Kauai is often called "the Garden Island."
Kauai is often called "The Garden Island," because of its lush vegetation. Many people consider Kauai the most beautiful of the main Hawaiian islands. If you want to visit Kauai with your family, plan your trip to make sure you get the most out of your vacation.
Instructions
1. Save for your trip. Vacationing in Kauai is more expensive than vacationing in most places in the U.S. mainland. Flights are more expensive, and groceries and gas are more expensive than the U.S. mainland. As of 2010, budget at least $600 a day for your trip, plus airfare. Add an additional $300 per day if you need a second hotel room.
2. Book airfare to Kauai for your family. Generally, it is cheaper to visit Kauai during the summer months and early fall. November and December are more expensive because of the holidays, and January through April are usually more expensive because it is whale-watching season in Hawaii.
Hawaiian Airlines often has discounted flights to Hawaii from the U.S. mainland, though most depart from major West Coast cities. Check rates for a variety of dates if your travel dates are flexible to ensure you get the best price. Generally, it is less expensive to fly to Kauai during inconvenient times like very early in the morning or late at night. Flights in the middle of the week are usually cheaper.
3. Book accommodations for your family in Kauai. Kauai is small enough that you can get anywhere on the island within a few hours. If you wish to visit many different areas of Kauai, stay in a central location like Lihue. You can search for hotels and resorts in Kauai, or check out sites like Kauai-Vacations-ahh.com or vrbo.com to look for rental condos or houses on Kauai. Depending on how long you are staying and the size of your family, you may want to rent a home instead of a hotel room.
Many hotels are right on the beach or offer pristine Kauai views. Family-friendly hotels on Kauai include the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, Kalaheo Inn and Waimea Plantation Cottages.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa
1571 Poipu Road
Koloa Kauai, HI 96756
808-742-1234
kauai.hyatt.com
Kalaheo Inn
4444 Papalina Road
Kalaheo, HI 96741-8506
808-332-6023
kalaheoinn.com
Waimea Plantation Cottages
9400 Kaumualii Hwy
Waimea, Kauai, HI 96796
808-338-1625
waimeaplantation.com
4. Reserve a rental car in Kauai. There are several rental car companies at the Lihue airport in Kauai, and most allow you to make reservations online. You can also check sites like DiscountHawaiiCarRental.com, priceline.com or expedia.com for the best rates. You will need a vehicle to get around Kauai because there is no public transportation.
5. Plan family activities in Kauai. Days at the beach are fun, and Kauai has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, such as Tunnels Beach and Poipu Beach. Be sure to plan activities that are unique to Kauai, like attending a luau or viewing the majestic Na Pali coast by boat or helicopter. If your family enjoys the outdoors, you can hike the Na Pali coast,
though the hike is challenging and should not be done by small children or inexperienced hikers.
A helicopter tour of the island is also an incredible family experience, though it will cost about $200 per person as of June 2010. You can also sign up for family surf lessons in Hanalei Bay or most other public beaches on Kauai.
6. Pack for your trip. Pack vacation wear such as shorts, T-shirts, swim trunks and sandals. Also pack at least one cool weather outfit and a light jacket. It rains almost every day in some places on Kauai and the weather can be cool, especially at night. Pack sunscreen and your camera.
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