A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Pocono Mountains vs. Maui for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Resorts

Should you visit Pocono Mountains or Maui?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pocono Mountains and Maui can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Pocono Mountains

Pocono Mountains is a magnificent, relaxing, and scenic region. Pocono Mountains is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Pocono Mountains travel costs.

Maui

Maui is a idyllic, adventure-filled, and breathtaking island. You'll find world class beauty in Maui as well. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Maui travel costs.

Pocono Mountains and Maui: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pocono Mountains or Maui?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Maui than Pocono Mountains, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Maui is better known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Pocono Mountains is more popular for its skiing, museums and attractions, food, and nightlife. Maui is more touristy than Pocono Mountains and is known for its beach-filled coastline, world-class snorkeling and scuba diving, dramatic landscapes, and paradise environment. Also, Maui is famous for Haleakala National Park. Pocono Mountains is well known for its hiking trails, boating and fishing, and small towns.

How is Pocono Mountains different from Maui?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Pocono Mountains or Maui Better for Skiing?

Pocono Mountains is a great destination for winter skiing. However, Maui is not a skiing destination.

People head to Pocono Mountains specifically to take advantage of the area's skiing and winter sports. There are a number of ski resorts in the area that offer family-friendly skiing or more advanced options. Some of the most popular ski areas are Big Boulder, Blue Mountain, Camelback Mountain, and Jack Frost Mountain.

Maui is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Pocono Mountains or Maui?

Pocono Mountains is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

Pocono Mountains offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Visiting a local museum is a great way to learn about the area's history and Native American population. For a glimpse back in time, you can visit the Asa Packer Mansion, Grey Towers National Historic Landmark, or Columns Museum. The Old Jail Museum is a fascinating place to visit and even offers ghost tours. The Pocono Indian Museum and Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm are both worth a visit as well.

While most people don't head to Maui specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. 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 Pocono Mountains or Maui? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pocono Mountains is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Pocono Mountains. Family-friendly restaurants are common. Many serve up casual American cuisine like burgers or pasta. There are also more upscale restaurants, some with impressive views, that will elevate your culinary experience. For a local experience, find a restaurant with a seasonal menu that makes the most of the local ingredients.

Maui may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. 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 Pocono Mountains or Maui Better for Nightlife?

Pocono Mountains is a region with a few options for nightlife and partying. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Pocono Mountains is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There are some resorts with casinos and bars as well as local breweries and bars. You'll also find a theater or two in the area.

The nightlife scene is quiet 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 Pocono Mountains or Maui Better for Resorts?

Maui is notable for its resorts. Also, Pocono Mountains is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for its luxury resorts.

In Maui, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. 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.

Pocono Mountains has a few great resort options. Resorts range from family-friendly to romantic. Many have indoor pools or even water parks. Some also have spas, restaurants, and plenty of amenities.

Is Pocono Mountains or Maui Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Maui is notable for its diving and snorkeling. However, Pocono Mountains is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Maui is an extremely popular place to visit for 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.

Pocono Mountains is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pocono Mountains or Maui Better for Beaches?

Maui is a must-visit destination for the beach. However, Pocono Mountains is not a beach destination.

Maui is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

Pocono Mountains is not a beach destination.

Is Pocono Mountains or Maui Better for Hiking?

Maui is a must-visit destination for the nearby hiking options. Also, Pocono Mountains is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for its hiking trails.

Around Maui visitors will find world-class hiking 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.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Pocono Mountains. There are miles of hiking trails that take you through forests or to spectacular waterfalls. Trails range from easy to challenging and each offers a great way to escape into nature. Some of the more popular trails are found in Tobyhanna State Park and Promised Land State Park. The Appalachian Trail also passes through the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Pocono Mountains or Maui?

Both Pocono Mountains and Maui are notable shopping destinations.

Pocono Mountains offers some nice shopping areas. Head to the towns for some the best local shopping. The downtown areas in each of the major towns - Jim Thorpe, Stroudsburg, Milford, and Honesdale - have local vendors, antique shops, and the occasional flea market or farmer's market.

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.

Is Pocono Mountains or Maui More Beautiful?

Maui is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Pocono Mountains is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for its scenery and beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Maui as well. With its dramatic mountains and beautiful blue water, this island offers stunning beauty.

Pocono Mountains offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The mountains, valleys, lakes, and streams offer impressive beauty and a peaceful setting.

Is Pocono Mountains or Maui Better for Families?

Maui is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Pocono Mountains is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Maui is an extremely popular island to visit for families. 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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Pocono Mountains. There's horseback riding in the warmer seasons and kid-friendly skiing in the winter. The kids will also enjoy the hiking, ziplining, and indoor waterparks in the area. Animal farms and petting zoos are also popular, particularly with the younger kids.

Is Pocono Mountains or Maui Better for Couples?

Maui is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Pocono Mountains is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for couples.

Maui is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Pocono Mountains makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Romantic resorts, cozy cabins, and luxurious spas all make this a wonderful couples destination. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the hiking and adventure sports in the area, while those looking for a more relaxed experience will appreciate the dining and cultural activities.

Is Pocono Mountains or Maui Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pocono Mountains is a great destination for backpackers. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Pocono Mountains is a great region to visit for backpackers. There's no shortage of campgrounds, cabins, and hiking opportunities that will let backpackers enjoy a bit of nature.

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 Pocono Mountains or Maui Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Pocono Mountains and Maui offer respectable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Pocono Mountains. There are some bus services that run between a few towns, but they're not an efficient way to get around.

Public transit is mostly 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 Pocono Mountains or Maui a more walkable city?

Pocono Mountains is a region with a few options for its high level of walkability. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Pocono Mountains is generally not very walkable. While there are plenty of hiking trails and some walkable towns, you really need a car to explore the area.

Maui is not a very walkable region. 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 Pocono Mountains Worth Visiting? and Is Maui Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Maui or Pocono Mountains?

How long in Pocono Mountains or Maui?

Both Pocono Mountains and Maui have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Maui has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Maui than Pocono Mountains. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Maui than Pocono Mountains. 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 Pocono Mountains. 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 Pocono Mountains 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 Pocono Mountains.

One day in Pocono Mountains or Maui?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Pocono Mountains. 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.

You'll find shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling around the breathtaking destination of Maui. Hikers are also drawn to this area. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Pocono Mountains or Maui?

Pocono Mountains is a fun place to experience. 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.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the idyllic island of Maui. It's also a relaxing resort destination. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Five days in Pocono Mountains or Maui?

Visitors enjoy the museums and skiing when visiting the beautiful destination of Pocono Mountains. This region 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.

Maui is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Pocono Mountains or Maui?

Visitors enjoy the skiing and food when visiting the beautiful region of Pocono Mountains. 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.

Maui is a great place to explore. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It is common to spend one week here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Pocono Mountains or Maui?

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 Pocono Mountains or Maui in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pocono Mountains and Maui. Many travelers come to Pocono Mountains for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Maui in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Pocono Mountains is around the same temperature as Maui in the summer. The daily temperature in Pocono Mountains averages around 75°F (24°C) in July, and Maui fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Maui this time of the year. In Pocono Mountains, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pocono Mountains usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Maui during summer. Pocono Mountains gets 288 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 290 hours of full sun in the summer.

Pocono Mountains gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Pocono Mountains usually receives more rain than Maui. Pocono Mountains gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pocono Mountains or Maui in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Pocono Mountains as well as Maui. Many visitors come to Pocono Mountains in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Maui for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Pocono Mountains is much colder than Maui. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pocono Mountains in October average around 55°F (13°C), and Maui averages at about 78°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Maui. In the autumn, Pocono Mountains often gets less sunshine than Maui. Pocono Mountains gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 245 hours of full sun.

Pocono Mountains usually gets more rain in October than Maui. Pocono Mountains gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pocono Mountains or Maui in the Winter?

Both Maui and Pocono Mountains are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Pocono Mountains for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Maui because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Pocono Mountains can be very cold during winter. In January, Pocono Mountains is generally much colder than Maui. Daily temperatures in Pocono Mountains average around 28°F (-2°C), and Maui fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

It's quite sunny in Maui. Pocono Mountains usually receives less sunshine than Maui during winter. Pocono Mountains gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 217 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Maui. In January, Pocono Mountains usually receives less rain than Maui. Pocono Mountains gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pocono Mountains or Maui in the Spring?

Both Maui and Pocono Mountains during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Pocono Mountains because of the natural beauty. Furthermore, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Maui this time of year.

Pocono Mountains is much colder than Maui in the spring. The daily temperature in Pocono Mountains averages around 51°F (11°C) in April, and Maui fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

In Maui, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Pocono Mountains. In the spring, Pocono Mountains often gets less sunshine than Maui. Pocono Mountains gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 231 hours of full sun.

Pocono Mountains usually gets more rain in April than Maui. Pocono Mountains gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Maui and Pocono Mountains