If you are in Kauai for more than a few days, it is helpful to break up your stay between the Poipu beach area and the Princeville area. This helps keep driving to a minimum to enjoy more time doing enjoyable things.
Restaurants 🍲
- Timings of restaurants are unpredictable. Some restaurants are closed on random days and some close as early as 7pm. We found food trailer parks to have good options and the possibility of at lease one place being open.
- Food can be expensive at restaurants. The pace at restaurants is more relaxed than the mainland as well.
- We found the food at food trucks to be more consistently delicious and of great quality compared to some restaurants.
Beaches ⛱️
- Most beaches are rocky. Water shoes are recommended.
Transportation 🚙
- Most roads are in great condition and driving is easy enough. There is only one major highway that crosses the entire island. However, traffic lights are present on this highway.
- The car rentals at the airport can take up to 2 hours. Be prepared for the wait and the extra time to get to your accommodation.
Shopping 🛍️
- There is one Target and one Walmart on the island in Lihue. There is a Tacobell in Lihue for convenience of pickup on various occasions.
- The farmers markets in Hawaii in general, especially in the tourist areas seem more catered towards tourists. Hence, expect tourist prices on local fruit, produce and prepared foods (think $12 for 1 mango). We only saw tourists buying stuff at the few farmer’s markets we stopped at. For more affordable local produce, we recommend the grocery store as locals and tourists alike seem to shop there.
- We recommend bringing back macadamia nut chocolates and various other candies, Hawaiian flavored teas and coffee. While here, we enjoyed some local brands of snacks, potato chips and chocolate from the grocery store. Local handmade jewelry we found was really unique with tropical nature and ocean motifs. Local perfumes are made with incredible beautiful fragrances of jasmine, tuberose and plumeria. Hence, these are highly recommended if you enjoy fragrances.
Hiking 🥾
- Most of the hikes we did on this island were moderately challenging. We did these in hiking sandals. The paths are often slippery and rocky.
- We wore trail-ready shoes 👟 or sandals 🩴 depending on weather, duration and personal preference.
Weather 🌦️
- It rains randomly for short times and sometimes for longer. Rain gear is recommended.