Finding Your Island Bliss On Honolulu

If you’re looking for a stress-free vacation, then where better to head than Honolulu, Hawaii, one of the few truly tropical paradises that can be found domestically in the US? There’s a lot to see and do when your feet first touch the island but here, we’re going to look at some tips that can help you enjoy the very best of this tourist hotspot.

 

Source – Pixabay License

 

Make good use of the shuttle service if you’re staying in the cities

The traffic on much of the island can be pretty hectic, and you always need to add about 20 minutes to any trip if you’re planning on heading out of the cities. However, Waikiki and Honolulu benefit from an excellent shuttle service, which you should look into, as not only can it save you time, but it can save you from having to pay for pretty expensive parking. There are rental car services that are affordable, but traffic and expensive parking can really put any driver’s patience to the test.

 

Stay near the beach

Honolulu has miles and miles of beach for the sun-loving to explore and relax on, but many of them can get fairly busy. For that reason, you want to make sure that you’re staying nearby so that you’re able to hit the sands early and enjoy the peak sunbathing times while ensuring you get a good spot. For instance, there are fewer better places to stay than the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani if you want to get a good spot at Waikiki Beach. Of course, you also get the benefits of outdoor swimming pools when you want something a little more relaxing than the sea.

 

Don’t miss its royal palace

There aren’t a whole lot of places that have royal residences in the US, but downtown Honolulu has you covered, with Iolani Palace, which offers a phenomenal day tour, looking into the history of the island, as well as some local Hawaiian cultural exhibitions. It’s always important to keep in mind that until the 19th Century, Hawaii was ruled by the Hawaiian people, represented by their own royalty. Showing a little respect for this fact can make you a lot more considerate than many of the tourists that come to the island.

 

Get out of the cities

To some degree, if you want to see the real Hawaii, you need to head out from the tourist traps. Many locals will agree that Waikiki is not a real representation of authentic Hawaii.  Honolulu is a little better, but if you want to see the island at its most gorgeous, then take a day trip out to the Koko Head Crater Trail or climb up the Lanikai Pillboxes to see one of the most gorgeous views of the coast that you’re likely to find.

 

It’s certainly possible to find your bliss when you visit the island paradise of Honolulu, but a little forward thinking and planning can make sure that you’re able to do and see everything you want without too much trouble.