No matter the location, traveling can be costly. For tourists in Hawaii though, the islands offer a variety of activities that you can do for free, or even just a small amount of money. A budget-conscious tourist can experience a wide range of recreational and cultural activities without denting the wallet or reducing the potential for fun.
Top cheap things to do in hawaii
Honolulu Zoo
The Zoo at Honolulu features animals including cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, a 50-year-old hippo named Cleopatra, a Komodo dragon and lions. The children’s zoo offers interaction with chickens, cows, hedgehogs, llamas, pot-bellied pigs and sheep.
The zoo offers Twilight Tours that show zoo-goers what happens to the animals when the sun goes down and evening events that begin with a buffet dinner and include an overnight stay in the zoo. Children can also enjoy breakfast with zookeepers and their animals.
Sunset at Waikiki Beach
The Royal Hawaiian Center at Waikiki Beach offers shoppers more than 100 retail locations, but for the tourist on a budget, the center offers complimentary hula, ukulele, lei-making and other cultural classes. The center also presents live music twice a month.
After classes, tourists can pop down to the beach at Kapahulu pier and watch the hula performances and torch-lighting at sunset.
Byodo-In Temple
A non-denominational Buddhist temple located in Valley of the Temples Memorial Park, the Byodo-In Temple commemorates Japanese immigration to Hawaii. Wild peacocks roam the grounds, which feature a reflecting pond, waterfalls and meditation niches.
The temple’s pop culture history includes appearing in television shows like “Lost.” Events hosted at the temple include jazz concerts, Chinese water color exhibits and Buddhist prayer services.
Kaanapali Beach
On Maui, Kaanapali Beach’s sunset cliff-diving ceremony takes place on Black Rock. As the sun sets, a cliff diver ascends the cliff, lighting torches as he goes, culminating with a cliff dive off the rock that reenacts Maui’s King Kahekili’s cliff dive in 1770. King Kahekili’s dive is one of the first cliff dives on record.
Festivals of Oahu
Oahu is home to more festivals than any other island. In March, the Honolulu festival features three days of music, art and dance and a parade, while Oahu’s Lei Day, on May first, features lei-making competitions.
November and December feature the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, the premiere surfing event in the world, while September brings the downtown Honolulu and Chinatown’s Taste of the Arts, which highlights local restaurants. Prince Lot Hula Festival presents hula troop exhibitions, and the Sony Open is the first stop on the PGA World Tour.
Hawaii doesn’t have to break the bank. With its natural beauty, free beaches, scenic hikes, and rich culture, there are plenty of affordable ways to enjoy the islands. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, exploring local markets, or catching a sunset on the sand, the best parts of Hawaii are often the ones that don’t cost a thing. Pack your flip-flops, bring your sense of adventure, and get ready to experience paradise on a budget.
