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The idea of traveling the world on your own has taken off enormously in recent years. It’s a far cry from when I first started literally flying solo, where I got side-eyed and heard the all-too-familiar deafening sound of silence when revealing vacation plans.
“Um, you mean you don’t have anyone to go with?” no longer equates to a social judgment, as more and more travelers of all ages brave the world alone.
And isn’t it nice to come home and answer the question, “So, what did you do last week?”.
Time-out just revealed the ’21 Best Solo Trips in the US’ and one of them was a big surprise.
When it comes to Hawaii, we often think of couples getaways, or, if your salary makes it sway, full family vacations, but not solo getaways.
But TimeOut swears by Honolulu. Honolulu comes in with the silver medal behind first place Charleston and is full of amazing nature, cultural delights and some surprising affordable staysone of the biggest concerns of individual travelers when booking their next trip.
How affordable is Honolulu?
There’s no doubt that Honolulu, or Hawaii in general, has an expensive reputation, which is probably why this breathtaking, beautiful city typically flies under the radar for solo travelers.
But there is always a shade of gray. Maybe not 50, but at least one.
With everyone from recent college graduates taking a “gap year” to seniors living their best golden years traveling alone, budgets for one of the hottest travel trends are all over the map, from minimum wage scraps to IRA taps.
Good news is that Honolulu offers a comfortable stay for everyone, from luxury resorts to ‘van life’ beach campers in locals’ homes, which actually offers more of a sense of security. Real Hawaii by the locals who show their inner self ohana away from the modern cityscape of Honolulu.
The latter can be found less than $100 per night on Airbnb, along with beachside hostels Hawaiian seaside hostel; a bargain considering Hawaii’s bank account-draining reputation.
You can also stay at cute boutique hotels tucked into the mix of Honolulu’s vibrant skyline, such as Aqua Aloha Surf Waikiki Hotel at a slightly higher rate.
Better yet, there have been numerous travel deals to Honolulu from various airlines throughout the year.
Keep an eye on Southwest’s sales, especially from the West Coast where I’ve personally seen some flights as low as $69.
The best thing about visiting Honolulu is that it is packed with exciting outdoor attractions. Obviously you’ll spend a lot of time at the beach, which never costs a cent unless you forget to bring sunscreen.
Food costs in Honolulu are about what you would expect in any other major city. You can enjoy good food or find cheap food, like the famous Honolulu Hawaiian style hot dogs.
Which Honolulu beaches to visit
Waikiki undoubtedly takes the cake as the best beach in Honolulu, but this is like going to Rio and visiting Copacabana.
In other words: expect an overload of tourists and local surfers. If that’s your thing, TimeOut recommends booking a surfing lesson with Sparkys .
But if, like me, you long for more idyllic coastlines, TripAdvisor highlights Eternity beach, Halona beach bayAnd Hickam Beach for more privacy in paradise.
The latter has the fewest reviews on TripAdvisor, which to me signals that it is one of Honolulu’s hidden gems, especially since one beachgoer exclaimed, “It’s so beautiful!” I haven’t felt this relaxed in a long time!’.
You can’t really go wrong though. You are in Hawaii after all!
A helpful tip for safely navigating Honolulu’s waters is to explore the city Jellyfish Calendar (yes, it’s real!).
You’re flying solo, so you don’t want to ask a stranger, well… you know the old saying about curing jellyfish stings…
Honolulu’s fun excursions
You might imagine the bliss of a remote island when you imagine Hawaii, but Honolulu is a relatively large city with plenty to do.
You’ll have no problem keeping busy on your own, whether you hit the bar for MaiTai’s or embark on some fun excursions – one of which is a coffee cruise to start your day well, also recommended by TimeOut.
Another cheap activity ($5) is walking Honolulu’s Diamond Headwith breathtaking views of Waikiki and the lush greenery of Oahu.
You can also use one walking tour (also $5) to discover all the urban delights of this city – and be sure to add a separate tour Iolani Palace; it’s beautiful!
Many hostels also offer group tours to split the costs. Plus, you can meet like-minded travelers.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
