The famed Road to Hana on Hawai’i’s Maui island starts in Kahului, near the airport. It traverses 63 miles and a seemingly endless stretch of one-lane bridges and switchbacks — taking you past some of the planet’s loveliest waterfalls and hiking trails. It’s a drive that embodies the journey-is-the-destination mindset. So why not keep the journey going a little longer by breaking it up with some overnight stays? Add in some beachside camping and waterfall hiking without having to skimp your time in the destination itself.
Photo: Hyatt
Enjoy Maui’s Road to Hana Longer With an Epic Overnight Stay Along the Way
This plan will be rewarded with some of Maui’s most memorable, off-the-resort-path lodging options. Accommodations along the route and in Hana range from campsites to luxury hotels, with everything in between. No matter which you choose, you’ll wake up surrounded by the beautiful scenery for which Maui’s eastern side is famous.
We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Where to stay by the Road to Hana’s best hikes and waterfalls
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Upper Waikani Falls is located between mile markers 19 and 20, about halfway timewise along the route. Nearby along the route are Puohokamoa Falls, Makapipi Falls, Waiokilo Falls, Kopiliula Falls, and others, a handful of which require a hike in. There are also plenty of popular hikes — like the Bamboo Forest, Twin Falls, and the many trails at Ko’olau Forest Reserve — each of which is doable as a day hike. To spend more time exploring the falls and forest before continuing on to Hana, you could rent a jeep equipped with a rooftop tent. Aloha Glamp’s jeep is bookable via Booking.com. Towels and bed linens are provided and it gives you a little more flexibility on the journey. A stay in this region means you’ll be surrounded by hiking and sightseeing opportunities just outside the Haiku-Pauwela town, a short drive from Paia.
Photo: Serge Yatunin/Shutterstock
Paia itself is a hippie beach town that combines a laid-back vibe with upscale amenities. It’s the place to sip the perfect cup of coffee at Island Fresh Cafe in the morning and spend the afternoon overlooking the windsurfers hucking their moves at Ho’okipa while eating the best fish taco you’ve ever had. With a town so epic, there’s no reason to pay $500 plus a night for accommodation. Stay in an Airbnb near the beach a little over $200 for a house or at the renowned Aloha Surf Hostel, where for $136 per night you can become buddies with fellow surfers who can show you the best waves before you hit the road to Hana.
Camping at Wai’anapanapa State Park
Photo: Shane Myers Photography/Shutterstock
Wai’anapanapa State Park is among the top stops on the Road to Hana, largely because of its famed black-sand beach and trails through the lush forest. Camping is available in the park with a reservation at $30 per night for non-Hawai’i residents, with the same rate applying to campervans. The park also rents out cabins for $100 per night, two-night minimum, which are as secluded as the surrounding park is beautiful.
Should you elect to spend the night at the park, make the most of your time by doing the quick hike at the nearby Hana Lava Tube and stopping by the Hana Maui Botanical Gardens. Inside the park, you’ll likely spend most of your time hiking and lounging on that black sand. Just don’t forget your camera, because unless you make it back to the Wai’anapanapa, you’ll never find yourself in a setting like this again.
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Where to stay in Hana town
Photo: Hyatt
If you’re going to take the Road to Hana, it’s well worth staying over in Hana itself for at least a night. The most unique lodging in Hana town is the the farm cottage at Olamana Organics, reservable on Airbnb. For about $355 per night, you get a one-bedroom cottage on farmland on the outskirts of town, immediately surrounded by nothing but dense tropical foliage. At this small-scale working organic tropical fruit farm, you will likely see the owners harvesting fruit or flowers and taking care of the plants. Guests are encouraged to walk around the five acres and enjoy the land. If your goal in getting to Hana is to soak in the island’s wilder side, this is the place to stay.
Or, if you’d like an ocean view, check out this one-bedroom cottage on the edge of Hana Bay. It has an open-planned living space and a covered deck looking out onto the ocean. Here, you’ll have a front-row seat of spectacular sunrises and sunsets while listening to the waves crashing on Waikaloa Black Rock beach.
That said, luxury is never far away on Maui. If cost is not the issue, check into the Hana Maui Resort. This Hyatt property has all the trimmings of a luxury beach resort, with outdoor dining, a massive pool, and an on-site spa. You can take a morning walk to Hana Bay Beach Park, savoring the view before the day-trippers arrive from Maui’s west side. Just be ready to spend over $550 per night.
For a more humble but no less picturesque stay, consider the Hana Inn (long known as Joe’s Place). Rooms here start at just over $150 per night with easy access to Hana Bay. The house deck and barbecue make this an easy place to meet fellow travelers and share recommendations — and swap ideas for yet more magical spots to visit on your way back west. 