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Maui

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Island of Sun, Surf and Serenity

Maui presents a landscape shaped by volcanic activity and ocean currents. The island features steep mountains descending into valleys where lush forests grow near rivers flowing toward the coast. Black sand beaches line parts of the shoreline, while coral reefs thrive in shallow waters supporting diverse marine life. Visitors encounter taro fields and pineapple farms alongside modern resorts catering to travelers seeking relaxation or adventure activities like hiking and snorkeling. The climate remains mild year-round with trade winds influencing daily conditions across different regions.

Island in United States
Climate zone: Tropical rainforest

Tropical rainforest: Equatorial climates with year-round high temperatures and heavy rainfall, supporting dense evergreen forests and rich biodiversity.

See climate table
Price level: $$$+
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury
See price details
Safety: 7.6
General Safety:8
Health & medical:7
Accessibility:6
Tap water:8
Read details
Tourist English: 5/5
English is the primary language spoken in Maui, making communication easy for English-speaking tourists.
Last update: 21 Oct 2026
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Maui Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work
Excellent for beaches and volcanic landscapes. Drive the Road to Hana, snorkel coral reefs, hike volcanic craters and watch sunrise above the clouds.
Place score
8.8
Best at:
Natural sites
10
Islands
9
Sea
9
Beaches
9
Snorkeling
9
Personal score
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Suited for
👶 7
Families
🧓 6
Seniors
❤️ 9
Couples
🛡️ 8
Travel Beginners
United States – Quick facts
Power Grid: 120 V, 60 Hz
Plug: Type A , Type B
Type A:
Diagram of a Type A power plug
Type B:
Diagram of a Type B power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
£1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info: Rating 5/5
The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used.

Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers: Best value: Saily
Flexibility: Airalo
Read our in-depth comparison
Tipping: Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service.
Public drinking: Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit.
Public smoking: Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary.
Etiquette: Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated.
Thanksgiving
(November)
A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges.
Independence Day
(July)
Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide.
Christmas
(December)
Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots.
Emergency contact: Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps: Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Helpful links: Wikipedia
Visa regulations
Customs & border control
Travel with medicine
Other: The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks.
Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Maui, United States
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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Jun
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Oct
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Nov
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Dec
High season: Jan. - March, June - Aug., Dec.
Shoulder season: April - May, Sep. - Oct.
Crowdedness: 7 (Many tourists)
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
Leeward resort areas (Kaanapali, Wailea, Kihei) stay dry and sunny, windward Hana and the east side are wet year-round
Humpback whale season December to April, best from January to March
Haleakala summit sunrise requires advance reservation and is cold, often near freezing
Road to Hana can close after heavy rain, most likely November to March

Why travel to Maui?

Maui's diverse ecosystems provide endless opportunities for exploration. From the scenic Road to Hāna to the majestic Haleakalā Crater, there's no shortage of natural wonders. The island's rich history and welcoming communities add depth to its appeal.

🏯Places worth seeing
  • 1 Hale Ho'ike'ike at the Bailey House Museum (Maui Historical Society)
  • 2 Paia Youth & Cultural Center
  • 3 ʻĪao Valley State Monument
  • 4 Maui Ocean Center
  • 5 Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum
  • 6 Maui Tropical Plantation
  • 7 Lahaina Historic District
  • 8 Baldwin Home Museum
🎡Places for activities
  • 1 Maui Nui Botanical Gardens
  • 2 Maui Brewing Company
  • 3 Maui Pineapple Tours
  • 4 Hookipa Park Beach
  • 5 Maui Wine
🏞️Natural landmarks
  • 1 Black Sand Beach
  • 2 Haleakalā National Park
  • 3 Iao Needle
  • 4 Nakalele Blowhole
  • 5 Twin Falls
  • 6 Oheo Gulch
  • 7 Waiʻānapanapa State Park
  • 8 Red Sand Beach
🛍️Shopping
  • 1 Maui Swap Meet
  • 2 The Shops At Wailea
  • 3 Maui Mall
  • 4 Whalers General Store
  • 5 Lahaina Cannery Mall
🎈Events
  • Maui Film Festival
  • Maui Whale Festival
  • Aloha Festivals
  • Maui Onion Festival
  • East Maui Taro Festival
  • Hāna Relay
  • Maui Marathon
  • Maui Fair
  • Hula O Nā Keiki
  • Kapalua Wine & Food Festival

Knowledge before you go

  • Rent a car early; essential for exploring beyond resorts.
  • Road to Hana requires full day; start at dawn, pack snacks and download offline maps.
  • Book Haleakalā sunrise permits months ahead; bring warm layers for high-altitude chill.
  • Respect sea turtles and reefs; use reef-safe sunscreen and maintain distance during snorkeling tours.

How to travel to Maui

Most visitors arrive via Kahului Airport (OGG), Maui's main airport, which offers flights from the mainland U.S. and other Hawaiian islands. Inter‑island ferries also connect Maui to neighboring islands like Lanai and Molokai.

Access summary

  • From Kahului Airport (OGG): Shuttle, taxi or rideshare, usually 20–60 minutes.
  • From U.S. West Coast (LA, SF, Seattle): Direct flights typically 5–6 hours.
  • From other Hawaiian islands: Frequent interisland flights around 30–45 minutes.

Where to stay in Maui

Maui offers a range of accommodations, from luxury resorts in Wailea and Kāʻanapali to budget-friendly options in Kīhei and Wailuku. Vacation rentals and boutique inns are also popular choices.

How to get around Maui

Renting a car is the most convenient way to explore Maui, especially for destinations like the Road to Hāna and Haleakalā National Park. Public transportation is limited, but the Maui Bus service offers routes between major towns.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+8 %
Daily expenses in the region are around 8% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend more on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

Backpacker Mid-range Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation
£99
£222
£628
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person
£53
£135
£376
🍝 Food per day
£40
£79
£220
🚕 Transportation per day
£6
£8
£33
Food & Drink
🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person
£30
🍛 Lunch Set, per person
£16
🍟 Fast food combo
£14
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day
£14
☕ Cappuccino
£5.50
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l
£4.50
Transportation
🚌 Public transport ticket
£1.50
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi
£20
⛽ Petrol, 1 l
£0.85
Other
🎞️ Cinema ticket
£10
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult
£120
🤧 Cold medication
£9
💇 Basic haircut
£18

Safety information overview

General safety
8
Maui is generally safe for tourists, but it's advisable to stay informed about local conditions and follow safety guidelines, especially when engaging in water activities.
Health & Medical
7
Healthcare facilities are available, with hospitals and clinics in major towns. It's recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical expenses.
Accessi­bility
6
Major tourist areas are accessible, but some natural attractions may have limited accessibility due to rugged terrain. Plan accordingly if you have mobility concerns.
Tap water
8
Tap water in Maui is safe to drink. Carrying a reusable water bottle is recommended to stay hydrated, especially during outdoor activities.

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