Plan Your Vacation on Oahu - Things to Know and Travel Advice

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So you are planning a vacation in Hawaii and this is your first time on Oahu? Here are some tips to help you plan your vacation.

Choose your destination

First, you should choose where you want to stay. The most popular tourist area on Oahu is Waikiki, where you will find copious amounts of restaurants and shopping opportunities, beach activities, night shows, luaus and a wide selection of hotels ranging from budget to lavish. Keep in mind that Waikiki is extremely busy throughout the whole year, so if you are looking for a more peaceful vacation on Oahu, Waikiki might not be your best bet.

If you prefer a peaceful and relaxing Hawaii vacation and you want to escape from the noise of Waikiki, you will find many vacation rentals on the island.

Do you plan to get a car?

If you stay in Waikiki and plan to spend most of your vacation there, it is not necessary to rent a car. There are airport shuttles that will take you to your hotel and pick you up on the way back. Also, Oahu has a good public transportation system that covers almost the whole island.

Keep in mind that many streets in Waikiki and Honolulu are one-way and if you don't have a road map with you, this can cause a bit of confusion. Also, drive slowly and carefully because Oahu is a very busy island and traffic jams are common.

This depends on your schedule. The summer months from June to August is high season, so accommodations, flights and car rentals are significantly more expensive during that period. The holiday season (Christmas and New Year) is also a very busy time with higher rates.

During Hawaii's winter (November to March), the temperature is usually nice - a bit cooler than during the hot summer months. But heavy and long-lasting rains are rare on Oahu (and especially in Waikiki, which is located on the sunny south shore), so even if it starts to rain, it usually doesn't last very long.

Things to bring

Bring light clothing and if you come in the winter, a light jacket is recommended.

If you are visiting from a foreign country, you will need a passport and maybe also a visa to enter the U.S. If you are a U.S. medical system). Medical costs in the U.S. A party of two will need at least $50 a day for food (if you don't plan to dine out).