If you're on a cruise through the Hawaiian islands and have a stop on the big island, you may find yourself at the Hilo Cruise Port in Kuhio Bay, just east of downtown. If you book a shore excursion to Hilo, expect to be met by a tour representative or shuttle.
The largest and southernmost island in Hawaii is home to active volcanoes, secluded beaches, rainforests, and island-grown coffee. Shore excursions include a Kona coffee tour, a trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, or ziplining over waterfalls. If you don’t want to take an organized tour, a rental car is the best way to get around, as the island’s most popular features are outside the villages and there is little public transportation.
While Hilo is often used as a base for exploring other parts of the island, such as the Thurston Lava Tube, the Kilauea Volcano, the Maunu Kea Observatory, and Kilauea Iki Overlook, this little city offers plenty to do and see within its limits. Don't miss the daily farmers market, with its abundance of fresh, tropical fruits, the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, and the Lyman Museum.
The Hilo cruise port, on the east side of the Big Island, is about two miles (3.2 kilometers) from downtown. Taxis and rental car shuttles pick up at the port for trips to downtown Hilo or the airport to pick up rental cars. There's also a bus that runs from the cruise port, except on Sundays, and a free shuttle to the daily Hilo Farmers Market.
The currency in Hawaii is the US dollar and there are ATMs in downtown Hilo. Both English and Hawaiian are the official state languages, although you may also hear Spanish, Tagalog, and Japanese.
