Hilo

Waterfalls, bayfront history and a base for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on the wet east side of the Big Island.

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Hilo is the largest town on the Island of Hawaiʻi and the county seat of Hawaiʻi County, in the US state of Hawaii. It sits on the wet east side of the island, on Hilo Bay, with views of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. Downtown has galleries, museums, cafés and a Farmers Market. Waterfalls are the main draw: Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots lie along the Wailuku River, and ʻAkaka Falls is on Hawaiʻi Belt Road north of town. Hilo is also a common base for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, and its bayfront was hit by the 1946 and 1960 tsunamis.

Hilo suits travelers who want waterfalls and a town rather than resort beaches. It gets less than half the visitors of the sunnier, drier Kona side on the west coast, which has the sandy beaches and major resorts. Rain falls throughout the year, and monthly mean temperatures run from 71.2°F in February to 76.4°F in August, so pack rain gear in any month. Two or three nights covers the waterfalls and downtown, and a day trip covers the volcano park.

Hilo in five

Base in Hilo for Volcanoes and waterfallsHilo is about 45 minutes from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes and close to Akaka Falls, while the Kona beaches are about 2 hours away. Two or three nights is usually enough.Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Pack for rainHilo is one of the wettest US cities, and showers can come in any month. Mornings are often clearer, so schedule waterfalls and the bay early.
Visit the farmers marketThe Hilo Farmers Market is the town's best-known market, with its biggest days midweek and on weekends. Check current hours before you plan breakfast there.
Add Akaka Falls and the Hāmākua CoastAkaka Falls State Park is a short drive north, with a loop trail to the falls. Check state park fees and reservation rules for non-residents before you go.
Drive Saddle Road to Maunakea or KonaThe Daniel K. Inouye Highway links Hilo with Maunakea and Kona in about 1.5 to 2 hours. Check weather and road status before heading to the summit.Maunakea

Things to do in Hilo

See all attractions in Hilo

Park · HiloHonoli'i Beach Park

Museum · HiloLyman Museum

Park · HiloLiliʻuokalani GardensChoose a clear day for views across the bay.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to HiloPut the places you like in Hilo on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Hilo International (ITO), about 10 min from downtown
Getting there: Flights via Honolulu; drive Saddle Road from Kona
Getting around: Rental car; Hele-On county buses
Best base: Downtown Hilo or the Banyan Drive area
Time needed: 1 to 3 nights

Weather by month

Rainy days
Festival

Best
Good

JanuaryRain16 rainy daysHigh23°Low18°Wet, cool
FebruaryRain20 rainy daysHigh23°Low18°Wet, cool
MarchRain24 rainy daysHigh23°Low18°Wet
AprilRain24 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°Merrie Monarch
MayRain27 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°Showers
JuneRain24 rainy daysHigh24°Low20°Showers, drier
JulyRain26 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Drier, busy
AugustRain25 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Drier, busy
SeptemberRain25 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Drier, quieter
OctoberRain23 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Showers
NovemberRain23 rainy daysHigh24°Low20°Wet
DecemberRain22 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°Wet, cool

Average daily high and low in Hilo, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Festivals: Mar Merrie Monarch Festival · Apr Merrie Monarch Festival

Right now in Hilo

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 24°
Humidity: 74%
Wind: 17 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Hilo

01:22 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-10

Today25°20°100%Monday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 100%.
Tue26°20°94%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 94%.
Wed26°20°100%Wednesday: Rain. High 26°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 100%.
Thu25°18°98%Thursday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 98%.
Fri26°18°92%Friday: Rain. High 26°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 92%.
Sat26°21°98%Saturday: Rain. High 26°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 98%.
Sun24°21°94%Sunday: Rain. High 24°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 94%.

Updated 11:44 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD

Amount

Converted to

USD · US Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Hilo

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

Mar–AprMerrie Monarch FestivalHilo

Day trips by train

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Parkabout 45 minutes by carKīlauea crater, Chain of Craters Road and lava tubes.Read the guide
Maunakeaabout 1 hour to the visitor stationA high-altitude stop; check road and weather rules.Read the guide
Akaka Fallsabout 25 minutes by carA short loop trail to a waterfall of more than 400 feet north of town.
Kailua-Konaabout 1.5 to 2 hours by Saddle RoadThe sunny west side, beaches and snorkeling.Read the guide

Before you go to Hilo

Rental car at Hilo airportVolcanoes and waterfalls need a carCompare cars

Hotels in Hilo and VolcanoBase for the east sideCheck availability

eSIM for the USAData on landing, no SIM swapRead the guide

Travel insurance for the USMedical cover for visitorsRead the guide

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Rules for Hilo, checked

Check entry requirements on travel.state.gov before you fly. Citizens of visa-waiver countries need an ESTA; others need a visa.Source
Hilo Bay has been hit by tsunamis twice. When the sirens sound, go inland or uphill and stay there until officials say it is safe.
Declare fresh fruit, plants, seeds and soil on arrival. Check the Hawaii Department of Agriculture rules before you pack food.
Do not take lava rock, sand or coral from beaches or parks. Check the National Park Service rules at nps.gov/havo before you visit the volcano.Source

Plan around Hilo

All of the USA

Parks, cities, entry rules and money for a US trip

Read the guide Hawaiʻi the Big Island

Kona or Hilo, Volcanoes and Maunakea

Read the guide Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Kīlauea and what to check before you go

Read the guide Kailua-Kona

The sunny side and the beaches

Read the guide Hawaii

Choosing islands and booking reservation-only sights

Read the guide ESTA explained

Who needs it, what it costs and how to apply

Read the guide

Hilo FAQ

Is Hilo worth visiting?

Yes, as a base for Volcanoes, waterfalls and a local, less resort-driven side of the island. It is not a beach destination, so most visitors pair a night or two here with time in Kona.

Does it rain every day in Hilo?

Not every day, but showers are frequent and the town is among the wettest in the US. Mornings are often clearer. Pack a rain jacket and keep outdoor plans flexible.

Hilo or Kona?

Hilo for rain, waterfalls and the shortest drive to Volcanoes, and Kona for sun, beaches and snorkeling. The two are about 1.5 to 2 hours apart, so many visitors split the stay.

How far is Hilo from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park?

About 45 minutes by car, roughly 30 miles. That makes Hilo a practical base, and you can drive in for dawn or stay late for dusk.

When is the best time to visit Hilo?

June to September is usually drier, though showers still happen. April brings the Merrie Monarch hula festival, which fills hotels, so book early if you travel then.