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

Should you visit Hilo or Hope?

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

Should I visit Hilo or Hope? 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 friendly, authentic, and laid back town. Hilo is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, food, and beaches. See Hilo travel costs.

Hope

Hope is a local, small, and friendly town. It's also popular because of the hiking. See Hope travel costs.

Hilo and Hope: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hilo or Hope?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Hilo than Hope, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Hilo is more touristy than Hope and is known for its nearby rainforests, waterfalls, and green gardens. Also, Hilo is famous for Akaka Falls State Park. Hope is well known for its chainsaw carvings and being the filming location of "Rambo."

How is Hilo different from Hope?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hope 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 Hope?

Hilo is very good for its historical sights. However, Hope is not known for its sights and museums.

Hilo is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Top museums in and around town include the Lyman Museum, the Pacific Tsunami Museum, Imiloa Astronomy Center, and Mokupapapa Discovery Center.

Hope offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. You can check out Hopes Art Gallery, The Sunshine Valley Tashme Museum, or the Hope Museum.

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

Hilo is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Hope is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Hope. There's a decent selection of casual restaurants with basic dishes and local cuisine.

Is Hilo or Hope Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find respectable options in both Hilo and Hope.

Hilo doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a town that goes to bed early, but there are some local bars that have a chill and relaxing atmosphere.

Most people don't head to Hope specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town but there are some local pubs and bars.

Is Hilo or Hope Better for Resorts?

Hilo is adequate for its luxury resorts. However, Hope is not a resort destination.

Hilo has a few resort options worth checking out. You'll find more hotels than resorts in town.

Hope is not a resort destination.

Is Hilo or Hope Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hilo is adequate for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Hope is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Hilo. Richardsons Ocean Park is the best snorkeling spot nearby but, in general, the water near town has poor visibility because of the frequent rain.

Hope is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Hilo or Hope Better for Beaches?

Hilo is very good for its beaches. However, Hope is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Hilo to enjoy the beach. 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.

Hope is not a beach destination.

Is Hilo or Hope Better for Hiking?

Hilo is a world-class destination for hiking. Also, Hope is not as popular, but is still a nice town for the nearby hiking options.

Many people visit Hilo specifically for its hiking. You'll find incredible hikes in the area to many impressive waterfalls. There are also coastal trails and hikes to spectacular viewpoints.

Hope is a popular spot for hiking. There are a range of hikes in the area, like more challenging routes such as Hope Mountain and Wells Peak. For a more casual hike you can check out Rotary Trail, Thacker Marsh Trail, and the Othello Tunnels.

Is the Shopping Better in Hilo or Hope?

If you're looking to go shopping, Hilo and Hope both offer plenty of respectable spots.

Hilo has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You can pick up anything you need in town, just head to Hilo Shopping Center.

Hope is a good destination for shopping. It's a small town, but there are places to peak up anything you may have forgotten.

Is Hilo or Hope More Beautiful?

Hilo is a great town for its scenery and beauty. However, Hope is not a destination known for its beauty.

Hilo is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. This side of the island is filled with beautiful waterfalls, lush rainforests, and tropical gardens.

Hope is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Hilo or Hope Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Hilo or Hope.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Hilo. 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.

Hope is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love enjoying the outdoors just as much as the adults. You can also visit the Hope Museum or the Coquihalla Gorge.

Is Hilo or Hope Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Hilo and Hope make for a great place to visit.

Hilo is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Hope is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy adventures and nature will love a few days in this beautiful area.

Is Hilo or Hope Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Hilo and Hope are great places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Hilo. The town has several local hostels that many backpackers prefer for their authentic and mellow atmospheres.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Hope. There are many camping and backpacking opportunities in the area.

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

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

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Hope. There is no public transit in town.

Is Hilo or Hope a more walkable city?

Hilo is very good for its walkability. However, Hope is not known for its high level of walkability.

Hilo is somewhat walkable. 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.

Hope is generally not very walkable. The town is relatively walkable, but you'll likely want to get into the surrounding area where most of the activities are.

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

Should I spend more time in Hope or Hilo?

How long in Hilo or Hope?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hilo and Hope. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hilo than in Hope. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Hilo, and 2-3 days is enough time in Hope.

Families should spend more time in Hilo than Hope. 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 Hope. 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 Hope 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 Hope?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Hilo. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the when visiting the destination of Hope. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Hilo or Hope?

Hilo is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the hiking. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Hope 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.

Five days in Hilo or Hope?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the friendly destination of Hilo. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find around the friendly destination of Hope. This town 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.

A week in Hilo or Hope?

Visitors enjoy the food and museums when visiting the laid back town of Hilo. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

The local town of Hope 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.

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 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hilo and Hope, we can see that Hilo is more expensive. And not only is Hope much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hope would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hope 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 Hope.

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

Which is Bigger, Hilo or Hope?

Hilo has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Hope. When comparing the sizes of Hilo and Hope, 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.

When is the best time to visit Hilo or Hope?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Hilo or Hope in the Summer?

Both Hope and Hilo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hilo this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hope for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Hilo is a little warmer than Hope. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hilo in July average around 76°F (24°C), and Hope averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite rainy in Hilo. In July, Hilo usually receives more rain than Hope. Hilo gets 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hilo or Hope in the Autumn?

Both Hope and Hilo during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Hilo for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Hope in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Hilo is generally much warmer than Hope. Daily temperatures in Hilo average around 76°F (24°C), and Hope fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

Hope gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hilo. Hilo usually gets more rain in October than Hope. Hilo gets 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hilo or Hope in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hilo and Hope. Many visitors come to Hilo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Hope for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Hope can be very cold during winter. Hilo is much warmer than Hope in the winter. The daily temperature in Hilo averages around 72°F (22°C) in January, and Hope fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Hope receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hilo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Hilo usually receives more rain than Hope. Hilo gets 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 201 mm (7.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hilo or Hope in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hilo as well as Hope. Most visitors come to Hilo for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Hilo is much warmer than Hope. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hilo in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Hope averages at about 9°C (49°F).

It's quite rainy in Hope. Hilo receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hilo usually gets more rain in April than Hope. Hilo gets 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hope and Hilo