Kauai…the Garden Isle…the isle your Jurassic Park dreams are fabricated of…she's quite a beauty! I've got about 15 posts on Kauai on this site (not including the other islands or full general Hawaii planning posts)…that's a lot of good info! To help yous round it all upwardly, this folio is going to serve every bit home base of operations for all of my Kauai travel tips.

Outset things first…if in that location'south one post on my blog you've got to read it's this one: Hawaii Travel Tips. It'due south not island specific, merely it covers things similar which airports to fly into on each island, the scoop on illegal vacation rentals, rules nigh non touching wild animals that are federally protected in Hawaii, the unspoken rules for driving on the island, how to go along with locals, what to look and MORE. Information technology'due south a whopper of a post (7000+ words) and it's definitely ane yous don't want to miss. Check it out here.

Where to Stay on Kauai

This is where information technology all starts when you lot're planning your trip. Kauai isn't a very large island (that's relative because all of the Hawaiian Islands are actually pretty large compared to islands in the Caribbean or elsewhere), only it has several distinctive areas. Most people get hung upwards on whether to stay on the due south side (dry out and sunny) or the n shore (rainy but GORGEOUS). One of the nearly helpful posts on my site is this breakdown of where to stay on Kauai. It'southward got pros and cons of each area, specific recommendations on hotels and resorts plus my picks for family friendly places, honeymoon resorts, and budget options. Read that post  here.

More than where to stay posts:

Enjoy the effectively things in life? You're going to desire to read near the best Luxury Resorts in Hawaii

Like things a little smaller and more than personal? Check out my favorite Bazaar Hotels in Hawaii

Kauai Condos : Are you lot really trying to watch the budget? Or only want more than space to spread out with friends and family? You lot're definitely going to desire a condo or vacation rental. There are a ton of condos on Kauai so it'due south a lilliputian overwhelming. This mail service breaks downward sooo many unlike condo complexes on Kauai by location so you can find what'southward important to you. Beachfront? Amazing pool? Resort similar amenities? A price performer? Besides bang-up info, I've rounded up a lot of options under $100/night.

3-7 Twenty-four hour period Kauai Itineraries

The Best Kauai Itineraries: I've noticed that people either seem to book their airfare and hotel showtime and then figure the rest out, or they want to lay out an itinerary and so decide how to volume their flights (how long to stay) and where to stay. Either way, having a solid itinerary (even if it's just a lot of congenital in relaxation time peppered with some activities) can make your vacation sooooo much improve. You're going to want to pay close attention to this post to learn the ins and outs of putting together a proficient itinerary. How many days do you need on Kauai? What are the true "don't miss" things? I've got that covered plus SEVEN detailed days laid out for you that you tin mix and match to create your perfect vacation. Read that post hither.

The Island by Expanse

If y'all'd like to see things broken upwards by area on the island, bank check out these area specific guides that include places to stay, places to eat, and things to do:

Guide to Kauai'southward Due north Shore (the cute town of Hanalei, the resort area of Princeville plus the end of the road at Ke'due east Beach/Haena Country Park/Kalalau Trail)

Guide to Kauai's Napali Coast (how to see Kauai'due south famed and secluded Napali Coast including by air, past boat, and by foot)

Rentals Cars on the Big Isle

You absolutely volition demand a rental car. Hawaii is not an all-inclusive destination where you'll get in by shuttle and never exit your resort (I mean you could do that…but it's pretty expensive but to become to Hawaii and so most people want to actually see Hawaii. If you desire a cheaper resort but vacation, just go to Mexico).

Likewise, even though Kauai is the smallest primary island, it'southward still pretty large. Driving from Poipu on the southside up to the north shore can hands take an 60 minutes. And public transportation isn't very good.

And so you'll nigh definitely want a rental car for your stay even if yous're staying in a resort area. I e'er book through Discount Hawaii Automobile Rentals. They're seriously the simply company I ever use. They'll give you lot the very all-time prices, you don't take to reserve with a credit card or pay until you evidence up, you tin cancel and re-book anytime if you observe a better rate, and they commonly have a special that adds additional drivers for no fee. Information technology'due south a no brainer. Click here to check rates for your trip.

And yous tin read more about the rental motorcar situation in Hawaii here.

Restaurant Recommendations

If you're anything similar me, your vacation probably revolves a chip effectually where you're going to swallow. Kauai has the total spectrum as far as places to swallow (fine dining to food trucks). Here are some spots to go you lot started:

Best Food on Kauai: twenty Restaurants to Try

Kauai Activities

1 of the meridian questions I go asked is when the all-time time to book activities/tours/excursions is. Honestly, if at that place's something you know yous desire to do for certain…you should book it as soon as you lot tin. There's no reward to waiting until the last infinitesimal. You won't find better deals and more than than likely you lot'll end up missing out because things sell out. In the mail COVID mural, so many activities and tours in Hawaii (luaus, snorkeling tours, ziplining, atv rides, even RESTAURANTS) are fully booked ii-4 months in advance.

Napali Coast Boat Tours: If you're only going to pay for one activeness on Kauai, this is my pinnacle pick. Information technology'southward the best bang for your cadet way to see the all-time part of Kauai. But not all Napali Coast boat tours are created equal!! Read this postal service to notice out my not-negotiables I look for when picking a company.

Kauai Helicopter Tours: If coin's non a major gene of you're looking to become all out…in that location's zip similar seeing Kauai from the air. It's really the only island that I would say a helicopter tour is a must do.

Hiking the Kalalau Trail: Probably my favorite hike in Hawaii. You lot need a let (and mayhap to exist a piffling bit crazy) to exercise the whole 22 mile circular trip hike, only you tin do the first two miles (4 round trip) equally a day hike. Yous'll need parking reservations in advance though and then make certain you read this postal service to get all the details.

Smith Family unit Luau Review: Hands down the nigh "quaint" luau I've ever been to. It's a fairly big operation but notwithstanding manages to feel like a family unit thing.

Things to Do on Kauai

Demand even more things to practice on Kauai? I've got a few posts that will give you some more ideas.

xv Things to Do on Kauai: Some of the most pop and must exercise activities on Kauai.

Best Kauai Beaches: Want to hit the beach? Hither are 10 of Kauai'south finest!

Miscellaneous Hawaii Planning Posts

Desire more Hawaii planning info? Hither are some of my best posts:

Which Hawaiian Island to Visit: Maybe you lot're settled on Kauai, or peradventure you're still trying to make up one's mind. This mail volition breakdown each island and help you effigy out which one is right for YOU. Also, if yous've narrowed it downwardly to Maui vs Kauai, y'all're not going to desire to miss this postal service.

The Best Fourth dimension to Visit Hawaii: Cheapest fourth dimension of year to go? All-time conditions? When are the whales in town? I've got all that info hither.

How Much Does the Average Trip to Hawaii Price? Another top question I become asked.

Hawaii Trip Planning Timeline: How far in accelerate should you beginning planning? Do yous book for airfare or room first?

How to Find Cheap Flights to Hawaii: But also, which are the BEST flights to Hawaii regardless of cost.

Luxury on a Upkeep: Some of my all-time tips for finding NICE places to stay at cheaper prices.

How to Survive the Long Flight to Hawaii: Just exactly how long is the flight to Hawaii? Plus tips on what to bring and how to fight jet lag.

The Ultimate Hawaii Packing List: 26 things y'all don't want to forget at home!

What to Article of clothing in Hawaii: Casual is the name of the game in Hawaii, just here are some specifics of the kinds of clothes you'll probably want to pack.

Salvage

P.S. Thanks for sticking effectually and reading this whole post! If you take Whatever questions near planning your trip to Hawaii, you can bring together my free Facebook grouping here. I'1000 there answering questions every solar day and at that place are 7500+ other friends who have a ton of Hawaii information to share!

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