Maui has a reputation for being a very expensive destination for a vacation, and on the face of it, this is true because the island does have a higher cost of food and accommodation in comparison to many other places within the United States. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to visit Maui on a budget. In fact, with a little forward planning and a sense of adventure, you’ll find that you can enjoy all of the wonderful things this beautiful location has to offer for a surprisingly low cost. Here are some tips to show you how.
Time your visit well
As with a lot of tourist destinations, the time of year that you visit Maui makes a big difference to how much money you can expect to pay for flight tickets, accommodation, and other expenditures. The summer tends to be the busiest season, along with holidays such as Christmas and Spring Break, so by traveling during the other months of the year, you can expect to benefit from lower prices. The best bit is that doing so isn’t even a compromise because the weather in Maui is warm and dry pretty much all year round, and you can enjoy the same activities and beautiful surroundings no matter when you visit. Another tactic is to try booking a last-minute vacation when airlines or hotels have special deals available. If you’re lucky, you could even get a stay at one of the top beach resorts in Maui for a fraction of the usual price!
Pick your accommodation wisely
If you find yourself unable to take advantage of special deals at resorts, you could instead think about staying in a hostel or even on a campsite. Of course, this style of travel isn’t for everyone, but if you’re happy to forgo some luxuries you could save quite a lot of money. Another idea is to stay at an Airbnb property that comes with a kitchen. That way, you can make savings by cooking at home for some meals rather than always eating out. You can also lower the cost of food by eating at some of the fantastic food trucks on the island rather than dining at fancy restaurants all the time. Plus, of course, keep an eye out for happy hours!
Make the most of free and cheap activities
One of the factors that makes Maui such a great destination for budget travel is that so many of the best activities are low cost. For instance, you can relax on the beach, swim in a waterfall, or go hiking around one of the island’s gorgeous nature reserves without spending any money. Likewise, you can enjoy an epic sunrise or romantic sunset in one of the most stunning destinations in the world for free. If you do want to take part in some organized activities like scuba diving or whale watching, see if you can purchase them as a bundle to save some money without having to compromise on what you want to do.