It’s no secret that a Hawaiian vacation can be incredibly expensive, but the Big Island offers plenty of budget-friendly options.

There are a number of ways to save on your Hawaii travels, from accommodation to food. For example, stay in a hostel or rent a house instead of a hotel.

Accommodation

There is various accommodation options to suit all budgets on the Big Island, from simple and clean hostels that offer pizza and beer nights to luxury resorts. A room can vary from around $200 per night for a beachfront vacation rental on the Kona coast to around $199 for a luxury hotel with pool and ocean views in Hilo.

One of our favorite budget-friendly hotels on the Big Island is Dolphin Bay Hotel in Hilo. It’s a great value option on the island’s east coast and offers an affordable base to explore all this area offers.

This simple, clean, and relaxing great island jeep rentals make a great home base to explore all Hilo offers. It has a nice pool, clean rooms, and an excellent location.

Food

The Big Island is Hawaii’s agricultural powerhouse, and it offers a diverse range of food options for visitors looking to keep their budgets in check. From world-famous Kona coffee and low-key kava to gourmet restaurants and local hangouts, the island’s dining scene is rich in flavor and variety.

If you’re into fish and seafood, head to Da Poke Shack for one of the best poke bowls on the planet – it’s available in both traditional and contemporary versions, with toppings ranging from avocado aioli to roasted-candlenut relish.

Another Hawaiian classic is the loco moco, which features a hamburger patty, fried egg, and brown gravy smothered over white rice. The menu includes pancakes, kalua pork hash, and other local favorites.

Merriman’s is an award-winning restaurant that should be on any Hawaiian visitor’s list. It’s open for lunch and dinner and serves a Sunday brunch, but reservations are recommended.

Activities

The Big Island offers a range of activities. Some of the best include snorkeling, cliff jumping, and manta ray diving.

Hawaii’s largest island is home to volcanoes, waterfalls, and black sand beaches. Pleasant Activities has many days big island jeep rentals and tours to help you explore this exotic island paradise.

A volcano tour in Volcanoes National Park gives you a front-row seat to Kilauea’s active eruptions, while stargazing on Mauna Kea or kayaking through the rainforest will help you understand its unique climate and ecosystem. You can even take a coffee tour or visit a tropical garden in Hilo.

The Big Island is also home to some of the world’s most impressive beaches and offers unique opportunities for water sports like deep sea fishing and boating. Snorkeling in crystal clear waters is a popular activity, especially at Kauna’oa Beach, which is renowned for swimming with manta rays.

Transportation

If you are traveling to Hawaii, you will have several options for getting around the islands. They include rental cars, buses, inter-island flights and bicycles.

There are also several taxi services that operate in Kona and Hilo. These services can be a good way to get around town, but you will want to book in advance.

Another option is to take a ridesharing app like Uber or Lyft, which can be a cost-effective way to get around town. However, you should be prepared for high fares and limited availability, so it is recommended to book ahead of time.

The island’s public bus system, Hele On Hawaii, is a great option for travelers who are planning on visiting the main tourist areas. Its routes vary by time and day, but you can expect to wait a long time at a bus stop, so it’s best if you plan your trip in advance.