12 days in Island of Hawaii Itinerary

Thanks to its favorable location near a mountain range blocking the northeasterly trade winds, Kailua-Kona gets little rainfall, allowing adventure seekers and nature lovers a chance to enjoy over 300 days of sunshine each year.

Visit Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park and Kealakekua Bay for their historical value. Let the collections at Kona Coffee Living History Farm and Paniolo Heritage Center capture your imagination. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Kailua-Kona: Puukohola National Historic Park (in Kawaihae), Anaehoomalu (in Waikoloa) and Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area (in Puako). There's still lots to do: discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour, stop by Lava Light Galleries, examine the collection at Kona Historical Society, and enjoy the sand and surf at Mauna Kea Beach.

To see traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Kailua-Kona tour itinerary planning tool.

San Antonio to Kailua-Kona is an approximately 12-hour flight. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time to Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time, which is usually a -4 hour difference. Traveling from San Antonio in October, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be somewhat warmer in Kailua-Kona, with lows of 75°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 31st (Mon) early enough to go by car to Hilo.

One of the island of Hawaii's major towns, Hilo contains a mix of Asian and Polynesian cultures and is known for its proximity to a national park encompassing two active volcanoes.

Let the collections at Imiloa Astronomy Center and Lyman Museum capture your imagination. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Volcano Art Center Gallery and Pacific Tsunami Museum. Explore Hilo's surroundings by going to Volcano Garden Arts (in Volcano) and Devastation Trail (in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park). The adventure continues: get a new perspective on nature at Mokupapapa Discovery Center, stroll the grounds of Alae Cemetery, view the masterpieces at Banyan Gallery, and admire the natural beauty at Liliuokalani Gardens.

To see maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the Hilo online tour itinerary maker.

You can drive from Kailua-Kona to Hilo in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Traveling from Kailua-Kona in October, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be slightly colder in Hilo, with lows of 70°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 4th (Fri) early enough to catch the flight back home.