Hawaii is a dream holiday destination for most. We live in New Zealand, so we often see cheap flight specials to Hawaii being advertised. These can be very tempting, especially with the amazing vegan food Oahu has to offer!
First, let us warn you that Hawaii is not a budget destination. Especially for us, coming from Aotearoa New Zealand, the NZD doesn’t do very well against the USD. But don’t be discouraged! Hawaii is a stunning place and definitely worth the visit if you do it right.
To help, we’ve written a useful travel guide to Hawaii. This contains everything you need to know for travelling on a budget in the tropical Hawaiian Islands – the most beautiful hikes, the coolest beaches, and the best vegan food Oahu has to offer. Here are our best tips and tricks so you get the most out of your holiday!
When To Go
When I decided to go on a trip to Mexico over the summer, the cheapest way for us to get there was to fly through Hawaii first. Would I recommend choosing to be in Hawaii over Christmas? Probably not! Like any popular tourist destination, the Christmas holidays mean chaos. Huge crowds, long lines, and higher prices. Try and avoid this period if you can! However, we still had a great time as the festive season does make everything a bit more exciting.
In terms of the weather, we were in a singlet and shorts the whole time, even though it was their ‘Winter’! It was comfortably warm and humid at around 25 C, however, the ocean is noticeably cooler over Christmas. Their hottest season takes place in June and July, with temperatures averaging in the 30s. Also, keep in mind that November through March is the rainy season. Despite us being there in December, we actually missed the rain. Definitely something to be aware of!
Hostels
You absolutely need to pre-book your accommodation before you arrive, especially in peak season. To all our backpackers, as much as you want to be spontaneous and just show up to a hostel, you need to book in advance!
We recommend you budget around $100 NZD a night for a hostel during the Christmas holidays or the summer period. When booking through Hostelworld make sure to check the prices, as often tax is not included.
When we were in Hawaii, we stayed in two different hostels. They were both a 5min walk from Waikīkī Beach, making them the perfect location for any backpacker.
The Beach Waikīkī Hostel by ALOH
Cost: $90 NZD for a bed in a six-person dorm or $200 NZD for a private room that sleeps three.
The first hostel we stayed at was The Beach Waikīkī Hostel by ALOH.
Because we were travelling in a group of three, we ended up booking a private room. Not only was it cheaper, it meant we had our own space. We were super impressed by the facilities, even getting our very own bathroom and air conditioner! It was a spacious room and everything was nice and clean. The staff were lovely, allowing us to store our luggage prior to check-in. It was a pretty social hostel, especially since all of the beds were booked out due to the holiday. They also have parking spots at $18 USD a night.
If you’ve got the extra $15, treat yourself and stay in The Beach Waikīkī Hostel!
Polynesian Hostel Beach Club Waikīkī
Cost: $75 NZD per person for a bed in a 10-bed dorm.
The second hostel we stayed at was the Polynesian Hostel beach club Waikīkī .
We only booked two nights on our way back home from Mexico, and it was average. No horror stories, however, the dorm bathrooms were a bit grubby and the beds had this thick plastic layer that crinkled when you moved. They do have tours and activities going on most days, obviously all for an extra cost. Cheaper per night than the first, so as a budget option, we’d recommend it.
Transport
We took the number 3 bus from Honolulu Airport to Waikīkī, which was only $3 USD per person. It was safe and straightforward, just keep in mind you need cash for when you arrive!
Uber is fairly affordable for shorter distances, but renting a car is probably the easiest way to explore the best beaches and walks, especially those that are further away. Hawaii is the only place I have ever rented a car when travelling and it was definitely worth it. We didn’t rent the car for the whole time, only for the days we were venturing out. This way, we weren’t spending any money unnecessarily. Having a car gives you many more options when exploring, and means you can hunt down the best plant-based restaurants instead of settling for what’s close!
Hidden Oahu Beaches
Here we’ve noted our 5 favourite beaches in Oahu, Hawaii.
When swimming, It’s really important to check if the beaches are safe. You should never swim at a closed beach! There are plenty of small bays along the coast where there are no strong currents or scary waves. Over the Christmas period, some beaches on the North Shore may be closed. However, all of the beaches mentioned below are safe to swim at and open during the Christmas holidays.
Keep reading to find out where we saw turtles and whales!
Turtle bay
Despite being named ‘Turtle Bay’, we didn’t see any turtles. Instead, we saw Whales! They were jumping in and out of the water, making it an absolute highlight of the trip. We were also told you can snorkel here, so we did. Unfortunately, most of the coral we saw from snorkelling off the beach was dead. So, my advice is: if you want to do some good snorkelling it’s best to go out on a boat. They’ll show you the great spots further out from the damaged coral.
To get to Turtle Bay, you drive into the Turtle Bay Resort and park in the guest car park. You can use the beach for free! We were there for a beautiful sunset, and It was busy, but not super crowded.
Waikīkī Beach
Eventually, you’ll find yourself at Waikīkī Beach because of how central it is. Most people tend to stay close to this beach as it’s where the main tourist strip is. Plus, there are tons of hotels and resorts in this area. It’s a pretty good place to base yourself!
And while it’s a decent beach to sunbathe, or go for a swim, be wary as it’s certain to be packed with people. One thing to watch out for is all the rocks and sharp coral around the shore, making it difficult to swim or walk in the shallow areas. Pack your sea shoes!
Hono Kawela Bay
Velvety sand and clear, gentle waters make it the perfect spot for a breezy day at the beach. But despite being the ideal spot, it was one of the emptiest beaches we’d found. This was one of our favourite beaches! There is even a pillbox that you can walk over to and explore the surroundings. Again, be careful running around barefoot as the rocks are super sharp along the shore!
To get to the hidden Bay, drive to Kuilima Farm at Turtle Bay and you’ll see a ‘free parking’ spot by the side of the road. Simply cross the road, walk through the trees, and in less than 5 minutes you’re at the hidden beach!
Kailua Beach
Another glorious beach, but this time there’s free parking! Yay! Fairly busy but not overly crowded, Kailua is awesome if you’re into watersports! Paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming are what everyone’s doing here.
We went over and asked somebody where they rented their paddleboard from. They were lovely and let us borrow it for a while! It was really good fun, so whatever beach you visit, trying out the water toys is a must!
Lanikai Beach
Lanikai definitely has private-beach-house vibes. We were here for the sunset which was spectacular to watch, especially as it wasn’t crawling with tourists. This was a really good spot for a refreshing swim, made epic by the turtles who were swimming around us! They were massive and followed us in the water for quite a while. Sadly though, the coral here was lifeless.
Soft sand, warm waters, turtles…what more could you ask for!
Vegan Food Oahu
Now for the best part. What to eat in Hawaii! I did my research and went to a few places I knew had vegan and vegetarian options, and I’ve reviewed them below!
When you’re figuring out the budget for your trip, around $25-30 NZD per person is the average cost per meal. Not even including drinks or desserts! Lots of the places below give options that cost less than that, but others will be more expensive, so we found it’s good to budget some room.
Another tip: Be wary about your pineapple consumption when you first arrive, or risk pineapple tongue!! Ouch…
Sunrise Shack
If you’re staying in or near Waikīkī, Sunrise Shack is hands down the best breakfast. We went there at LEAST five times while we were there! They specialise in beach-side necessities: smoothie bowls and coffee (with a few salad or sandwich options!). Pricing for a classic acai bowl is around $11 USD, which is okay given all the fresh fruits and yogurt!
A top tip is that they open early. So, if you’re jet lagged after a long flight and wake up hungry and tired like us, just walk on down to Sunrise Shack. You can order a pineapple smoothie bowl, and watch the sunrise over the ocean. Ah, a dream. Also, these guys were open on Christmas day, so if you’re struggling to find food options when everything is closed, this it where it’s at.
Banan Hawaii
For all your dairy-free ice cream needs! Banan is a vegan dessert stall located directly by the beach, ready to satisfy your ice cream cravings on a hot sweaty day. This was our go-to dessert option every night! Super tasty and all vegan (aside from honey), with plenty of different topping options. Plus they’re open on Christmas Day!
Here they make their Ice cream with bananas instead of dairy milk, meaning they’ve got flavour and protein! Added bonus is the Instagrammable ice cream swirls.
Leahi health
When you think of vegan food in Hawaii, Leahi Health is what I think of. A fully vegan cafe with lots of fresh flavours, bright colours, and large portions. For Hawaii, their prices are surprisingly low! This must have been the cheapest place we ate at that wasn’t a food truck.
A wee tip is to order the Thai Crunch, as it’s a decent amount of food and only costs $10 USD! The smoothies are around $7 USD, but look out for the daily specials that they’ve got on for a good deal.
Peace Café
Peace Café is a fully vegan cafe with a cozy, homely feel, serving the best sandwiches on the island! They also serve a range of other items such as curries and desserts. The Hanoi Sandwich was one of my favourites, at a cost of $13 USD. With soft bread, a crisp outer layer, fresh veggies, and plenty of sauce, I could eat this 100 times over. One of their other dishes, the Katsu curry, was priced at $18.50 USD and was just beautiful. I would also recommend trying the Yuzu lemonade!
This is a great option if you want tasty food that caters to everyone in your group’s needs and is easy to take away for a day trip.
Blondies Vegan Kitchen
Blondies Vegan Kitchen is the place to go If you want the perfect, greasy burger. They have about 7 different burger and taco options, and you can add on extras for an additional price. One of our favourite burgers was the Iron Man, costing only $15 USD. Everything they have is great and fills you right up! It’s a bit further out from Waikīkī, but is totally worth it!
The staff are super friendly and they’re open on Christmas Day! A little bit more expensive but so worth it. You can also visit the Asian Market while you are there, which is a really great place to buy tropical fruits for cheap.
Hikes
Hawaii is a beautiful tropical island. It has sick views and even better hikes! Between the ocean, the jungle, and the city landscapes, any uphill track is going to be worth it. Make sure to research any hikes you’d like to do before you get to Hawaii. Many national parks and walks require tickets, and can be booked out!
Diamond head
Insane views from the top of the Diamon Head viewpoint. Although you definitely have to work for it! The whole walk is a pretty steep incline up lots of steps, but it doesn’t take too long and you can look forward to the downhill return trip. Allow for between 1-2 hours depending on your group. With this walk, you do have to book your tickets online at a cost of $5 USD. But hey, when you look down on Honolulu and see the island from the top of the hill, you’ll forget all about it.
There are three easy ways to get to Diamond Head. First, you can drive and simply pay for parking along with your tickets. The second option is taking the bus ($3 USD) from the main street to the bottom of the road. Bear in mind there is a short walk up the hill to get to the ticket gate before you start the walk. This is the cheapest option. And lastly, If you have more than two people it’s probably cheaper to take an Uber to Waikīkī and walk from there.
Manoa Falls
This walk makes you feel like you’re on another planet! You walk through the cool, fresh rainforest that’s buzzing with the sounds of animals and nature. At the end of the track, you’re rewarded with a gorgeous waterfall (no swimming though!). This was one of our favourite walks. It was a relatively short one at around 1.5 hours, however, there are additional tracks you can take if you have the time.
I would recommend driving there and getting in as early as possible because the track was packed once we got there! Definitely not a hike you should do if you’re wanting some alone time. The forest can also be quite slippery, so wear good shoes that you don’t mind getting a bit grubby! The path is very clear and well-marked. Totally worth doing this walk to experience the rainforest alone!
Final tips
All in all, Hawaii was a pretty cool place to visit. And as long as you’re aware that it’s a crowded tourist destination, you’ll have a good time! Just make sure to budget well and even have some spare cash, just to be safe. Hawaii is more expensive than you’d think. I don’t recommend travelling here long-term as a budget-friendly destination. For something like this, we’d suggest Mexico or countries in Southeast Asia such as Thailand or Vietnam.
Check out our guide to Vegan food in Mexico City next!
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