Hawaii Honeymoon Tips

5 Ways to Make your Hawaii Honeymoon Cost-Friendly

September 6, 2010 By Kalika

Here are some tips for keeping your Hawaii Honeymoon budget friendly.

5. Consider your board options

Sometimes looking at the price of a package can be financially daunting… but it’s only because you may not be thinking out the entire trip. Trying to book everything separately may end up amounting to much more. Many hotels offer ‘Build your own package’ options, if the standard packages don’t appeal to you.

If you and your significant other are the outdoorsy type, then you may want to consider camping. It’s cheap, at only about 25.00 a night; this includes both the state park fee and the cost of the permit. You can check the amenities and price for every state park (and even apply for a permit) online at Hawaii’s State Park website. Remember to pack wisely and check your airline’s rules and regulations for bringing certain camping equipment on board. This is the ultimate outdoorsy experience, complete with hiking trails, sunrise on the beach, and trails leading to waterfalls.

If camping doesn’t appeal to your inner city-dweller, then search for vacation rentals. The people who own vacation homes in Hawaii cannot be there year-round so they are in the business of renting it out to those who need somewhere to stay.

4. It’s Okay to Plan Ahead.

How many times have you heard people say, “If I knew about this before I booked the trip…”? Seriously, Google it. I know this doesn’t sound like too much fun, considering you’re on a honeymoon and may just want to play it by ear… but what we mean by this is, don’t just blindly begin booking activities, hotels, airfare, etc. Look into what kind of activities you think interest you in advance. Is this going to be an adventurous honeymoon, or more relaxed?

Some of the most popular attractions in Hawaii don’t require you to spend any extra cash to check it out. So if you are planning on hitting the beach and experiencing the sights, don’t sweat the cost! There are also countless hiking trails, including Waimea Canyon (aka the ‘Grand Canyon of the Pacific’) on Kauai and plenty of waterfalls (such as Akaka Falls on the Big Island), which don’t require a fee to view. On Oahu, the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor is free to visit too, if you’re looking for something a little more man-made.

3. Think Oahu.

Oahu is by far the cheapest island to visit in Hawaii. Most flights land here, which saves you the cost of an extra jump. Secondly, it’s the heart of tourism which makes finding a hotel within your budget, even easier.

2. Go during the off-season.

1. Grocery shop.

This, and a cooler, is kind of a no-brainer if you’re camping. Once you begin to get settled in Hawaii, make this one of your first priorities. There is a combination of chain grocery stores and smaller community markets that you can choose from and it will keep you from paying inflated prices for each meal.

Of course, you may still want to check out some of the local dining choices. If you don’t have the Urban Spoon App, then check out their website for a great list of cheap places to eat in Hawaii. Most Hawaiian food won’t put a large dent in your wallet. And honestly, if you’re staying in a highly populated area, you’re going to have the same restaurants to choose from as you would stateside.

Filed Under: Honeymoon Tips, Planning 101

The Best Time for Your Hawaii Honeymoon

August 20, 2010 By Kalika

You’re not going to plan your wedding around Hawaii’s off-season, but the benefits of lower travel cost makes it worth considering. If you’re on a budget, and want to make the most of your Hawaii honeymoon, then remember that high season travel (mid-December through around mid-March) to this state may put a pretty dent in your wallet. Think about it… everyone wants to go to Hawaii during winter.

The off-season (spring & fall) has significantly cheaper travel rates, and there are more likely to be killer travel packages. If you are the kind of person who loves convenience and would rather not do a bunch of leg work, then visit Hawaiian Airlines for a look at their travel package options.

Of course, no matter when you’re planning to go, book your tickets far in advance.

Another reason why an off-season Hawaii honeymoon may be the best option is that it will provide a little more intimacy. If you’re looking for some isolation with your new spouse, the crowds can be a turn-off. There’s nothing worse than trying to get some alone time when you’re surrounded by screaming kids and pubescent teenagers on their summer vacation.

The off-season has another benefit besides cost; it’s actually the best time to visit Hawaii! The weather is much more reliable during the spring and fall seasons and temperatures range between the 70s and 80s. Although, ‘seasons’ themselves are hardly noticeable in Hawaii, and for the most part you will experience mild weather no matter when you choose to go. The difference is that Winter months can dip into the 60s and summer months can go into the high 90s.

No matter when you go, expect some ‘liquid sunshine’– otherwise known as rain to the stateside dwellers. But these rain showers are light, spread-out, and don’t last very long. Ah, the benefits of a tropical climate. Hurricanes are also rare for Hawaii, but if they’re going to strike it will most likely be between June and November.

Another thing that you definitely want to avoid is planning your Hawaii honeymoon during Japan’s Golden Week, which is the last week of April and the first week of May. Golden Week is actually the cumulative name for a series of Japanese holidays that occur next to each other. It’s the longest vacation period of Japan, and given it’s location in relation to Hawaii, well… you get the picture. Although the Waikiki is the area primarily affected, surrounding islands also experience an influx of tourists.

Filed Under: Honeymoon Tips, Planning 101, Popular Articles Tagged With: Budgeting, Off-season

Types of Hawaiian Honeymoons

August 20, 2010 By Lakaeli

When you ask a soon-to-be-wed couple where they’re going on their honeymoon, is it any surprise when you hear “Hawaii”? If you asked a few more questions about their trip, you’ll surprisingly discover that this particular couple is embarking on a much different honeymoon than the last couple you spoke to, even though both chose Hawaii.

If it’s time for you to plan your ideal honeymoon, remember that there was a reason that those other couples all chose Hawaii! It likely may be your perfect option, whatever your budget may be.

Choose your Hawaiian Island

If you know that you will be staying in one place for the entirety of your vacation, first you’ll have to choose an island. If busy Waikiki Beach, a touristy yet picturesque downtown and proximity to Pearl Harbor is for you, choose Honolulu. That of course is a generalization regarding this island, but these are the common draws for tourists. A less touristy option that many honeymooners choose is Kauai, famous for its isolation and gorgeous views. Do your research on the Hawaiian island before deciding upon your flight, hotel reservations and other accommodations.

All-Inclusive Resorts

These tend to be quite expensive, but vary according to what is actually included in this all-inclusive
Hawaiian package. Alcohol, length of stay, and location will determine the cost of this type of honeymoon. Once you have chosen your Hawaiian island, a good deal of research is needed to find the best option for your budget.

Cost aside, these types of honeymoons draw newlyweds due to the fact that they’re practically guaranteed a stress-free vacation, particularly after planning a wedding.

Island-Jumping

You don’t necessarily have to stay in one location. If you and your fiancé are the more adventurous type, you always have the option of sampling a little bit of each Hawaiian island. Some options include staying at hotels and flying from island to island, or taking a cruise that visits each island for a day at a time.

Hawaiian Cruise

Cruises have the same draw that an all-inclusive resort has in that they tend to be stress-free, just how a fine Hawaiian honeymoon should be! Some cruises embark and disembark in Hawaii, while others travel to and from the consecutive United States. Cruises vary significantly in cost according to the cruise line. Reviewing available customer reviews and speaking to travel agents are quite helpful when choosing the Hawaii cruise that’s perfect for you and your new spouse.

Filed Under: Honeymoon Tips, Planning 101, Popular Articles Tagged With: Hawaii

Sizing up your Hawaii Honeymoon

August 20, 2010 By Lakaeli

We know you’re busting your butt planning your wedding; but how much time have you put into honeymoon planning? Even if you’re planning a relatively simple, stress-free honeymoon in Hawaii, it will take some planning to make sure you are prepared long before your wedding day approaches.

Budget

Just as you figured out how much you’re going to spend on your wedding, you and your fiancé will need to calculate a budget for your honeymoon. Statistics from sources like theknot.com to the US Census Bureau, have shown that the average honeymoon costs about $3700 per couple for a one week trip. You don’t have to be average, but it’s at least a ball park estimate and gives you somewhere to start. Do your research ahead of time to identify the major costs such as airfare and accommodations. Spending some time identifying all costs before approaching the rest of the planning is crucial.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

Will your accommodations include food?
Will you be staying near a supermarket where you can do your own shopping?
Or will you eat out for most meals?
Purchasing any souvenirs?
Renting a car?

The Right Honeymoon for You

If you’re like most newlyweds, anticipate being exhausted after the wedding. Many couples find themselves searching for some peace and quiet, after escaping the anxiety of wedding planning. A Hawaiian honeymoon is perfect for most newlyweds for this reason; all-inclusive resorts and cruises abound so that you won’t even have to worry about where you’ll be getting your next meal. For those on a tighter budget, however, you at least have the option of staying at a less expensive hotel and planning your meals carefully. No matter what island you choose, you will likely have a variety of choices as far as your meals go. It’s worth spending a few minutes checking out websites like Open Table.

Time of Year

If you’ve already planned your wedding, then you’ve probably set a date and thus have dates set for the honeymoon. Check out our article about timing your Hawaiian honeymoon for more information. Hawaii is beautiful year-round, but the winter months do tend to be busier and thus more expensive. Plan carefully if you’re on a budget!

Reservations

Reserve your Hawaiian honeymoon six months in advance, at least. Trust us on this. Once the chaos of wedding day even begins to approach, you will have your hands full.

Packing

You’ll be going to a tropical island, and you will indeed experience tropical weather year-round. Temperatures range from 75 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit at all times of the year, even during the rainy months of October to March.

Interestingly, each island (and even areas of each island), have their own micro-climates. Let’s take Kauai for instance; east and south Kauai tend to be more sunny and warm compared to the comparatively rainy north coast of Kauai. The south coast of Maui, on the other hand, is typically sunny year-round while the east and north coasts are slightly more rainy. No matter where you go, plan to pack light clothing with maybe a few items of warm clothing (a sweater, light jacket) just in case. Although if you’re planning on hanging out on a warm beach every day, you don’t necessarily need to. But remember, light rainfall should be expected and you might want something to cover up.

Filed Under: Honeymoon Tips, Planning 101 Tagged With: Honeymoon Tips