Berlin Germany Travel Guide [Non-Touristy Things to Do!]

I traveled to Berlin recently. I loved it and I want to break down how you can have an amazing time visiting Berlin. You can check out my YouTube channel to watch my Berlin Vlog and Berlin Travel guide. That way you can see all the places I discuss in this guide. I saved for this trip I paid for this trip. Throwing that out. In the future when I start getting free rooms and food I’ll let you know. Manifesting. But this trip wasn’t the one.

I’m a chill, laid-back traveler. I see a few things but I’m about eating and drinking. You’ve seen enough super touristy travel guides by now. This will be a good supplement for those guides.

Berlin is hipster grunge in the best ways. I found the prices pretty affordable for Europe. Remember I’m coming from Los Angeles so everything might be cheaper for me. If you want to see certain tourist attractions like the Reichstag dome. You must book it way in advance. I’m talking months!

How to get to Berlin?

We flew Lufthansa to Frankfurt and then Frankfurt to Berlin. There wasn’t a direct flight from LA to Berlin. It was a comfortable flight. Dinner and lunch were good. Breakfast was ok. My Dagne Dover personal item did not fit under the seat in front of me during this flight. I still loved it but I had to throw it in the overhead compartment real quick. I would still 100% travel with it though.

From the airport, we couldn’t figure out Uber so we took a taxi. Which cost about 50 euros, the same amount an Uber would have been.

How to get around Berlin?

Getting around Berlin is fairly easy. They have a straightforward metro. Though we walked most places. I love to walk when I’m traveling. You get to see more of the sights and get the lay of the land. The best mode of transportation if you’re up for it is riding a bike. They have a lot of different apps you can use to rent bikes right from your phone. But, the only one that worked for us having an American phone number was Donkey Republic Bikes. You can rent two bikes on one account.

My best tip if you plan on riding bikes is to rent a bike the first day you’re there and jump in. Otherwise, you will see the bike riding and psych yourself out. I found side streets easier to ride when starting out.

It costs us about 3 euro each for 2.5 hours of riding. Not sure if it was a promotion but that’s how much it costs and we used them on two different days.

Our Airbnb

Where to stay in Berlin?

We stayed in the area Kreuzberg. Which I picked for the location. I loved the vibe of the area it had a lot of cute restaurants, shops, bars, and coffee nearby which was fantastic. I would definitely stay here again.

We decided on Airbnb instead of a hotel. When looking for vacation rentals I like natural light, a clean aesthetic, and a view. Our spot in Berlin delivered. If you would like to book the same accommodations you can find the Airbnb here.

It was one bedroom, with a bathroom with a heated towel rack. It had an open-concept kitchen and living room space and a view of the TV Tower. Fair warning, there are a lot of stairs to get to this rental. I say that and I’m sure some of you are like “a few stairs no biggie” because that was me. No, you will hike lots of stairs in Europe for views.

Where to eat in Berlin?

We had an Airbnb and didn't cook any meals while we were there. Here is a rundown of some tasty food you can get while you’re in Berlin. I always make sure where I eat has reviews of 4.0 and higher. I don’t have time for mediocre food while traveling.

Jolesch - Muskauer Str. 1, 10997 Berlin, Germany

Recommended by our Airbnb host. This served Austrian food. We went and scored a table but I do think you should make reservations since it was pretty popular when we went. The menu is always changing. I got the vegetarian dish and my husband got the schnitzel. For dessert, we got an apple strudel. I also tried Lillet cocktail which is a french liquor that I had never tried. If you get the schnitzel ask for some sauce or jam. Later on in the trip, we had more schnitzel and realized that Jolesch was the only place we didn’t get a sauce. And we are a saucy couple.

Markethalle Neun - Eisenbahnstraße 42/43, 10997 Berlin, Germany

If you are indecisive or with a group that can’t make up their mind on where to eat. This Markethalle is a great option. Street food Thursdays are the best day to go and that's when we decided to check it out. They have a lot of different food options and if you’re a foodie that means heaven. We decided on Mani Pasta which had great portions. I got the basil tomato pasta, my husband got Arriabata and I got an Italian soda. Grab a table when you see an opening and let someone in your group order the food.

Zola - Paul-Lincke-Ufer 39-40, 10999 Berlin, Germany

This is a trendy restaurant with a patio that serves Neopolitan-style pizza. If the weather is nice, there is a wait to sit on the patio during dinner. But you can drink in line while you wait. It’s faster to grab a seat inside which is what we did. Still cute vibes. Ordered a beer and the house red wine. I got the Bufalini pizza and my husband got Salami. Both were pretty big and delicious! Some of the best pizza I’ve had.

Cocolo Ramen - Gipsstr. 3, 10119 Berlin Germany

This is a delicious ramen restaurant in Berlin. It’s cute and it hit the spot. If you like ramen I recommend this place. It’s in a cute neighborhood too. I got the Miso Ramen with extra noodles and the cocktail was a yummy honey soda chuhai cocktail. If it has honey I’m going to get it.

Goldies - Oranienstraße 6, 10997 Berlin, Germany

This is a french fry place I had walked by a few times and I had to try it. I love fries and a place dedicated to loaded fries is a must-visit for me. It is a bit of a fast-food or after-bar type of place. The portion was big. I would definitely get these fries again. They were greedy goodness. Again this was a fast-food style place. I’m sure there are places near you that are as good. But it’s nice to have comfort food like this while traveling. Especially if you want to save some money.

From Wurst :) - Ebertstraße, Ecke, Scheidemannstraße, 10117 Berlin, Germany

Located near a lot of tourist attractions - Brandenburg Gate and Tiergarten. We went here for quick currywurst and fries fix. If you’re taking a break from sightseeing and you need a quick snack in the area this is a cool place to get a bite.

Where to get Coffee?

If you love coffee like us then it’s always good to try a few local coffee shops during your travels. Here are two favorites we had while we were visiting in Berlin.

Bonanza - Adalbertstraße 70, 10999 Berlin, Germany

This is part of the third-wave coffee scene in Berlin. Which means they are serving high-quality coffee. This location was fun to go to because it’s a bit hidden but great for some IG photo opportunities. Also, their croissants are fresh and made by a French pastry chef in Berlin. I got a flat white, croissant and pain au chocolate. All delicious. Apparently, they sell out of pastries a lot. So if you see them out order some. My husband got a filter coffee, which we learned was how you ask for “black coffee” if that’s your thing.

Kaffebar - Graefestraße 8, 10967 Berlin, Germany

A trendy hipster coffee shop. They have a lot of gluten-free and vegan options. Cute place started to get a line while we were there so the locals definitely like it. Not the cheapest coffee we got in Berlin. Also got a slice of honey almond lemon cake but cause I couldn’t resist. Glad I did, it hit.

Where to go out?

Let’s get this out of the way. Sometimes I like to go clubbing. But most of the time I’m a true millennial and I like a good bar with some cocktails and good music. We did go out in Berlin but to dope bars and lounges. If that’s your thing here are some favorites I visited.

Cake - Mariannenstraße 27, 10999 Berlin, Germany

Loved this little bar. They had a cool vibe with good music. Sexy atmosphere. Also, there was a stage so I’m assuming they have live music sometimes. The bartender was very friendly. So friendly she offered to make me a drink to see if I liked it. I ended up ordering the Basil Smash Cocktail. It’s a popular choice there and it was delicious.

Fuchsbau - Planufer 96, 10967 Berlin, Germany

This bar serves breakfast and coffee during the day and cocktails and light food at night. We went at night and scored a cozy spot on their patio. The staff was super friendly and it had great vibes and people-watching. They provide blankets too if it gets more chilly and you want to sit outside. Grabbed some beers here.

Die Perle - Reichenberger Str. 47, 10999 Berlin, Germany

This felt very local. Which made us love it even more. I don’t even think the bartender spoke English. We grabbed beers here and enjoyed the music and people-watching of this cool local spot.

Fun things to do in Berlin?

Rent Bikes or Electric Scooters

You want to have a lot of fun on your trip. Rent bikes. You will feel like a local and see so much more than you would if you take the metro everywhere. Plus it’s fun. We used the app Donkey Republic Bikes because it was the only one that worked with our American phone. You can rent two bikes on one account. Unfortunately, I believe Donkey Bikes is only located in Berlin. We didn’t see these again in other cities.

Electric scooters are also a fun option. You can get these through the Uber app which will connect you to lime scooters. You can only rent one scooter through your account though.

Holzmarkt 25

I didn’t put this under “going out” because it’s a fun daytime hangout. This is a great spot when the weather is good so Spring and Summer. This cool market/beer garden is near the Spree River Banks. We loved grabbing beers here and hanging by the water with the locals. We loved it so much that we actually went here twice during our trip. They have beer garden, some food options, and a restroom. I have to say that because it’s nice to know when traveling!

When you get the beer you pay a euro deposit. Then when you return your glass for the day you get the euro back. During your stay when you buy more beer they will rinse and refill the glass you have. One of my favorite spots in Berlin.

Take a Picture in a Photoautomat

These are all around Berlin and other places in Germany (I saw a few in Hamburg). Anyway, make sure to grab a photo in one of these at some point. Some are cleaner and better than others. You will be able to tell. There was one in the Markethalle Neun and next to the Holzmarkt. The photos cost 3 Euro make sure you have the exact change if you can. Otherwise, you won’t get your change back. Also, hold those poses! Once you’re done you have to wait about 5 minutes for your photo to print. You will get one strip.

Visit the Brandenburg Gate

Always good to fit one touristy thing in the mix. Visit the Brandenburg Gate (on the way to Tiergarten). It’s Berlin’s top tourist attraction. It’s very cool to see. A symbol of Berlin and German division during the Cold War, it is now a national symbol of peace and unity.

Tiergarten

From the Brandenburg Gate, it’s a short walk to Tiergarten. A beautiful park that I recommend you ride bikes in. It’s Berlin’s version of Central Park. It’s 210 acres and beautiful. It’s the perfect location to get used to bike riding if you’re intimidated about it. There is a beer garden in the park, it’s called Cafe am Neuen See. We stopped by there and grabbed some beers - Helles and Radler. It’s a very large beer garden with ample seating. There is also a restaurant. You can park your bikes and hang out here for an hour or two.

Tempkof

Another cool park. If you like parks I mean this one is another option to ride bikes in. This was one of the first airports built in Berlin and was operational for 85 years. Now it’s Berlin’s largest urban park spanning 800 acres. For reference Central park is 335 acres. It’s huge but super flat. It’s fun to see because it’s an old runway. However, if pretty parks are more your thing then stick with Tiergarten.

Tiffy Quick Tips

Everyone smokes in Berlin. They will smoke in restaurants and bars. It is what it is.

Spring is a great time to go and enjoy some good weather before it’s packed during summer.

To see more videos on the Millennial lifestyle and travel check out my YouTube Channel.

Austin Texas Travel Guide

Know before you go

Austin is an up-and-coming city but they are still conservative. If you plan on drinking with friends over the weekend stock up on liquor before Sunday. Liquor stores do not sell hard alcohol on Sundays. Meaning if you plan on taking your drinks to the River float then get it on Saturday. Restaurants and bars sell booze on Sunday but that can be an expensive option to rely on.

Weather

Coming from Los Angeles I didn’t know about their weather. We went to Austin in June and the weather was overcast most days but hot and humid. Also sometimes it would rain. Then go back to being hot and humid. There were no rain showers while we were there. I know I mentioned rain and you’re thinking, “what do I pack for Austin?” Like I mentioned, even though it rained it was still hot and humid when it stopped. You’ll be fine with a light jacket. No need for rain boots.

Transportation

We flew Delta to Austin and it was a great experience. The flight attendants were amazing and went out of their way to show us a good time. Once we got to Austin we took Ubers and Lyfts most places. It worked fine and got us to where we needed to go. Which included a lot of different places.

Where to Stay in Austin?

While in Austin we stayed in the JW Marriott in Downtown Austin. If you like to go out and walk to places this was a great location. They hooked us up with a two-bedroom suite which was amazing. We had views of Lady Bird Lake. They also had a rooftop pool that was fun to hang out at. I would stay again if I visit in the future because I found it convenient for going out. The staff was also very nice and accommodating. I mean, they upgraded our room to a wonderful suite so they get an A+ from me.

Next time I visit Austin I will also consider staying at the Line Hotel. For some reason I didn’t know they had one and then when I saw it I had to take a look. It was cute and modern. Very cool hotel with all the amenities, bells, and whistles. We grabbed some food here that I will get to later. But I liked this hotel’s vibe too. Also, it is within walking distance of a lot of cool places.

Where to eat in Austin?

Let’s talk about Food here are some of the places I got to try while I was visiting.

3 Forks

This was a fancy steakhouse that we went to on the first night to celebrate. It was good food, your usual steak, and sides. I say it like that because I don’t eat red meat. But the sides were delicious. For an entree, they didn't have a lot of seafood options so I got the Crabcake as my meal. I have to say I felt it was a pretty good size if you decide to go with that and a few sides. This is the most expensive place on my list.

Torchy’s

This was my first introduction to Tex-Mex. It was pretty tasty. They have all types of tacos here including shrimp and beyond meat. I’m used to Los Angeles tacos so I ordered two tacos and the Queso and Guacamole. I could have gone with one taco because these were pretty big. My favorite item was the Queso.

Voodoo Doughnuts and Gordough’s

Yes, I got doughnuts from two places while I was in Austin and I regret nothing. I mean Voodoos is famous and Gordough's is more local. The Gordough’s Public house is more a bar-restaurant. You’re ordering your doughnut and they are making it fresh. The doughnuts are huge. If you go here get any doughnuts as doughnut holes instead of the actual doughnut. I felt the holes tasted better and were more balanced. Out of the two VooDoo doughnuts was my favorite.

Da Vinci’s Pizza

If you’re going out on Sixth street and get hungry. This is a good pizza place to hit up to grab you a slice or two. The slices are pretty big so you will only need one. But I mean I love pizza and this one was convenient and delicious. It’s hard to mess up pizza.

Veracruz All Natural

Located at the Line Hotel this is the place you go when you are ready for a little detox. They have fresh juices and tacos. There is a bit of a wait for them to make your food but it’s worth it. If you grab tacos here I recommend the Poblanos taco. Also, they make their flour tortillas and they are delicious.

Terry’s BBQ

I know what you’re thinking, you went to Austin and didn’t get any BBQ. Well, we did end up getting some. I don’t eat meat so the group ordered the BBQ and I got the sides. We ordered from Terry’s BBQ, picked it up, and then ate it in our hotel room. I know it's not the most glamorous but we were drunk and the line to eat at Terry’s is crazy. So there is a hack for you, if you don’t care about the dining experience you can order Terry’s ahead of time for pick up. You want to order an hour before. Then go enjoy it in your hotel room or on a picnic.

Fun Things to Do in Austin?

We need a little bit of everything while on my trip and I’m so happy.

Going out Rainey Street and Sixth Street

If you’re staying in Downtown Austin you want to check out Rainey Street or Sixth Street. Out of the two I would hit up Rainey Street. Rainey Street is filled with old houses that are now bars. You could dance, talk to people and grab a drink. All the places I checked out had no cover. I will say that the drinks seemed to be watered down so pregame a bit before you check these places out.

Now Sixth street. That is the place that everyone will tell you about. I find that this is a bit more College party scene. There are two sides to Sixth Street one is more chill and the other is party party party. Be safe if you visit this area and if you don’t like it you can walk to the pizza place I mentioned or grab some donuts.

Boating at Devil’s Cove

We rented a boat for one of the days. It was about $1500 and came with a slide. There were 11 of us that split the cost but you could have more than us. To get to the boating place we took an Uber from our hotel. If you’re going to do boating you can be more prepared than us. You’re going to want to pack your snacks and drinks. Also if you take food and arrange it ahead of time the Captain will grill the food for you on the boat.

If you do this and you’re down to socialize then have your Captain take you into Devils Cove. There you can tie up with another boat. This is a lot of pressure because you’re going up to strangers' boats and asking if you could tie up with them. It’s a fun way to make friends and have a bigger party. If you don’t like who you tie up with you can always move to another boat or be solo.

This was so much fun and a unique way to party. We rode down the slide and swam in the lake. Highly suggest it if you’re with a fun group of people.

River Float Tubing

On another day we did the River float at Texas Tubes. It’s about $60 per person. You can book through them and go to a pickup spot for a shuttle to and from the place. However, we did this so last minute we couldn't get the shuttle so we had to take an Uber there and back.

When I first signed up for this I thought it was going to be a chill ride down the river. That is not the case for the entire River trip. There are going to be faster moments and you can fall off your float if you’re not used to it. Here are some quick tips:

When picking your float ask the person that works there what the best ones are. I promise they are not all made the same. Also, get one with a cup holder. Make sure it is firm to the touch.

I wish I had tied with one person. To make it less isolated in some sections since you can and will bump into other people out there. You can’t control where the float takes you.

If you’re going over a “rapid” part, lift your butt a bit in the float so you don’t hit rocks.

Get a waterproof phone case or this bag from Amazon before you go. Your phone is gonna get wet put it in some protection

Sunscreen, a waterproof speaker, and a hat are your friends. Make sure you use them are you are gonna get burnt up.I had a visor and was so happy I did!

Water Shoes. If you travel a lot, invest in these. These were great to have for standing in the lake and the short hike to the water to start floating.

The floating takes 3-4 hours to complete.

Get a cooler to store your belongings if you don’t want them to get “as” wet. Good protection for fanny packs, your clothes, etc. It’s worth renting for $10.

You can pick up Ubers from this location back to Downtown as well. When you end the River float they will collect your float and cooler if you rent one. Then jump on the school bus that takes you back to the parking lot. From the parking lot, you will be able to grab a Lyft or Uber. Have both of them downloaded in case one of them isn't connecting.

Know that you can take your drinks for this adventure as well.

My favorite part of this trip? Tie between the boat and river float.

To see more videos on the Millennial lifestyle check out my YouTube Channel.

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Cabo San Lucas Mexico Travel Guide [First All-Inclusive Experience]

This trip was my first time going to Cabo San Lucas Mexico. We stayed at the Riu Palace. This is an all-inclusive resort. This was a different experience than my trip to Puerto Vallarta but a fun one! This guide will let you know everything about all-inclusive in Cabo.

Transportation

I flew Alaska Airlines to Cabo. Which is my favorite airline. They have good customer service. Plus I have their credit card that gives awesome companion fare. Sidenote: When I travel I love to go to an airport lounge. It makes the flying experience so much better. They usually have their bathrooms, free food and drinks, and wi-fi. I use Priority Pass for lounges. My fiance loves that I have it cause I can take a guest in with me.

Book transportation from the airport to your hotel before you get to Cabo. It will make your life easier and you will be happy to have a nice comfortable car. I booked my travel from Cabo Incredible and they were great. I would book them again for my travel needs.

When you land at the airport in Cabo make sure you exit the airport before making travel decisions. There are people inside of the airport that will try to stop you. They are selling timeshares, car services, and excursions. Be polite but tell them no and keep walking. KEEP WALKING. The legit taxis and car services are outside of the airport next to that outdoor bar.

Hotel

We stayed at the Riu Palace hotel in Cabo San Lucas. After a lot of research, we choose this. A lot of people were telling us that we need to try all-inclusive. Now my fiance and I are explorers we like to travel and explore our surroundings. But, we always wanted to give all-inclusive a try. We figured with the travel regulations lately this would be a good time to try it. Since it would be a bit safer.

Again all-inclusive at the Rui means all your food and drinks are already paid for. You get a wristband and anytime you walk into a restaurant or bar you can order anything you want. From my understanding what’s not covered is salon and spa services and excursions they book for you.

Our first room was wack but I asked to change rooms our second room was 100% nicer. Our room number was 4112. It has a perfect Ocean view. I’m giving you my room number so that you know which room to request.

Walkability

We love to walk around when we stay in different places. This was my first time in Cabo but I found that it wasn’t as walk-friendly as Puerto Vallarta. We still walked though. If you're staying at the Riu your best bet is to walk via the beach to the main town area. It was a nice walk. If I go back to Cabo I would stay closer to the Marina if I wanted to walk. But per our driver, heading to San Cabo San Lucas would be a better more local experience.

Money + Tipping

I didn’t take any Pesos with me when I went to Cabo. Because I knew it was all-inclusive. They like and accept USD over there. I took USD 100 in USD 1 for tips. Let me start by saying I never find concrete answers on tipping etiquette. So I have to go by experience and chatting with friends.

Yes, everything is all-inclusive at the resort. BUT you can still tip people and I recommend it. At the pool, I generally tipped $1-2 per drink order. After each dinner at the resort restaurant, I tipped my server or servers $2 each.

Generally tipping $1-2 for drinks while you’re there and $2-3 for dinner. I also tipped housekeeping $2 every day.

Food

I ate most meals at the resort. In case you're headed to the Riu Palace here is my ranking for restaurants so you don't waste your time:

Best Food at the Riu Palace

Maski Japanese Restaurant - Get the Sushi, Salmon, and Tempura Ice Cream (ask for it). I ate here twice.

Food Stand at the pool - Cheese fries and nachos will save your drunk ass.

Buffet - When you go for breakfast ask the taco lady to make you a quesadilla.

We also enjoyed hitting up the little coffee shop Cappuccino. If you go there the muffins and chocolate croissants are good.

Worst Food at the Riu Palace

The Steakhouse - I got the lobster and I hated it. This was our first meal. It was trash. Listen to my advice don't make it your first meal.

Overall Favorite Food!!

My favorite food though was of course not at the hotel. It was the one time we ventured away from all-inclusive.

Gardenias Tacos

Delicious and affordable everything I wanted. The funny thing is. It's the type of Mexican food we wanted the hotel to serve us. We got ceviche, fried shrimp, fried fish, and grilled shrimp tacos. All delicious with so many sauces and toppings. I loved this place. Check it out and get a taco in my honor if you go.

Fun things to do

We were relaxing and contemplating for two days on which excursion to get. Then got too drunk one day and were honest with ourselves that we didn’t want to do any. But, in our true relaxing fashion, we did get massages. I love getting massages when not in the USA because I can afford them. Upon research, I found Sandbar which had an amazing deal. In case it changes I won’t mention it here. Let's just say I got a 90-minute massage for under $60. With the sounds of the ocean waves. Tip well when you go!

Other than that we hung at the beach and pool pretty much every day. The infinity pool looked out over the beach where we could see the arch in the distance. With food, drinks and some people watching.

Here are some quick Tiffy Travel Tips:

Make sure that you have some cash in small dollars or pesos. Since I hear that the taxis only take cash and they don’t turn on their meters. Meaning that you need to negotiate with your cab ahead of time. A cab from Rui to the town should be $14 there and $14 back.

Book your transportation round trip to and from the airport ahead of time.

The weather during the trip my weather app said that it was 70-72 degrees every day. Letting you know that it felt like 80+ degrees every day. All you will need is a light sweater or jacket at night and you’ll be fine.

My thoughts on the all-inclusive experience

It was cool. I'm glad I did it. However, you’re not going to get an authentic experience in all-inclusive. It’s built so that you don’t leave the hotel. Which I understand! But I didn’t understand until I was in it. Know yourself. Because there are a lot of benefits to all-inclusive. But there is a lot of fun in staying somewhere and scooping out the scene too.

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Maui Hawaii Vacation Travel Guide

Maui Hawaii is a slice of heaven in the United States. It offers beautiful beaches, tropical weather, and its own culture. This is my second time to Maui but I've been to Hawaii before. I love Hawaii but it is different from Thailand or Bali because it's expensive. Though it feels like you're in another country, Hawaii is part of the US. You get US prices plus it's an island that imports most of its goods. This makes everything in Hawaii more expensive than even most other US states.

How to get around Maui?

When you land it’s a good idea to head over and pick up a rental car. You can do this before you leave the airport. Check discounts online and book the car you want ahead of time. Also, you can ask the agent about discounts or specials when you get there. We went to Advantage Rent A Car and booked a Jeep for around $40/day. 

An economy car is around $25/day but can't drive everywhere on the island because it doesn't have FWD. It rains a lot there and you'll feel safer driving a Jeep in that weather. That is a reason you will see a lot of Jeeps as you travel throughout Maui.

I saw the same Uber/Lyft twice while I was in Maui. That was the only ride-sharing that I saw. I don’t know how much it cost but I’m pretty sure it’s more cost-effective to rent a car.

Get the essentials

Before heading to your Airbnb it’s a good idea to pick up food from Costco near the airport. Here you can get lunch for the next few days and you can pick up my favorite staple, liquor. We stocked up on food, coffee, water and ingredients for mixed drinks. This kept the Pina Coladas flowing.

Also, Costco is a great place to pick up a quick bite if you’re hungry from the long flight. This is the cheapest meal you’ll get in Maui.

Photo: Beach at Sunset in Maui.

Where to stay in Maui?

Your best bet to saving money on your trip is staying in an Airbnb. Though, I find the hidden costs of rentals comparable to hotels. The reason you save money in an Airbnb is the ability to cook some of your meals during a trip.

We stayed in an Airbnb on the Kā’Anapali side of the island. This was close to the beach and a quick drive to Lahaina's Town. Our Airbnb had two rooms, a living room, a balcony and a pool on the premises. The cost of our Airbnb was $375/night.

If you’re getting an Airbnb I'd make sure it has a pool. Though with Airbnb's you miss the people-watching of a hotel pool. 

Where To Eat In Maui?

Star Noodle 286 Kupuohi St Lahaina, HI 96761

We ate here on the first night in Maui. I enjoyed the modern aesthetic since Hawaii can get a bit dated in decor. It was delicious. It has shared plates of Asian Fusion cuisine. I loved the Salmon and garlic noodles. For cocktails, I got the Asian Pear. I’m not usually a fan of shared plates but I liked this place. Make sure you order a few items depending on your group or you could go home a little hungry. But isn’t that all shared plate restaurants? You're always a little hungry after. This is a popular place, make reservations ahead of time if you decide to visit here. 

Photo: Garlic Noodles at Star Noodle in Maui.

Photo: Asian Pear Cocktail at Star Noodle in Maui.

Ulalani’s Shave Ice 790 Front St Lahaina, HI 96761

This is a popular location to get shave ice. I lucked up and went when there was no line. I got a regular size and it was a bit much for me. You can get your fill with the small size. I got watermelon and cherry with ice cream in the middle and a snow cap (condensed milk on top). If you get shave ice to listen to me and make sure you order it with ice cream in the middle. I can’t have it any other way now. 

Photo: Shave Ice from Ulalani’s in Maui.

Monkeypod 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy Lahaina, HI 96761

Located in Whaler’s Village Kā’Anapali. This is an outdoor shopping mall with access to the beach. Monkeypod has American and Hawaiian food. I recommend going for its happy hour. This can serve as a delicious meal without breaking the bank. We got pizzas, fries, soup, and drinks.

Slappy Cakes 3350 Honoapiilani Rd Lahaina, HI 96761

A fun breakfast place. Slappy Cakes is a DIY pancake place. It’s a great experience with friends or family. You can choose what kind of pancake batter you want and toppings. Then you make your pancakes on the grill in front of you. 

I found one bottle of batter makes more than enough pancakes for two people. Giving that pointer, since we each ordered a bottle and had leftover pancake mix at the end. If you love coconut, try their homemade coconut syrup.

Photo: Slappy Cakes in Maui Hawaii. Batter and whipped cream.

Photo: Pancakes at Slappy Cakes in Maui.

Maui Brewing Company 4405 Honoapiilani Hwy Lahaina, HI 96761

This is a smaller microbrewery to a bigger one they have on the other side of the island. They have beers and bar food. I recommend getting the beer flight which is $10-12 depending on the beers you choose. This allows you to try a few before choosing a favorite. My number one beer was the Bikini Blonde Lager. For food, I got the dynamite tots and fish tacos. 

Favorite Beaches

If you’re visiting Maui then you’re aware of the beautiful beaches you’ll encounter. There are many to choose from but here are the three I went to:

Napili Bay Beach

During the Summer this one is great. But, during the winter when I went the tide was a bit high leaving no sand to the layout. 

Photo: Tiffy at Napili Bay Beach.

Photo: Napili Bay Beach. Bit of overcast day.

Ka’anapali Beach

This one is near the hotels. If you’re lucky to land a parking spot it's worth it. A lot of sand to lay out and dip your feet in the water when you feel like it. There are a few public lots or you can park at Whaler’s Village, grab a validation and walk over.

Honokahua Bay

This beach included a lot of whale watching which makes it a winner in my book. We saw many whales, even a baby whale practicing its jumps in the water. I don’t know if this is a usual occurrence but it’s worth checking out. This one has two parking lots so it's easy to find parking.

Photo: Water Honokahua Bay in Maui Hawaii

Photo: Water Honokahua Bay in Maui Hawaii

Fun Things to do in Maui

This trip to Maui was a chill one for me. I didn’t do the Road to Hana but I did fit in a few activities. 

Take a Drive

Though I didn’t do the Road to Hana I still think taking a drive around the Island is a must. It's fun no matter which direction you choose. It’s an adventure to see where you end up because you might stumble upon a secret beach.

Photo: Tiffy posing near jeep before a drive in Maui.

Photo: View from driving around Maui

Visit Lahaina Town

This is the main town in Maui. It’s a cute place to take a walk or grab a drink while waiting for dinner reservations. I didn’t know that Maui had an art scene until I started to walk through the galleries that line Lahaina. You'll find all types of art. 

Lahaina is home to a 147-year-old Bunyan tree. Its branches have created many trees in the same area. It’s a beautiful sight to see in the middle of Lahaina.

Maui Blow Hole

We stumbled upon this while taking a drive one day while it was raining. This is a natural blowhole that shoots water into the sky. It’s a wonder to see. But, don’t get to close to the blowhole or you could get sucked in and die. Keep a safe distance from this natural sight. When I went it was raining and was not dressed for this hike. We ended up taking our shoes off and walking as close as we could to the blowhole. 

Tiffy Quick Tips

• Maui is not a walking place if you want to see everything. You will need to rent a car.

• Weather is unpredictable. I was there for 6 days and it rained for 2 of them

• It’s an island, everything is more expensive. 

• Get your liquor at Costco to save money.

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