My friends and I are going to Oahu. We are all set with accomodations, we rented a condo and split the cost. I’m just wondering how much to bring for food costs. Is dining out in Hawaii more expensive? What is the sales tax in Hawaii right now? We also want surfing lessons, what is a reasonable price? And if anyone knows of any fun attractions and activities, please let me know. Thanks!
Well if your going to Hawai’i on vacation you shouldn’t be thinking about saving money because it’s not possible. The cost of living here is ridiculous enough, but as a haole(tourist) it’s even worst. I am just guessing that your staying in Waikiki, so a meal at Mcdonalds there is $7.80 compared to $4.50 in the states. Surf lessons are all along the Waikiki beach line at the surf stand that you can’t miss. The cost is $50 for a 1 1/2 hour lesson. Reason I know this is my husband use to work on the beach at the surf stands. That’s as reasonable as it gets. I know it probably hard to deal with but Hawai’i is not a cheap place to visit or live. There are a lot of things to do in Hawai’i! Hiking up Diamond Head, Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, and around the Island drives when the sun sets. The only way to enjoy yourself to the fullest is not worry about the spending. Good luck to you and much Aloha.
By not spending!!!!!!!!
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i would bring along at least $2500 to $3000 in cash..in case of emerencies and for fun stuff!
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Food gon hit you about 15% more or so. Hit the hawaiipubcrawl.com its on Tuesdays and Fridays
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use to live in Waikiki for 3 years
You have a condo so there must be a kitchen. Groceries are more expensive here than on the mainland, but if you hit a grocery store your first day, you can buy stuff for breakfast and lunch (fresh fruit, a loaf of bread, peanut butter, lunch meat, eggs, sodas, water, etc.) and just eat out at dinner time. There is a decent food stand on Waikiki Beach right behind the police station — it’s relatively inexpensive if you want to buy something there once in a while instead of packing sandwiches. Kalakaua Ave. also has McDonald’s and Burger King and Kuhio Ave. has Jack in the Box if you feel like fast food. The ABC stores sell fruit, sandwiches, and drinks pretty cheaply too. In 1998 I went to Honolulu for a week by myself and only took $200 cash to spend (the room and flight were already paid for) and I did fine! It was tight, but I ate a piece of fruit for breakfast, had an ABC store sandwich and bottled water for lunch, and dined out at night. The Barefoot Bar side of Duke’s (in the Outrigger Waikiki) isn’t too expensive. There is also a LuLu’s on Kalakaua and Kapahulu that’s not bad in terms of prices.
Take a few hundred (maybe $500) and if you’re frugal with meals, you’ll have a bit to spend on souvenirs and a couple of cheap activities. Snorkel Bob’s will rent you snorkel gear for $9 a week and you can take The Bus to Hanauma Bay for $2 each way so you can snorkel all you like! Hiking Diamond Head is free and it’s a beautiful spot. Take water with you! A catamaran ride off the beach is $15-20 and well worth it. It’s an hour long and lots of fun! Lots of bars and clubs on and around Kalakaua and Kuhio Ave. at night — another fun one is Rumours in the Ala Moana Hotel. You’ll have a blast!
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Aloha
Well if your going to Hawai’i on vacation you shouldn’t be thinking about saving money because it’s not possible. The cost of living here is ridiculous enough, but as a haole(tourist) it’s even worst. I am just guessing that your staying in Waikiki, so a meal at Mcdonalds there is $7.80 compared to $4.50 in the states. Surf lessons are all along the Waikiki beach line at the surf stand that you can’t miss. The cost is $50 for a 1 1/2 hour lesson. Reason I know this is my husband use to work on the beach at the surf stands. That’s as reasonable as it gets. I know it probably hard to deal with but Hawai’i is not a cheap place to visit or live. There are a lot of things to do in Hawai’i! Hiking up Diamond Head, Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, and around the Island drives when the sun sets. The only way to enjoy yourself to the fullest is not worry about the spending. Good luck to you and much Aloha.
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Well since you got a condo that is a plus. It has a kitchen in it so you all can chip in and split the cost of food. Depending on your stay depends on how much you should bring. I went to Oahu 2 years ago and and had a hotel room with a kitchenette in it which helped alot! Food is more expensive there as is souviners. I would say take with you at least $500 for food alone but that is also like I said depending on the length of your stay too. Take with you at least $2,000 if you are able to because theres tons to do there and you will find all sorts of shops that have cute things from clothes, bags, souviners, hats, shoes, soaps, coffees. Dining out is kind of pricey there depending on where you eat too. Try CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE I thought their burgers were awesome but you hve to buy the fries seperatly–but my friend and I split one order of fries and split the cost. The hotel we stayed at had a 24 hour Dennys across the street. Im not sure what the sales tax is there now. as far as attractions and activities–well snorklebobs I hear is a good place to scuba dive. I DONT know how much surfing lessons are my friend was too chicken to go try it.
theres new resturaunts you can try there and ones that your familiar with. They have what they call ABC stores EVERYWHERE. try some shave ice.
Theres pearl Harbor, USS MISSIOURI tour(that is next to Pearl Harbor), Polynesion Culture Center, Honolulu zoo, Diamond Head, Pineapple Plantation, Laneki Beach(you have to drive there but its one of Hawaiis most Beautiful beaches), theres clubs if you like dancing, shops, go to a luai(we went to Germaines Luai), go snorkling, theres sooooooooooooo much to do that you may not have enough time to go do it all. Im sure I am forgetting some things. Oh the bus is cool to take to places.
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