Los Mundos de Celi

Travel independently at your own pace

DIY Travel Guide to Maui

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Sunset from the beaches in South Maui, Hawaii

Learn all the tips and tricks (when to go, where to stay, what to pack…) to organize a custom trip to Maui; and discover Hawaii's most romantic island on your own.

I've used this description for Maui several times before. But this isn't something I read somewhere or someone told me. This is something I've experienced firsthand:

Maui is Hawaii's island for lovers.

  • Sunsets with mind-blowing colors.
  • Dreamy beaches with dozens of sunset weddings.
  • Even humpback whales come to mate off its shores…

Of course, there is so much more to Maui (my travel itinerary proves it). Still, a little romance never killed anyone… right?

Judge for yourself.

The Maui PDF guide

Want to download all the info from this blog on what to see in Maui and, even better, how to do it in a PDF?

54 pages to help you organize your custom route and enjoy Maui at your own pace.

Interested? Then click here and grab the guide for just €1.95.

When to go

Sea turtle coming out of the water at Hookipa Beach, at the start of the Road to Hana, Maui.

Just like in Kauai, temperatures and rainfall depend more on where you are on the island than on the time of year.

  • For example, along the east and south coast of Maui, it rarely rains year-round, although a few storms do roll in during the winter. On the flip side, temperatures are always pleasant.
  • However, the north coast and the famous Road to Hana are cooler and receive a lot more rain throughout the year. Honestly, it's no surprise given the lush jungle vegetation that surrounds the Road to Hana.
  • And when it comes to the summit of Haleakala, Puu Kukui peak, and their surroundings, get ready for freezing temperatures and very little sunshine, no matter when you visit Maui.

Looking to avoid peak season? Steer clear of traveling during summer break (July and August), Christmas, Thanksgiving, and other national holidays. Prices will be a bit lower (I said a bit, don't get your hopes up too high) and the crowds (mostly North American tourists) will be smaller.

The weather we had during our visit

We visited Maui for 8 days/7 nights in late November 2016.

And did it rain… Boy, did it rain!

Heading back to the car after another failed attempt to catch the sunrise over Haleakala.

Examples of the bad weather:

But hey! You know what?

Despite the cold, wind, and rain, our week in Maui was amazing. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Getting around

If you want the freedom to explore the island at your own pace (and change plans on the fly when the weather forces you to, like it did for us), don't think twice. Rent a car.

Which company to rent with

Example of a stretch along the Road to Hana, Maui.

When I looked into the best rates and terms for rental cars in Hawaii, I found the top deals through AlohaRent brokers (I think DiscountHawaiiCarRental belongs to the same company).

And I don't just mean they had the lowest rates, but on top of not requiring any money upfront (not even a credit card number), their rentals included:

  • Unlimited miles.
  • All fees included.
  • Full collision, theft, and damage protection (LDW).
  • Additional liability insurance up to $1,000,000.
  • Uninsured motorist protection (this was a first for me).

Once you book with them, you'll receive a code by email that you can enter on the official site of the car rental agency (Dollar, in my case) to confirm that everything is in order.

Remember, you haven't paid anything yet. You'll do that when you pick up the car. So if you find a better price or the terms don't fully convince you, you don't even need to cancel (though I’d let them know as a courtesy).

Which car to choose

Road heading up to Haleakala National Park, in Maui (Hawaii).

Yes, a convertible can look super cool, I'll admit.

  • Driving the Road to Hana with the wind in your hair… and eating bugs.
  • Heading up Haleakala… and having only a piece of fabric separating you from freezing temperatures.
  • Getting ready for a sunny beach day, and ending up soaked by an unexpected storm.

I could go on, but I think you get the point: I really don't recommend renting a convertible.

Your best bet is a small car (which is also cheaper), not too tall (wind gusts in the center of the island can get pretty intense), and with a trunk that hides everything you're carrying.

Remember that even if you go for a 4x4, rental companies strictly prohibit driving on unpaved roads.

Documents needed to rent a car

If you book with AlohaRent, here's what you need to pick up your rental:

  • A valid driver's license and being over 21 (for almost all vehicles).
  • A credit card when paying. Heads up: they don't accept debit cards.
  • Arriving at the rental desk within a maximum of 6 hours after the time on your confirmation email. After that, the agreed rate is canceled.

Our rental car in Maui

Rainbow we came across while driving down from Haleakala.

Just like on the island of Kauai, our vehicle for exploring Maui was also a Chevy Spark (the basic model) from Dollar.

It cost $234 for 7 days (€227.73; €32.5/day)—a great deal in Hawaii.

Where to sleep

You've got plenty of options depending on your budget:

But, before deciding where to stay, the first thing you should do is plan your itinerary. Meaning:

What do you want to see in Maui?

For example, if you want to drive the Road to Hana, seriously consider spending a night or two in or around Hana.

To head up to the Haleakala summit, many travelers choose to stay in Kula so they don't have to wake up quite as early for sunrise.

You definitely want to enjoy the beaches on Maui's west coast. However, this coastline is quite long and traffic jams are common, especially around Lahaina. So, if you're short on time, pick one beach area to stay in—either the southwest or the northwest—and make the most of the dozens of spots just a few miles away.

Tracks left in the sand by a turtle coming up Hookipa Beach to rest, North Maui.

What did we decide to do? Here's how it went:

Where we stayed

7 full days in Maui is enough to see a big chunk of the island, though not all of it. Especially if you're into slow travel like us.

So the first step was deciding what we wanted to do and see in Maui:

1. Road to Hana

Among the bamboo stalks on the Pipiwai Trail.

We opted to spend two nights in Hana. And honestly, it was one of the best decisions we made, as it let us truly enjoy the east side of the island at its best. When booking, there weren't many options left.

However, if you're not looking for luxury, our townhouse—Relaxing Oceanfront getaway in Hana (€267/2 nights)—was a total win.

2. The beach… but which area to pick?

Both the southwest and northwest coasts offer picture-perfect beaches, jaw-dropping sunsets, and coral reefs perfect for snorkeling.

The main difference is that in the northwest, the mountains near the coast are lush with greenery, making the landscape a bit more scenic (at least in our opinion). That said, it rains slightly less on the south coast.

Given that we arrived in Maui after spending 9 days road-tripping around Kauai—Hawaii's greenest and rainiest island—we went with the southwest! Specifically, we rented a small studio at the Grand Champions Condos in Wailea (€673.30/5 nights).

You can find deals in this complex on Airbnb too, though we ended up renting privately through Clearwaterentals (back then their prices were great, but their website is no longer active today).

Colorful Hawaiian lizard

3. Haleakala

We really wanted to visit this national park (we had no idea what was in store for us). And we knew staying close by would give us a head start when waking up early to catch the sunrise at the summit.

Unfortunately, almost all Maui accommodations charge steep cleaning fees. Splitting our stay between 2 or 3 different places on the island drove the total cost way too high.

So we ended up sacrificing staying close to Haleakala in favor of staying just a stone's throw from the beach.

What to pack for Maui

Documents

Since Hawaii is part of the United States, you'll need:

  • A passport with at least 6 months of validity left.
  • A driver's license and credit card (remember, no debit cards!) to rent the car.
  • A printed copy of your approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), which is mandatory to enter the US.

Never been through airport customs in the United States? Here's a quick rundown:

At your first layover in the country (even if it's not your final destination), you'll go through passport control where they'll ask for your ESTA and a completed form handed out on the plane. They'll ask you questions about the purpose of your visit (vacation!, whoop whoop!), take your digital fingerprints, and snap your photo.

Once past this checkpoint, you'll need to collect your baggage and, if you have a connecting flight, drop it off at your airline's designated counters (don't worry, there'll be signs guiding you along the way).

Luggage

Swimming with green sea turtles at Changs Beach, South Maui.

It all depends on what you're planning to do on Maui, but here are a few essentials:

Hiking? Pack a solid pair of hiking boots to enjoy the trails without slipping.

Road to Hana? Above all, mosquito repellent, whether you bring it with you or buy it on the island.

Heading up Haleakala? Layers of warm clothes (fleeces, thermal shirts...) and a raincoat/windbreaker.

Hitting the beach? Bikini, swimsuit, board shorts, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses... And go have a blast!

Travel Insurance

Even if you already know this, it never hurts to give you a quick reminder, just in case:

Medical care in the United States is shockingly expensive.

One of the many mongooses scavenging through the trash in the parking lot next to Black Sand Beach. Maui.

Any minor mishap—stitches for a cut, a high fever, a bandaged ankle—can easily set you back 3 to 4 zeros... seriously!

And if you happen to need a mountain rescue after torrential rains, get injured during an extreme sport, or get swept away by the current while swimming... brace yourself to pay an absolute fortune in medical bills.

Look, unexpected things can happen anywhere, whether right around the corner from home or while exploring Maui. And I get it, the scare and frustration are unavoidable.

But... do you know who saves your wallet from taking a massive hit?

IATI

Bridge to the bamboo forest on the Pipiwai Trail, Maui.

I always travel with them, and only them. No need to try other companies.

And the reasons are crystal clear:

  • They offer different insurance options with rates tailored to whatever you need: Basic, Standard, Star, Backpacker, and Family. Plus, their comparison tables make it super easy to see which one best fits your trip (covered activities, medical coverage amounts, add-ons...).
  • IATI takes care of all medical or rescue expenses right from the start, as long as you call them first when you're in a pinch. That way, you won't have to pay any money upfront out of pocket. And on top of that, your call ensures they'll refer you to the nearest and most suitable facility for your situation—which will always be top-quality.
  • Is it an emergency and you can't reach them beforehand? Just submit the receipt for whatever you paid upfront, and they'll reimburse you with no hassle.
  • Their prices are super competitive. Specifically, my 21-day route across Hawaii and San Diego cost less than €60 per person. In my book, traveling insured across the US at that price is a total steal. Don't you think?
  • Need another reason? Well, here you go: a 5% discount on any policy you purchase through these links.

So, you can already guess what my advice is, right?

Travel insured, enjoy your adventure, and... come back home eager for more!

Panoramic view of Palauea Beach, north end, Maui, Hawaii

Useful links

And now, here are all the blog posts sharing our experiences in Maui and Kauai throughout our 17-day itinerary across Hawaii:

Conclusion

Black Sand Beach in Wai'anapanapa State Park, on the Road to Hana, Maui.

Do you want to swim among coral reefs, rub shoulders with green sea turtles, climb volcanoes, trek through bamboo forests, cruise along roads winding beside an endless blue ocean, stroll beneath rainbow eucalyptus trees, be left speechless by the roar of massive waterfalls, and fall in love with every single sunset? Do you want all of this, and more?

Come to Maui. 😉

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