Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii, is renowned not only for its stunning beaches and unique culture but also as an ideal destination for adventure enthusiasts. Let’s explore the exciting and memorable experiences this beautiful city has to offer!
Honolulu: The Jewel of the Pacific
Honolulu, a famous tourist city in the United States, possesses a distinct and captivating beauty. Unlike the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles or the fast-paced life of New York, Honolulu holds countless fascinating things waiting for visitors to discover. If you’re planning a trip to this city, don’t miss out on these useful Honolulu travel tips.
Honolulu is the largest city and capital of the state of Hawaii, USA, located along the southeastern coast of Oahu Island. Covering an area of over 177 km² and with a population of nearly 500,000, Honolulu serves as Hawaii’s main gateway and one of the important gateways connecting the United States with many other countries. It is not only a thriving economic center but also a meeting point of Eastern, Western, and Pacific cultures.
Aerial view of Waikiki Beach on a sunny day
From the last century, Honolulu has been known worldwide for the historic Pearl Harbor event that took place on December 7, 1941. Today, Pearl Harbor has become a famous historical site that anyone visiting Honolulu must see. With its year-round warm climate, beautiful natural scenery, and diverse ecosystem, Honolulu is also considered the “tropical paradise” of the United States.
The Ideal Time to Experience Honolulu
Honolulu is located in a semi-arid climate zone with predominantly hot and dry weather. The rainy season usually lasts from October to early April of the following year. The peak tourist season in Honolulu is from December to August, with average temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), perfect for swimming and beach activities. Honolulu attracts a large number of tourists each year, so no matter when you go, you should book your flights and hotel rooms about 2 months in advance.
Busy streets of Honolulu with tourists and traffic
How to Get to Honolulu
The only way to get to Honolulu from Vietnam is by airplane. However, currently, no airlines offer direct flights to Honolulu, and you will have to transit at least once. Airfare to Honolulu usually ranges from $500 USD to $1000 USD, depending on the airline and time of flight.
Honolulu International Airport is located just about 5km from the city center. To get from the airport to the city, you can take a taxi for about $35 USD or take bus routes 19, 21 for $2.5 USD per adult ticket and $1.25 USD per child ticket.
Honolulu International Airport with many planes taking off and landing
Accommodation in Honolulu
As one of the top tourist destinations in the United States, Honolulu has a very diverse accommodation system. However, hotel prices in Honolulu are relatively high. Here are some budget-friendly hotels you can consider:
- Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach: 2330 Kuhio Ave, Honolulu, Hawaii (approximately 3,500,000 VND/night)
- Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach: 175 Paoakalani Ave, Honolulu, Hawaii (approximately 4,100,000 VND/night)
- Coconut Waikiki Hotel: 450 Lewers Street, Honolulu, Hawaii (approximately 2,700,000 VND/night)
- OHANA Waikiki East: 150 Kaiulani Ave, Honolulu, Hawaii (approximately 3,400,000 VND/night)
High-rise hotels overlooking Waikiki Beach
Paragliding Experience on Oahu Island: See Honolulu from a Different Angle
In addition to familiar activities like swimming, snorkeling, or visiting historical sites, you can try paragliding on Oahu Island. This is a great opportunity to see the panoramic view of Honolulu from above, with its long beaches, majestic mountains, and bustling streets.
Why choose paragliding in Oahu?
- Stunning Scenery: Oahu boasts diverse and rich natural landscapes, from the famous Waikiki Beach to the pristine Hanauma Bay and the majestic Diamond Head mountain. Paragliding will help you fully admire this beauty from above.
- Ideal Weather: With a year-round warm climate, Oahu is an ideal destination for outdoor activities, including paragliding.
- Professional Services: There are many companies providing paragliding services in Oahu with experienced instructors and modern equipment, ensuring absolute safety for tourists.
Things to note when participating in paragliding:
- Book in Advance: It is advisable to book your paragliding service in advance to ensure availability, especially during peak season.
- Choose a Reputable Company: Research carefully about companies providing paragliding services, check customer reviews, and ensure they have valid operating licenses.
- Follow Instructions: Always follow the instructor’s instructions to ensure safety throughout the flight.
- Prepare Appropriate Attire: You should wear comfortable clothes, sports shoes, and apply sunscreen.
Other Notable Attractions in Honolulu
Waikiki Beach
Waikiki Beach is one of the most famous destinations that anyone visiting Honolulu cannot miss. For many years in a row, it has been voted as the most beautiful beach on the planet, attracting a huge number of tourists.
The seawater at Waikiki is very clear and clean, the white sandy shore and tall green coconut trees create a captivating natural scene. Here, you can not only immerse yourself in the cool water but also have the opportunity to experience many exciting beach entertainment activities such as surfing, paragliding, and paddle boating.
Tourists sunbathing and playing on Waikiki Beach
Pearl Harbor
If you have the chance to visit Honolulu, you must take the time to visit the Pearl Harbor memorial. This memorial is called the USS Arizona Memorial, built to commemorate more than 1,100 people who died in the attack. To visit the memorial, you will need to buy a ticket for about $1.5 USD per person.
USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor
Hanauma Bay
Hanauma Bay, also known as Curve Bay, is another famous tourist destination in Honolulu that you should not miss. This is a famous nature reserve with a very rich and diverse marine ecosystem. Coming to Hanauma Bay, you will have the opportunity to see colorful coral reefs and beautiful marine creatures.
Hanauma Bay with clear blue water and beautiful coral reefs
Diamond Head Summit
Diamond Head is a famous mountain peak in Honolulu with a shape like a tuna’s dorsal fin, very unique. Diamond Head peak is about 232 meters high, located in the southern area of Waikiki Beach. Climbing to the top of the mountain, you will have the opportunity to admire the breathtaking scenery of Waikiki Beach and the Pacific Ocean. At the foot of the mountain is Diamond Head Market, where you can enjoy many famous local specialties.
Tourists hiking Diamond Head to enjoy the view
Iolani Palace
Iolani Palace is a very famous architectural work. This building was built by King Kalakaua in 1882. Today, it has become a museum, preserving hundreds of precious artifacts and documents and images about the history of the formation and development of Hawaii and the United States.
Iolani Palace with unique architecture and long history
Honolulu Cuisine: Unique Flavors of Hawaii
Honolulu cuisine is also very special with countless delicious and attractive dishes. One of the dishes you cannot miss is Poi. This is a traditional dish, prepared very simply with the main ingredient being taro. You can buy Poi at any store in Honolulu.
Poi made from taro
Huli Huli Chicken
Huli Huli Chicken is also considered a famous Honolulu dish that you should try. Fresh chicken pieces, after being marinated in a special Huli Huli sauce and grilled over charcoal, will have a very attractive color and flavor.
Delicious grilled Huli Huli Chicken
In addition, there are many other dishes you can enjoy when you come to Honolulu such as: pineapple cake, mix plate, Opihi shells, Kalua pig, etc.
Conclusion
Honolulu truly has so many interesting and attractive things for us to explore and experience. Hopefully, the Honolulu travel tips shared above will be helpful for your upcoming Hawaii trip. Don’t forget to try paragliding on Oahu Island for unforgettable memories! Are you ready for your adventure?