Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Hilo?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Hilo?
Many travelers spend at least 3 or as many as 7 days in Hilo during their visit. After all, the laid back town has plenty to explore such as the hiking, the restaurant scene, and the gorgeous scenery.
Hilo is the largest town on the Big Island in Hawaii. It's on the eastern and windward side of the island so it's green and lush with many beautiful gardens and waterfalls. The town has a very local vibe with smaller hotels and access to many great hikes.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Hilo? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Hilo?
Hilo is a small town that is quite popular with tourists. So with three days, you'll probably feel rushed to get out into nature, sample the delicious cuisine, take in the beautiful scenery, and relax at the beach. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the laid back town has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have at least 3 or as many as 7 days to enjoy the beach and other sights. If you have three days or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're here.
How to spend 3 days in Hilo
Known for it's hiking, Hilo sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. You'll find incredible hikes in the area to many impressive waterfalls. There are also coastal trails and hikes to spectacular viewpoints.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Pelagic Wildlife Excursion ($153)
- Short Private Hike To Secret Jungle Tide Pool ($100)
- Tropical Reef & Wildlife Boat Snorkel Adventure ($185)
The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. 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.
A few tour suggestions include:
- French Hawaiian Fusion Cooking Class ($175)
Don't miss Akaka Falls State Park during your trip to Hilo, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
Hilo is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. This side of the island is filled with beautiful waterfalls, lush rainforests, and tropical gardens.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Hilo Shore Excursion: Active Volcano, Lava Tube, Waterfall and Gardens ($168)
- Pau Hana Sunset Cocktail Cruise ($160)
- Sunset and Manta Ray Snorkel Adventure ($141)
The beautiful beaches await you in Hilo, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. 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.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Tour: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Eco Tour ($200)
- 2-Hour Guided Private Surf Lesson in Kona ($200)
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hilo Highlights Small Group Tour ($168)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Hilo.
Is 4 days enough time in Hilo?
Four days is generally not enough time to experience the beach and other activities of Hilo. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to enjoy the most popular activities such as the hiking, the restaurant scene, the gorgeous scenery, and the beaches. To genuinely appreciate the laid back town, a longer visit is recommended so that you can have more time to relax at the beach. Many tourists opt for at least 3 or as many as 7 days here, after all. After all, Hilo, renowned for its numerous sights and attractions, is a major draw for tourists. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.
Hawaii Volcano National Park, near Hilo, Hawaii
How to spend 4 days in Hilo
With 4 days in Hilo, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the town has to offer.
You'll find a few good museums and historic landmarks here, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Top museums in and around town include the Lyman Museum, the Pacific Tsunami Museum, Imiloa Astronomy Center, and Mokupapapa Discovery Center.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Hilo.
Is 5 days enough time in Hilo?
Hilo, a small town brimming with sights and attractions, holds immense popularity among tourists. So, five days is just the right amount of time to see pretty much everything in Hilo while also relaxing at the beach. Most visitors prefer to spend three to seven days here, and we have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting. Also, Hilo is popular with families, couples, and backpackers which enjoy visiting because the city offers fun activities for them.
How to spend 5 days in Hilo
If you have more than 5 days in Hilo, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the town has to offer.
After you've explored most of Hilo, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Hilo.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Hilo, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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