Hilo Vacation Rentals

Our Hilo vacation rentals allow you to enjoy the best of Hilo town and it's beautiful surroundings of rainforests, waterfalls and tropical gardens. This whole region has a scenic beauty that is quintessential Hawaii.

Things To Do
Impressive waterfalls can be seen just above Hilo town including the thundering Rainbow Falls and Peepee Falls as well as the turbulent, terraced lava sections of the river known as Boiling Pots. An interesting attraction in Hilo town is the Pacific Tsunami Museum featuring interactive exhibits at the Imiloa Astronomy Center including an IMAX movie presentation. You can learn about the island's missionary past at the Lyman Museum. Other nearby attractions include the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo and some exceptional botanical gardens. Visiting the summit of Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is an unforgettable Big Island adventure. Circumnavigate Crater Rim Drive, and along the way you can hike through the Thurston Lava Tube! Stop in at the Kilauea Visitor Center and the Jaggar Museum to learn more about what you are seeing all around you in this otherworldly environment of steam vents and massive calderas. Volcanoes National Park is a 45-minute drive from Hilo. A great drive from Hilo along the Hamakua Coast passes through numerous small and charming historic towns and leads to the Waipio Valley Lookout on Big Island's northeast shore. Gaze into the steep-walled valley known in ancient times as the "Valley of the Kings." On the Hamakua Coast make sure and stop at the impressive Akaka Falls tumbling 442 feet down the mountain.

Nearby Beaches
Onekahakaha Beach Park is a fun family snorkeling beach with nice views of Hilo Bay. Lelewi Beach Park is also a popular snorkeling site and is located near the Richardson Ocean Center with pavilions, showers and restrooms making it great place for a picnic. Just north of Hilo town along the Hamakua Coast is Kolekole Beach Park with a nice stream and waterfall.

Restaurants
Hilo town is built around a crescent-shaped bay with a vibrant waterfront and plenty of dining options. Hilo's Cafe Pesto serves up amazing pizza at affordable prices. At the Hilo Bay Cafe they emphasize innovative uses of local ingredients. Try the Hamakua mushroom pot pie, ahi poke or sauteed Kauai shrimp. Stroll around town and you will find many exceptional restaurant choices in Hilo town and also the bustling Hilo Farmers Market. Spend some time browsing around shops in the afternoon you will be able to glimpse into some of the eateries and make just the right evening dining choice for your tastes.

Shopping
A variety of shops, art galleries and restaurants can be found in historic Hilo town where the many wooden storefronts still reflect the town's unique heritage. See art exhibits at the East Hawaii Cultural Center which is the center of the town's arts scene. Galleries in in town also feature the work of many local artisans including glasswork, woodwork and jewelry. Unique gifts and memorabilia can also be found at the Pacific Tsunami Museum Store. More interesting shops to explore can be found in small towns along the Hamakua Coast and in Waimea town as well as Hawi and Kapaau in North Kohala.

Getting Around
A rental car is recommended when staying in Hilo vacation rentals so you can explore nearby beaches and attractions as well as day trips to the Hamakua Coast, the Kona Coast and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The island's bus service, called Hele On Bus, is free and stops at various points around the island including transportation between Kona and Hilo every day except Sunday.

Weather and Ocean Conditions
The Hilo region on the Big Island of Hawaii's northeast shore is one of the wetter areas of the island making everything lush and green, with plenty of sunny days to enjoy the beauty. Rain showers often pass quickly revealing sunshine and rainbows. Overall the Big Island is known for its sunny weather which remains relatively stable all year around, with more rain during the winter months than the summer months. The Kona and Kohala coastlines on the western shore are the warmest and driest areas. Temperatures are typically cooler at higher elevations like Kona Coffee Country and atop Kilauea Volcano though these areas still can be quite warm during the days. Ocean conditions vary widely at Big Island beaches with many areas exposed to strong currents and potentially dangerous surf, particularly during the winter months. Numerous beaches provide good protection from the open ocean and provide safe areas for swimming and snorkeling. Visitors are urged to only visit lifeguarded beaches for water activities and heed all posted warnings. Check with lifeguards about the safest areas to participate in the activities you choose.

Vacation Info
Hilo vacation homes provide the optimal way to enjoy your Hawaii vacation with all the luxuries of resort living and all the comforts of home including nearby shopping, dining and entertainment. Browse through our Hilo vacation rental listings to get an understanding of the different amenities and property features we offer. Our goal is to provide you with a with an unforgettable Hilo accommodation for your dream Big Island vacation. We take pride not just in having the largest selection of high-quality vacation rentals in Hilo, but also in the fact that we stand behind our product and make sure only the best of the best properties are listed on our site. If you have questions about our Hilo rentals or which destination is best for your vacation needs, please give us a call and we will be happy to assist you.

History
To learn more about the history of the Hilo region visit the Lyman Mission House & Museum which is located in a restored 1839 home of American missionaries. This is the oldest structure on the Big Island and displays authentic artifacts including tools, furniture and household items used by early missionary families. In front of the Hilo Public Library you can see the famed Naha Stone that played in an important role in the rise of King Kamehameha I as ruler of all the Hawaiian Islands.