Maui on a Budget

Maui, the largest island of Hawaii, is an eternal magnet for travellers from the U.S. and beyond. When the demand is high, the rates tend to rise, too; therefore, Maui is far from being a budget-friendly destination. However, with the right approach, you can manage to visit Maui on the cheap! We will share useful recommendations on how to do Maui on a budget – your dream journey is closer than ever!

Cheapest Way to Get to Maui

Photo by Gaston Lopez on flickr.com

First of all, plan your visit during the budget-friendly period – i.e., in the shoulder season, April-June and September-October. These months feature cheaper rates on flights and accommodations, as well as attract fewer tourists. Don't worry about the weather: it's no less nice than that during the peak season. The off-season in winter boasts even cheaper rates, but rainfall is common.

Choose the right time to purchase plane tickets: midweek flights tend to be cheaper. Consider alternative routes: fly to a neighbouring island instead of Maui and take a short inter-island flight or a ferry ride from there (or fly from a nearby city).

Another tip is to utilise airfare comparison sites, some offering fare alerts that notify you about price drops. Moreover, you can even fly for free (except for tax fees) due to participation in airline programmes. One good example is Southwest Rapid Reward, a U.S. reward programme, and the carrier's credit cards (Plus, Premier or Priority). Usage of these cards requires paying an annual fee, but it pays for itself if you fly often. Finally, you can earn a Companion Pass (you need to earn 135,000 qualifying points), which allows you to bring a companion for free until the end of the year.

Where to Stay in Maui on a Budget

https://freerangestock.com/photos/133569/exterior-view-of-hyatt-regency-maui-resort-spa--lahaina-hawaii.html

If you want to make your trip as affordable as possible, you don't necessarily have to end up in an Airbnb. Not with the tricks we will share with you that can cut the cost of a stay at a decent resort. Take advantage of vacation clubs that have some attractive offers – they are featured at such hotel chains as Marriott, Hyatt, IHG, and Westin. You can become a hotel programme member and get notifications of the latest offers, and sign up for hotel-branded credit cards. The collected and granted hotel points will allow you to extend your stays at chain resorts, get upgrades, and receive various freebies. Moreover, if you decline an offer, you'll receive some additional ones, like a discounted stay. Another cool idea to stretch your dollars is to make use of timeshare offers (one per 12-18 months is allowed) – just make sure to visit the hotel's timeshare presentation.

If you don't want or haven't got an opportunity to participate in hotel programmes, you'll find our 5 recommended Maui cheap stays below.

Maui Activities on the Cheap

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Going_down_the_boardwalk_(7208222206).jpg

• Snorkelling may not cost you anything if you invest in snorkel gear at home and bring it as a carry-on item. One of the excellent spots for snorkelling is Makena State Beach.

• Whale watching is a great free activity, especially from December to March. A nice place to do that is a lookout point on the Honoapi'ilani highway between Lāhainā and Kihei.

• Visit Maui's free nature preserves, the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge (accessible from the Pi'ilani highway) and the Kealia Coastal Boardwalk (accessible from the North Kihei road). The latter contains a bird sanctuary – keep your eyes peeled and cameras ready!

• Hike any of the following trails: Kapalua Coastal Trail (roundtrip 4 mi/6.4 km); the Village Course (the closed golf course, 4 mi/6.4 km); La Perouse/Hoapili Trail (5.5 mi/8.8 km); Waihee Ridge (2.5 mi/4 km); Haleakalā Volcano, 10,000 ft/3,048 m high; Sliding Sands, set inside the volcano crater (5 mi/8 km); Halemau'u Trail (11.2 mi/18 km); Pipiwai Trail, part of Haleakalā National Park (3.8 mi/6.1 km; $30 parking fee) with the stunning Bamboo Forest and awe-inspiring Waimoku Falls.

• Watch a charge-free hula show at Maui Mall, Lāhainā Cannery Mall, Whaler's Village, Kaanapali Beach Hotel, Four Seasons Resort Wailea, or shops at Wailea.

• Observe surfers and admire turtles (from a distance) on Ho'okipa or Kaulahao Beach.

• Eat at food trucks and look for the places chosen by locals: by avoiding upscale restaurants and focusing on local specialities, you'll be more likely to taste the real flavour of Hawaii. If you rent a condominium or an apartment, utilise its kitchenette and shop at low-cost groceries.

• Amble around in Lāhainā Harbour and Paia Town's shopping districts (remember, no shopping other than window-shopping).

• Take a road trip along the Road to Hana (however, some landmarks aren’t free). Pay attention to the fact that the round trip will take a full day to accomplish.

• Watch sunrise or sunset at Haleakalā (East Maui Volcano). There are entrance and parking fees, which you can avoid if you've got a U.S. National Parks Pass.

• Swim on Kamole Beach in Kihei, Black Sand Beach, or Secret Cove Beach (accessible from Makena Beach).

• See the largest 16-trunk banyan tree in the U.S. at Lāhainā Banyan Court Park.

Final Words

Visiting Maui on a budget is easier than you imagine, and you'll have plenty of exciting adventures regardless of the amount of money you decide to spend. Save on accommodation and dining – invest in impressions, most of which can be received for free. Hotelin.com, a hotel price aggregator, helps you find a cheap stay in Maui: just type in the name of the place you'd like to stay in and use the filters to specify your requirements. Your trip to Maui is waiting – may it be budget-friendly and amazing!