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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