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

Should you visit Hilo or Victoria?

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

Should I visit Hilo or Victoria? 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 laid back, mellow, and friendly town. With stunning beauty, Hilo attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and museums. See Hilo travel costs.

Victoria

Victoria is a cultural, scenic, and relaxing city. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Victoria travel costs.

Hilo and Victoria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hilo or Victoria?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Hilo. Although Hilo and Victoria are popular destinations, Hilo has more sights and attractions for tourists. Hilo is very popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Victoria attracts visitors for its nightlife and shopping. Hilo is famous for its nearby rainforests, waterfalls, and green gardens. It is also well known for Akaka Falls State Park. Victoria is famous for its colonial buildings and public parks.

How is Hilo different from Victoria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Victoria 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.

Victoria is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several popular museums like the Royal BC Museum and Craigdarroch Castle. Also make sure you check out the Parliament Buildings.

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

Hilo is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Hilo has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Victoria offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find tons of fresh seafood around town. Make sure you try to the Dungeness crab, wild caught salmon, and fish chowder.

Is Hilo or Victoria Better for Nightlife?

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

If you're looking for night time activities Victoria has a few options to choose from. There are a good number of bars and pubs around town. Most offer a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy a cold drink in a casual setting.

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 Victoria Better for Resorts?

Hilo is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Victoria is not a resort destination.

You might not think of Hilo as a resort destination, but it has a few places. You'll find more hotels than resorts in town.

Victoria is not a resort destination.

Is Hilo or Victoria Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hilo is a decent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Victoria is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to 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.

Victoria is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Hilo or Victoria Better for Beaches?

Hilo is a good destination for the beach. However, Victoria is not a beach destination.

Hilo offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Victoria is not a beach destination.

Is Hilo or Victoria Better for Hiking?

Hilo is an amazing town to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Hilo is well-known for its hiking and trekking. You'll find incredible hikes in the area to many impressive waterfalls. There are also coastal trails and hikes to spectacular viewpoints.

Victoria is a good destination for hiking. There are many outdoor spaces and parks that offer local hiking trails. This is a great way to experience the scenic beauty of the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Hilo or Victoria?

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

Victoria has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plenty of larger shopping malls as well as local boutiques and farmer's markets.

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 Victoria More Beautiful?

Hilo is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Victoria is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Hilo attracts visitors from all around. This side of the island is filled with beautiful waterfalls, lush rainforests, and tropical gardens.

Victoria is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Hilo or Victoria Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Hilo or Victoria.

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.

Victoria is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are plenty of opportunities to get outside and get the energy out. Walking trails are popular. You can also do the Malahat SkyWalk which offers impressive views. Cadboro-Gyro Park has a playground, zip-line, and picnic areas. Another hightlight for kids is a visit to the Beacon Hill Children's Farm. If the weather isn't cooperating, you can visit the BC Aviation Museum.

Is Hilo or Victoria Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Hilo and Victoria make for a superb 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.

Victoria is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city offers many great activities for couples such as a visit to Hatley Park and Castle. The city is also famous for its many flower gardens which are best visited in spring. Kayaking, hiking, and exploring are also favorite activities for couples.

Is Hilo or Victoria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hilo is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Victoria. There are a few hostels around town that attract the backpacker and budget traveler crowd.

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

Hilo and Victoria both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

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 generally limited in Victoria. While there are buses, it's best not to count on them because they're not particularly reliable.

Is Hilo or Victoria a more walkable city?

Victoria is a great city for its ease of walking around. Also, Hilo is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Victoria is a very walkable destination. Many of the sights are close by and easy to walk to.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Victoria or Hilo?

How long in Hilo or Victoria?

It's fun to spend time in either Hilo or Victoria. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Hilo due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Hilo, and 3-4 days is enough time in Victoria.

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

The beautiful town of Hilo offers museums and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Victoria. 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 Victoria?

Hilo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Victoria is a fun place to experience. 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.

Five days in Hilo or Victoria?

Hilo is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Hilo, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Victoria. 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 Victoria?

Hilo is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hilo has to offer. This town offers something for everyone.

The relaxing city of Victoria offers nightlife and food. 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 Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Hilo and Victoria, we can see that Hilo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Hilo or Victoria?

Victoria has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Hilo. When comparing the sizes of Hilo and Victoria, 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 Victoria?

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 Victoria in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hilo and Victoria. Most visitors come to Hilo for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Victoria because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Hilo is much warmer than Victoria in the summer. The daily temperature in Hilo averages around 76°F (24°C) in July, and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Hilo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hilo usually receives more rain than Victoria. Hilo gets 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hilo or Victoria in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hilo as well as Victoria. The autumn months attract visitors to Hilo because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Victoria this time of year.

In the autumn, Hilo is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hilo in October average around 76°F (24°C), and Victoria averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Hilo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hilo usually gets more rain in October than Victoria. Hilo gets 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hilo or Victoria in the Winter?

Both Victoria and Hilo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hilo this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Victoria for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Victoria. In January, Hilo is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Hilo average around 72°F (22°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Victoria. It's quite rainy in Hilo. In January, Hilo usually receives more rain than Victoria. Hilo gets 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hilo or Victoria in the Spring?

Both Victoria and Hilo during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Hilo for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Hilo is much warmer than Victoria in the spring. The daily temperature in Hilo averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hilo. Hilo usually gets more rain in April than Victoria. Hilo gets 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Victoria and Hilo