Larger than all the other islands combined, The Big Island truly does have it all. The island features black sand beaches, waterfalls, a variety of rainforests, lava deserts, and snow-capped mountains. One of the world's most active volcanoes is also located on the island.
THE BIG ISLAND
GETTING AROUND ON THE BIG ISLAND
If you plan on traveling to different towns on the island, I would highly recommend getting a rental car. A friend and I doubled with renting a camper van and I lucked out again when I went back with a convertible! Because the Big Island is the largest island of the Hawaiian Islands, getting around can be time-consuming. However, you’ll find that the island is split into large towns, with each having different things to offer.
​
Kona: Kailua-Kona is a town on the west coast of the island that stretches almost two-thirds of the entire west side. Kona has an airport that allows travelers who are wanting to fly in and out of this side of the island. This region is filled with shops, restaurants, nightlife, coffee farms, and historic Hawaiian landmarks.
​
Hilo: This town sides on the northside of the island. The region is filled with lush jungles, waterfalls as well as a variety of gardens. Hilo is conveniently located on the way to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and like Kona offers a selection of museums, art galleries, shops, and restaurants. To get from Kona to Hilo, you’d need to drive about 1.5 hours or you can fly directly into the airport.
​
Puna: This region sits on the south side of Hilo and is home to black sand beaches, shops and free-spirited locals. Its most well-known spot is Kalapana, where lava covered the land.
​
Kohala: The Kohala Coast is where one can find some of the island's most luxurious resorts. Even with how much rain this island may get with its jungles, Kohala is drenched with sunlight and is the best area to get a tan, ride ATV's or horseback ride.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Language: Hawaii is the only US state to have two official languages. Both English and Hawaiian are spoken on the Big Island.
​
Currency: The US Dollar ($) - However, Hawaii is the most expensive state in the U.S. For example, 1 USD on the mainland is equal to only 84 cents in Hawaii which means prices are about 15% higher.
​
Credit Cards and Banks: Credit cards are widely accepted all over the island. This includes Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. There are plenty of ATMs, if you would like to have cash on hand for tipping or while attending a local flea or farmer's market.
​
Best Time to Visit: If you can, visit any island just before or after the summer. April to May or September to October will allow you to have the best weather. The winter months, from November to March can be a hit or miss due to it being more rainy, and June to November is hurricane season.
