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

Should you visit Sedona or Hilo?

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

Should I visit Sedona or Hilo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Sedona

Sedona is a striking, desert, and dramatic town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Hilo

Hilo is a friendly, authentic, and laid back town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, food, and beaches.

Sedona and Hilo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sedona or Hilo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sedona. Although Sedona and Hilo are both popular with visitors, Sedona has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sedona is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, historical sights, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Hilo is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. Sedona is popular for its stargazing, desert setting, and yoga retreats. It is also home to Red Rock Crossing Park. Hilo is popular for its nearby rainforests, waterfalls, and green gardens.

How is Sedona different from Hilo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Sedona and Hilo.

Sedona offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The Sedona Heritage Museum offers a glimpse into the history and culture of the area. There are also many galleries around town.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Hilo. 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 Sedona or Hilo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Sedona and Hilo can be an enjoyable experience.

Sedona has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's grown into a foodie destination with local restaurants that pride themselves on using local ingredients. Mexican food is common but you'll also find cafes, classic American food, and other international options.

Dining out in Hilo is an experience not to be missed. 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 Sedona or Hilo Better for Nightlife?

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

If you're looking for night time activities Sedona has a few options to choose from. There are bars, live music venues, and even a casino in town. Breweries are popular and there are also upscale wine bars.

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 Sedona or Hilo Better for Resorts?

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

Sedona is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Upscale resorts with spas, pools, and other amenities offer the perfect backdrop for a desert vacation.

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

Is Sedona or Hilo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hilo is adequate for its diving and snorkeling. However, Sedona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling 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.

Sedona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sedona or Hilo Better for Beaches?

Hilo is a popular place for the beache. However, Sedona is not a beach destination.

Hilo is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Sedona is not a beach destination.

Is Sedona or Hilo Better for its Old Town?

Sedona is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Hilo does not have a historic old town.

Sedona has an old town worth visiting. Traditional architecture and historic charm give downtown Sedona a lot of character.

Hilo does not have a historic old town.

Is Sedona or Hilo Better for Hiking?

Hilo is an unbeatable place for hiking. Also, Sedona is not as popular, but is still a nice town for the nearby hiking options.

People visit Hilo specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. You'll find incredible hikes in the area to many impressive waterfalls. There are also coastal trails and hikes to spectacular viewpoints.

Sedona is a popular spot for hiking. It's red rock cliffs offer the perfect setting for dramatic hikes and breathtaking views. The colors are most impressive at sunrise and sunset and some of the most famous landmarks include Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Boynton Canyon.

Is the Shopping Better in Sedona or Hilo?

Sedona is very popular for its shopping areas. However, Hilo is not known for shopping.

Many people travel to Sedona specifically to go shopping. It's filled with local artisan shops and art galleries that highlight the region's beauty. Head to Uptown Sedona for some of the best boutiques. You should also check out the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, the Sedona Art Center, and Hozho Distinctive Shops and Galleries.

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

Is Sedona or Hilo Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Sedona or Hilo.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Sedona is very family-friendly. There are impressive parks and fun outdoor activities for the whole family. Head to Slide Rock State Park where your kids can enjoy a natural waterslide. There's also the Out of Africa Wildlife Zoo as well as a canyon railroad.

Hilo is known to be 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 Sedona or Hilo Better for Couples?

Sedona is very popular for couples. Also, Hilo is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Sedona makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Stargazing in the evening or picnicking in a park during the day. There are countless romantic activities that couples can enjoy. The area is filled with striking natural beauty that is at its best during sunset. Couples will also enjoy fine dining and a variety of outdoor activities.

Hilo is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Sedona or Hilo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hilo is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sedona is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Hilo. The town has several local hostels that many backpackers prefer for their authentic and mellow atmospheres.

Sedona is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find campgrounds, RV parks, and motels in the area, but no real hostels.

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

Sedona and Hilo both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Sedona. Verde Shuttle offers shuttle routes through town.

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 Sedona or Hilo a more walkable city?

Sedona and Hilo are good when it comes to walkability.

Sedona is a somewhat walkable place. If you stay in Uptown Sedona, then the area is walkable, but if you're planning to stay further away then you'll need to have a car.

Hilo is a somewhat walkable town. 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 Sedona Worth Visiting? and Is Hilo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hilo or Sedona?

How long in Sedona or Hilo?

Both Sedona 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 Sedona. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Sedona, and 3-7 days is enough time in Hilo.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hilo than Sedona 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 Sedona or Hilo?

Sedona is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. 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 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 Sedona or Hilo?

Sedona is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the shopping. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. 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 Sedona or Hilo?

Sedona might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Sedona or Hilo?

Because Sedona is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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 food and museums when visiting the mellow 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 Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Sedona and Hilo, we can see that Hilo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Sedona or Hilo?

Hilo has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Sedona. When comparing the sizes of Sedona 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.