Hilo, Hawaii Travel Guide
City City in Hawaii, United States with volcanic landscape
On the Big Island’s east coast, Hilo draws visitors to Rainbow Falls, Liliuokalani Gardens, the Hilo Farmers’ Market and nearby Volcanoes National Park - plate-lunch counters and poke shops make exploring easy.
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Why Visit Hilo, Hawaii? #
Hilo is a humid, easygoing counterpoint to Hawaii’s busier resorts, with waterfalls, botanical gardens and a strong local food scene. Rainbow Falls and Liliuokalani Gardens provide quick, photogenic nature stops, while the Hilo Farmers Market offers fresh tropical fruit and poke. Proximity to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park makes Hilo a convenient gateway for lava landscapes and native culture. Expect rain and rainbows - and a relaxed pace that suits exploration.
Best Things to Do in Hilo, Hawaii
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Hilo, Hawaii Bucket List
- Liliʻuokalani Gardens - Serene Japanese-style gardens on Hilo Bay with ponds, bridges, and walking paths.
- Hilo Farmers Market - Large open-air market offering tropical fruit, local crafts, and fresh island produce daily.
- Rainbow Falls - Easily accessible waterfall cascading into a lush pool framed by fern-covered cliffs.
- Pacific Tsunami Museum - Small museum recounting Hilo's tsunami history through personal stories and interactive exhibits.
- Richardson Ocean Park - Black-sand shoreline and tide pools ideal for snorkeling and watching surfers.
- Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens - Compact rainforest zoo housing tropical species and butterfly gardens near town centre.
- Onomea Bay Trail and Botanical Garden - Coastal trail through banyans and ravines to a famous tropical botanical garden.
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park - Active volcanic park featuring Kīlauea, lava fields, and crater rim drives nearby.
- Akaka Falls State Park - Short rainforest hike to a dramatic 135-metre waterfall through lush native vegetation.
- Mauna Kea summit - Stargazing at high elevation with observatories and sunset drives; summit access requires acclimatization.
Best Time to Visit Hilo, Hawaii #
Hilo is warm year‑round with abundant rainfall-visit in the drier months (April-October) for more sunshine and easier beach hikes. Expect lush scenery any time; showers and storm warnings are the trade‑offs.
Best Time to Visit Hilo, Hawaii #
Hilo, Hawaii's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 18°C to 29°C. Heavy rainfall (2639 mm/year), wettest in April.
January
January is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 18°C. Heavy rain (237 mm).
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February
February is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (181 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 18°C. Heavy rain (291 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (301 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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May
May is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (143 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (113 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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July
July is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (161 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (184 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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September
September is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 21°C. Heavy rain (214 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Heavy rain (240 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 20°C. Heavy rain (281 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 18°C. Heavy rain (293 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Hilo, Hawaii
Hilo is served directly by Hilo International Airport (ITO); the town is compact and most arrivals take a short taxi, shuttle or rental car into the centre. Public bus service exists but is limited compared with rental-car options.
Hilo International (ITO): Hilo International Airport is in Hilo and is the obvious arrival point for the town. Downtown Hilo is only a few minutes from the terminal; expect taxi fares around $10-$20 and travel time 5-10 minutes.
Kona (KOA): Kona International on the west side of the island is about 1.5-2 hours’ drive from Hilo. If flying into Kona, plan for a rental car or a long inter-island drive (rental costs and fuel should be factored in).
Train: There is no passenger rail service on the Island of Hawaiʻi.
Bus: Hele-On Bus runs local and intercity routes around the island, including Hilo and nearby towns. Fares are low (typically $2.00 for a single urban trip) but services are limited in frequency; plan around the published schedule.
How to Get Around Hilo, Hawaii #
Hilo’s downtown is compact enough to explore on foot, especially the waterfront and market areas. For getting around the island, a car is highly recommended; public Hele-On buses serve Hilo and surrounding communities but run on limited schedules and are inexpensive (a few dollars per trip). Taxis exist but are less common than in larger US cities; many visitors rent a car to reach waterfalls, parks and the Volcanoes National Park. Bring sun protection and plan for occasional rain showers.
Where to Stay in Hilo, Hawaii #
- Hilo Hawaiian Hotel (value rooms available) - Simple ocean-view rooms available
- Aloha Inn / budget guesthouses - Basic private rooms and dorms
- Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree - Waterfront, pools and on-site dining
- Moderate waterfront inns - Comfortable, locally run properties
- High-end island resorts (Hawaii Island) - Luxury resorts-best on Kona side
- Upgraded suites at waterfront hotels - Spacious suites with ocean views
Where to Eat in Hilo, Hawaii #
- Cafe 100 - Home of the original loco moco, plate lunches.
- Ken's House of Pancakes - All-day pancakes and Hawaiian comfort breakfast.
- Pineapples (local café) - Island-style breakfasts and fresh fruit offerings.
- Hilo Bay Cafe - Contemporary seafood with broad bay views.
- Local poke shops - Fresh, daily-caught poke bowls and small plates.
- Hilo Farmers Market - Fresh tropical fruit, local snacks and treats.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Hilo, Hawaii's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Hilo, Hawaii #
Hilo’s nightlife is low-key: a handful of bars, live-music venues and restaurants host evenings rather than a late-night club scene. The atmosphere is relaxed and community-oriented, with many visitors preferring early evening dining. Special events and festivals can bring livelier nights, so check local listings if you want live music or hula performances.
Shopping in Hilo, Hawaii #
Shopping in Hilo leans toward local markets, speciality food stores and small boutiques. The Hilo Farmers Market is a notable place for fresh fruit, crafts and local products, and there are shops selling Hawaiian souvenirs and island-made goods. For major department stores and big-box retail, larger towns are needed, but Hilo is strong for local produce and artisan items.