Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Hilo?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Hilo?
Many travelers spend at least 3 or as many as 7 days in Hilo during their visit. After all, the authentic 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 one or two weeks 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 one week enough time in Hilo?
One week is more than sufficient for a beach trip to Hilo, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Get out into nature, sample the delicious cuisine, take in the beautiful scenery, and relax at the beach on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Hilo as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.
How to spend a week 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.
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.
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.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Hilo. Plenty of amazing options are available.
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.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
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 2 weeks enough time in Hilo?
Two weeks is more than enough time to see the activities and enjoy the beach in Hilo. Many visitors prefer to spend three to seven days here, so more time would allow you to experience the hiking, the restaurant scene, the gorgeous scenery, and the beaches at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
Hawaii Volcano National Park, near Hilo, Hawaii
How to spend 2 weeks in Hilo
With 2 weeks in Hilo, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the town has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time relaxing on the beach and hiking. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this town looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.
A few trip suggestions:
- Big Island Zipline Adventure ($206)
- Volcano National Park Adventure From Kona ($239)
- Big Island BIG Volcano Adventure from Kona: Small Group ($228)
- Sailing by Catamaran on the Kona Coastlines ($118)
- Deluxe Sail & Snorkel to the Captain Cook Monument ($178)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Hilo, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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