With its soul stirring sunsets, blissful beaches, world class waves, and lush natural wonders, it is no surprise that Hawaii is a destination people dream of visiting. If money is what’s keeping Hawaii in your dreams and not in your reality, we’d like to show you that traveling to paradise doesn’t have to cost you a pretty penny. This post highlights several money-saving strategies that will bring your Hawaiian dream to life.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
Lucky for us, Hawaii’s tropical climate and average temperature of 75 degrees makes it a year-round destination. That being said, the price of 
visiting the Islands tends to surge a few times a year. More specifically, you should avoid traveling to Hawaii over the Christmas holiday, during peak months (June, July and August), and around Spring Break. For shoulder-season prices, try traveling in May or September. For the real off-season prices, travel during October and November. In addition to saving money on your airfare, many hotels offer packages and deals during these months.
AIRFARE
Now that you know the best time to travel to Hawaii, there are additional ways to save on your flights. Start by planning your trip in advance, as flights tend to be cheaper if they are further out. We are avid users of Skyscanner, an app that allows you to track flight prices while doing comparative research. You can also check ticket consolidation websites such as Kayak, Orbitz and Priceline.
POINTS
Credit card sign-up bonuses are an effective way to earn miles for free flights. The United MilagePlus card has a sign-up bonus of 50K miles if you spend a minimum of $2000 within the first three months.
ACCOMMODATION
While an ocean view suite sounds luxurious, you should really consider what your specific needs are for your trip. Considering there is so much to see and do on the Islands, you really won’t be spending all that much time in the hotel room. Renting a condo can be a cost effective way to save money if you’re traveling with family or in a big group. Airbnb offers a variety of different accommodations ranging from one bedroom to an entire house. If you aren’t traveling with kids, consider staying at a hostel. For the more adventurous types, there are tons of beach campsites. Depending on whether or not you have access to a kitchen, your choice of lodging can help you save hundreds of dollars on restaurant meals. The extra funds you’ve saved on food can then be used to explore the islands and even splurge on something like a helicopter tour.
EAT LOCAL
Instead of shelling out cash for the mediocre hotel buffet or upscale tourist restaurant, check out the local eateries. There is so much to love when it comes to authentic Hawaiian food. You can also shop the farmers markets for delicious, locally grown fruit and incredibly fresh fish…both at unbeatable prices.
WHAT TO DO
Some say that the best things in life are free…and Hawaii is full of free activities. You can lounge on pristine beaches, hike through rainforests and snorkel with turtles all free of charge.
DO SOME RESEARCH
In addition to using the internet, buy a respected guidebook like Lonely Planet and use its resources to plan and book activities.
