Which means you are intending a vacation to Hawaii and this is the first time on Oahu? Below are great tips to help you plan your vacation.
Choose your destination
First, you should choose where you wish to stay. Typically the most popular tourist area on Oahu is Waikiki, where you will discover many restaurants and shopping opportunities, beach activities, night shows, Hawaiian luaus along with a wide array of hotels ranging from budget to luxurious. Remember that Waikiki is very busy through the whole year, so if you’re looking for a more peaceful vacation on Oahu, Waikiki might not be your very best destination.
If you prefer a quiet and relaxing Hawaii vacation and you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, you will find many vacation rentals on the island.
Are you planning to rent an automobile?
Should you remain in Waikiki and plan to spend most of your vacation there, is not necessary to rent a car. There are airport shuttles that will take you to your hotel and pick you up on the way back. Also, Oahu has a good public bus transportation system that covers almost the entire island.
But if you don’t intend to stay in Waikiki or would rather explore the island by yourself, a car is highly recommended. Keep in mind that many streets in Waikiki and Honolulu are one-way streets and if you don’t have a road map along with you, this can cause some confusion. Also, drive slowly and thoroughly because Oahu is a very busy island and traffic jams are typical.
What is the best time to visit?
This totally depends upon your schedule. The summer months from June to August is peak season, so accommodations, flights and car rentals are significantly more expensive in that period. Christmas (Christmas and Year) is another very busy time with higher rates.
During Hawaii’s winter (November to March), the temperature is usually very pleasant – a little cooler than during the hot summertime. If you plan to visit in the winter, remember that it always rains more during this period. But heavy and long-lasting rains are rare on Oahu (and particularly in Waikiki, that is located on the sunny south shore), so even when it starts to rain, it always doesn’t last very long.
Items to bring
Bring light clothing and if you come in the winter, an easy jacket is usually recommended.
Your passport and visa. If you are visiting from the foreign country, you may need a passport and maybe also a visa to go in the U.S. If you are a U.S. citizen, you simply need your driver’s license or any other government-issued picture ID.
Your medical health insurance (particularly if you’re from the foreign country and are not familiar with the U.S. medical system). Medical costs in the U.S. are expensive.
Bring enough money. Hawaii is an expensive spot to visit. An event of two will need a minimum of $50 each day for food (if you don’t plan to dine out).