How Much Did Our Week-Long Big Island Getaway Really Cost?

A Slow Travel Budget Breakdown

Throughout the years, I’ve casually looked for budget-friendly places to stay on the Big Island. I knew Brian would veto most of the ones I’d stumble upon since they had no air conditioning, which is typical for Hawaii. In fact, it’s so common that I was beginning to convince Brian that perhaps we didn’t need AC! He was skeptical, of course, since he loves his cool comfort.

As I scrolled through low-cost options, I found listings that featured bare-minimum amenities and shack-like conditions. While some were charming in their own rustic way, I had a feeling they wouldn’t necessarily meet both of our standards for comfort. Brian and I ultimately agreed that air conditioning was a priority.

One Week on the Big Island

This past summer, I found an affordable, air-conditioned 1-bedroom unit with a full kitchen and a welcoming vibe. It felt like the perfect blend of budget-friendly and comfortable, setting the stage for our Big Island adventure.

Accommodations

$1,120.63

Brian and I booked a 7-night stay at the Club Wyndham Mauna Loa Village, a quiet resort located about 15 minutes south of the popular Kailua-Kona area. We’re not into crowded, tourist-centric restaurants and activities, so the location worked well for us!

Our Ratings

Check-In

Check-in went smoothly. We purposely avoided checking in early just in case a room wasn’t ready for us. Sure enough, this was the case for a guest ahead of us. The front desk told her she would get a call when her room was ready, so she and her group killed time hanging around town. The resort never called her, and upon checking a few hours later, she learned a room had been ready. She was not a happy camper!

Brian and I had no issues, even when the front desk directed us to a timeshare concierge. He simply mentioned that if we attended a 90-minute timeshare presentation, we would receive a gift. He encouraged us to let him know at any point during our stay if we were interested in attending. That was it! Usually, timeshare reps like to apply extra pressure when scheduling a presentation, so this was a very welcome exchange.

We parked in the resort’s garage and headed to our unit.

Building 12

I called two weeks before our check-in date to request a second-floor unit in a quiet part of the resort. Cindy, the front desk associate I spoke with, was extremely kind and accommodating. Of course, a request is not a guarantee, so we were curious to see if we got the quiet space we were hoping for.

Our second-floor unit was located in Building 12, one of the buildings closest to the resort’s parking garage. Several reviews note that guests were frustrated with the resort’s parking situation, which features just one central garage for everyone. The resort offers golf cart rides to and from the garage to help with luggage and transport guests.

Our 1-bedroom unit offered everything we needed for our stay:

• A fully equipped kitchen (with a rice cooker!)
• A spacious 970 sq. ft. with a large living area
• Space for comfortable workstations
• AC units in both the bedroom and living area
• Comfortable king-size bed
• Washing machine and dryer

Brian and I thought the unit was excellent for our stay. Based on reviews and photos, we expected a dated property. While it did show signs of age, the unit itself was clean and well-maintained, which was more than enough for a comfortable stay! I’m also happy to share that the location was wonderfully quiet, situated across from a pool currently out of commission.

Resort Amenities

At check-in, the receptionist offered us a family-friendly resort activities guide. Though we didn’t participate in any of the activities, we thought they were a nice perk!

Instead, we enjoyed one of the five open pools and a propane grill on the property. The resort also offers the following amenities:

• 11 tennis courts and pickleball courts
• Fitness center
• Limited selection of complimentary beach gear
• Complimentary coolers in each unit (for portable use)
• Landscaped grounds with benches throughout the property

Flights

$1,086.00

We purchased our flights from the Chase Travel Portal and the Spirit Airlines ticket counter at the airport. If we had flown Delta roundtrip, the tickets would have cost about $1,000 each. Choosing to split the flights between different airlines, including Southwest, Spirit, and Alaska Airlines, gave us the maximum flexibility in price and reward earnings as we were able to combine the best deals available.

Rental Car

$469.10

Brian and I rented an AWD standard SUV from Alamo, thinking it would meet our needs. Luckily, we were able to snag a Jeep Compass Limited 4WD at no additional cost! The 4WD definitely helped us throughout the week as we crossed rough terrain and navigated extremely steep and winding roads.

Local Fare

$412.00

We love shopping for groceries when we’re on the road. For one, it’s a very simple way to experience the area as a local. Additionally, it helps us keep meal costs low, which ultimately allows us to travel more freely. However, Brian and I genuinely love to support local businesses wherever we travel. Dining out every so often will always be part of our travel budget, as we value supporting the local community and trying new flavors.

I carefully researched a number of businesses to visit on the island, marking some as definite stops and noting others as potential options. Choosing to skip the frequented hotspots near the tourist areas, Brian and I focused on businesses that celebrate their connection to local ingredients from local farmers and suppliers.

We picked up a Hoi Boi Pizza from Black Rock, satisfied our sweet tooth with malasadas from Paradise Bakery, and refueled with a popover chicken melt from Popover. We also explored the Waimea Midweek Farmers Market, excitedly chose select cuts of premium, local beef from the Waimea Butcher Shop, and enjoyed a Spicy Tamarind Shave Ice from Hawaiian Ninja Shave Ice.

Groceries

$448.80

In case you’re wondering—yes, groceries are expensive in Hawaii! Although there is a Costco in Kailua-Kona, we refused to buy more than a couple of groceries from there. Truthfully, we don’t often buy a whole lot of groceries from Costco to begin with, so it was a pretty easy decision to go elsewhere. However, one good thing Costco has going for it on the Big Island is its affordability in terms of gas and groceries. It’s no wonder that most visitors load up there when they first get into town!

Brian and I grabbed a few groceries from Costco and Target. Additionally, we explored Sack ‘N Save, KTA, and ChoiceMART to find local seafood, sushi, and other locally produced foods. We skipped restaurant poke and went for local grocery store options, which were way more affordable and still incredibly tasty!

Activities

$106.51

Overall, despite the commercialization of some parts of Hawaii, Brian and I managed to keep our activity costs quite low! Our slow travel adventure on the Big Island was all about appreciating the island’s natural beauty through hiking and other affordable activities. Instead of filling our itinerary with expensive tours and attractions, we embraced the flexibility to explore the land in budget-friendly ways.

Since we purchased the America the Beautiful Pass earlier this year, we didn’t have to pay any extra fees to visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. This annual pass grants access to federal recreation sites, including all national parks. Even without the annual pass, we think the $30 fee for a 7-day entrance is well worth it for a visit!

Our activity expenses on the Big Island include the GuideAlong audio tour and admission fees to ʻAkaka Falls State Park, Hawaiʻi Tropical Botanical Garden, and Hapuna Beach. As beautiful as the botanical garden is, we don’t feel that the $60 price tag was worth it, especially considering that there are beautiful rainforest views all around Hilo. We would also skip Hapuna Beach since there are more secluded and stunning beaches on the island that don’t require an entry fee.

Budget Breakdown

Here’s a breakdown of the costs for our week-long Big Island getaway:

A one-week trip on the island of Hawaiʻi typically costs travelers between $1,600 and $3,400 per person for budget and mid-range experiences. The average weekly cost for two people is $4,578.

Admittedly, our final cost is higher than what Brian and I typically spend on a week-long trip. However, taking into account that it’s in Hawaii, an expensive destination in general, we believe we successfully balanced a frugal budget to explore everything we wanted to experience—without compromising on comfort!

We could have adjusted our accommodation preferences and food costs for a more affordable trip, but what’s the fun in that?! We sincerely appreciated having a spacious, air-conditioned place to rest our tired bodies and ultimately loved splurging on the fresh, locally curated flavors of the island.

The trip was truly amazing, offering both thrilling moments and incredible experiences. Frugality for the win!