Is Hilo or Kona better to stay?

Is Hilo or Kona better to stay? Hilo vs. Kona recapped If you're looking for a rainforest climate and lots of hiking, Hilo might be for you. If you want to use hotel points or prefer a drier climate, Kona is a great choice. Since the two cities are about a 90-minute drive from each other, you don't have to choose just one.

How many days to stay in Kona and Hilo?

Hilo or Kona: Number of Days on the Big Island If you are staying for a week on the Big Island and don't mind hotel hopping, I recommend staying 6 nights in Kailua-Kona and 1 night (2-days) in the Hilo or Volcanoes National Park area.

Is Hilo friendly to tourists?

Good guests are always welcome. The occasional bad guest isn't, but Hilo doesn't get a lot of those. FWIW, locals in Kona resent mainlanders too, but there are so many mainlanders that they have a sort of quorum, whereas in Hilo one is a minority.

Is Hilo a walkable city?

Hilo is more pedestrian-friendly, with more of a proper downtown area, whereas Kona isn't very walkable. Recommended Hilo Tours: What is this?

Is Hilo or Kona more rainy?

Hilo is the wettest city in America. The opposite of Kona, rain is more common in the morning than the afternoon. A clear and sunny Hilo morning is a rare treat. Puna is similar to Hilo and is very wet.

Is Kona a party town?

Kona is a laid-back former plantation town and with a few exceptions winds down early, so you won't find any big city glitz and A-list nightclubs open until the wee hours.

Is Hilo safe to walk at night?

Hilo pretty much closes down after the dinner hour, as far as legitimate activity goes, other than the big box stores and markets, so you don't want to be walking around in the historic area with dark alleys and parks, just enjoy that area during the day.

Is Hilo cooler than Kona?

Overall, you'll find more of a traditional Hawaiian feel on the Kona side. You'll also discover that it can be wetter and cooler than Kona, where it can be hot and sunny nearly every day. However, many people love the lush landscape of Hilo, with its Jurassic-Park-sized waterfalls and botanical gardens.

Is it safe to walk around Hilo at night?

The city is known for its friendly locals and laid-back atmosphere, and the crime rate is relatively low. However, as with any destination, it is important to take precautions and be aware of your surroundings. Women should avoid walking alone at night, and should be aware of their personal belongings at all times.

What is the prettiest beach on the Big Island?

What are the best times of year to go to Kona?

The best times to visit the Big Island of Hawaii, taking into consideration the weather, how crowded, or not, the island is, and demand for accommodations are the month(s) of April, May, August, September, and October. Some call these Hawaii Island's 'off-season periods' or the 'shoulder months.

Is there a shuttle between Kona and Hilo?

Bus from Kona Airport to Hilo To take the Hele-On Bus, you will need to first take the airport shuttle from the terminal to the Kona International Market bus stop, which is about a 5-minute ride away. From there, you can catch the Hele-On Bus Route 1, which runs between Kona and Hilo.

Can I get around Hilo without a car?

Regardless, it is still almost twice as big as all other Hawaiian Islands combined. If you want to be in control of your own transport there is only one viable option to navigate around the Big Island: renting a car. Getting around without a rental car: With public transport (the bus)

Can you do a day trip to Hilo from Kona?

If there's no traffic it will take approximately one and a half hours to to drive from downtown Kona to downtown Hilo without traffic. This is a great way to go if you don't intend to stop for food and you just want to get there.

Why is Hilo so cheap?

Lower Tourist Population = Lower Prices This means greater room availability and lower prices for accommodations in and around Hilo, making a Hawaii vacation within easier reach for those traveling on a budget.