Yay, you’re going to Maui! Here are some pro tips for being efficient about the mechanics of your trip so you can focus on the fun stuff, like snorkeling, poke, and fish tacos!
- Get a rental car. Driving is easy on Maui – laid back, slow, with simple routes. You don’t want to dump money into Ubers.
- Walk to the car. Picking up the rental car at the airport can be a bit of a drag. It’s hot. You’re tired. You just want to be on the beach already. Five million people are waiting to get on the shuttle to the rental car center. So get ahead of the crowd, skip the rental center shuttle, and walk the less-than-10 minutes down to the center. You will almost definitely beat out the crowds this way — which means, quicker to the beach!
- Skip the store. If your condo has a kitchen and you plan to do any cooking or just want some beverages on hand, there’s a company called Maui Grocery Service where you order what you want and they shop for you and have it waiting at your condo/hotel upon arrival. This is a pretty sweet and a time saver! One friend described in awe the joy of arriving at their Kihei condo and finding the fridge stocked with POG, vodka and steaks, a fresh pineapple atop the counter.
- Or, shop local. If you do any local grocery shopping, I love Foodland because they have a huge poke bar, not to be missed.
- Take advantage of happy hours. This is the cheapest way to dine and drink out, and the happy hours are competitively awesome, all across the island.
- Don’t overpack. Maui is so casual. Unless you have some really fancy outings planned, you don’t need much more here than beachwear and flip flops – or as the Hawaiians refer to them, slippers!
- Do pack a reusable grocery bag. These pack flat and are great for day trips and for hauling stuff to and from the beach. And, if you over-shop, it can serve as a back-up carry-on for your trip home.
- Remember the essentials. You’re visiting a hot place. What do you need? Sunglasses, headphones, allergy pills, aspirin (for sunburns), sunblock — these are all things you can buy in Maui, but they will almost always be cheaper to purchase back home.
- Bring a HydroFlask. Any water bottle will do, but the HydroFlask’s rock because they’ll keep your water (or cocktail!) icy cold in the Maui sun. If you plan to buy water in Maui, forgo individual bottles for one of the large jugs of water.
- Bring a book, leave a book. If you’re a reader like me, books are an essential part of relaxing by the pool. Try traveling with used copies that you can purchase up front cheaply, then leave behind without regret when you’re finished. Many coffee shops, hotels, and other establishments have specific areas to leave books behind.