Hilo, Hawaii
Hilo, Hawaii at a Glance
Costs: Around $150 per day - hawaii prices: expect higher costs for food, car rental, and activities.
Safety: Moderately safe with some petty crime - low violent crime but watch vehicle break-ins; use normal common-sense precautions.
Best Time: April to October - drier season is best for waterfalls and island activities.
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
Park
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Park protecting active volcanoes and lava landscapes
Mountain
Mauna Kea
Dormant volcanic summit hosting major astronomical observatories
Mountain
Kīlauea
One of Earth's most active volcanoes on Hawaiʻi Island
Mountain
Puʻu ʻŌʻō
Volcanic cone on Kīlauea's rift, long-lived lava vent
Crater
Halemaʻumaʻu
Volcanic crater at Kīlauea summit with lava activity
Park
ʻAkaka Falls State Park
State park featuring tall tropical waterfalls
Crater
Kīlauea Caldera
Active volcanic caldera forming Kīlauea's summit
Crater
Pauahi Crater
Volcanic crater within Hawaii Volcanoes' landscape
Hilo, Hawaii Bucket List
Don't Miss
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.
Hidden Gems
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.
Day Trips
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.
Wet Season
Wet season brings frequent heavy showers and lush waterfalls-overall warm, green, and dramatic, but outdoor plans often change last‑minute due to rain.
Dry Season
Dry season is relatively drier with more sunshine-best for beach days, Rainbow Falls visits, and hiking, though isolated showers still occur.
Hurricane Season
Hurricane season overlaps summer-storms are rare but possible; keep an eye on forecasts if traveling August-October and book flexible plans.
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very Good | 18° - 26° | 22° | 237 mm | some cloud | 82% | 5.5 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.0h |
| February | Very Good | 18° - 27° | 22° | 181 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 5.6 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.4h |
| March | Good | 18° - 27° | 22° | 291 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 6.1 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Good | 19° - 27° | 23° | 301 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 6.1 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.5h |
| May | Very Good | 19° - 28° | 23° | 143 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 5.9 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.9h |
| June | Very Good | 20° - 28° | 24° | 113 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 6.2 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 13.2h |
| July | Very Good | 21° - 29° | 25° | 161 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 6.3 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 13.1h |
| August | Very Good | 21° - 29° | 25° | 184 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 6.2 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.7h |
| September | Very Good | 21° - 29° | 25° | 214 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 5.8 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.1h |
| October | Very Good | 20° - 29° | 24° | 240 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 5.8 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.6h |
| November | Very Good | 20° - 27° | 24° | 281 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 5.8 m/s | 1.5 high | 11.1h |
| December | Very Good | 18° - 27° | 22° | 293 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 5.7 m/s | 1.2 high | 10.9h |
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
Because island public transport is limited, most visitors rely on quick airport taxis or hire cars for sightseeing. Hele-On Bus provides budget options for local travel but plan trips around the published timetable.
- Taxi / Airport shuttle ($10- $25) - Taxis and private shuttles provide quick transfers from ITO to downtown Hilo and nearby hotels. Fares are typically $10-$25 depending on exact pickup and destination and are convenient for small luggage loads.
- Hele-On Bus ($2.00) - The Hele-On Bus is the island’s public transit operator with local routes around Hilo and longer intercity services. Fares are low (around $2.00 per trip in-town) but schedules can be infrequent, so check routes in advance.
- Car hire ($40- $100/day) - Renting a car is the most common way to explore the Big Island from Hilo, giving easy access to Volcanoes National Park and coastal drives. Book in advance, especially during holiday periods, and factor in fuel costs.
- Bicycle ($10- $30/day) - Cycling around central Hilo is feasible for short trips; roads outside town can be busy and hilly. Use bikes for gentle sightseeing rather than long-distance touring on the island.
- Rideshare ($10- $30) - Rideshare services are limited compared with mainland U.S.; taxis and rental cars remain the most reliable options. Check local apps and availability before relying on rideshare for time-sensitive transfers.
- Walking - Hilo’s downtown and waterfront areas are compact and easily explored on foot. Walking is pleasant for visiting markets, museums and the Liliʻuokalani Gardens.
Where to Stay in Hilo, Hawaii
Budget
Downtown / Banyan area - $80-140/night
Hilo has backpacker hostels and budget motels near the waterfront. Comfortable for exploring Volcanoes National Park on a budget.
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel (value rooms available) - Simple ocean-view rooms available
Aloha Inn / budget guesthouses - Basic private rooms and dorms
Mid-Range
Hilo Bay / Downtown - $150-260/night
Solid mid-range hotels on Hilo Bay offer waterfront views, pools, and easy access to downtown shops and Volcanoes NP day trips.
Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree - Waterfront, pools and on-site dining
Moderate waterfront inns - Comfortable, locally run properties
Luxury
Waterfront & resort areas - $300-600/night
Hilo itself has limited true five-star resorts; luxury travelers often stay in premium suites here or head to Kona side for big resorts.
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
Breakfasts, Pancakes & Loco Moco
Hilo’s casual breakfast scene centers on loco moco, hearty plate lunches and all-day pancake houses serving local coffee and homey Hawaiian comfort food.
- 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.
Seafood & Bayside Dining
Fresh local fish and poke dominate; waterfront cafés and the farmers’ market highlight Hawai’i Island produce, tropical fruit and island-style seafood preparations.
- 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.