Econo Maui - Maui Hawaii vacations for the financially challenged: a guide to free, economical, cheap, inexpensive, affordable, and discount Maui vacations, Maui activities, lodging, food, transportation, products, and services in Maui, Hawaii, and the Hawaiian Islands. Here's tons more information about Hawaii.
Econo Maui

Maui for the Financially Challenged
A Former Maui Resident's Guide to Inexpensive Maui, Hawaii Vacations, Lodging, and Activities

Don't stay at a hotel
See Camping
Even if you don't want to bring your tent, there are literally thousands of vacation rentals on Maui, and they vary greatly in price.  I've seen cottages here in Kihei (during low season), just across the road from the longest stretch of continuous beach in the whole state, for $45 a night.  Nice Maui vacation rental surfer shacks and Maui rental cottages abound, and a certain bed and breakfast upcountry is a great deal.

Don't rent a car
Well, if you have to, rent a Maui cruiser for less from Word of Mouth Rent a Car! If you're going to be here a while, buy a clunker from the Maui Bulletin for what you'd spend renting one!  When you're done, sell it!  A lot of people hike or bike everywhere here....

Don't eat out
Well, not every night anyway!  All of the grocery stores have great specials on locally caught fish.  Get the fixins and get out to one of the many beaches with BBQ's!  Not all of them have grills anymore, but Launiupoko State Beach Park (just south of Lahaina) has metal units with lids.  This won't cost you much more than a picnic back home (depending on where you live, maybe less). Nothing like grilled Ono!

Hike
See ecotours@ecomaui or our camping page
You won't need to hire a guide if you spend a few bucks on a good hiking book, or get one from the library, and take a few of the easier hikes. Even if you're an experienced hiker, some of the short jaunts around Maui are worth it, since every view is a post card.

Watch the sunrise on Haleakala
See Ecomaui and Econo Maui Links
The 728 square mile island of Maui is the only place on earth where you can travel from sea level to 10,000 feet in just 34 miles!  When the sun comes up and you can see where you are, it's like waking up on top of the world!  The day we went, we didn't have to pay the ten bucks, and the kids can become Jr. Rangers for free! It's cold up there in the morning, so bundle up!

Visit historic Lahaina
The free (yes, free) historic Lahaina walking tour is a great way to spend part of your day in the historic Whaling town and former Hawaiian capitol of Lahaina.

Swim
White, black, salt and pepper, and even red sand beaches are one of Maui's claim to fame.  The south and west sides have over 33 miles of nearly continuous beaches!  Look for the blue and white beach access signs and find your favorite spot.  Many times, you'll find you're the only one there!  Some of our favorites (we have kids): Kalepolepo, Kihei; Kalama, Kamaole I, II, and III, Kihei (Kalama has a nice playground); almost the whole stretch of Ma'alaea Bay; Launiupoko State Beach Park, just south of Lahaina; Honokowai Beach Park, Honokowai. Great freshwater swims at Oleo Gulch (near Hana), and Iao Valley.

Drink the Coffee
Well, actually this organic Kona coffee is from the big island of Hawaii. But, hey, you can taste Hawaii in a cup of this award-winning coffee and you won't have to go anywhere!

We were The Point's "Internet Surf Report Site of The Day" 10/15/97
Well, the Point 101 isn't there any more, but they were. And we won Glenn's trivia game a few times!

Do your research before you go
Get some good Maui books! We recommend Hidden Maui (right) and several other Maui Hawaii books which you may find in our bookstore, where you can also search from hundreds of titles about Hawaii!!  We're not saying to plan every moment of your time (after all, spontaneity is the key to great vacations).  We just suggest that being familiar with your destination will make it easier for you to do something spontaneous!

There's no better way to save money in Hawaii like knowing what you're up against. Avoiding the high prices of tourist traps can be easy if you've done your research. Eat where the locals eat, camp, hike, bike, snorkel, and take it easy. Common sense will tell you that many activities, like sleeping in a hammock, are free or very cheap. Start your Hawaii research by checking out the Hawaii information here.

Visit our cheap Maui links page
Check out our ideas for cheap Hawaii vacations on our cheap Maui vacations links page, which has a link to a recommended Hawaii travel agency, which can save you money on Hawaii vacation packages. Also, be sure to follow the links to the various Maui vacation rentals, including an affordable Maui luxury villa, a great Maui beach house, and upcountry cottages on the way to Haleakala National Park.

Visit Hawaii Virtually!
Our big Hawaii site has great Hawaii stuff like free wallpaper pictures of Hawaii, Hawaii posters, Hawaii camping info, Hawaiian music, Hawaii books, Hawaii maps, and lots more! For other virtual tours of Hawaii, check this out.