As we were planning our trip around the Big Island of Hawaii, the big question for us was where we should spend most of our time: Kona or Hilo? After consulting a few friends and scouring hundreds of articles and blogs, we decided on spending most of our time in Kona. While we certainly enjoyed our trip and do not regret our decision — we did, however, think Hilo was incredible! If we were to plan a trip today, we would certainly spend more time in Hilo than just one night! Here are a few categories of activities you might enjoy and I’ll be sharing which city I think does it better.
If you want to see an itinerary of what we did on the Big Island — check out the Rose Family Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) Guide to the Big Island.
Restaurants and Groceries
Winner: Hilo
I am going to need to say Hilo has better restaurants. There were so many local, culinary standouts in Hilo. There are quite a few tours for tourists to check out the local restaurant scene in Hilo, because that’s how great they are. If only they had a vegan tour though..
Kona has a few great restaurants, without a doubt, but Hilo simply has more to offer. Hilo has an amazing natural grocery store that we loved and wished we could have done more shopping at.
Ocean/Beach Activities
Winner: Kona
Kona is the clear winner on ocean and beaches. The water is clearer, the coral reef and fish are more abundant and brighter, and the sheer number of beach options are better on the Kona coast of the Big Island. You may need to do a little driving (an hour or so north and south of Kona), but they are other-worldly in terms of beauty.
Hiking/Nature (on land) Activities
Winner: Hilo
Similar to the Ocean/Beach activities category, you may need to drive within an hour or so from Hilo to hit the ultra-beautiful natural landscapes and hiking activities, but the options are unmatched! Whether you are looking for a day at Akaka Falls, an afternoon at the Hawaii Botanical Preserve, or using Hilo as your base to explore the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park — Hilo wins this category.
Ice Cream
Winner: Tie
This is a tough one. We loved Nicoco Gelato so much, but did not get to try all of the options in our one night in Hilo. Kona also has the ice cream shop at Journey’s Cafe (Sweet Journey) and Gypsea Gelato. Both places leave you highly satisfied on the ice cream front.
Resorts
Winner: Kona
Without a doubt, Kona has the better options for resorts — with luxury rooms and amenities. You simply will not find those in Hilo. This is a big must-have for a lot of travelers to Hawaii, and if so, you should stay in Kona.
Urban/Local Vibe
Winner: Hilo
I have to say, visiting Hilo was a lot of fun. The downtown area felt more like a real city, whereas Kona felt more like a collection of tourist shops and hotels. The vibe and feel of Hilo felt earthy and artsy. If you enjoy a more “down-to-earth” spot, you might find yourself drawn to the Hilo side of the big island.
I wish I would have had a guide like this when I was first planning our trip to the Big Island, so I hope this contributes to your decision making on where to stay and spend your days on the Big Island. It is worth seeing both cities, but definitely depending on your priorities for vacation — you make like one side better!