Where to Stay on the Big Island (+ Big Island Hawaii Map)
Are you wondering where to stay on the Big Island of Hawaii?
If you’re planning a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, you’ve probably realized that the Big Island is, well.. massive!
It’s not only the largest Hawaiian island, but all of the other Hawaiian islands could fit inside the Big Island! How crazy is that?!
With over 4,000 square miles of land area, there are quite a few choices for where to stay on the Big Island! In this post, I’ll split the Big Island up into 4 main areas for consideration: Kona, Kohala, Hilo, and Volcano.
I’ll cover all the details about each area, including popular hotels, things to do, and pros and cons to consider, so you know exactly which area to pick for your trip! Hint: I recommend choosing more than one!
I’ve also included a detailed Big Island Hawaii map below that shows the different areas, plus every hotel and activity mentioned in this post!
So keep reading this Big Island travel guide if you are wondering where to stay on the Big Island (and why!).
Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link or book through an affiliate program, I receive a small commission at no cost to you!
A Detailed Guide on Where to Stay on the Big Island (+ A Big Island Hawaii Map)
Big Island Hawaii Map
The map below is color-coded to show the four main areas of the Big Island that this blog post will cover:
- Kona and surrounding areas (blue)
- Kohala and surrounding areas (yellow)
- Hilo and surrounding areas (green)
- Volcano and surrounding areas (purple)
This is by no means an exhaustive list of the different regions of the Big Island! There are several other towns, districts, and neighborhoods within each of these colored areas.
For example, the town of Hilo definitely doesn’t encompass the entire green area. The yellow area includes Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa Village, and many other towns! This is just a look at the four main areas that people tend to stay in while on the Big Island, simplified for the purpose of this blog post!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weather on the Big Island like?
There are actually several micro-climates on the Big Island, which I’ll talk about in more detail later on. Overall, the Big Island is a very tropical/temperate climate, with warm weather pretty much year-round. The Kona side tends to be sunnier, while the Hilo side is rainier!
What is the population of the Big Island?
As of 2020, the Big Island of Hawaii had just over 200,000 residents.
Is it better to stay in Hilo or Kona?
I highly recommend staying on both sides of the Big Island! But if you have to choose only one, Kona is the more central choice.
Is Honolulu on the Big Island?
No, Honolulu is on the island of Oahu! Honolulu is the capital of the state of Hawaii. You can read my full comparison guide on the Big Island vs Oahu here!
How many volcanoes are on the Big Island?
The Big Island has FIVE volcanoes: Kilauea, Mauna Loa, Hualālai, Mauna Kea, and Kohala. The first 3 are still active, with Kilauea being the most active volcano on Earth.
Flying into the Big Island
To get to the Big Island, most people fly into Kona International Airport (KOA) on the west side of the island. Depending on where you are coming from, you might have a connection in Honolulu, or you may be coming straight from the mainland.
Either way, Kona is typically the cheapest airport to fly into on the Big Island; however, there is also an airport on the Hilo side, Hilo International Airport (ITO). If you plan on visiting multiple areas on the Big Island, you can fly into either airport!
Renting a Car on the Big Island
Before getting into the breakdown of the different areas, let’s talk about if you need a car on the Big Island.
As already mentioned, the Big Island is HUGE. If you plan on staying more than a day or two, I would absolutely rent a car while on the Big Island.
My favorite activities, like the Kona coffee farms, Volcanoes National Park, and ‘Akaka Fall State Park, are all spread out from each other. So it is going to be very difficult to see and do it all without a rental car!
Plus, if you plan to visit both sides of the Big Island (which I recommend), you’ll need a car to drive from Kona to Hilo, unless you want to use the public bus.
Rental cars are very reasonable on the Big Island, as long as you book in advance! I highly recommend using RentalCars.com. They allow you to compare prices across all of the major rental car companies. Plus, they have a great cancellation policy (typically free cancellation up to 48 hours in advance). Oh, and they price match!
A Quick Look at the Best Hotels on the Big Island
If you’re looking for a quick list of the best hotels on the Big Island, here are my recommendations!
- Kona area:
- Hilo area:
- Kohala area:
4 Main Areas of the Big Island: Where to Stay and Why
Kona: For First Time Visitors to Hawaii
Easily the most popular area of the Big Island for visitors, Kailua Kona is a must-visit! Nestled along the southwest coast of the Big Island, Kailua-Kona (often referred to as just “Kona”) has a rich history! To this day, you can explore the historic landmarks in Kona like the Hulihe’e Palace, which housed Hawaiian royalty.
Today, Kona is a charming seaside town that blends tradition and tourism, and it’s the most popular place to stay while on the Big Island. The area of Kona takes up most of the western side of the Big Island, stretching from the airport on the north end to the Captain Cook area in the south.
Where to Stay in Kona
You’ll find some familiar hotel brands in the Kona area, like the Courtyard by Marriott Kona Beach Hotel, which is set on the grounds of King Kamehameha’s ancient residence.
However, most of the more luxurious, big-name hotels are located on the Kohala Coast (more on that in the next section!).
In my opinion, the best hotel in the Kona area is the Royal Kona Resort! This is where we stayed during our 3 nights in Kona, and it was perfect! There is a beautiful infinity pool, the rooms are recently renovated, and it wasn’t too pricey!
Plus, Royal Kona Resort puts on one of the best luaus on the Big Island: the Voyagers of the Pacific. They also have a gorgeous bar and restaurant that looks over the ocean, which is the perfect place to watch the sunset!
Another option while staying in Kona is to rent a vacation home or condo. There are a few different spots right on the beach (or across the street), which you can find on Airbnb or VRBO. These places are typically much cheaper than a hotel!
Things to Do in Kona
There’s no shortage of fun things to do in the Kona area. Wandering around the historic Kailua Village is a great way to spend an evening, with its local shops and restaurants. It’s also where the most popular snorkel and dive tours leave out of, like the famous manta ray excursions! (You can read my full guide to snorkeling with the manta rays here!)
Surrounding the Kona area is the famous Kona coffee belt! You can’t visit Kona and not take a coffee farm tour, like this FREE one at Greenwell Farms.
Pssst: There are tons of other free things to do in the Kona area! Make sure to check out my full guide!
Just down the road from Kona are two very popular snorkeling spots: Two Step Beach and Captain Cook Monument. I highly recommend kayaking to Captain Cook monument, where you can often spot dolphins as you make your way across Kealakekua Bay.
Pros and Cons of Staying in Kona
As the top place to stay on the Big Island, Kona has plenty of pros. It’s conveniently located less than 15 minutes away from the Kona International Airport. It’s also extremely walkable, with a great collection of bars, restaurants, markets, and shops to explore.
The weather in the Kona area is typically sunny and dry year-round, making it a perfect place to stay.
However, all of these things mean Kona is the most touristy part of the Big Island, and it can get crowded during peak seasons!
Kohala: For Luxury Travelers
As you head north from Kona past the airport, the landscape starts to change as you enter the Kohala area. The northern end of the Big Island is very unique! It’s home to some of the most luxurious resorts on the island along the Kohala Coast at the base of the Hualālai and Mauna Kea volcanoes.
As you head inland, you’ll hit the town of Waimea, known as Hawaiian cowboy country!
Where to Stay in Kohala
If you’re looking for luxury during your time on the Big Island, look no further than the Kohala Coast. In the Waikoloa Beach area, you’ll find the popular Hilton Waikoloa Village and neighboring Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Mauna Lani, and Fairmont Orchid.
Just north towards Hapuna Beach, you’ll find the glorious Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort.
To the south, in between Kona and Kohala sits the gorgeous Four Seasons Hualalai, which starts at $1,200 per night!
All of these resorts boast a luxurious Hawaiian resort vibe, so they come with a hefty price tag!
Things to Do in Kohala
The Kohala area sees pretty much constant sunshine and warmth, so it’s no surprise it has some of the island’s best beaches. The white sand and blue water at Hapuna Beach can’t be missed, as well as the shores of Kauna’oa Beach.
If you’re a golfer, the resorts along the Kohala Coast have some of the best golf courses on the island. Championship courses like Mauna Kea Golf Course have stunning ocean views that can’t be beat.
Another perk of this area is the proximity to the lush Waimea area, where you can go horseback riding or zip lining with panoramic views across expansive green landscapes.
Kohala is also the best place to see whales on the Big Island! For more information, make sure to check out my full guide to Whale Watching on the Big Island.
Pros and Cons of Staying in Kohala
The Kohala area of the Big Island is definitely not for budget travelers. The hotels in this area are some of the most expensive on the island. However, you’ll be spoiled with jaw-dropping views, white-sand beaches, incredible spas, and killer pools!
In addition to the high costs, while there’s plenty of dining options at each hotel, there are not many nightlife options in the area.
Hilo: For Nature Lovers
If you have more than 2 or 3 days on the Big Island, Hilo is the perfect place to spend the second half of your Hawaiian vacation. Located on the east side of the island, Hilo sees an average of 130 inches of rain per year. That’s a lot, especially compared to Kona, which only sees around 18 inches per year.
However, don’t let this rainy forecast deter you from staying in Hilo! Because of all the rain, this tropical area boasts lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and gorgeous landscapes. It is also where you’ll find most of the island’s black sand beaches.
Where to Stay in Hilo
You won’t find many big resorts on the Hilo side of the Big Island. The only major chain hotel is the Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo, a DoubleTree by Hilton Resort. This hotel overlooks Hilo Bay and has a golf course right next door.
Another popular place to stay is the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, which is surrounded by coconut palms and has private lanais in each room.
We stayed at the fabulous SCP Hilo Hotel while on this side of the island. SCP Hilo, which stands for Soul, Community, Planet, focuses on sustainability and driving change in their community through their Every Stay Does Good program. It’s the perfect place to stay while exploring the wild side of the Big Island!
Things to Do in Hilo
With its frequent rainfall and tropical climate, Hilo is the perfect launching point for nature lovers exploring the Big Island. Within a 15-minute drive, you can watch the surfers at Honoli’i Beach Park, take in the scenery at the Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden, or hike the Onomea Bay Trail.
Within a 30-minute drive, you can visit Rainbow Falls, Kahūnā Falls, and Akaka Falls State Park and see four different waterfalls in one day!
Hilo is also the perfect place to go on a helicopter ride, as most tours leave from the Hilo airport.
Just 45 minutes away from downtown Hilo is the famous Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, which we will cover more in the next section!
Don’t forget to check out my full list of the top things to do while visiting Hilo!
Pros and Cons of Staying in Hilo
Hilo is a great addition to your Big Island itinerary due to its proximity to so many adventurous activities! The natural beauty around Hilo is unmatched, and it has a much more local vibe than areas like Kona and Kohala. It’s also the most populous town on the Big Island.
However, as previously mentioned, it is rainy in Hilo, so don’t expect constant sunshine! In addition, while it has many nature-centric activities, there’s also not much nightlife in Hilo.
Volcano: For National Park Enthusiasts
Yes, Volcano is the name of an actual town on the Big Island of Hawaii! As you might have guessed, Volcano is where the Volcanoes National Park is located. If you plan on spending more than one day at the National Park, you might consider staying in the town of Volcano on your trip to the Big Island.
Where to Stay in Volcano
The town of Volcano is very small and quiet. Most people who stay in Volcano choose to book a vacation rental. There is a good selection of tropical treehouses and quaint cottages right outside the park.
If you are looking for something really special, you do have the option of staying inside the National Park at the historic Volcano House. Located the summit of Kilauea, the Volcano House has a history dating back to the 1800s!
Another option is the famous Kilauea Lodge, which is about 5 minutes outside the park entrance. It’s known for its restaurant that focuses on big flavors from all over the Big Island.
Things to Do in Volcano
Obviously the most popular thing to do in Volcano is visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park! If you only have one day in the park, I recommend hiking the Kilauea Iki Trail, walking through the Thurston Lava Tube, and then driving the Chain of Craters Road all the way to the sea!
You can visit the National Park website for more details about operating hours and tips for visiting!
Aside from the park, staying in Volcano puts you a short drive away from Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. Here, you’ll find green palm trees lining the black sand, where Hawaiian sea turtles are known to hangout!
Also nearby is the Southernmost point of the USA (non-contiguous, that is!), known as South Point or Ka Lae. If you’re bold enough, there are spots along the cliffside here where you can jump into the ocean!
Pros and Cons of Staying in Volcano
The best part about staying in Volcano is your proximity to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. If you stay in Kona, it will take you about 2 hours to get to the park, while Hilo is 45 minutes away.
On the flip side, staying in the small town of Volcano means very few amenities are nearby. You’ll struggle to find many restaurants in the area, let alone bars or shopping centers! It is away from the hustle and bustle, offering a serene escape in nature.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, choosing where to stay on the Big Island of Hawaii completely depends on your budget, timeframe, and interests.
Most travelers choose to make Kona their home base, but don’t disregard the wild Hilo side, the luxurious Kohala coast, or the quaint town of Volcano. If you have more than 3 days on the island, I highly recommend staying in at least two of these areas so you can experience all the Big Island has to offer!
No matter which area you choose, the Big Island is sure to impress you! I can promise that.
P.S. Here’s a list of 30 Incredible Things to Do on the Big Island in case you need more inspiration!
Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!
This guide is amazing! My husband and I are hoping to go this coming year, so will definitely be bookmarking this for when we plan