Hawaii, also known as "The Big Island", is home to unique black sand beaches, snow-covered mountains, and verdant valleys. You can enjoy lush scenery, take part in exciting activities, and visit picturesque parks. Before you set out on your journey to Hawaii, read this extensive guide through to the end. It will let you know all about fun activities, safety tips, the best seasons to visit, and information about travel insurance plans.

Before leaving for Hawaii, book a visitors medical insurance plan or a travel insurance plan. This is what experienced travelers do to avoid unexpected expenses related to medical emergencies and sudden cancellations.

Visitors Medical Insurance for Travelers in Hawaii - FAQs

Ending up in a hospital is probably the last thing you would anticipate while planning for a trip. However, emergencies can always occur, even while you're on vacation. If you were to need medical treatment, you would have to spend a lot of money for such treatment at a private medical facility. And if the illness or injury is severe enough, you might need emergency medical evacuation or repatriation. With a visitors medical insurance plan, your insurance company can help you with the treatment costs.

Why buy visitors medical insurance before traveling to Hawaii?

Hawaii is home to diverse wildlife. You may get bitten or stung while hiking or snorkeling. Healthcare in the U.S. is prohibitively expensive. To make sure that you can seek treatment at the best medical facility immediately and without hesitation, make sure that you book an adequate visitors medical insurance plan.

What should I look for in my Hawaii (Big Island) visitors medical insurance?

Consider the following benefits as you're purchasing visitors insurance:

1. Coverage for emergency medical expenses
2. Coverage for injuries sustained through adventurous or extreme sports. You might need to purchase an additional adventurous sports travel insurance rider specifically designed to cover riskier-than-average activities.
3. Coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions
4. Coverage for emergency medical evacuation

Are you hesitating to buy a visitors medical insurance plan because it seems like an unnecessary expense? It is only a small fraction of the huge sum you might have to spend at a private medical facility. Be cautious, and buy visitors medical insurance so that you do not find yourself staring at a financial catastrophe.

Trip Cancellation Insurance for Travelers in Hawaii - FAQs

A vacation to Hawaii requires a lot of planning with so many things to see and do. You will probably book your flights and hotels in advance. What if you have to cancel your trip suddenly because of a natural calamity or a personal emergency? Book a trip cancellation insurance plan so that you don't risk losing additional money due to cancellation charges.

Why should I get trip cancellation insurance for my Hawaii travel?

Trip cancellation insurance can help reimburse you the full cost of your non-refundable, prepaid expenses if you have to cancel for a reason explicitly listed in your policy's certificate wording. Be sure to review this fine print before purchase for a full understanding of what situations are (and aren't) covered. The covered reasons vary from plan to plan, but rest assured that most standard plans include the most common reasons for cancellation—like you, a travel companion, or a loved one falling ill before the trip; work-related emergencies; jury duty; or weather-related cancellations or delays.

What should I look for in my Hawaii (Big Island) trip cancellation insurance?

1. Your trip cancellation insurance plan should offer coverage if you have to cancel your trip due to a natural disaster.
2. Trip interruption coverage can help cover expenses if you have to cut your trip short unexpectedly for a covered reason.
3. Check that your plan covers emergency medical evacuation and repatriation.

When you buy travel insurance, you have a much safer bet of being free of cancellation charges should you have to call off your trip. Your travel insurance company could take care of everything. Check the terms and conditions on the certificate wording of your travel insurance (before you purchase the plan) to make sure that it covers everything you need.

Hawaii's Most Popular Places to Visit

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park experiences frequent volcanic activity. Kilauea and Mauna Loa are the largest active volcanoes on earth and, hence, popular tourist attractions. You can explore the diverse and rich culture and history of Hawaii, hike the backcountry, and go on exciting road trips at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Waipio Valley

You can hike to the Waipio Valley and enjoy a marvelous view of the Waipio River. You can take the shorter trail (about 5 miles, or 8 kilometers) or the longer and more picturesque Muliwai Trail. The Waipio Valley is a paradise for nature lovers. The black sands beach and the Kaluahine Falls are its most popular attractions. Did we mention that the sunset in the Waipio Valley is simply breathtaking?

Mauna Kea

Mauna Kea is Hawaii's highest mountain. At its peak lies the Mauna Kea Observatory. Visit the Mauna Kea Observatory to participate in stargazing. The most fun and interactive way to explore the Mauna Kea Mountain is by taking the Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour. If you take this tour, you won't have to worry about transportation or parking.

Kona Coffee Living History Farm

The Kona Coffee Living History Farm is a living reminder of how farmers turned the volcanic soil of Hawaii into one of the most well-known coffee farms in the world. Visiting this farm is like watching the agricultural history of Hawaii replay itself in front of you. At Kona, you can also try grinding coffee the old-fashioned way.

Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park

Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park is home to Hawaii's greatest architectural marvels. It features a great wall, wooden statues of gods, and the temple of Hale o Keawe Heiau. This national historical park will amaze you with its distinctive landscape. It is an absolute paradise for photographers.

Key Guidelines for Travelers in Hawaii

Stay on Known Hiking Trails

Much of Hawaii is wilderness. The National Park authorities keep alerts posted so that tourists know which areas to avoid. Stay on marked hiking trails so that you can reach out for help with relative ease if needed.

Beware of Volcanic Activity

Hawaii is home to active volcanoes. If you are close to volcanic activity, your lungs will be exposed to volcanic cinder, ashes, and sulfur dioxide gas. These pollutants can be severely harmful to your health. If you see that a part of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is closed for visitors, do not risk going near it.

Where to Stay

If you want to stay in the heart of Hawaiian nature, then the Volcano House—located inside Hawaii National Park—is the perfect refuge for you. Other than that, Hawaii has many bed & breakfast facilities that you can book

Transportation

You can rent a car at the Hilo or Kona Airport. You can also rent bicycles or motorcycles if you want to truly enjoy the view while traveling. Public buses are available on the island, though the route is not very extensive.

Before You Travel to Hawaii (Big Island): Do This

You are almost ready for an exotic vacation in Hawaii. Before you go, consider the following suggestions.

1. Do not wear shorts while hiking. The trails are filled with centipedes. Be sure to wear plenty of insect repellant.
2. Check the weather before visiting the Big Island. If you see any alert which can be cause for concern, be aware of how that might affect your trip.
3. Prepare for the worst, and buy adequate travel insurance or visitors medical insurance so that you and your travel group can enjoy a fun and carefree vacation without worrying about money.

DISCLAIMER: The information within this article is intended as a broad summary of benefits and services and is meant for informational purposes only. The information does not describe all scenarios, coverages or exclusions of any insurance plan. The benefits and services of an insurance plan are subject to change. This is not your policy/certificate of insurance. If there is any discrepancy between the information in this article and the language of your policy/certificate wording, the language of the policy/certificate wording will prevail.

The insurance plans available on this website are not specifically targeted towards the destination mentioned in this article. They can provide coverage while traveling away from home, according to the terms and conditions and geographic restrictions applicable to the specific plan.