| It's easy to see why an affordable family | | | | Hundreds can also be saved in accommodations |
| vacation in Hawaii seems out of reach to most. | | | | and airfare when you shop for these wisely at |
| Even the Hawaii Tourism Authority reports total | | | | discount sites and book your reservations online. |
| visitor expenditure in Hawaii at $171 per person | | | | Also keeping in mind, not all discount sites are |
| per day. This brings the total cost of an 8-day | | | | equal. To save even more, consider a family |
| vacation to $1368, not counting airfare. | | | | camping vacation in Hawaii. |
| Most visitors are getting far from the best airfare | | | | When eco travelers do spend more, it's on local |
| rates and are likely spending during low tourism | | | | business and environmentally, wildlife friendly |
| season around $500 and hundreds more the rest | | | | activities (like a marine biologist led wild dolphin |
| of the year or if flying from the East Coast. It's | | | | tour or a Na Pali sunset catamaran cruise).But |
| easy to see why many of the travel experts | | | | overall in Hawaii most of the eco friendly and |
| estimate the average Hawaii vacation costs | | | | cultural activities are super low cost or free; for |
| around $2,000. | | | | example: |
| However, when it comes to Hawaii ecotourism, | | | | - Cultural festivals |
| the numbers change. You can vacation in Hawaii | | | | - Snorkeling |
| for less than half of this amount. Consider... | | | | - Sunset beach walks and sails |
| Shopping is generally a big part of the expense. | | | | - Garden strolls |
| Visitors spend on average $210 in 2009 per 8-day | | | | - Waterfall hikes |
| vacation, per person, according to the Hawaii | | | | - Snorkeling |
| Tourism Authority. Sightseeing, ocean play and | | | | - Surfing (all ages, all kinds of surfing, rentals, |
| other Hawaii eco travel activities take a back seat | | | | lessons) |
| to this favorite tourism activity, according to a | | | | - Whale and dolphin tours led by environmental |
| report sent to me from Hawaiian Airline's Hana | | | | conscious marine biologists |
| Hou magazine. This doesn't really add up to a low | | | | - Kayaking |
| cost Hawaii budget vacation. | | | | - Historical and cultural attractions |
| Not true for eco travelers who spend more time | | | | - Marine life aquariums |
| enjoying Hawaii's beautiful outdoors and often free | | | | - Volcano (lava viewing hike, Volcano National |
| low cost cultural activities, while shopping mostly | | | | Park, science museums) |
| at fairs, growers' markets, swap meets and | | | | - Beach activities (and lounging:-) |
| locally owned discount stores. | | | | - Much more. |
| The dining portion of a vacation can take a big | | | | Most of these Hawaii ecotourism type activities |
| bite out of the family vacation budget too. Eco | | | | are family friendly, appealing to young children as |
| travelers cut costs in this area by preparing some | | | | well as teens, parents and grandparents. All but |
| of their own meals with foods bought at local | | | | the active volcano are found on all of the main |
| supermarkets and growers markets. There are | | | | islands: Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii (Big Island). |
| also very nice restaurants with great food and | | | | So you see, fun and affordable family vacations in |
| atmosphere but budget prices. | | | | Hawaii really are possible. |