If you've never been to Maui before, there's so much to be excited about! There are also a few things you should avoid doing to have the best experience. Here at VacaMaui, we want you to have the best possible time on our island home, so we've come up with a few common pitfalls first-time visitors fall into when visiting Maui so that you don't have to!
No matter where your vacation rental is located on the island, chances are you're going to need a car.
While you can Uber or Lyft around Maui, rideshares are not super common. Wanting to be somewhere early in the morning, or out late at night? Hope and pray there's a driver near you that's available!
Plus, the price of rideshares adds up quickly, and most of our vacation rentals come with an included parking spot. You might find the price of rideshares will quickly surpass the cost of a discount car rental.
Need some recommendations? Check out Maui Budget Cars or Kimo Rent-A-Car!
The Maui bus is another option, but we recommend checking to see if (and when) the bus services the areas you want to visit.
Ok ok, we understand that you might not have a Pacific Ocean or a jungle at home, and we definitely think you should enjoy all the things that make Maui so wonderful!
However, when you're doing an activity you don't normally do, especially in a new environment, it's important to be smart.
If you've never ocean kayaked before, we recommend trying out a guided tour. There are tons of great companies, like Maui Kayak Adventures, and you'll probably have a better time than if you went out by yourself.
Similarly, with hiking, there are many wonderful hikes on Maui that you can definitely do on your own. The humidity and terrain in Maui can make things challenging, and the weather can change quickly, so it's important to know your limits and be realistic.
The Pipiwai trail in Hana has fantastic waterfalls, bamboo, mountains, and ocean views. This 2-mile out-and-back trail is well-maintained, has a boardwalk section, and there are plenty of other hikers on the trail.
Waihe'e Ridge Trail is another well-maintained, heavily trafficked trail going up a ridge. It's two miles of straight incline, and then 2 miles right back down! Even if you don't go all the way up, the views are fantastic!
Every year, Maui ends up getting another chain restaurant. With McDonald's, Sonic, and Chick-fil-A, you're bound to see a chain that is comfortable and familiar. While there's nothing wrong with a Big Mac after a beach day, the Hawaiian islands have some of the best Polynesian and asian foods.
When in Maui, you should definitely try things that might be out of your comfort zone. Trust us, Hawaiian foods are delicious!
Spam musubi is a fantastic snack, especially after a sweaty hike, and Tin Roof Maui has some amazing mochiko chicken and saimin. Like furikake? Try it out on some popcorn or on hurricane fries!
For more upscale Hawaiian food, you can always try out Merriman's Kapalua, or Mama's Fish House is an incredible meal. (Although reservations sometimes go 3-6 months out, so you'll have to plan ahead!)
The local restaurants on Maui have such amazing meals to offer.
Hawaiian culture has a lot of richness to offer. The islands are beautiful and the beaches are stunning, but part of what makes them so wonderful is the people.
Check out the Polynesian Cultural Center, try out lau lau and poi, and be respectful as you visit Maui. You'll find that knowing more about the rich history of the place makes it even more interesting and special to be in.
If you're more of a hands-on learner, check out some fun cultural experiences like learning how to make a lei, taking a hula class, or going paddling in an ancient Hawaiian canoe.
As you get ready for your island vacation, feel free to reach out with any questions you may have! We're here to help you have the best experience in Hawaii possible.
Maui is a magical place, and there's truly no place in the world quite like it. We want you to enjoy it as much as we do.
