FrugalMonkey Discount Travel News

Tag: hawaii travel

  • What to Do in Historic Downtown Honolulu

    Just a few miles from the throngs of tourists in Waikiki is a more urban, budget-friendly part of Honolulu.

    Whether you choose to spend an afternoon soaking in the unique history of the Honolulu waterfront, walking around downtown and taking in all of the public art or heading over to Chinatown to take in the ethnic eateries, flower stalls, fresh produce vendors, dish and housewares shops, you’re sure to experience a side of Hawaiian life. If you don’t have a rental car, it’s still easy to get downtown (even if you do have a rental car, I suggest taking public transportation downtown - it’s much easier). Most hotels offer shuttle buses downtown. You can also take a city bus (schedules available at concierge desks and tourist information centers). Shopping In general, the further one gets from Waikiki, the more reasonable the prices will be. Prices in downtown Honolulu tend to be much better than those in the tourist shops along the beach. You’re also more likely to get a better quality product and have a better selection of cheap souvenirs. If you're going to take a trip to Hawaii, then don't miss one of the most famous sights in downtown Honolulu - the Aloha Tower Marketplace. Surrounding the tower you’ll find an eclectic array of shops and eateries. There is a small jewelry district here that sells gold Hawaiian jewelry charms for much less (and a better selection) than you’d find them in Waikiki. Unique and inexpensive souvenirs can also be found in Chinatown. If you’re in the market for traditional Hawaiian souvenirs (artificial leis, macadamia nuts, Kona coffee, muumuus and shirts), head to one of the Hilo Hatties outposts in downtown Honolulu. Eating [caption id="attachment_4759" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The Historic Iolani Palace"][/caption] If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat, there are some commercial options (chains, etc.) around Aloha Tower. Chinatown has some of the best fresh Asian food (both street food and sit-down restaurants) in the city.  There are quite a few “foodie-friendly” Asian fusion restaurants of note in downtown Honolulu, including Indigo, Zen Shu, Alan Wong, Roy’s, Hiroshi Eurasian Tapas, Duc’s Bistro and Chef Mavro. Museums and Cultural Sites The Hawaii Maritime Center allows visitors to discover Hawaii’s fascinating ocean history, featuring exhibits on ancient Polynesian voyagers, rough and tumble whalers, and the luxurious cruise liners of the 1920s and ‘30s. The beautiful and famous Iolani Palace is located on King’s Street. It holds the distinction of being the only royal palace standing on American soil. The palace was the royal residence of Hawaii’s last two monarchs. Guided tours are available 5 days a week. While you’re in the area, head across the street to tour the Iolani Barracks (also called Halekoa or “house of warriors”). It was built in 1870 and housed 80 members of the Royal Guard (before the overthrow of the monarchy). The Mission Museum is located on Punchbowl Street and is located on the site where the first American Protestant missionaries established their headquarters in 1820.  Most of the buildings are original, and represent the oldest Western-style buildings in Hawaii. Here you can see a variety of artifacts – furniture, books, quilts, clothing, etc. - from these missionaries. There are several lovely churches in downtown Honolulu, including St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral, Cathedral of our Lady of Peace, and Kawaiaha'o Church, each representing different architectural styles. Ho'ohoihoi k' ho'omahana! (Enjoy your trip!)

  • Visit Hawaii This November

    We couldn’t stop thinking about chilly winters and rainy falls. Although watching the leaves change and bundling up under cozy blankets is all part of the package it definitely loses its charm after you’ve been waiting for the car to defrost and it starts getting dark around 5pm. That’s why we did a random search on flight deals to Maui and found remarkable prices that we simply couldn’t ignore! This November, from the western United States we found flights for as cheap as $281 from Portland and Seattle and as low as $380 from San Francisco and Los Angeles. For a seven-day trip at almost any point during the month you can enjoy incredibly low flight prices such as these. Go ahead and look for yourself and while you’re doing so, keep in mind that Hawaii’s average temperature in November is 82. That sounds like a pretty strong selling point if you’re thawing out in the low 40’s come Thanksgiving. Book a flight now!


  • Guide to Fall Travel Deals

    Fall marks a decidedly different time for airlines and travelers. The summer deals for travelers tend to slow down and airlines are expected to cut back on available flights.

    With the travel industry in an economic slump however, there are sure to be some great places where travelers can snatch up available deals. Find out where the travel deals will continue and what you can do to find them! Hawaii The Hawaiian economy relies heavily on travel. It runs almost entirely off of the tourism provided by North Americans and as fall approaches, fewer travelers are expected to make travel plans. For those that might be considering a fall vacation however, this is incredible news. Hawaii is expected to be one of the few locations where flights, hotels, and other vacation packages will continue to be available for vacationers. This fall, booking a flight to Hawaii will still be affordable and is a great way to experience a vacation that will likely spike in expense in the upcoming years. If you're looking for a warm and temperate Thanksgiving vacation with the family, keep your eyes peeled on the travel deals coming out of Hawaii. We guarantee you'll see some good ones! Start making your travel plans now with our advice on things to do in Maui. Mexico Mexico, like Hawaii relies heavily on tourism from North America. It too sees a decrease in vacationers during the fall and because of the hit it has taken due to swine flu and the economic slump, travel deals will continue into this region are expected to continue well into the fall. The fall and winter are also considered off-season for Mexico travel, which means vacation deals will be even lower. We think that if you're looking for a good getaway before school starts or during the winter break, that Mexico will be a cheap and fun way to enjoy your vacation. Find out about places like Cancun, with FrugalMonkey's free online travel guide to Mexico.

  • Hawaii Travel

    Travel in the United States doesn’t get more exotic than the traveling one can do in Hawaii. FrugalMonkey offers information on the luxurious side of Hawaiian travel as well as the rugged outdoor adventures one can take in the plush jungles and rocky volcanoes away from the resorts and beaches. With information on all of this and everything in between, FrugalMonkey’s travel section on Hawaii brings a normally expensive travel location to you pocketbook at a fraction of normal costs. With information on travel on all eight islands this comprehensive travel guide has all the information none would need for an amazing Hawaiian vacation. 


  • Visiting The Hawaiian Islands

    Ever thought of visiting the Hawaiian Islands? 


    Traveling to Hawaii to experience the most tropical of the United States has become somewhat of a time-honored tradition for US citizens. The ability to access exotic tropical weather, gorgeous beaches, SCUBA diving, exquisite golf courses, remote islands, lava fields, amazing restaurants and breathtaking hikes without having to travel internationally is a hard bargain to beat no matter where you are from. For those lucky enough to live in the Western United States a trip to Hawaii is no more than a puddle jump, or a few hours flight, into one of the most popular travel locations in the United States.

    Hawaii’s economy is to a large degree deeply rooted in tourism and it’s easy to see why. With such a strong allure in terms of sunny weather and exciting outdoor activities, Hawaiian vacations are on par with the splendor of the Caribbean without the hassle of international travel. While Hawaii does lend itself to exclusive or high-end tourism, the islands have a lot to offer someone traveling on a budget as well.

    Traveling between the Hawaiian Islands is only accessible by flight or by the Super Ferry developed in 2007. While flights to Hawaii are traditionally viewed as expensive some of the smaller airlines offer inter-island flights for very reasonable prices. Additionally, with the price of fuel being so low traveling among the Hawaiian Islands can be done for much cheaper than you might actually think. You can also take cruises to Hawaii, which sail among several of the more popular Hawaiian Islands giving tourists a taste of Hawaii’s many island flavors. Check out some of the excellent cruise and vacation packages (including airfare and hotel stay) available online now, and you’ll be island-side in no time!