Maui, Hawai'i

Itinerary

photo by Kim Diaz

Aloha! Are you surprised to find one of Hawai'i's islands on Cheap Weekend Travel? After completing my undergraduate degree, I spent two months living in Hawai'i and discovered the best ways to travel without breaking the bank while still enjoying the full experience.

Let me share with you some of the top places to see and activities to do in Maui. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

photo by Kim Diaz

Getting Around

Getting a rental car on any of the Hawai'i islands is a must.

Trust me, I tried looking for any way around it: moped, hitchhike, or public transport, but the island is too large and relies heavily on highways and busy roads.

Your best bet is using Turo or Craigslist for local's vehicles.

So this is where I might lose you... but HEAR ME OUT, I car camped for the first time in Maui and LOVED my experience.

We stayed at the best campsite on Maui, Camp Olowalu.

This video is just a glimpse of our morning views everyday. We rented a Honda Element, so it was great for sleeping with some blankets and the option to remove the seats. The campsite has specific lots for tent camping as well as car camping, each with picnic tables and grills.

They had very clean showers and bathrooms and free hot coffee every morning. We were so sad to leave this place!

Okay, let's get started with the itinerary.

It's important to know that these days are interchangeable and catered towards travelers looking to see as much of the island without being too rushed. This isn't intended for those looking to lay out on the beach with a margarita for days.

So adventure seekers, this one's for you.

Day One

from the pages of my journal

The Road to Hana

If you are on Maui, you must do the road to Hana. It is the only way to explore the vast majority of the island, and you can do it all in one day!

The best choice I made was downloading the Shaka Guide app and allowing the Maui audio guide lead the way. There is almost no service throughout the road to Hana, so the app will be able to tell you where to turn, where to stop and see some waterfalls, where to park... everything! The narrator is also so pleasant and pretty funny! We loved listening the whole way around the island.

The Road to Hana: is it safe to drive??

If you're feeling conflicted about whether to drive the Road to Hana yourself or take a tour, let me share my experience with you. We decided to do the full loop, rather than just half (which is where most people stop once they reach Hana).

Contrary to some reviews, the driving was quite pleasant, with breathtaking scenery and no harrowing cliffside drives without guardrails.

The most captivating views, however, were on the loop back to town, so I highly suggest completing the entire loop for the best experience.

TIP: It takes about 8 hours to complete The Road to Hana, so plan to be on your way around 6:00am.

It is also the windward side of the island, so wear your water clothes and bring your rain jacket!

photo by Kim Diaz

Although I can vouch that the Shaka Guide is the ultimate travel companion for The Road to Hana, let me share with you some of my favorite stops I made along the way:

• Twin Falls
  
• The furthest hike is the best waterfall!
  
• Ko'olau Forest Reserve
• Short walk to view giant Rainbow Eucalyptus trees
  
• Haiku Overlook
• Try Halfway to Hana Banana Bread
• Lava Pool Cave
• Short walk through lava caves
  
• Red Sand Beach (a MUST see! There aren't signs showing you where to park, so find street parking near the Hana Ballpark.)
• Haleakala National Park ($30 to enter, but it lasts for a few days, so explore this part of the park before exploring the summit of Haleakala another day)
• See waterfalls and hike
  

Day Two

West Maui Coastline Tour

Discover the West Maui Coastline Loop after your Road to Hana adventure!

Now that you've completed the East loop of the island with The Road to Hana, I highly recommend embarking on the West Maui Coastline loop located on the opposite side of the island.

Keep in mind the driving conditions below, but it's certainly worth it for a full day of scenic driving with 17 beautiful stops along the coastline!

Driving the West Maui Coastline

This drive was significantly more sketchy than The Road to Hana, but it's the only other way to discover the west side of the island. Plan for this loop to take 6-8 hours depending on how much time you spend at each stop.

If you don't have an SUV, I wouldn't even think about driving it with how many bumps there are.

A couple of times, I had to reverse around curves alongside the edge of a cliff, but the good news is, everyone is VERY patient and cautious.

Consider your driving experience and the vehicle you have. But if you're confident that you and your car can handle it, do yourself the service of doing the full loop!

The Shaka Guide also has a tour for this loop and! Here are some of my favorite stops I made:

• Waihe'e Ridge Trail
  
• 4 mile out & back moderate trail
  
• Slaughterhouse Beach
  
• Amazing for snorkeling
  
• Nakalele Blowhole
  
• Ohai Trail
• 30 minute loop trail with beautiful views
  
• Olivine Pools
  
• Ioa Valley State Park
• Good to dip in the stream, picnic, or visit their botanical garden
  

Day Three

You absolutely CANNOT go to Maui without summiting Haleakala for sunrise or sunset. Keep reading for important tips to know before you go.

photo by Kim Diaz

Haleakala National Park

photo by Kim Diaz

Have your head above the clouds at Haleakala National Park! Haleakala is a massive, active shield volcano that forms more than 75% of the Hawaiian Island of Maui.

The Shaka Guide also has an audio tour for the sunrise, so definitely consider purchasing the Maui Tour Driving Bundle.

You need reservations to enter the park for sunrise.

Helpful Tips for Haleakala

You need reservations for a 3am-7am time slot to enter the park. These go fast. You must reserve your time at 6am 2 days prior to your expected date entry date.

When I say they go fast, I mean they go FAST. I tried to make reservations three days in a row and had my computer and phone ready at 6am, but they sold out within seconds.

From experience, we learned that the sunset doesn't require reservations and has equally beautiful views.

Also, it is FREEZING. Prepare for it to be in the 50s during sunrise and sunset, but with the wind, it feels much colder.

Haleakala also has other things to do besides watching the incredible sunrise or sunset!

There are many viewpoints and hikes that make you feel like you're walking on Mars.

We did the Kapalaoa Cabin via Sliding Sands Trail, which is a 5.2 mile out & back trail and had ready neat, out-of-this-world views.

Day Four

Today, I'd love to share with you my go-to beach for sunbathing and cliff diving!

Black Rock Beach is renowned for its thrilling cliff jumping opportunities, and you'll be able to witness numerous divers while lounging on the sand. Not to mention, the rocks are easy to reach for an exhilarating jump.

This area is perfect for a laid-back final day on the island.

TIP: go early! Parking is scarce and the beach gets packed by mid-morning.

A Money-Saving Tip for Luaus

Luaus can be expensive, with tickets often exceeding $200 per person. However, we found a way to enjoy the experience for free!

We discovered a beach that hosts a luau every night at 7 pm, and many people sit on the sand behind the dining area to watch the show.

This is not discouraged since the paying customers are focused on their food and the performance. Bring a beach chair or towel and enjoy the complimentary luau.

For the exact location, click here.

There are countless of other activities on the incredible island of Maui, but if you're looking for the must-sees, I hope you found this itinerary helpful.

If you have any questions or further comments on any of these activities or places above, don't hesitate to reach out and connect with me at cheapweekendtravel.com

Aloha!

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