A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hilo vs. Calgary for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Hilo or Calgary?

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

Should I visit Hilo or Calgary? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Hilo

Hilo is a mellow, friendly, and authentic town. The beauty of Hilo is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food. See Hilo travel costs.

Calgary

Calgary is a authentic, western, and local city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Calgary travel costs.

Hilo and Calgary: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hilo or Calgary?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Hilo. Although Hilo and Calgary are both popular with visitors, Hilo has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Hilo is more popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Calgary is known for its nightlife and shopping. Hilo is popular for its nearby rainforests, waterfalls, and green gardens. It is also home to Akaka Falls State Park. Calgary is popular for its farming and oil industries as well as the Calgary Stampede.

How is Hilo different from Calgary?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hilo or Calgary?

You'll find a number of good museums and attractions in both Calgary and Hilo.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Hilo. Top museums in and around town include the Lyman Museum, the Pacific Tsunami Museum, Imiloa Astronomy Center, and Mokupapapa Discovery Center.

Calgary is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's worth visiting the Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary, the Hangar Flight Museum, and Heritage Park, among others.

Is the Food Better in Hilo or Calgary? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hilo is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Hilo. This is the largest city on the island and you'll find a restaurant scene that caters to both locals and tourists. There are a number of local dishes that you can try such as Pla Rad Prik (a Thai fish dish), mushroom pot pie, and crab and avocado melt.

Calgary may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The food scene is constantly evolving and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants. The city is known for its beef, so you should definitely sample a local steak.

Is Hilo or Calgary Better for Nightlife?

Calgary is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Hilo is not known for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Calgary has a few options to choose from. Visitors often head to Stephen Avenue Walk for its bars and pubs. There's also a decent theater scene around town.

Most people don't head to Hilo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a town that goes to bed early, but there are some local bars that have a chill and relaxing atmosphere.

Is Hilo or Calgary Better for Resorts?

Hilo is a town with a few options for its resorts. However, Calgary is not a resort destination.

Not known for its high-end resorts, Hilo offers a few options. You'll find more hotels than resorts in town.

Calgary is not a resort destination.

Is Hilo or Calgary Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hilo is a town with a few options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Calgary is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Hilo has a few snorkeling spots. Richardsons Ocean Park is the best snorkeling spot nearby but, in general, the water near town has poor visibility because of the frequent rain.

Calgary is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Hilo or Calgary Better for Beaches?

Hilo is a town with good options for the beach. However, Calgary is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Hilo. The town isn't really known for its beaches but there are some decent options if you want to stay nearby and hit the coastline. Beaches in the area include Coconut Island, Reeds Bay Beach Park, and Onekahakaha Beach Park.

Calgary is not a beach destination.

Is Hilo or Calgary Better for Hiking?

Hilo is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, Calgary is not a hiking destination.

Around Hilo visitors will find world-class hiking trails. You'll find incredible hikes in the area to many impressive waterfalls. There are also coastal trails and hikes to spectacular viewpoints.

Calgary is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hilo or Calgary?

Calgary is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Hilo is not known for shopping.

Calgary has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plenty of independent shops around town as well as some great shopping neighborhoods. Make sure you check out Fourth Street and 17th Avenue. There are also large shopping malls.

Hilo is a good destination for shopping. You can pick up anything you need in town, just head to Hilo Shopping Center.

Is Hilo or Calgary More Beautiful?

Hilo is well known for its scenery and beauty. However, Calgary is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Hilo is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. This side of the island is filled with beautiful waterfalls, lush rainforests, and tropical gardens.

Calgary is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Hilo or Calgary Better for Families?

Hilo is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Hilo is a very kid-friendly town. The town has an authentic and unpretentious vibe that is fun for families. There are low key beaches, farmer's markets, local museums, and nearby hiking. If you want to stay away from the larger resorts and see a more local side to Hawaii, then this is a great option.

Calgary offers lots of family activities. There are a surprising number of things around town to do with kids such as petting zoos, museums, and even amusement parks. The Calgary Zoo is worth a visit, but also make sure you check out Calaway Park Amusement Park and the Telus Spark science center.

Is Hilo or Calgary Better for Couples?

Hilo is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Hilo frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples will enjoy visiting Liliuokalani Gardens, taking sunset cruises, and sampling the local cuisine. The town also makes a good base for hiking and exploring the beaches on the island.

Calgary is a good town for couples to visit. You'll find outdoor sports, boat tours, and plenty of great restaurants around town. If you're looking for a low key destination with a great vibe, then this is a great city for a weekend trip.

Is Hilo or Calgary Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hilo is well known for backpackers. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Hilo is a great town to visit for backpackers. The town has several local hostels that many backpackers prefer for their authentic and mellow atmospheres.

Plenty of backpackers visit Calgary. A surprising number of backpackers end up passing through town, so you'll find a handful of hostels to choose from.

Is Hilo or Calgary Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Calgary is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Hilo is not known for its public transit.

While Calgary offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The public transportation system is relatively efficient with both light rail and buses.

Public transit is generally limited in Hilo. The Hele-On is a bus service that connects Hilo to Kona with north and south routes.

Is Hilo or Calgary a more walkable city?

Hilo is a town with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

Hilo is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown is a nice place to take a stroll, but if you want to get out of town, and you really should, then you'll need a car.

Calgary is generally not a very walkable town. While there are a couple of walkable neighborhood's around town, it's definitely not the most walkable city.

For even more information, also check out Is Hilo Worth Visiting? and Is Calgary Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calgary or Hilo?

How long in Hilo or Calgary?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Hilo or Calgary to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Hilo than Calgary because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Hilo, and 1-2 days is enough time in Calgary.

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

Couples should spend more time in Hilo than Calgary. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Hilo that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hilo than Calgary 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 Hilo.

One day in Hilo or Calgary?

In Hilo, you'll find food and museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Calgary. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Hilo or Calgary?

In Hilo, you'll find museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Calgary is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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.

Five days in Hilo or Calgary?

Hilo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hilo has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find shopping and museums around the authentic destination of Calgary. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Hilo or Calgary?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hilo. In Hilo, you'll find museums and food. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

The authentic city of Calgary offers museums and nightlife. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hilo and Calgary, we can see that Hilo is more expensive. And not only is Calgary much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Calgary would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Calgary 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 Hilo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hilo than you might in Calgary.

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

Which is Bigger, Hilo or Calgary?

Calgary has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Hilo. When comparing the sizes of Hilo and Calgary, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.