's quite rainy in Columbia River Gorge. In January, Columbia River Gorge usually receives more rain than Maui. Columbia River Gorge gets 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Columbia River Gorge or Maui in the Spring?

Both Maui and Columbia River Gorge during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Columbia River Gorge this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Maui for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Columbia River Gorge is much colder than Maui. Typically, the spring temperatures in Columbia River Gorge in April average around 51°F (11°C), and Maui averages at about 74°F (24°C).

In Maui, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Columbia River Gorge. In the spring, Columbia River Gorge often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Maui. Columbia River Gorge gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 231 hours of full sun.

Columbia River Gorge usually gets more rain in April than Maui. Columbia River Gorge gets 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Maui and Columbia River Gorge