One of the biggest challenges while vacationing in Hawaii is staying within a food budget. Follow our guide so that you can avoid these tourist traps and enjoy a cheap Hawaii vacation!
1) Use coupons and deals – Before you even get to Hawaii, do some research online. Look on restaurant.com where you can purchase gift certificates for less than they’re worth (for example, spend $10 for a $20 gift certificate). Two popular sites offer deals that change daily, so check in every day long before your vacation: groupon.com and livingsocial.com.
2) Avoid expensive tourist traps - Some of the most convenient places to eat can also be the most expensive, such as restaurants along Waikiki or eateries near airports. Even eating at your favorite fast food place, while convenient, can be more expensive than you would find in the continental US. Even worse, fast food won’t fill you up for very long; you’ll likely feel hungry again after just an hour or two. If you’re on a tight budget, avoid these traps!
3) Ask for a menu - It may seem silly, but asking for a menu before walking into that delicious-looking restaurant can save you a bundle. Don’t be embarrassed; ask for the menu, look at the prices and quickly calculate how much it’ll cost for the two of you to eat there and see if it fits your budget for the day. If the prices don’t fit, move on!
4) Don’t wait until you’re starving – Stopping at a place to eat when really hungry can easily set you back more than you intended to spend that day. Plan ahead, browse local restaurants, and choose where you’ll eat based on your budget and stick to it.
5) You don’t have to sacrifice quality to save $$$ – Use review sites like yelp.com and search for restaurants near where you’re staying. While doing this, you’ll likely discover reviews that remark on what a good deal that particular restaurant is!
6) Explore and support local businesses – I still remember the best food my husband and I had while in Hawaii was at a market selling local arts and wares that we stumbled upon in Kauai, on the side of the highway while driving back to our cruise ship from hiking the Na Pali Coast. There was a little kitchen/booth at the rear of the market serving Thai food for insanely cheap prices, and it was the best Thai food I have ever had in my life. Moral of the story? Explore!! Go to farmer’s markets. Stop by local markets and purchase groceries. Ask locals where they like to eat.
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