Honolulu is by far the largest and busiest city in Hawaii, and its Waikiki Beach is a lovely and famous stretch of sand, but most people go elsewhere on the islands in search of their own paradise.

Still, many do base themselves in Honolulu, which might be the best place for budget-minded travelers, since the big city means there are affordable options for those who look. It’s still not cheap, but you can actually find reasonably priced meals and drinks and such if you stay away from the big hotels and the tourist places surrounding them.

There’s also plenty of free and cheap things to do in Honolulu, including just chilling on the beach, so those on a tight budget can still have a good time without spending every cent they have. If you plan on seeing more than a couple of the paid sights, our review of the Go Oahu Card should be of interest because the card can often save you money.