Hawaii Honeymoon
 

My fiance and I are planning our honeymoon for two weeks starting the last week of May thru the 2nd week of June. We are throwing around the idea of going to Hawaii - but have some questions. We are wondering if Hawaii is really commercialized as in a Cancun-type of way with lots of tourists, not many good restaurants, etc?? We are also seeking a lot of adventure sports - we don't want to sit on the beach all day. Are there a lot of options for things to do besides kayaking/hiking? Inturn would 2 weeks be too long there? We don't want to get bored... Your advice is much appreciated - thanks!!

Hard to generalize about Hawaii as there are several different islands and each island has very distinct areas. Truthfully, probably no where else on earth has the variety of terrain/climate as Hawaii. Pretty remarkable really.

Waikiki is probably similar to Cancun in regards to having lots of tourists while the north shore of Kauai is pretty quiet, and Hana is "dead". the developed areas of Maui fall somewhere in between.

If you are worried about 2 weeks being too long, spread your time out between 2 islands - say Kauai and the Big Island - both should be good for an adventure-minded traveler.

Ken

I like Ken's point about one week on each of two islands. Ten years ago, we went on a 2nd honeymoon to HI spending one week on Kauai and one on Maui. Both of those two islands (and the Big Island also), have plenty of outdoor activities to choose from.

I agree with trippinkpj. I'd go Maui/Kauai/Big Island route and completely skip Wakiki (although the N shore is nice). Maui would have more good restaurants than the other 2 islands but there's plenty of activities for you guys to do & you won't get bored!

Oahu is the best island. Even though Parts of Oahu is commercialized like Waikiki, there are other parts of the island that are not commercialized. Spend a week on Oahu and a week on any of the others.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34696831

Aloha AngelaS,

May I suggest Maui. It would be perfect for you as we will be on Kauai at that time and we like solitude.:D

Just kidding. If you have never been to Hawaii I highly recommend it. Two weeks is not long enough to do everything that there is to do on any of the islands. If you are looking for a lot of diversity then Oahu would be the best bet, especially if you never been there before. Pick up the "Oahu Revealed" guidebook.

We are going to be on Kauai from the
25th of May thru June 9th. I wish we had twice as long. Hawaii never gets boring.

BTW, congratulations on you upcoming wedding.
8-)((R))((B))8-)

AngelaS, if you want great (and expensive) restaurants go to Maui, where tourists get very pampered. If you want adventure sports and gorgeous rainforests and cloud forests, have you considered Costa Rica? I have been to Kauai, Maui, and Costa Rica.

Maui has better food than Costa Rica. Costa Rica isn't known for gourmet food, but it's decent food. But the rainforests in costa rica are beautiful, loved our stay at Arenal, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio.

In ARenal, Costa Rica: you can go waterfall canyoning rapelling (yes you actually rapell down through a waterfall) with Puretrek in Arenal, Costa Rica. You can do zip-lines with Sky Trek/Sky Tram in Arenal, zipping along overtop of the rainforest canopy.

Have a great honeymoon wherever you decide to go!

On Maui I would recommend the incredibly romantic but expensive searanch cottages at Hotel Hana Maui. In Costa Rica I'd recommend you get a luxury suite at the Lost Iguana resort in Arenal, where you will have a volcano view and private jacuzzi plus other romantic delights, for half the price of staying on Maui.

It really is unfortunate that a lot of people think Oahu is all about Waikiki because it is much more than that.
But I think for what you really want, Costa Rica might offer more.

My husband and I have been to the island of Oahu 6 times and have not yet found it boring enough to even go to another island. 2 out of those stays were 2 weeks long. Still not enough time. Oahu is fabulous! Maybe next visit we'll try another island but we would go back to Oahu for another 2 weeks no question. Just wish it wasn't so far away.
Congratulations!
Annika ((r))

AngelS, First Congrats on the upcoming wedding! I have been to both Hawaii and Costa Rica so here's my opinion. I went on my honeymoon to Maui and Oahu for 12 days and a different second trip was to the Big Island. Both islands are amazing with many different terrain just within 1 island. Some areas are definitely commercialized such as Waikiki. But once you go away from the central towns, especially the ones with the airport, it is paradise. Many great restaraunts on these islands. Plus lots to do, water activities (snorkeling, scuba, kayak, sailing, sunset cruises, catamarans), hiking, horseback riding, siteseeing, waterfalls, volcanoes, etc.

As far as Costa Rica, there are many different ecosystems and terrain all in the one country. There are also so many things to do, basically the same types of activities as Hawaii. But CR does have cloud and rainforests. Some good restaraunts but not like HI. If you are really interested in have a place is anything from being commercialized then it is CR. I did feel like it was a different country and speaking Spanish is a plus.

I think that it depends on what you really want for your honeymoon. IMHO Hawaii is for a romantic active honeymoon is a luxury hotel that will wait on you hand and foot if you want, all within the borders ofthe US, even though you won't feel like it. That was my choice so I'd highly recommendit to anyone. Costa Rica is an interesting country with a lot of adventures to have and lots to see especially if you like the outdoors. There are nice hotels in some cities (I would second the Lost Iguana in Arenal) but the country is not as luxurious. I liked CR but my hubby says that it was ok. He preferred HI much more. But CR costs less for great things if price is an issue. The flight and renting a car were the most expensive parts of the trip.

Whatever you chose, you'll have a great time and that place will be right for you.

You just can't generalize about Hawaii in the way that you ask. Each island is different, and even parts/sides and various towns on each island very different.

Yes there are lots of tourists in some parts. Yes there are loads of good restaurants in most places. Some parts are commercialized (Waikiki on Oahu, Lahaina on Maui for example, but I loved 'em both anyway).

Most islands you would want a rental car. Sure there's hiking, kayaking, biking, seeing the volcano or volcano crater, scenic drives, museums, botanical gardens, etc. What exactly would you want to do? Then we could better tell you if that's available. There's loads of more commercialized activities too like helicopter tours, luau, dinner cruises, etc.

If you are bored with 2 weeks in Hawaii... well how do I say this politely, it's not Hawaii's fault -lol.

People above are all posting about Costa Rica, which I didn't see you ask about. Did I miss something? If you want more rustic adventure vacation, it does sound like CR might be more to your taste.

Oh my goodness! Obviously none of the previous posters have been to Lanai! How is that possible??!!

My advice would be to go to at least two if not three islands. Kauai has the best snorkeling, with amazing terrain and views. Lanai has the best golf and good hiking. Maui/Hana are the most romantic.

They may be small islands, but they all have so much to offer.

Really, just mix it up a bit and you won't ever regret your choice. You'll be a Hawaii lover for life!

And Congrats!! Have a wonderful time!

Thanks for all your advice. I've never been to Hawaii but now I have a better idea of what it has to offer. Thanks for your help!!

I've only been to the Big Island, and this is what we liked about the Big Island:

Lots of hiking.

Hiking in Volcano Nat'l Park and watching lava flow into the ocean.

Snorkelling.

Boogie Boarding.

Incredible climate changes -- desert, rainforest, snow, beaches, and cattle country.

Not too crowded.

My husband and I like to be busy on a vacation and aren't very good at sitting on the beach for more than 30 minutes at a time. We found so much to do, and still didn't get to see everything that we wanted to see.

Good luck deciding. Costa Rica sounds fun, too. A good friend married last summer in Costa Rica and they had a great time.

I would check out HawaiiTravelBureau.com;
I just booked for Maui for my honeymoon. Incredible prices. Maui will have the best of everything-nature,city,resort.