North America: Round-the-World Travel Destinations

Budget Scale: 1-5

1-least expensive; 5-most expensive
4– Honolulu, and most of Hawaii for that matter, is going to be a bit pricey. But if you can add it to your RTW plane ticket or as a stopover, it’s worth the addition.

Indie Travel Scale: 1-5

1-not a good Indie Travel destination; 5-a great Indie Travel destination
3– The capital of Hawaii sometimes gets a bad rap for not having quite as much to offer as other destinations in the US’ fiftieth state, but there is still plenty to do in this city.
Indie Travel Tips
Follow these tips for having an indie travel experience in Honolulu.

• Honolulu is a big city not unlike many other big cities – except there are beaches, hiking trails, and lots of great food to be had.
• The Iolani Palace is the only palace in the United States, so it’s definitely worth a visit. You can take a guided tour, but it’s just as easy to do it yourself.
• Hawaii has a large Chinese population, which means Chinatown. Visit for some great food and culture.
• Instead of going to the super popular and super crowded Waikiki Beach, head to one of the lesser-known ones:
  • Ala Moana Park has green spaces, trees, and a nice sandy beach where many of the locals hang out.
  • Hanauma Bay is set in a remarkable setting – the crater of an extinct volcano.  Great for snorkeling and scuba diving.
  • Halona Beach Cove is good for swimming, but there are no lifeguards.
• Hike to Diamond Head for a great view of the city.

Why you should add Honolulu to your RTW travel list

• Hawaii 5-0, hula dancers, Waikiki, Pearl Harbor – that’s just the beginning
• After partying up in Waikiki, hike Diamondhead
• Surf the ‘Banzai pipeline’
• Visit the Polynesian cultural center in Laie
• Just hang on tropical Pacific beaches, of course!

Why you should not add Honolulu to your RTW travel list

• Traffic is amongst the worst in the United States.
• It isn’t going to be a cheap addition to your RTW trip, so make sure you budget appropriately.

Are you heading to Honolulu? What do you need to do?

• Buy an international plane ticket
• Book a Hawaii hostel
• Book a Honolulu hotel
• Talk to travelers on the North America message boards
• Check out the Honolulu Travel Guide

Back to RTW Travel Destinations
Africa
Asia
New Zealand, Australasia, South Pacific
Central America
Europe
Middle East
North America
South America
Photo credit: 1