Standing at the edge of a rain forest, looking out across a cracked crater as steam rises between slabs of hardened black lava, I'm having a tough time believing I'm still in the U.S.
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Invest in a Stellar Fund |
| Row 1 - Cell 0 | Buy Low-Price Stocks |
| Row 2 - Cell 0 | Save for College |
| Row 3 - Cell 0 | Defend Against Mother Nature |
| Row 4 - Cell 0 | Find a New Career |
| Row 5 - Cell 0 | Get a Tax Credit |
| Row 6 - Cell 0 | Make Money Doing Good |
| Row 7 - Cell 0 | Travel to Hawaii |
| Row 8 - Cell 0 | Employ a Virtual Butler |
| Row 9 - Cell 0 | Savor Wines of the World |
| Row 10 - Cell 0 | Send Your Kids to Camp Cash |
| Row 11 - Cell 0 | What Else $1,000 Can Do |
The Kilauea Iki crater, part of an active volcano, is just one of many natural wonders in awe-inspiring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The park covers environments from sea level to the summit of the earth's most massive volcano, Mauna Loa, at 13,677 feet. An 11-mile loop called Crater Rim Drive and well-maintained trails lead to an underground lava tube and a lava field shrouded in sulfur and steam -- all for an admission fee of $10.
Of course, getting to Hawaii on the cheap was the trick. To pull off my three-night, $1,000 adventure from Washington, D.C., I snagged a $577 fare (with taxes and fees) on America West at Travelocity.com to Kona on the Big Island. Although Hilo is closer to the park, flying into Kona was much less expensive.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
On Hotwire.com, three nights at a two-star Hilo hotel totaled just $205. Hilo has a well-deserved reputation for rain, but it's also easygoing, affordable and resplendent with tropical plant life and waterfalls. And it's just a 30-mile drive from the park. It's also the home of Big Island Candies, where you can sample Kona coffee and Hawaiian macadamia nuts hand-dipped in chocolate.
A compact car from Hertz (booked through Hotwire) cost just $68 for three days, and even with the 200-mile round trip between Kona and Hilo, $50 worth of gas was plenty. Dining out in Hilo was reasonable. A filling bowl of saimin (a local noodle soup) cost less than $6. For $100 I ate well and even had enough for a locally brewed Mehana Hawaii Lager with dinner.
-- Amy Esbenshade Hebert
-
5 Ways to Save on a Trip to the 2026 Olympics in ItalyA guide to going to the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics without breaking the bank.
-
The Best (and Worst) Airlines for Flight Delays and CancellationsWhich airlines should you book and which should you avoid if you want to make it to your destination on time?
-
Four Luxury Spa Resorts for Well-Heeled TravelersWe hand-picked these U.S. luxury spa resorts for their serenity, amenities and dedication to the comfort of older travelers.
-
Child-Free Cruises Perfect For Your Retirement CelebrationHow to find a bespoke ocean or river vacation for adults. Many of these options are smaller, charming river cruises, expeditions, or niche experiences.
-
Noctourism: The New Travel Trend For Your Next Trip"Noctourism" is a new trend of building travel and vacations around events and plans that take place at night. Take a look at some inspiring noctourism ideas.
-
My Husband and I Retired at 67 With $3.2 Million, But He's Frugal About Travel. How Can I Convince Him to Loosen Up?We asked financial planning experts for advice.
-
Cruise Lines Sue to Block Hawaii’s New Climate Tourism TaxState Tax Your vacation to the Aloha State could come at a higher price tag next year. Here’s why.
-
How to Find the Best Alternatives to Popular Travel DestinationsYou don’t have to bust your budget or battle big crowds to enjoy pristine natural beauty, rich culture, authentic cuisine and more.
