Top Hilo holiday deals
Gingerhill Farm Retreat
OUTRIGGER Kona Resort and Spa
Royal Sea Cliff Kona by OUTRIGGER
Hilton Pool Pass Luxurious Penthouse Oasis
Fairmont Orchid
Holiday In Hilo
You’ve been perfecting your luau technique since you caught an episode of Hawaii Five-0 on the tele as a kid.
Who cares if the other students heckled you at the school talent show? If you book a Hilo holiday, you’ll have the last laugh (cue evil genius cackle). Before you know it, you’ll be earning a rowdy round of applause at a beach luau and getting lei’d for your performance. And while cities like Honolulu get a lot of glory, the Hilo region has stolen many a heart.
With its rushing waterfalls, rainforests and commonplace rainbows, it’s hard to imagine going home. What the Kohala Coast does for the reputation of rough, lava-laden terrain and dry climates, Hilo does for the appeal of a fertile, humid destination that’s greener than Bruce Banner’s alter-ego (that’s the Hulk for you comic book virgins). Book Hilo packages on lastminute.co.nz and you can afford the ocean-view room. Yeah, it’s worth it.
Things to Do in Hilo
Slap on the sun cream and don your sexiest visor—most of your time in Hilo will be spent outdoors. Visit Akaka Falls State Park for an epic hike, and then spend a few hours meandering through the Queen Liliuokalani Gardens. When the sun is shining, Hilo will feel like something out of a postcard. But we’ll let you in on a little secret: some of the most fun to be had on Hilo holidays starts when the clouds cut loose with a little precipitation. The rain in Hilo is warm, so go ahead and dance with your umbrella, “Singin’ in the Rain” style.
Downtown Hilo is the place to shop boutiques, sip exquisite coffee at a café and explore the art in the East Hawaii Cultural Center. Sink your teeth into a fresh papaya at the Hilo Farmers Market before departing in your Hilo car hire for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Here you can walk through dormant craters and witness one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Once you’re back in Hilo proper, put on your flippers and go to Leleiwi Beach or Richardson Beach Park—two excellent spots for snorkelling your heart out.
Shopping, Dining & Nightlife
You’ll find lots of shops along thoroughfares like Kamehameha Avenue, so it’s easy to go home with new swimwear or thongs. But some of the most special opportunities for shopping in Hilo will cure your grumbling stomach. Aside from the juicy pineapple at the farmers market, fresh tuna and other seafood is up for grabs daily at the Suisan Fish market.
Holidays in Hilo are ripe for eating until you have to throw on your sweatpants. Loco moco isn’t hard to come by, which is no surprise since it’s a Hawaiian staple. Clean your palate with strawberry mochi for dessert.
Breweries, taverns and lively patio bars give you space to unwind and shake your bum at the end of the day. Order up a tropical drink with a neon umbrella. You only live once!
What’s Next?
Book your holiday in Hilo on lastminute.co.nz, and you finally have a reason to dust off your coconut bra. And since you may as well explore the Big Island to the fullest, we recommend Kona holiday packages. A visit to the western coast of the island gives you the chance to get hyped at a coffee farm—what could be better than that?
Top hotels for your Hilo holiday
SCP Hilo Hotel
Reviewed on 18 Dec. 2024
Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
Reviewed on 19 Dec. 2024
Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a Doubletree by Hilton
Reviewed on 20 Dec. 2024
Popular places to visit
Rainbow Falls
Enjoy the beautiful waterfalls and explore Rainbow Falls, a lovely green space in Hilo. Wander the area's picturesque gardens or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.
Carlsmith Beach Park
Explore the great outdoors at Carlsmith Beach Park, a lovely green space in Hilo.
Coconut Island Park
Enjoy the volcano viewpoints and explore Coconut Island Park, a lovely green space in Hilo. Wander the picturesque gardens and seaside in the area.
Book your Hilo holiday package
Top picks
^Savings based on all package bookings made with Flight + Hotel on lastminute.co.nz from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, as compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings will vary based on origin/destination, length of trip, stay dates and selected travel supplier(s). Savings not available on all packages.