Is Kona or Hilo better?

March 2023 · 6 minute read

Kona offers better weather, the best beaches and snorkeling, newer resorts, more vacation rentals, and more nightlife compared to Hilo Town. Hilo is worth a visit but may not be worth staying for more than a night.

Moreover, What is the best time of year to visit Kona Hawaii?

The best time to visit Hawaii’s Big Island is between September and November. That’s when the island’s generally reasonable room rates take the most significant plunge.

Is Kona worth visiting?

The town of Kona is just touristy but there are tons of amazing places to see nearby, on that side of the island. There are 3 national park service sites–definitely visit Place of Refuge. There’s great kayaking and snorkling on that side, too.

Also Is Kona a good place to live? Overall, if you’re more interested in a lively area with restaurants, bars and commerce, Kona is probably the right side of the island for you. If you’ve long dreamed of living in a house surrounded by nature, one where you can’t even see your next-door neighbors, try Hilo.

Do you need a car in Kona Hawaii?

YES, IF you want to drive to these 3 popular day trips from Kona Hawaii travel blog. ALOHA! So you DO need to rent a car in order to do some of the BEST things to do on the Big Island. (Either that, or you need to book a tour.)

20 Related Questions Answers Found

How safe is Kona Hawaii?

The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Kailua Kona is 1 in 42. Based on FBI crime data, Kailua Kona is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Hawaii, Kailua Kona has a crime rate that is higher than 13% of the state’s cities and towns of all sizes.

Which side of the Big Island is best to stay?

From West to East of the Big Island

You’ll likely want to split your stay between Kailua-Kona on the west side and Hilo (or Volcano) on the east side during your trip. This will alleviate a lot of extra driving and allow you to experience both sides of the island.

What is the rainy season in Kona Hawaii?

Rainfall during the Hawaiian winter and summer

The wettest months on the Big Island are between November and March, but winter rains rarely disrupt vacation plans. Weather here is very localized, which means that you can find a sunny spot nearby if it is raining at your current location.

What is Kona island known for?

Kona is also famous for its deep-sea fishing, hosting the International Billfish Tournament (August) every year. And on land, don’t forget to travel to the cooler upland slopes of town like Holualoa, where you can sample the distinctive flavors of 100% Kona coffee, which is what Kona is famous for!

How many days do you need in Kona?

If you really want to enjoy even a fraction of what the Big Island has to offer, you should plan on staying at least 7 days.

How far is Kona from the Volcano?

The distance between Kailua-Kona and Volcano is 52 miles. The road distance is 102.8 miles.

Is Kona Hawaii a good place to retire?

Is Hawaii a great place to retire? For most people, yes – but it isn’t for everyone. We love nothing better than sunny warm skies, gorgeous sand beaches, and the crashing waves of the beautiful water.

Is the Big Island of Hawaii a good place to retire?

Hilo, Big Island

Hilo tops this list as the best place to retire in Hawaii for its reasonable cost of living and relaxing lifestyle. In fact, it’s much cheaper than the more popular cities in Hawaii. The cost of living index is 18% less expensive than the state average, according to AreaVibes.

Is Kailua-Kona safe?

Kailua-Kona is generally a very beautiful and safe place. Its resorts, especially, are almost completely crime-free. However, because it is a destination which attracts large numbers of tourists, visitors to the region are urged to practice common sense safety tips, most especially when they leave their resort areas.

Is there Uber in Kona Hawaii?

Uber on the Big Island (airport rides available)

The Uber ride sharing service is available throughout the island and services both international airports on the Big Island with designated pick up locations at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) and Hilo International Airport (ITO).

Why are there no rental cars in Kona?

“We got rid of about two-thirds of the fleet during COVID because cars depreciate, and they were losing a ton of money every day sitting on the lot,” Yoshikawa said. “We did not expect tourism to blow out like the way it did in March. It was not only here in Kona but Maui, O´ahu, California, (a lot of) places.”

Is downtown Kona safe?

Yes! Kona is safe to travel for any reason and visitors often enjoy these five remarkable things to don on the island. … Crime rates in Kona are lower than average when compared to similar size cities across the United States, making it a safe place for residents and visitors.

What is the safest island in Hawaii?


Which Hawaiian Island is the Safest?

Which Hawaiian island has the most crime?

Maui had the highest crime rates amongst the four major Hawaiian Islands. it had a property rate of 3454 and the number of violent crimes at 269. As the year goes by, the crime rate decreases. The total crime index in 2019 became 3244.

What should I not miss in Kona Hawaii?


here are 15 things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii that you definitely shouldn’t miss:

How many days should I spend on the Big Island?

If you really want to enjoy even a fraction of what the Big Island has to offer, you should plan on staying at least 7 days. However, we understand that reality often does not allow such a lengthy stay in Hawaii.

Is Kona a good island to visit?

It is the city on the Big Island that is best equipped for tourists. You can find many shops and farmers markets selling locally produced items here, and there is a good offering of restaurants. This makes Kailua-Kona a good and central home base to explore the west coast of the island.

What should I wear in Kona Hawaii?

The Big Island is fairly casual, so you will be good with mostly shorts, sandals, summery shirts, sundresses, swimwear and good walking shoes. You may want to bring one or two dressier outfits for a nice dinner or cocktails and even a sweater or fleece for chilly nights.

Does it rain all day in Kona Hawaii?

In summer it rains almost every day in “Kona” – but mostly in South Kona, and mostly only for a little while in the afternoon. It is very unlikely that rain will hamper your snorkeling trip; hopefully you booked a morning snorkel, as that is when the water conditions are usually best as well.

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