Your Honolulu Travel Guide
Aloha! Whether you’re making your first trip to Honolulu or you’re a local resident, we’re thrilled to welcome you to The Big Pineapple. GoVibe is an Oahu-born, locally owned and operated company. We’re passionate about providing VIP treatment with affordable, eco-friendly cars. We’ll pick you up at the airport so you can start your Hawai'i adventure faster. Reserve your vehicle online to receive our exceptional concierge service and free cancellation if your plans change. In the meantime, here’s everything you need to know about your visit to Honolulu.
Getting Around Oahu
Oahu has endless options for incredible food, gorgeous sights, and long days at the beach. If your time on Oahu will mostly be spent in one area, you probably won’t need a rental car. If you’re staying in Waikiki, for example, you can easily walk from hotels to the beach, restaurants, shopping, and more.
If you’re visiting other areas in Honolulu or touring the island, you will need a car rental. Ridesharing gets expensive, plus having a car gives you a place to lock your belongings while you’re at the beach.
Parking in Honolulu
Parking in Honolulu can be tricky, especially during peak tourist season when there are hundreds of thousands of people enjoying the island. Most travel guides agree that Honolulu is a tourist-friendly city, and that includes having accessible parking structures, clear signage, and safe walkways. If you have an auto rental, make sure to call ahead to see how much your hotel charges for on-site parking. While it’s common for hotels on Maui or the Island of Hawai'i to have free parking, this is rare in Honolulu — expect to pay an extra fee here.
When you’re moving around the city, planning ahead is always the best bet. Check out our guide on where to park in Waikiki for the best advice on how to find free spaces and avoid crowds.
Oahu Geography
Honolulu travel guides often use the terms “windward” and “leeward.”
The windward side of Oahu is the eastern side. This side receives more winds and rain, so it is lush and filled with incredible beauty. In some ways it's the more adventurous side of Oahu. We recommend climbing to Nu’uanu Pali Lookout. It’s about a 4-hour round trip hike, and you’ll see the full windward side of the island and feel the gusts in full force.
On the leeward (west) side of Oahu, the beaches are more rocky, and there isn’t as much lush greenery. This side of the island has more of a small-town feel. You’ll see a lot of “no outlet” signs and dead-end roads, but most visitors agree that this is the more relaxing side of the island. You’ll find some lesser-known beaches and local shops.
Honolulu is on the south side of the island; if you want to escape the crowds and witness some world-class surfing, we recommend taking your auto rental to the North Shore.
Where to Stay in Oahu
Oahu offers every kind of hotel, resort, and rental options. Some of the most well-known hotels and resorts are along the popular Waikiki Beach, but you can often find a bit more space for a little less money if you stay outside of Waikiki.
Should you have a large group or family and want to look at renting a house, there are some incredible options peppered all over the island as well. Rental companies like Airbnb or VRBO have rentals suitable for families and large groups.
Oahu Beaches Travel Guide
Most travelers to Oahu come primarily for our golden beaches and turquoise waters teeming with tropical fish. Our Honolulu travel guides will make sure you know where to find the best beaches on Oahu. Below are some of our team’s favorites.
Kailua Beach
If white sand beaches are on your list, this is the place for you. Get away from the crowds of tourists in Waikiki. Kailua is a 30-minute drive in your auto rental from Honolulu and is perfect for easy surfing or wading in the water. This is a great spot for a girls’ trip tanning day or an ideal family spot with calm waters and a comfortable beach.
The North Shore
Home to the famous Banzai Pipeline where professional surfers earn their surfing chops, the North Shore is a better spectator spot than swimming area. If you aren’t an experienced surfer, it’s best to just witness the awesome skills of our locals.
Lanikai Beach
Take your rental car from Honolulu over to the Windward side of Oahu to find an idyllic experience at Lanikai Beach. The warm, calm waters collapse across a massive stretch of gorgeous white-golden sands. Lanikai means “heavenly ocean” and is a fantastic experience for your traveling group or the whole family, so don’t miss it.
Let Our Honolulu Auto Rental Team Guide You
Once you’ve arrived in our beautiful island paradise, you may still have several questions about where to go, what to eat, and a need for insider information that only a local can provide. Our Honolulu travel guides are eager to provide tips about the cultural history of Hawai'i, our best restaurants, hiking, and the beaches. GoVibe gives you access to incredible car rental rates on Oahu plus our concierge service with no lines, no shuttles, and no waiting. Book now or give us a call at (808) 292-5188.
