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Honolulu

A jewel nestled in the Pacific Ocean, Honolulu is the lively capital city of the tropical paradise, Hawaii, located on the southeastern coast of Oahu. Synonymous with pristine beaches, Honolulu is globally acknowledged for the world-famous Waikiki Beach that brings surfing lovers from around the globe. Also renowned as a hub of history and culture, the city is home to Pearl Harbor, the only royal palace in the U.S at Iolani Palace, and Bishop Museum, allowing a deep dive into the intriguing Polynesian past of the islands. Offering an impressive backdrop of mountain ranges, rich biodiversity at Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium, native Hawaiian cuisine and a vibrant nightlife, Honolulu embodies the epitome of a tropical city escape.

3.9 /5

Based on 7 experiences

3.7 /5

Based on our research

4.7 /5

Based on safety reports

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Safety:Very safe

Honolulu, being a popular tourist city, generally offers a safe atmosphere to solo female travelers. Standard precautions should be followed such as avoiding isolated areas at night and keeping an eye on your belongings. The city's law enforcement are responsive and there is well-lit infrastructure in popular areas. However, it is always important to stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Transport:Easy

Honolulu is relatively accessible for tourists. The city offers a combination of walkability, especially around areas like Waikiki, and public transportation options including buses and trolleys that cover major tourist areas. However, for exploring less touristy areas or the island more broadly, car rental may be necessary. Bicycle rentals are also popular and there are designated bike lanes in many parts of the city. The city is safe, but as in any tourism hotspots, vigilance is advised against petty crimes. Language is also not an issue as English is widely spoken.

Things to do:Interesting

Honolulu offers a wide range of activities that could cater to many different tastes. Whether you're into water sports, hiking, historical sites or gastronomic experiences, you'll find it in Honolulu. The city's accessible beaches offer fantastic opportunities for snorkeling and surfing, while trails like Diamond Head Crater offer stunning views. It boasts a number of significant historical sites such as Pearl Harbor and Iolani Palace, begging exploration. The city's Chinatown provides a sampling of its diverse food scene. However, this city may not be the best choice if you're seeking a more quiet, less developed location as it is a bustling metropolis.

Food:Above average

Honolulu offers an exciting culinary experience for its visitors that includes a blend of different cuisines, mainly influenced by traditional Hawaiian, American, and Asian flavors. You can find plenty of fresh seafood delicacies, iconic Hawaiian dishes like poke and luau food, as well as Asian specialties. Fusion cuisine is also a big thing, highlighting the city's diverse culture. Even though options for vegan and gluten-free diets can be a bit limited, the overall diversity is appealing.

Budget:Expensive

Honolulu, being a top destination in the United States, can be rather expensive. While there are opportunities to save such as public transportation and cheaper eateries, accommodation, particularly in the popular areas, can be pricey. Main attractions also tend to have entrance fees. Careful planning and budgeting are needed in order to travel cheaply.

Overall rating

3.9 /5

based on 7 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do

4/5

Safety

4.7/5

Food

4.2/5

Budget-friendly

3.1/5

Couple travel experience

I felt very safe in Honolulu! I was with my partner but either way I would feel completely safe solo travelling. We walked around early in the morning and late at night, and stayed slightly off the beaten path. A fair amount of homeless people in some spots, but they did not approach me. We took a bus to diamond head and it was completely reliable and safe.

Posted: April 5, 2024

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5

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Solo travel experience

Honolulu is amazing. I traveled there by myself, rented a car for a few days, drove around the island, climbed Diamond Head, participated in a Luau, went to Hanauma Bay, swam with sharks on the North Shore, visited Waimea Valley, went to a coffee and macadamia nut plantation, swam in the ocean, saw sea turtles. It all felt like paradise.

Posted: October 1, 2023

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5

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Alyssa

United States

Solo travel experience

Absolutely loved my time here the people were so welcoming and friendly. I worked at a bar / club for a few weeks as they have a high turnover rate bc of the travelers that frequent Hawaii. It’s got tons of delicious food and beautiful beaches, amazing hikes and the weather was perfect.

Posted: June 29, 2023

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 2/5Safety: 5/5

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Solo travel experience

Climbing Diamond Head is one of my must-do items when I'm in Oahu. Visiting Pearl Harbor and the Iolani Palace is worthwhile due to their historical significance (they can be quite emotional experiences). The Foster Botanical Garden is beautiful, and I highly recommend the Bishop Museum. Waikiki Beach is cool to visit, but Lanikai Beach is prettier. A few notes: - All the beaches I visited have public restrooms, but none of them had soap any time I was there, so if you're going, bring your own hand sanitizer. - Sunscreen must be reef-safe.

Posted: October 31, 2022

Things to do: 4/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5

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Solo travel experience

My recommendations: Lanikai and Kailua beaches are beautiful, while Polo Beach is a nudist beach. For free snorkeling, check out Electric Beach and Shark's Cove. Go hiking on Koko Head, preferably in the morning, as it gets hot in the afternoon and there is no shade on the trail. If you're an adrenaline junkie, you may want to try the three peaks, but beware - the third peak is the most dangerous and tragedies have occurred there, so I do not recommend this route. Take surfing lessons! Free shark diving tours are available, which means you will be in the water with sharks without a cage. In the north, there's the opportunity to skydive. As for food, there are great food trucks in the north, and the shrimp at Giovanni's is the best.

Posted: October 29, 2022

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5

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Couple travel experience

I highly recommend renting a car. Download the Shaka app and drive. The views are breathtaking. If you want to climb Diamond Head, reservations are required. Another easier trail with beautiful views is the trail to the Makapuu lighthouse. Tickets are required for the Arizona memorial in Pearl Harbor. I recommend eating at Haleiwa Joes in Kanehoe. The views are spectacular, and the food was one of our best meals. Dukes on Waikiki was the second. Both restaurants are a must-visit. We took the Jurassic Movie Tour on the Kualoa Ranch. It has the most stops at movie locations. Fantastic if you are a movie fan. Over 50 movies were filmed there. Leonard's malasadas are excellent. Another dish that you must try. I have heard enthusiastic reviews about Toa Luau.

Posted: September 4, 2022

Things to do: 5/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5

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Solo travel experience

The three main attractions for me are: - Pearl Harbor. You need to get tickets in advance for Arizona. They disappear in a second. - Hanauma Bay for snorkeling. Advanced tickets are also needed for this. I recommend early morning. It's calmer. - Diamond Head. You also need advance tickets, but they are much easier to get.

Posted: July 11, 2022

Things to do: 3/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5

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Kiani

About Me

Aloha! My name is Kiani 🌺 I love music, animals, books, nature, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures! I am interested in traveling and not afraid to take risks for the things I want in life. 💛

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About Me

I have recently become sort of a nomad exploring the world for a new place to live. I have had a great life and have so many stories to share

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Stay with local women in Honolulu who offer free accommodation as part of cultural exchange. Couch surfing is a great way to meet new people, learn more about new cultures and experience destinations like a local.

Kiani

Honolulu