A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Acadia National Park vs. Maui for Beaches, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Acadia National Park or Maui?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Acadia National Park or Maui, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is a beautiful, scenic, and picturesque national park. The beauty of Acadia National Park is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches and hiking. See Acadia National Park travel costs.

Maui

Maui is a adventure-filled, breathtaking, and stunning island. Maui is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Maui travel costs.

Acadia National Park and Maui: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Acadia National Park or Maui?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Maui. Although Acadia National Park and Maui are both popular with visitors, Maui has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Maui is more touristy than Acadia National Park and is popular for its beach-filled coastline, world-class snorkeling and scuba diving, dramatic landscapes, and paradise environment. It is also home to Haleakala National Park. Acadia National Park is popular for its scenic drives, beautiful fall foliage, and cross country skiing in the winter.

How is Acadia National Park different from Maui?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Maui and Acadia National Park. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Acadia National Park or Maui?

You'll find a number of decent museums and attractions in both Maui and Acadia National Park.

While most people don't head to Acadia National Park specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are educational centers and Ranger Programs at the visitor centers in the park.

Maui offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people prefer not to spend their time inside or at a museum, but for a rainy day you can check out the Maui Ocean Center.

Is the Food Better in Acadia National Park or Maui? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Acadia National Park and Maui both to be decent destinations.

Acadia National Park may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. There's one restaurant in the park, the Jordan Pond House Restaurant, which serves lunch and dinner between mid-May and October. Many visitors prefer to bring their own food and enjoy meals at one of the six picnic areas.

Maui offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Like the other Hawaiian islands, food is expensive and of varying quality here, but the food scene continues to grow and improve. There are eclectic food trucks where you can try local flavors. There's also plenty of fresh tropical produce like mangos, avocadoes, and coconuts. Seafood is common on many menus as well.

Is Acadia National Park or Maui Better for Nightlife?

Neither Acadia National Park or Maui offer decent nightlife.

Acadia National Park doesn't offer many options. The park is more about sunsets and stargazing than lively nightlife parties.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Maui. The island is not known for its nightlife, but the limited activities that do exist you'll find in Kaanapali and Lahaina.

Is Acadia National Park or Maui Better for Resorts?

Maui is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Acadia National Park is not a resort destination.

Maui is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There are a number of nice resorts, but there are also VRBOs, condos, and local hotels where you can stay. High-end luxury resorts on the island include The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua and Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. There are also more reasonable priced resorts without all of the glitz and glam.

Acadia National Park is not a resort destination.

Is Acadia National Park or Maui Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Maui is a very popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Acadia National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Maui to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. The island has excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. You can really find it anywhere on the island, but some places are more crowded than others. Some of the best beaches for snorkeling include Honolua Bay, Slaughterhouse (Mokuleia Bay), DT Fleming Beach, and Kapalua Bay.

Acadia National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Acadia National Park or Maui Better for Beaches?

Maui is a world-class destination for the beach. Also, Acadia National Park is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

The beaches in Maui are among the best in the world. The island has stunning beaches and more miles of swimmable beach than any of the other Hawaiian islands. One of the best swimming beaches is Kapalua Beach, but other favorite beaches include Makena Beach State Park, Ka'anapali Beach, Baldwin Beach Park, and Wai'anapanapa State Park.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Acadia National Park. There is one oceanside beach in the park, Sand Beach, as well as two lakefront beaches, Echo Lake Beach and Lake Wood. Many visitors enjoy swimming during the warmer months.

Is Acadia National Park or Maui Better for Hiking?

Maui is a world-class destination for its hiking trails. Also, Acadia National Park is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Known for its hiking, Maui draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. There are many diverse hikes on the island that pass through different landscapes and ecosystems. Hikes range from easy to challenging and are of varying length. Some of the favorites include 'Iao Valley State Park, Haleakala's Sliding Sands Trail (in Haleakala National Park), and The Pipiwai Trail.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Acadia National Park. With 158 miles of hiking trails, this is a favorite activity for visitors to the park. There are diverse habitats that trails pass through including forests, estuaries, and coastal settings.

Is the Shopping Better in Acadia National Park or Maui?

Maui is a nice place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Acadia National Park is lacking in good options for shopping.

Maui has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are many shopping centers where you'll find souvenirs, Hawaiian clothing, and even handmade crafts. If you forgot something from home, you'll also find many of the major chains that are common on the mainland.

Acadia National Park has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are several park stores near visitor centers and campgrounds.

Is Acadia National Park or Maui More Beautiful?

Maui is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Acadia National Park is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

Maui is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. With its dramatic mountains and beautiful blue water, this island offers stunning beauty.

Acadia National Park is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The dramatic ocean views and beautiful hiking trails make this a popular and scenic national park.

Is Acadia National Park or Maui Better for Families?

Maui is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Acadia National Park is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Maui is an amazing family-friendly island to visit. It is one of the best of the Hawaiian islands to explore with kids. There's plenty of snorkeling, outdoor adventure sports, and hiking that are great for kids of all ages. There are some kid-friendly beaches where kids can play in the water. There's also the Maui Ocean Center, Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm, and 'Iao Valley State Park.

Acadia National Park is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are campgrounds and games that kids will enjoy. There are also Ranger Programs and hiking trails that are great for kids of all ages.

Is Acadia National Park or Maui Better for Couples?

Maui is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Acadia National Park is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Maui has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Couples will enjoy the outdoor sports, excellent snorkeling and diving, and beautiful waterfalls that make for a romantic getaway. There are world-class resorts and breathtaking scenery that attract honeymooning couples from around the globe.

Acadia National Park is a nice destination for couples. The natural beauty and scenic trails make this a romantic destination for couples.

Is Acadia National Park or Maui Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Acadia National Park is a popular place for backpackers. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Acadia National Park. There are campgrounds and hiking trails that attracts hikers and backpackers who enjoy the beautiful natural setting.

Maui is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Like most of the Hawaiian Islands, everything is expensive here and even though there are a couple of hostels, you can still expect to pay high prices for them. Public transportation is also limited so you'll really need to rent a car if you hope to explore the island in depth.

Is Acadia National Park or Maui Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find decent public transit in both Acadia National Park and Maui.

Public transit is mostly limited in Acadia National Park. The Island Explorer Shuttle Bus operates between late June and early October.

Public transit is generally limited in Maui. The island does have a bus system with 14 routes, but most visitors prefer to have their own transportation to get around.

Is Acadia National Park or Maui a more walkable city?

Acadia National Park is a national park with a few options for its high level of walkability. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Acadia National Park is generally not very walkable. There are countless hiking trails, but having a car allows more efficient access to everything that the park has to offer.

Maui is not a very walkable national park. The island is large enough that you'll want to have access to a car if you hope to explore it in its entirety.

For even more information, also check out Is Acadia National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Maui Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Maui or Acadia National Park?

How long in Acadia National Park or Maui?

Both Acadia National Park and Maui have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Maui than in Acadia National Park. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Acadia National Park, and 3-7 days is enough time in Maui.

Families should spend more time in Maui than Acadia National Park. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Maui, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Maui than Acadia National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Maui that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Acadia National Park than Maui if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Acadia National Park.

One day in Acadia National Park or Maui?

Visitors enjoy the when visiting the destination of Acadia National Park. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the beautiful destination of Maui. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Acadia National Park or Maui?

Acadia National Park is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Maui is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Acadia National Park or Maui?

You'll find around the beautiful destination of Acadia National Park. This national park offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many people visit Maui for five days. Many travelers enjoy the shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the beautiful island of Maui. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

A week in Acadia National Park or Maui?

The picturesque national park of Acadia National Park offers . Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the breathtaking destination of Maui. Many people spend one week here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Maui, one week is sufficent for most.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Acadia National Park and Maui, we can see that Maui is more expensive. And not only is Acadia National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Acadia National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Acadia National Park and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Maui would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Maui than you might in Acadia National Park.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Acadia National Park Expensive? and Is Maui Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Acadia National Park or Maui?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Acadia National Park or Maui in the Summer?

Both Maui and Acadia National Park during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Acadia National Park in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Maui for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Acadia National Park is generally cooler than Maui. Daily temperatures in Acadia National Park average around 69°F (21°C), and Maui fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

Acadia National Park usually gets more rain in July than Maui. Acadia National Park gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Acadia National Park or Maui in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Acadia National Park and Maui. Most visitors come to Acadia National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Maui because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Acadia National Park is much colder than Maui in the autumn. The daily temperature in Acadia National Park averages around 48°F (9°C) in October, and Maui fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

In October, Acadia National Park usually receives more rain than Maui. Acadia National Park gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Acadia National Park or Maui in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Acadia National Park as well as Maui. The winter months attract visitors to Acadia National Park because of the museums and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Maui this time of year.

The weather in Acadia National Park can be very cold. In the winter, Acadia National Park is much colder than Maui. Typically, the winter temperatures in Acadia National Park in January average around 18°F (-8°C), and Maui averages at about 72°F (22°C).

It's quite rainy in Maui. Acadia National Park usually gets less rain in January than Maui. Acadia National Park gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Acadia National Park or Maui in the Spring?

Both Maui and Acadia National Park are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Acadia National Park this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Maui for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Acadia National Park is generally much colder than Maui. Daily temperatures in Acadia National Park average around 43°F (6°C), and Maui fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

In April, Acadia National Park usually receives more rain than Maui. Acadia National Park gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Maui and Acadia National Park