Two sides, very different distances
The Big Island is large. The county covers about 10,434 km² of land (4,028 square miles), so the right place to stay on the Big Island is the one close to what you want to do. The island splits into Kona in the west and Hilo in the east. Kailua-Kona, Keauhou and the Kohala Coast are the main resort areas on the west side. Hilo and Puna sit on the east side, closer to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
There is no single winner. A base in Kailua-Kona puts you near the harbor for manta ray night snorkel tours and boat trips. A base in Hilo puts the national park about 45 minutes away and suits volcano tours from Hilo. You can also split your stay between both sides.
Areas compared
Drive times are typical values without traffic or roadworks.
| Area | Side | From the nearest airport | To the national park | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kailua-Kona and Keauhou | West, Kona | About 15 minutes from KOA | About 2 to 2.5 hours via the south route | Manta and boat tours, Aliʻi Drive, coffee farms |
| Kohala Coast | West, north of Kona | About 30 minutes from KOA to Hāpuna | – | Beach days, resort stays |
| Hilo | East | Hilo Airport (ITO) is in town | About 45 minutes | Volcano day trips, waterfalls, museums |
| Volcano Village | East, near the park | Via Hilo on Highway 11 | Close to the park | Early starts and evenings in the park |
| Puna | East, south of Hilo | Via Hilo | – | East side stays outside Hilo |
For most first-time visitors with a week, a good plan is a few nights in Kailua-Kona or on the Kohala Coast and two or three nights in Hilo or Volcano Village. You save the long drive back to Kona after a day in the park.
Our pick: a day trip from Kona or Kohala
If you stay on the Kona or Kohala coast, this twelve-hour day trip collects you at your hotel.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Big Island tours from Kona and Hilo
Volcano day trips, manta ray night snorkeling, boat trips and Mauna Kea sunset tours, with start points and live prices.
Places to stay in Kona, Hawaii
Kailua-Kona is the town on the dry west side, with Aliʻi Drive along the water and Huliheʻe Palace on Aliʻi Drive in the historic village. Places to stay in Kona range from town properties near the pier to the resort area at Keauhou. The coast here gets little rain: the Kona Airport station averages 12 to 34 mm of rain per month over the 1991–2020 normals.
Kona is the practical base for the ocean. Manta ray night snorkel trips, whale watching in season and Captain Cook snorkel cruises leave from harbors on this coast, and most do not include hotel pickup. If you stay in Kailua-Kona, you are close to the start points. The Kona coffee belt on the slopes of Hualālai and Mauna Loa lies on the slopes above the coast, see the Kailua-Kona guide.
The catch is distance. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is about 95 miles away via the southern route on Highway 11, which takes 2 to 2.5 hours one way. Some volcano tours from Kona run for 11 to 12 hours for that reason.
The Kohala Coast
North of the airport, the Kohala Coast is the other big resort area on the west side. Hāpuna beach is about 30 minutes from KOA. It is a base for beach days, with a longer drive to Hilo and the park. Hāpuna has lifeguards, but surf and rip currents can make it unsafe on days with high waves.
Places to stay in Hilo, Hawaii
Hilo is the main town on the east side and the closest town base for the national park, about 30 miles or 45 minutes on Highway 11. Places to stay in Hilo are close to Rainbow Falls, Liliʻuokalani Gardens on Banyan Drive, the Hilo Farmers Market and the Pacific Tsunami Museum. See the Hilo guide for fees and hours.
Expect rain. The Hilo Airport station is wetter than the Kona station in every month, with averages from about 178 mm in May to about 366 mm in November. The upside is green valleys and full waterfalls.
Several volcano tours pick up only in the Hilo area, at hotels, the airport or the cruise port, and some include the park pass. A Hilo base makes those tours simple.
Volcano Village and the park
Volcano Village is a small community near the park, not part of the park itself. Staying here means you can visit the summit area early in the morning or in the evening without a long drive. The park itself is open 24 hours a day, every day, while the Kīlauea Visitor Center is closed for renovation and a temporary welcome center at Kilauea Military Camp opens daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Check the park conditions before you go. The Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park guide covers fees, trails and closures.
Getting around from your base
Most visitors rent a car. The Hele-On county bus is free of charge until December 2028, with routes between Hilo and Kailua-Kona, from Hilo to Volcano, from Hilo to South Kohala and along Aliʻi Drive. Check the current timetable before you rely on it. Inside the national park, there is no public shuttle between the sights.
Big Island vacation rentals and lodging taxes
What adds to the nightly rate in 2026.
State tax
The state transient accommodations tax is 11 % since 1 January 2026, up from 10.25 %. Stays that were billed earlier can be taxed under transition rules, so two invoices for 2026 nights are not always identical.
County tax and GET
Hawaiʻi County adds its own 3 % tax on taxable gross rental income. The general excise tax is 4 % plus a 0.5 % county surcharge. Passed-on taxes and extra fees can change the final bill, so compare total prices.
Vacation rentals
Big Island vacation rentals of under 180 consecutive days can be registered with the county since September 2026, both hosted and unhosted, including rooms in the owner's home. A registration does not replace zoning or use permits. Ask the host whether the unit is registered before you book.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pages that help you pick a base.
Kona and Hilo airports
Taxis, rental cars and drive times from KOA and ITO.
Best time to visit
Rain in Hilo and Kona, whale season and hurricane months.
Big Island beaches
Hāpuna, Magic Sands and Punaluʻu with fees and lifeguards.
Comparing islands? See where to stay on Maui and where to stay on Oahu.
Where to stay on the Big Island: questions
Is it better to stay in Kona or Hilo?
It depends on your plans. Kailua-Kona is drier and close to the harbors for manta, snorkel and whale trips. Hilo is about 45 minutes from the national park and close to the waterfalls. With a week or more, splitting your stay saves long drives.
How far is the volcano park from Kailua-Kona?
About 95 miles on the southern route, which takes 2 to 2.5 hours one way. From Hilo it is about 30 miles or 45 minutes.
Which taxes are added to a hotel bill?
In 2026 the state transient accommodations tax is 11 %, Hawaiʻi County adds 3 %, and the general excise tax is 4 % plus a 0.5 % county surcharge. Extra fees can come on top, so compare total prices.
Are vacation rentals allowed on the Big Island?
The county opened a registration for rentals of under 180 consecutive days in September 2026, and zoning rules still apply. Ask the host about the registration and the permit before you book.
Do I need a car if I stay in Kailua-Kona?
For day trips, yes. Many boat tours leave from harbors without hotel pickup, and the park has no public shuttle. The free Hele-On bus runs along Aliʻi Drive and between Kona and Hilo, but check the timetable first.