Hilo

Yes, Hilo, Hawaii is worth visiting for travelers who enjoy a lush, tropical environment with rainforests, waterfalls, and a slower pace than the other side of the Big Island, offering a vibrant town experience with attractions like the Hilo Farmers Market, Rainbow Falls, and proximity to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It's ideal for those who appreciate natural beauty and local culture over luxury resorts and bustling nightlife, and it serves as a great base for exploring the eastern side of the island.

Hilo is not your typical tourist town but very easy to fall in love with. It is rainy and charming, tropical and laid back. People are friendly, and time here seems to run just a bit slower than on the Kona side of the island.

For a day in Hilo, explore waterfalls like Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls State Park, visit the Hilo Farmers Market for local goods, stroll through Liliʻuokalani Gardens, or head to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. You can also explore the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo, swim at Carlsmith Beach Park, learn at the Pacific Tsunami Museum, or see black sand beaches like Richardson Ocean Park.

Choose Kona for a sunny, beach-focused experience with more resorts and tourist amenities, or Hilo for a lush, rainforest-rich environment with waterfalls, gardens, and a local, laid-back vibe. Your best choice depends on whether you prioritize sun, beaches, and activity (Kona) or rainforests, waterfalls, and a more local feel (Hilo).

Hilo is renowned for its stunning natural beauty. Visitors can marvel at the majestic Rainbow Falls, where an 80-foot waterfall cascades into an emerald pool, often with a rainbow visible in the morning mist. A short drive away, Akaka Falls State Park offers a loop trail to see the towering 442-foot Akaka Falls and the nearby Kahuna Falls. The Liliʻuokalani Gardens provide a serene Japanese-style landscape with koi ponds and stone lanterns.