A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Naples vs. Hilo for Beaches, Hiking, Food, and Resorts

Should you visit Naples or Hilo?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Naples and Hilo 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.

Naples

Naples is a nature-filled, relaxing, and peaceful beach town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Hilo

Hilo is a laid back, mellow, and friendly town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and museums.

Naples and Hilo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Naples or Hilo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Naples. Although Naples and Hilo are popular destinations, Naples has more sights and attractions for tourists. Naples is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Hilo attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Naples is famous for its white sand, blue water, water sports, and golf resorts. It is also well known for Naples Pier and the miles of sandy beach. Hilo is famous for its nearby rainforests, waterfalls, and green gardens.

How is Naples different from Hilo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Naples or Hilo?

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Hilo and Naples.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Naples. While most visitors spend most of their time at the beach, on a rainy day you can check out the town's art museums, history museums, or local spots such as the Palm Cottage.

Hilo is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Top museums in and around town include the Lyman Museum, the Pacific Tsunami Museum, Imiloa Astronomy Center, and Mokupapapa Discovery Center.

Is the Food Better in Naples or Hilo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at excellent restaurants in both Naples and Hilo.

Naples has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Seafood is a favorite around town, but you'll also find plenty of Italian food. Everything from casual to fine dining is available with many local favorites to choose from.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Hilo makes for a great culinary experience. This is the largest city on the island and you'll find a restaurant scene that caters to both locals and tourists. There are a number of local dishes that you can try such as Pla Rad Prik (a Thai fish dish), mushroom pot pie, and crab and avocado melt.

Is Naples or Hilo Better for Nightlife?

Naples is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Hilo is not known for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Naples has a few options to choose from. There are live music venues, cocktail bars, and dance clubs around town.

Most people don't head to Hilo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a town that goes to bed early, but there are some local bars that have a chill and relaxing atmosphere.

Is Naples or Hilo Better for Resorts?

Naples is a great beach town for its luxury resorts. However, Hilo is not known for its resorts.

Naples is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are luxury resorts, family-friendly hotels, and a range of prices to choose from. Most have pools and many have oceanfront views with golf facilities available. Many of the major brands such as Marriott are found here.

Hilo has a few resort options worth checking out. You'll find more hotels than resorts in town.

Is Naples or Hilo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Naples is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Hilo is not known for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

Naples has a few good snorkeling spots. Snorkeling and scuba diving are both available in the area, in part because of the impressive artificial reefs that have been constructed. Snorkeling is available at Tigertail Beach, Clam Pass, and Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park.

Snorkeling is an option in Hilo. Richardsons Ocean Park is the best snorkeling spot nearby but, in general, the water near town has poor visibility because of the frequent rain.

Is Naples or Hilo Better for Beaches?

Naples is very popular for the beach. Also, Hilo is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its beaches.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Naples. White sand beaches and calm Gulf waters make this an ideal beach destination. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is a favorite beach spot in the area, but you should also check out Naples Municipal Beach which is where you'll find the Naples Pier. If you want a more natural setting, head to Barefoot Beach Preserve County Park.

Many people head to Hilo to enjoy the beach. The town isn't really known for its beaches but there are some decent options if you want to stay nearby and hit the coastline. Beaches in the area include Coconut Island, Reeds Bay Beach Park, and Onekahakaha Beach Park.

Is Naples or Hilo Better for Hiking?

Hilo is renowned for its hiking trails. Also, Naples is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Around Hilo visitors will find world-class hiking trails. You'll find incredible hikes in the area to many impressive waterfalls. There are also coastal trails and hikes to spectacular viewpoints.

Naples offers some nice hiking trails. The area is filled with state parks and nature reserves where you can explore and enjoy a scenic hike. There are also greenways and coastal paths nearby.

Is the Shopping Better in Naples or Hilo?

Naples is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Hilo is not known for shopping.

Naples has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find shopping centers, outlet malls, and plenty of retail space around town. Some of the favorite shopping spots are the Mercato, Coastland Center, and Waterside Shops. For souvenirs and beach items head to Tin City Waterfront Shops.

Hilo is a good destination for shopping. You can pick up anything you need in town, just head to Hilo Shopping Center.

Is Naples or Hilo Better for Families?

Both Naples and Hilo are excellent to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Naples. You'll find relaxing beaches, nice parks, plenty of playgrounds, and even the Golisano Childrens Museum for rainy days. There are also nature centers with great walks as well as gardens and wildlife viewpoints.

Hilo is a very family-friendly place to visit. The town has an authentic and unpretentious vibe that is fun for families. There are low key beaches, farmer's markets, local museums, and nearby hiking. If you want to stay away from the larger resorts and see a more local side to Hawaii, then this is a great option.

Is Naples or Hilo Better for Couples?

Both Naples and Hilo are excellent destinations for a couple's getaway.

Naples makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Beautiful beaches and relaxing spas make this a favorite couples destination. Golf, high end restaurants and plenty of romantic activities will ensure you have the anniversary trip or honeymoon to remember.

Couples visit Hilo frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples will enjoy visiting Liliuokalani Gardens, taking sunset cruises, and sampling the local cuisine. The town also makes a good base for hiking and exploring the beaches on the island.

Is Naples or Hilo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hilo is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Naples is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Hilo. The town has several local hostels that many backpackers prefer for their authentic and mellow atmospheres.

Plenty of backpackers visit Naples. There's a hostel or two in the area as well as cheaper accommodation than other parts of Florida.

Is Naples or Hilo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find reasonable public transit in both Naples and Hilo.

Public transit is mostly limited in Naples. There's a trolley system as well as a public bus system.

Public transit is generally limited in Hilo. The Hele-On is a bus service that connects Hilo to Kona with north and south routes.

Is Naples or Hilo a more walkable city?

Naples and Hilo are nice when it comes to walkability.

Naples is a somewhat walkable beach town. The downtown area is relatively walkable, but to fully explore the region you'll need your own car.

Hilo is somewhat walkable. The downtown is a nice place to take a stroll, but if you want to get out of town, and you really should, then you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Naples Worth Visiting? and Is Hilo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hilo or Naples?

How long in Naples or Hilo?

Both Naples and Hilo have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hilo than in Naples. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Naples, and 3-7 days is enough time in Hilo.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hilo than Naples 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 Hilo.

One day in Naples or Hilo?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Naples. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 museums and food when visiting the destination of Hilo. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Naples or Hilo?

Naples is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the beaches. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

Hilo is a great place to explore. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Naples or Hilo?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the peaceful destination of Naples. This beach town offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hilo. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Naples or Hilo?

The peaceful beach town of Naples offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 food and museums when visiting the laid back destination of Hilo. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Naples and Hilo, we can see that Naples is more expensive. And not only is Hilo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hilo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hilo 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 Naples would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Naples than you might in Hilo.

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

Which is Bigger, Naples or Hilo?

Hilo has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Naples. When comparing the sizes of Naples and Hilo, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.