Hilo vacation rentals
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Top-rated vacation rentals in Hilo
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- Entire home
- Hilo
Very very fast wifi for working and streaming. Free onsite parking with contactless check-in. The unit is cleaned by professionals who follow the Airbnb guidelines to the T. We also have a built in AC unit for hot days. Includes 1 full bedroom with king bed, sofa bed in the living room, full kitchen and a full bathroom. 1 mile from city center and beach. 2 miles from the university of Hilo and 25 miles from the Volcano.
- Private room
- Hilo
Vive House Inn is located in a fantastic old Colonial House built in 1897! It offers old world character with a very peaceful and serene setting. Each room is slightly differant, named and decorated after some of the Hosts' favorite places to travel. The Venice room is small and efficient, much like you would find in Venice. It offers a very comfortable memory foam single bed. A private in-room sink, mini fridge, TV, wifi internet and an AC! The shared bathroom is shared and across the hall.
Popular amenities for Hilo vacation rentals
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Your guide to Hilo
Welcome to Hilo
The town of Hilo meets the definition of an idyllic Hawaiian destination. Its black sand beaches are lined with swaying palm trees arching over aquamarine waters, dramatic waterfalls plunge from shelves blotted by tropical rainforests, and some of the planet’s most active volcanoes are only a short drive away. Yet Hilo sees a fraction of the crowds drawn to its sunnier sister town of Kona. Hilo’s lush beauty and relaxed vibe can be attributed to its status as the rainiest city in the United States. Many visitors drop into Hilo for a quick visit before jumping off to explore the nearby Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. But hikers, snorkelers, waterfall chasers, and science enthusiasts will find a wide range of activities to choose from in Hilo, accompanied by a collegiate town spirit, thanks to the nearby University of Hawaii at Hilo.
How do I get around Hilo?
The island of Hawaii is served by two international airports — Hilo International Airport (ITO) on the eastern side and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) in Kalaoa on the western side. If possible, fly into Hilo rather than Kona, as the trip from the Hilo terminal into town is a mere 10 minutes compared to the 90-minute drive from Kona. Another option is to fly into one and depart from the other, optimizing the time you have to enjoy the island. Like most of the Hawaiian Islands, renting a car is not an absolute necessity, but the Big Island lives up to its nickname — some of its most famous destinations require drives measured in hours rather than minutes. Major rental car agencies are located just outside the terminal roundabouts, with rideshares, taxis, and bus services marked nearby.
When is the best time to stay in a vacation rental in Hilo?
The lush eastern side of the island of Hawaii is temperate but characteristically wet, soaking in an annual average of 140 inches of rainfall. This wet climate means it’s advisable to layer or bring a light jacket in preparation for intermittent showers; if you plan to venture up to the higher elevations inland, especially near summits and volcanoes, come prepared for legitimately cold temperatures. Spring and fall generally offer visitors the best overlap of warm and dry days in Hilo, the latter months thinning out crowds as the tourist season comes to a close. Hurricane season spans June through November; while violent tropical storms are always a possibility, historically they’ve rarely made landfall across the Big Island.
What are the top things to do in Hilo?
Punalu‘u Beach
Punalu‘u Beach is the most famous and accessible black sand beach on the island. Hawksbill and Hawaiian green turtles are known to amble up the volcanic-rock-tinted shoreline to sunbathe here. Just be sure to give these aquatic natives a wide berth onshore and in the water, as they’re protected under the Endangered Species Act.
Hamakua Coast Scenic Drive
While Rainbow Falls State Park unequivocally warrants a visit to take in its grand cascade of water, a more adventurous option awaits along this scenic serpentine 40-mile route tracing the North Shore of the island toward Waipi’o Valley. The road is dotted by a multitude of waterfalls and old sugar cane fields along the way.
Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden
While flora grows in abundance across Hilo, this botanical garden and nature preserve hosts a riot of tropical plants of unmatched color and beauty. There are more than 2,000 species collected and cultivated from across the globe, easily accessible to visitors by winding wooden pathways.