We spent last winter in the Palm Springs area. Outdoor Dining is FABULOUS! I can recommend tons of places if you decide to go. We are very excited to go back this winter.
There are a couple of Facebook pages - if you’re on FB - Maui Covid Travel Testing and Maui Bound - that are filled with very good information on Hawaii travel right now (and most pertains even if you’re not going to Maui). I just returned from a week in Maui, it was different than times past, actually more like my trips there used to be 15 or so years ago, very quiet, much more laid back. Masks were required indoors, everyone complies. I tend to cook “at home” when I travel (local food), so that wasn’t any different, and I did enjoy 2 wonderful meals “out” - both were take away (food trucks and a fish market) - I’m not ready to dine indoors. Depending on where you want to go and what you’d like to do on the islands, things either feel quieter or no different at all. Beaches were hopping but parking was still able to be found (although Hawaii has started charging parking fees almost everywhere to make up for some revenue loss during Covid days). Hiking trails were very quiet. I personally didn’t notice any supply chain issues (ie: TP, food, etc.). Every person I came in contact with was thoughtful and kind (as I find all the time on the islands), although one woman I met working at a food truck did tell me she’s ‘exhausted’ because she is working “harder” to keep customers happy. Prices of some things were higher (car rental) but other things (airfare) was lower. The flight going was about 75% full, coming home less than 50%. Overall I gave this trip a 90% happy rating, with the 10% drop simply being needing to constantly be careful and aware (health wise) - which to be fair, is exactly as it is at home too. If you’re fully vaxed travel there is not a problem, although you do need to upload documents, and have some bits and bobs ready to show. If you’re not, I would say it’s not the time to travel there, because that does require more logistics, like testing, before and during the trip (currently), and the Covid numbers there are pretty high. I am vaxed, and while it wasn’t mandatory, I pre-tested 72 hours in advance of flight, simply to ensure I wasn’t carrying and asymptomatic.
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I’m looking for opinions about taking my family including D22 on a trip to Hawaii over winter break. She has four RD applications for T20 schools due Jan 4. Will it be too stressful for her to be taking a trip then? She will have taken care of seven applications prior to our trip, and since one of them is REA, she can’t apply for the private T20 schools until RD. This is our first rodeo, and I have no idea what to expect.
Have her get EVERYTHING ready to submit before you leave for the trip…then just submit when the time comes.
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You can send the applications in early, before you travel. That’s what I’d do and not risk doing them from Hawaii. Over the holidays, there can be any number of things that can go wrong and you won’t be able to contract your GC to help you.
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Just tell her it’s a “must “ to have things done before you leave - like a couple days before you leave do you don’t ALL have packing and vacation stress.
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@JustaMom - thank you! That was so helpful! We are vaccinated and we love food trucks so I think we will start looking in to it. I really want to go to the Big Island. I am getting excited now. Thanks again!
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We’re (my BFF & I) heading to Big Island in Feb/March - staying on both sides of the island. We went hiking at night there during the last volcano eruption and saw this - I hope there’s some activity when you’re there - I lived on the island for a year in 87/88. Love Hawaii. It’s “home” for me.
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Kileaua was erupting recently, so people visiting may get to see that lava show on the Big Island. I’ve never seen it—my lungs are so bad my docs have forbidden me from getting anywhere near a volcano.
My BIL and niece loved flying over to see the volcano erupting a few years ago.
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@justamom- anywhere that you recommend staying? Either hotel wise or town wise?
It would be so cool to see some volcanic activity- from a distance.
Since the island is basically 2 different terrains (desert and dry side - the windward (desert/dry) side (west) (Kona) and the more wet rainforesty side (east) (Hilo) they each offer something different. There are more beaches for swimming and a couple of great snorkeling sites on the Kona side, but the Hilo side offers more unique visuals and a much greener experience. So it starts with what do you want out of your Big Island stay?
Personally, I do love renting condos/apartments, and splitting my time between the 2 sides, because everything is quite spread out and this allows for more concentrated time to explore each side. I tend to start on the wetter (Hilo) side, and finish on the more dry (Kona) side.
On the Kona side, I personally love the area by the ocean, that would be considered “downtown” Kailua-Kona, along A’lii drive - I try to stay about a mile, not more than two, south from Lava Java (as a point of reference)…the main reason is I then can walk to cafes, shops, the beaches for sunsets, etc. “Downtown” Kailua-Kona is pretty congested traffic wise, so being able to walk for a happy hour, or coffee, farmer’s market, etc. is right up my alley. It’s also a great jumping off point for exploring south and north tips of the island. Also, most of your really great expansive beaches (if that’s your thing) are on that side of the island) -
On the Hilo side, I really like staying in the Pahoa area. Although this next trip we’re branching out and staying much closer to Hilo town (about 5 miles vs 15-20). This area provides a wonderful jumping off spot for exploring the Volcanoes National Park as well as the most recent creation of a black sand beach (due to the eruption in 2018/2019) - there are also some amazing rainforest/waterfall areas to explore and some amazing coves, and beaches (not traditional sand beaches) like Richardson’s - a unique place to snorkel.
Get your America the Beautiful national parks pass at Volcanoes National Park (on the Hilo side) or Pu’uhonua O Honaunau (Place of Refuge - on the Kona side), if you’re 62+ it only costs $20 annually and will pay for itself the first time you enter. Here’s a listing of all the places in the US you can get a pass now, if you’re near a location (it’s worth getting it in advance, just to cross it off your list if there’s a location close by)
https://store.usgs.gov/s3fs-public/PassIssuanceList.pdf
I am a big fan of VRBO and Airbnb (lately I lean more towards Airbnb) and my requirement is a “super host” status and plenty of reviews. I will often write a host and ask 2 or 3 very specific questions to gauge their responsiveness and friendliness (and I have never had a bad experience) - for my Hawaii trips I do like having access to laundry facilities (coin operated or in unit), and free parking on site. So I look for that. And a kitchen. That’s a must for me.
Here are links to the 2 places we’ll be staying, just to give you an idea of the uniqueness of the 2 sides and what you might expect - As you can tell I’m very passionate about the island(s) and I could go on for days - if “travel agent” was still a thing, I would be it, for now I just enjoy unearthing my own special journeys and helping my friends with theirs…feel free to PM me so we don’t clog this board, but I felt like others might appreciate the info I’ve shared.
Hilo side rental: 2893 Kaiwiki Road Hilo, HI 96720 - https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/32751758?source_impression_id=p3_1633799772_OWX%2FS8ighZD%2FruU5&guests=1&adults=1
Kailua-Kona side rental: 75-147 Lunapule Road Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/48550468?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=1e64a222-4d7b-44d7-823f-b71f97afe7a4
Darn, do I really have to wait until February???
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@justamom, Can I hire you as my travel agent!? Everything you said sounds like us. The Airbnbs (and I lean to them over VRBO. They tend to be cheaper for one thing) are lovely. We have our National Park pass and my husband has been chomping at the bit to use it. The last few parks we have been to have been having a free day when we got there 
Now I am really excited and will spend tonight doing research. Thank you so much. You have been incredibly helpful!
Happy to help. Let me know if you ever head to Maui…my 2nd favorite island -
For those of you who love constant hand washing, temperature taking, and facemasks , even outdoors in areas with others, Costa Rica is the place for you! Before any excursions they take your temp and have you wash your hands, and wear your Face mask unless you are on the hiking trail or in water. Most restaurants are open air and you need to wear your mask until you seated.
It is a beautiful country and they really need tourists. Covid really hurt them as things were shut down for a very long time. The town of Fortuna lost businesses and residents. (this is near the volcano). They are hoping for a busy season during December. We have done a hanging bridges tour, a coffee and chocolate tour, a waterfall adventure, and later today ziplining (I would hope I dont have to wear my mask to zipline). WE have spent lots of hours relaxing in the hot springs. WE leave for the coast tomorrow.
Except for the city of San Jose they have done a good job with Covid.
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I just canceled our Thanksgiving break trip to Costa Rica, and I’m sad about it. I’ve got a HS senior who needs to work on college apps, and CR is on the State Dept’s Do Not Travel list because of covid. I couldn’t risk us not being able to get back to the US at this time. I bought travel insurance required by CR to travel there so I’m out that money, but I got my miles and points back. I do love CR, have been there three times and I was really hopeful back in the spring when I made my plans.
Enjoy your time there. It is a beautiful place for sure.
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that seem strange its on the do not travel list. Outside of the capital it does not seem like covid is doing badly
We had to show our vaccination cards on arrival and do have to test before we leave.
We just got back from a trip to Vermont. Most of our days were spent outside. It was a group trip, and all of us (19 plus 2 guides) ate together. Nobody wore masks unless going into retail establishments. It felt weird to be that close to people I didn’t know, without a mask on. All on the trip were vaccinated, and had to send proof of vaccination (or test results, but nobody did that) before the trip started.
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Heading out tomorrow to North Carolina. Flying for my third trip in two months. The reality is work still needs to be done and right now that means travelling. I’m glad to be fully vaccinated.
We’re heading home tomorrow after visiting grandson. Flight out wasn’t too bad and even arrived early. Almost everyone masked properly. But the rental car was a nightmare. Over an hour in line for a pre-registered car. Over 2 hours from touching down to leaving with the car. Crossing fingers for trip home on SW. With all their cancellations either we get canceled or flight is packed I’m sure.
Well the flight will be packed, but all my SW flights were full in the past few months.
My niece’s BF and her finance were out here for 2 weeks to have an engagement party and look for wedding venues. Thanks to SW they can’t leave until Thursday.