Affordable Kauai: Get the Most for Your Travel Dollar

Kauai Activities Free and Cheap: 12 Recommendations and 1 to Avoid

At time of writing, the information below was accurate but check for yourself before you go as things do tend to change quickly these days.

1. Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Waimea Canyon is on the west side of the island and a long way from where I stayed in Kapaa, but it was so worth the drive that I went twice when I was there. The views are stunning. They were all I needed on my first visit. The second time I went, I hiked. Read Another Hiking Humiliation and Then… Redemption.
2. Water fun. For water sport rentals try Kapaa Beach Shop.
   • Surfing Oh, I was envious. Every morning I'd see a group of 20-somethings put a couple of boards on a car and head to the beach. Fantastic, cheap entertainment. Here's a list of surfing beaches in Kauai. If you don't bring your own board, you can always rent one.
   • Snorkeling Check this list of lifeguarded beaches for swimming and snorkeling which includes descriptions, maps, and directions.
   • Kayaking Kayaking is very popular on the Wailua River. Try to go on a Sunday as, with the exception of Smith Tours, most companies don’t operate on Sundays, so the river will be quieter. Kayak to the start of the trail to the Secret Falls. The hike to the falls is about an hour. Go in the morning and you’ll have more time in that gorgeous forest without a lot of other tourists. Bring a picnic lunch.
3. Farmers' markets. There's a farmers' market somewhere on the island just about every day of the week. Check them out for local food and crafts.
4. Free music.Unfortunately, the place that I went for free, live music closed during Covid. However, here's a list of options.
5. Mead tasting. It's not your typical tourist thing to do. Try the mead tasting at Nani Moon across the way from the Kauai Photo Tours office.
6. Festivals. If you're lucky enough to have the dates of your trip coincide with a local festival you'll get a better sense of the real Kauai. Here's a link to Kauai special events.
7. The Hindu monastery. A reader named Peggy shared the following budget Kauai tip: “One of my favorite things to do in Kauai is visit the Hindu monastery. It is the most beautiful place on the island, in my book. You can only visit between 9:00 am and noon but they are very welcoming of visitors and it is interesting to attend a Hindu service without having to go to India.”
8. Kilauea Lighthouse. Also from Peggy: “The second thing not to miss is the Kilauea lighthouse. I am a birder and this is prime area for seeing red and blue-footed Boobies.” Neither of Peggy's activities cost money. Peggy's splurge recommendations: “I do recommend two things that cost money but are worth it – a helicopter flight over the island (you only need to do this once during your lifetime) and lunch or tea at the St. Regis in Hanalei. The food is farm-to-table, the hotel is posh, and the view of Hanalei Bay is unrivalled.”
9. Sunrises and sunsets on the cheap. I saw my first Kauai sunrise through the window at the foot of my hostel bed. I woke up. Sat up. And there it was. Taking in the sunrises and sunsets are essential to any trip to Kauai. You can enjoy them on a wild beach or take them in at a resort lounge such as in Princeville. A bar or lounge at a nice hotel offers a bit of luxury for the price of a beer when on a budget trip.
10. Long oceanfront walks. It's an island. It's an island with one main road that follows the coast for much of it. A long oceanfront walk beckons. It's another essential experience in Kauai.
11. Beaches. I particularly liked Anini and Anahola, both of which have lifeguards. I found Poipu, a very popular destination, to be a little too crowded for my liking.
12. Hiking. From easy to challenging, there's hiking for every level in Kauai. I did a number of hikes beyond the Waimea Canyon. I found this site to be the most helpful in planning my hikes. I particularly like the kayak/hike to the secret falls. See below for more details on this.

One thing not to do. I'd advise against going to the South Pacific Dinner show. It's not cheap (about $100), the buffet is only okay, and the musical itself is high school quality. I love going to the theater as I travel, so I thought I'd try it out. I was quite disappointed.

Cheap Kauai: Where to Eat

Food, like most things, is expensive all over Hawaii. Here are tips on where and how to eat in Kauai on a budget.

1. Food Trucks. For good quality at a reasonable price, you're best to go to one of the food trucks. As I was told by a local, they are where the locals eat and if a truck is not up to snuff, it won't last long.
2. Vegetarian. Kauai's Hindu Monastery maintains a list of vegetarian restaurants on the island.
3. Small Town Coffee, Kapaa (truck). Located right across from Kauai Beach House Hostel and on the main drag at the north end of Kapaa, Small Town Coffee serves up great coffee and baked goods. They also have Anahola Granola. It's delicious and I had it for breakfast as often as I could.
4. Safeway. You'll be doing some hiking and picnicking. Or maybe you'll be eating in. Either way, Safeway has a great deal at the deli counter. You can get one main and two sides for $8. Also, they have what they call their “Club” prices on specials throughout the store. If you’re not a club member you can always ask someone in line to swipe their card for you if you have club items. I did this twice and saved over $10 by doing so. Both times the person was happy to oblige.
5. Bubba Burgers, Kapaa, Hanalei, and Poipu. If the veggie burger is good (I enjoyed it) I think it bodes well for the beef burgers being exceptional. And that's the reputation Bubba Burgers has, with its three locations. They serve fresh ground Kauai “Grass-Fed” Beef.
6. The Mermaid’s Café, Kapaa (truck/shack on main street). This is a little anomaly on the main street of Kauai. Squeezed between buildings with just a couple of picnic tables out front for patrons, you order at the window and wait for your meal. I really enjoyed their specialty, the Ahi Nori Wrap at $13.95.
7. Hanalei Taro and Juice Company (truck). I enjoyed a fine lunch here when I was on a day-long photography tour. Everyone enjoyed the food – a lot! Being pescatarian at the time, I had the taro burger and, to be honest, I preferred the taro burger at Bubba Burgers over this one.