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How to plan a Maui vacation
Hi there! Let me introduce myself. My name is Amy, and I’m a Hawaii Travel Agent and Travel Blogger. It’s my job to create beautiful custom vacations for clients or walk you through the process if you plan to DIY your vacation.
This post will have everything you need to know about planning your Maui vacation. I know it can be overwhelming, so if you need any help along the way, feel free to contact me. If you’d rather have an expert plan your vacation, I’d love to help. Otherwise, keep reading for the ultimate guide to planning a Maui vacation.
How to plan a Maui Vacation: When to go to Maui?
The first thing you’ll need to do is to decide when you’ll be going to Maui. I have a blog post on the best time to visit Hawaii. I also have a post answering the common question, “Is there a bad time to go to Hawaii?”
Spoiler alert: Any time is a good time to go to Hawaii. That being said, if you’re interested in whale watching, the winter is a great time to visit Maui. Maui is also my favorite island in Hawaii to see whales.
How to plan a Maui vacation: Where to stay on Maui
The next thing you’ll need to do is decide where to stay on Maui. You can check out this post for the 10 best resorts on Maui. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, I recommend checking Expedia or Apple Vacations.
If you’re considering a vacation rental, you can read my post on why Airbnb in Hawaii is a bad idea. That said, Expedia has vacation rentals, and you’re protected by booking through them, whereas you’re not with Airbnb.
How to plan a Maui vacation: Flights and Rental Cars
I recommend bundling your flight with your resort and rental car for the most significant savings. I’ll do that for you if you plan to work with a Travel Agent, or you can do it yourself through Expedia. I do recommend having a rental car in Hawaii.
Public transportation isn’t the best unless you’re on Oahu. You can read more about why to rent a car in Hawaii. Once you have your flight booked, make sure to check out my post on how to survive the trip to Hawaii and how to fight jet lag.
How to plan a Maui vacation: Planning a Maui itinerary
Once you figure out where to stay on Maui, you’ll need to figure out an itinerary. I have a 4-day Maui itinerary if you plan to island-hop, and a 7-day Maui itinerary. I do recommend spending at least one week on each island if you can.
How to plan a Maui Vacation: Things to do on Maui
Once you’ve booked your resort, flight, and hotel, it’s time for the fun stuff! Let’s start by checking out the 7 best things to do on Maui. You can also check out 100 things to do in Hawaii, which has a big section all about Maui. The best tours in Hawaii also contains some of my favorite tours on Maui.
My favorite thing to do on Maui is to snorkel at Molokini Crater. If you love snorkeling, you’re going to enjoy Maui. You can check out my post on snorkeling at Molokini Crater to learn more about this unique Maui experience.
Another highly rated Maui activity is attending a luau. Fortunately, some of my favorites luaus are on Maui. The best luaus in Hawaii has four different luaus to choose from, all of which are very different.
More things to do in Maui
From helicopter tours to ziplining through the jungle, there are plenty of fun activities on Maui. These activities can add up, but fortunately, there are plenty of free things to do on Maui too. For even more things to do on Maui, I recommend checking out Viator.
Viator is the #1 company that I use for tours and excursions. They offer the best price guarantee, and most tours are fully refundable up until 24 hours in advance. That means if you get sunburned, a flight gets delayed, or something else, you can either reschedule or get your money back. This isn’t an ad, I really like using Viator for activities.
How to plan a Maui vacation
I hope that this guide to planning a Maui vacation is helpful. If you have any questions or are feeling overwhelmed, you can always contact me. I plan vacations to Maui and throughout Hawaii every day, and I’d love to help you too.
Book your Maui vacation with a Hawaii Travel Specialist
If you’re looking for a Maui honeymoon or Maui vacation personalized just for you, give me a call! I specialize in working with clients to create the perfect vacation for you.
That means no packages; everything is personalized. Make sure to contact me or go ahead and fill out a custom travel request, and I’ll get back to you to start planning ASAP!
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