How Can You Visit Honolulu on a Budget?

Who doesn’t want to spend their days relaxing on a beautiful, tropical island? No one! Too often, though, we’re prohibited by the thought that it has to be expensive. This is not the case, even on an island as world-renowned as Honolulu, HI. Here are my favorite secrets for enjoying Honolulu to the maximum while staying on a tight budget. If you’re looking for a spot by the beach, check out these beautiful beach hotels in Honolulu.

Photo courtesy of Zach Dischner – Flickr

An Unbeatable View for Free at the Aloha Tower

There’s no charge to ride the elevator to the top of Aloha Tower. The tower is located at Pier 9 and is easily accessible by the Waikiki Trolley Red Line. From the 10th floor, you can get amazing panoramic views of Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, and Diamond Head from the four balconies facing different directions.

Skip the markets which charge a pretty penny and grab lunch like a local. When eating out during the day, be sure to ask for a plate lunch, which is fairly priced, fresh, and definitely delicious. Plate lunch always includes: white rice, macaroni salad, and a main course. Be brave and try SPAM musubi, which is SPAM on white rice wrapped in seaweed, a local delicacy.

The Aloha Stadium Swap Meet

Ready to shop till you drop? The Aloha Stadium Swap Meet and Marketplace is held just outside of the Aloha Stadium and features more than 400 unique vendors selling everything from T-shirts to authentic Hawaiian jewelry. The market is held every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There is an Aloha Flea Market Shuttle which picks up in front of major hotels; you don’t need to be a guest of the hotel, just ask when the shuttle comes and pay the driver.

Eternity Beach Courtesy of Prayitno – Flickr

Halona Beach Cove, aka Eternity Beach

When you’re visiting The Halona Blowhole, don’t forget to look down. You will see an idyllic beach sheltered by steep cliffs and what appears to be a treacherous hike down, but do not be dismayed. Eternity Beach offers shelter from the wind and friendly sea turtles to swim with. Take your time going down the trail and when you’re in the water, be sure to watch the tide carefully.

Hop on The Bus; It’s Dirt Cheap

Of course you can rent a car, but with parking prices and difficulty you’re better off using The Bus. It it has an extensive reach around the island – in fact, you can ride it and discover a huge amount of the island while only paying $2.50 per person. Check the website for any updates or lapses in service.

The best budget tip in the world is to stay with a local. Hawaiian locals are serious about keeping the best of their island for themselves, but as a guest in their home you will get the inside knowledge. Hipmunk offers a wonderful search feature that combines results from all the sites you were going to check anyway: Airbnb, Hotels.com, Homeaway, Expedia, and some you’ve never heard of before. Let them do the work finding the best prices, you just choose the best option for you!

Disclaimer : This is part of #hipmunkcitylove project, sharing world-class destinations at rock bottom prices. As always, I only include content which I feel is valuable to you, the readers.