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Before you go
Your trip to Hilo.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Hilo – Hawaii Destination Hawaii Island (Big Island) about 330 km from Honolulu
How to get there
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Hilo International Airport (ITO) 3 km
Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.
Hilo International Airport (ITO) is on the eastern edge of the town, with flights mainly from Honolulu. From Kona, the crossing via the Saddle Road takes about an hour and a half; via the north coast it’s more than two hours.
How many days
Two days for downtown, the waterfalls and Mauna Kea. Many visitors also use Hilo as a base for Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
When to go
Year-round; it rains on many days, usually in the afternoon and evening, which keeps the waterfalls full and the landscape green. Temperatures range between 20 °C and 28 °C. From April to October it usually rains a little less.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
Yes, for the waterfalls outside downtown, Mauna Kea and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Island buses run infrequently. Drive on the right.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Hilo
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Morning
Waterfalls
See Rainbow Falls in the morning sun and continue north to ʻAkaka Falls.
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Afternoon
Downtown Hilo
Return to downtown, pass by the farmers’ market and walk through the waterfront gardens.
2 days in Hilo
Day 1
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All day
Hilo and waterfalls
Rainbow Falls and ʻAkaka Falls in the morning, downtown Hilo in the afternoon.
Day 2
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Afternoon
Mauna Kea
Drive up to the Mauna Kea visitor center at late afternoon and stay to stargaze; the summit requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle or an organized tour.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Does it rain a lot in Hilo?
Yes. Hilo is one of the rainiest towns in the United States, with rain on many days, usually in the afternoon and evening.
Hilo or Volcano to visit the Volcanoes Park?
Volcano is at the park entrance; Hilo, 45 km away, has more services and is close to the waterfalls and Mauna Kea.
What to see in Hilo in one day?
Rainbow and ʻAkaka falls, the farmers’ market and the waterfront gardens.
Why does Hilo have a tsunami museum?
The town was hit by tsunamis in 1946 and 1960, which destroyed part of the waterfront. The museum tells that story and explains the warning systems.