A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Providence vs. Maui for Families, Couples, Food, and Attractions

Should you visit Providence or Maui?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Providence and Maui. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Providence

Providence is a fascinating, active, and friendly city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Maui

Maui is a stunning, idyllic, and adventure-filled island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Providence and Maui: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Providence or Maui?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Maui. Although Providence and Maui are both popular with visitors, Maui has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Maui is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Providence is known for its museums, food, and nightlife. Maui is more touristy than Providence and is popular for its beach-filled coastline, world-class snorkeling and scuba diving, dramatic landscapes, and paradise environment. It is also home to Haleakala National Park. Providence is popular for its outdoor parks, historic atmosphere, and college town vibe.

How is Providence different from Maui?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Providence or Maui?

Providence is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

Providence offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several historical museums around town as well as art museums, zoos, a planetarium and natural history museum, and even a children's museum.

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 Providence or Maui? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Providence 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 Providence. The food scene around town has grown and diversified in recent years. You'll find a mix of international and local options and for such a small city, it really has a lot to offer.

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 Providence or Maui Better for Nightlife?

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

Providence has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Comedy clubs, bars, and clubs keep the energy high during the evening hours. It's not hard to find something to do, particularly on weekend nights.

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 Providence or Maui Better for Resorts?

Maui is a great island for its luxury resorts. However, Providence is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Maui to choose from. 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.

Providence is not a resort destination.

Is Providence or Maui Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Maui is a great island for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Providence is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Maui. 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.

Providence is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Providence or Maui Better for Beaches?

Maui is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Providence is not a beach destination.

Maui offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around 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.

Providence is not a beach destination.

Is Providence or Maui Better for Hiking?

Maui is an unbeatable place for hiking. However, Providence is not a hiking destination.

Maui is well-known for its hiking and trekking. 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.

Providence is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Providence or Maui?

If you're looking to go shopping, Providence and Maui both offer plenty of good spots.

Providence has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Malls, shopping centers, and boutiques all offer a range of shopping experiences around town.

Maui is a great destination for shopping. 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 Providence or Maui Better for Families?

Maui is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Maui is very family-friendly. 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.

Providence is a family-friendly place to visit. There are opportunities for kids to interact with animals at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, as well as plenty of places for kids to run around like Rocky Point Park or Goddard Memorial State Park. There's also the Providence Children's Museum, go carting, and entertainment centers.

Is Providence or Maui Better for Couples?

Maui is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Maui is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Providence is a nice destination for couples. You can see a show at the Providence Performing Arts Center or visit some of the city's historic buildings and museums. There are also parks and coastal walks as well as many great restaurants.

Is Providence or Maui Better for Students?

Providence is a great destination for students. However, Maui is not popular with students.

Providence is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There's a college town vibe to this small city because it's home to Brown University, which is a member of the Ivy League.

Maui is not popular with students.

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

Providence is a popular place for its public transit. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Providence, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are RIPTA buses that travel around town.

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 Providence or Maui a more walkable city?

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

Providence is a very walkable city. It's a walkable city and it's relatively easy to explore on foot.

Maui is not a very walkable city. 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 Providence Worth Visiting? and Is Maui Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Maui or Providence?

How long in Providence or Maui?

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

Families should spend more time in Maui than Providence. 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 Providence. 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 Providence 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 Providence.

One day in Providence or Maui?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Providence. 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 breathtaking 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 Providence or Maui?

Providence 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 Providence or Maui?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the fascinating destination of Providence. This city 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 Providence or Maui?

The active city of Providence offers nightlife and food. 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 The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Providence or Maui?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Providence or Maui in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Providence as well as Maui. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Providence this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Maui for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Providence is generally cooler than Maui. Daily temperatures in Providence average around 73°F (23°C), and Maui fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Maui. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Providence this time of the year. In the summer, Providence often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Maui. Providence gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 290 hours of full sun.

Providence usually gets more rain in July than Maui. Providence gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Providence or Maui in the Autumn?

Both Maui and Providence are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Providence for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Maui in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Providence is much colder than Maui in the autumn. The daily temperature in Providence averages around 53°F (12°C) in October, and Maui fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Maui. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Providence. Providence usually receives less sunshine than Maui during autumn. Providence gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 245 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Providence usually receives more rain than Maui. Providence gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Providence or Maui in the Winter?

Both Maui and Providence during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Providence in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Maui for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Providence can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Providence is much colder than Maui. Typically, the winter temperatures in Providence in January average around 28°F (-2°C), and Maui averages at about 72°F (22°C).

In Maui, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Providence often gets less sunshine than Maui. Providence gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 217 hours of full sun.

Maui gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Providence usually gets less rain in January than Maui. Providence gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Providence or Maui in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Providence and Maui. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Maui because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Providence is generally much colder than Maui. Daily temperatures in Providence average around 48°F (9°C), and Maui fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Maui this time of the year. In Providence, it's very sunny this time of the year. Providence usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Maui during spring. Providence gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Providence usually receives more rain than Maui. Providence gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Maui and Providence