Free Things to Do in Hilo, Hawaii
Hilo is the Big Island’s best town for travelers on a budget, because so many of its best experiences cost nothing at all. Waterfalls thunder a few minutes from downtown, a 30 acre Japanese garden lines the bay, the country’s only rainforest zoo charges no admission, and black sand beaches with basking sea turtles are free to visit. You can fill two or three full days in Hilo without buying a single ticket.
This is the single complete guide to free things to do in Hilo Hawaii. It covers the free waterfalls, gardens, beaches, museums, and markets that make Hilo special, plus practical tips for getting around town without spending much. If you have been searching for anything about things to do in Hilo Hawaii free, the answers are all here on this one page.
Free in Hilo at a Glance
| ABOVE DOWNTOWN: THE WAILUKU RIVER | |
| Rainbow Falls | 80 foot waterfall, free, in Wailuku River State Park |
| Boiling Pots | Bubbling lava rock pools upstream, free |
| ON THE BAY | |
| LiliΚ»uokalani Gardens | 30 acre Japanese garden on Hilo Bay, free |
| Coconut Island | Small island park off the gardens, free |
| MokupΔpapa Discovery Center | Free marine monument museum downtown |
| DOWNTOWN | |
| Hilo Farmers Market | Free to browse, open daily |
| SOUTH OF TOWN | |
| Panaewa Rainforest Zoo | Only rainforest zoo in the US, free admission |
| UP THE HILL | |
| Kaumana Caves | Free lava tube county park |
| EAST OF TOWN | |
| Richardson Ocean Park | Black sand beach with turtles, free |
| THE STRATEGY | |
| Best strategy | Group sights by area to save driving time |
Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots
Rainbow Falls, or WaiΔnuenue, is Hilo’s signature sight and it is completely free. The 80 foot waterfall pours over a wide lava cliff into a deep pool in Wailuku River State Park, just a few minutes above downtown. Go on a sunny morning and the mist throws rainbows across the gorge, which is how the falls earned their name. Hawaiian legend says the cave behind the falls was the home of Hina, the goddess of the moon. Parking is free and the viewpoint is a short, easy walk from the lot, so allow 30 to 60 minutes.
Continue up the road to the Boiling Pots, also called Pe’epe’e Falls, where the Wailuku River churns through a series of lava rock pools that bubble like cauldrons after rain. A massive ancient banyan tree shades the overlook. The walk from the falls to the pots adds another 30 minutes or so, and together they make an easy half morning. Swimming is not advised at either spot because of strong currents and flash flood risk, so admire them from the viewpoints and respect the signs.
Liliuokalani Gardens and Coconut Island
Liliuokalani Gardens is a 30 acre Japanese style garden on the Waiakea Peninsula, named for Hawaii’s last reigning monarch, and it is free to enter. Arched red bridges cross koi ponds, stone lanterns dot manicured lawns, and huge banyan trees frame views across Hilo Bay. It is the largest Japanese garden of its kind outside Japan, and it is a perfect picnic spot or a peaceful hour long stroll. Parking is free and the gardens are open from sunrise to sunset.
Just offshore sits Coconut Island, or Moku Ola, connected to the shore by a short footbridge. The little island has a grassy field, picnic tables, restrooms, and tiny sandy coves that are popular with local families. Kids love the shallow swimming area. Combine the gardens and the island into one relaxed outing, and you have a full free morning on the bay.
Panaewa Rainforest Zoo
The Panaewa Rainforest Zoo is the only zoo in the United States located in a tropical rainforest, and admission is free. The 12 acre county run zoo sits in the rainforest south of Hilo and houses white tigers, spider monkeys, giant anteaters, and a petting zoo, all set among dripping wet tropical gardens. Donations are welcome and help keep it free. Plan at least two hours, wear shoes that can handle mud, and bring rain gear, because this is one of the wettest spots in an already rainy town.
What makes Panaewa special is the setting as much as the animals. The paths wind through dense rainforest where the air smells of wet earth and flowers, and the sound of rain on the canopy is constant background music. The white tigers are the star attraction, but the primate islands, the aviaries full of colorful birds, and the quiet orchid displays reward visitors who slow down. It feels less like a traditional zoo and more like a walk through the jungle that happens to have animals in it.
Mokupapapa Discovery Center
On Hilo’s bayfront, the Mokupapapa Discovery Center is a free museum devoted to PapahΔnaumokuΔkea Marine National Monument, the vast protected area in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands that most people will never visit in person. Exhibits cover the monument’s natural science, culture, and history, and the centerpiece is a large saltwater aquarium. It is an easy 45 minute stop on a rainy day, right in the walkable bayfront district, and the staff are famously generous with local recommendations.
Kaumana Caves
For a free underground adventure, head up Kaumana Drive to Kaumana Caves County Park, where a skylight opens into a 25 mile long lava tube formed by an 1881 flow from Mauna Loa. Legend says the flow stopped just short of Hilo through the intervention of Princess Ruth. The entrance is free, the parking area is small, and signage is minimal, so bring a good flashlight, wear closed toe shoes and long pants, and expect it to be cool and dripping inside. You can follow the ancient river of lava for more than a quarter mile into the dark.
Free Beaches Near Hilo
Richardson Ocean Park, a few miles east of town, is Hilo’s best free beach day. Black sand, tide pools, lava rock formations, and frequent Hawaiian green sea turtles make it far more interesting than a typical swim beach, though the swimming is decent in the protected coves when the surf is calm. There are restrooms, showers, and picnic tables, all free.
Carlsmith Beach Park, also called Four Mile, is another free local favorite with clear water and good snorkeling when conditions are calm. Onekahakaha Beach Park has a protected shallow pool that is ideal for small children. None of Hilo’s beaches charge admission or parking, which makes beach hopping one of the cheapest ways to spend a day on the east side.
Hilo Farmers Market and Downtown
The Hilo Farmers Market in the heart of downtown is free to browse and open daily, with the biggest vendor turnout on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Tropical fruit, just cut flowers, macadamia nuts, and local crafts fill the stalls, and grazing on samples is half the fun. Even if you buy nothing, the market is a window into everyday Hilo life.
Downtown Hilo itself is worth a free walking tour. Historic false front buildings house bookstores, galleries, and bakeries, and colorful murals brighten the side streets, including large scale works celebrating Hawaiian culture and the town’s plantation history. The Wailoa River State Recreation Area, with its bridges, ponds, and war memorials, is a pleasant free stroll near the bay, especially pretty in the early morning when the water is still.
Food lovers can graze for free too. Stop into Big Island Candies for free samples of their famous chocolate dipped shortbread, a Hilo institution. The Hilo Coffee Mill and the town’s bakeries hand out tastes, and the farmers market vendors are generous with fruit samples. If you have a sweet tooth, read our guide to malasadas, Hawaii’s Portuguese sweet, before hunting down Hilo’s bakeries for the real thing.
Planning Your Free Days in Hilo
Hilo’s free sights cluster into three easy groups, and planning around them saves a lot of driving. Group one is the waterfalls and the zoo: Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots in the morning, then the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo in the afternoon, with Kaumana Caves as a detour on the way back into town. Group two is the bayfront: Liliuokalani Gardens, Coconut Island, the Mokupapapa Discovery Center, the farmers market, and downtown, all walkable or a short drive apart. Group three is the coast: Richardson Ocean Park and Carlsmith Beach Park for a beach day.
Rain is the wild card. Hilo is famously one of the rainiest towns in the United States, and downpours can arrive with little warning. The waterfalls are actually more impressive after heavy rain, but the Boiling Pots area and the caves deserve extra caution when the Wailuku River is running high. Keep a flexible order to your days: save the gardens and beaches for the sunniest forecast, and keep the museum, the market, and downtown for the wettest one. A lightweight rain jacket belongs in your daypack no matter what the morning sky looks like.
Getting around is straightforward. A rental car gives you the most freedom, and parking is free at nearly every sight on this list. The county Hele-On bus connects Hilo with the beaches and the zoo for a small fare, so check the current schedule if you are traveling without a car. Most visitors find that two full days cover the free highlights comfortably, with a third day for the volcano park or the Hamakua coast.
One Small Splurge Worth Knowing About
Not everything near Hilo is free, and it is worth knowing the exceptions so you are not surprised. Akaka Falls State Park, about 15 miles north of town, charges nonresidents a parking fee plus a per person entry fee for its spectacular 442 foot waterfall and lush loop trail. It is one of the finest waterfalls in Hawaii and most visitors consider the small fee money well spent. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park also charges an entry fee, but it anchors any Big Island trip. For planning the wider island, see our guides to the best things to do on the Big Island and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Video: Exploring Hilo on a Budget
A self guided walking tour of Hilo’s free highlights, from the farmers market to the bayfront and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is free to do in Hilo Hawaii?
Rainbow Falls, Boiling Pots, Liliuokalani Gardens, Coconut Island, Panaewa Rainforest Zoo, Mokupapapa Discovery Center, Kaumana Caves, Richardson Ocean Park, and the Hilo Farmers Market are all free.
Is Rainbow Falls free?
Yes. Rainbow Falls is part of Wailuku River State Park, which has no admission or parking fees. The park is open from sunrise to sunset.
Is the Panaewa Zoo really free?
Yes, admission is free. The county operated zoo is the only one in the United States set in a rainforest. Donations are welcome.
Can you swim at Rainbow Falls?
Swimming is not advised at Rainbow Falls or the Boiling Pots because of strong currents and flash flood danger. Enjoy them from the viewpoints.
How many days do you need in Hilo?
Two to three days covers the free highlights comfortably: one day for the waterfalls and gardens, one for the beaches, and one for the zoo, caves, and downtown.
Is Hilo cheaper than Kona?
Generally yes. Hilo has more free attractions, cheaper food, and lower hotel rates than the Kona side, which is one reason budget travelers base themselves here.
Can you visit Hilo without a car?
It is possible but slower. The bayfront sights, the market, the museum, and downtown are walkable from the cruise port area. The waterfalls, zoo, caves, and beaches are easier with the county bus or a rental car.
What is the best free beach near Hilo?
Richardson Ocean Park is the top pick, with black sand, tide pools, and frequent sea turtles. Carlsmith Beach Park is best for snorkeling when the ocean is calm.
Hilo proves that the best of Hawaii does not have to come with a ticket price. Waterfalls, gardens, lava tubes, black sand beaches, and a free rainforest zoo are all within a short drive of downtown, and the town’s easygoing rhythm makes it a pleasure to explore slowly. Bring rain gear, keep your plans flexible, group the sights by area, and let Hilo show you how much Hawaii gives away for free.
