Halfway between Hilo and Honokaʻa on the Hāmākua Coast, you’ll find a little gem of a plantation village: Pāpaʻaloa, Hawaii. It’s a classic old sugar camp neighborhood, with little homes clustered around a county gym and park. Perched near the edge of the cliff, it’s got unparalleled ocean views with daily rainbows. Choose one of our great Pāpaʻaloa, Hawaii vacation rentals here, and enjoy exploring the Hāmākua Coast from your little piece of paradise!
There’s only one store in Pāpaʻaloa, Hawaii, but it’s so good you won’t wish for another. The Pāpaʻaloa Country Store is an old-school “one of everything” store supplying the surrounding neighborhood with basics, but with a gourmet twist. They offer great local produce, as well as a café with pizza, hamburgers, tacos, and pastries. But the real standout is the Hawaiian food, especially the laulau; the friendly service is also noteworthy.
Staying in Pāpaʻaloa gives you the best of both worlds – the quiet seclusion of charming small town living on the ocean, and access to enjoyable activities for the whole family. Just a couple miles north of Pāpaʻaloa, you’ll be pleased to discover one of the only spots on the Hāmākua Coast where the ocean is accessible. Laupāhoehoe Point is a flat shelf of land that extends into the ocean from the mouth of the valley. There’s a park there which is great for picnicking, as well as a boat ramp (where adventurous locals swim), a tidepool area, and bathroom facilities. This is a popular fishing spot.
Heading south from Pāpaʻaloa, it is less than a 10-minute drive to Botanical World Adventures, where there are activities to keep the whole family entertained. This beautiful garden nestled between the slopes of Mauna Kea and the Pacific Ocean provide a lovely backdrop of some adrenaline-inducing adventures. Cross a suspension bridge and race at top speeds through the jungle along a zip line. There are eight zip lines onsite, with the longest reaching nearly a half mile. The final run allows you to race side by side with a friend or family member in a friendly high-flying competition. This adventure is not only exciting but also beautiful, as you get the chance to zip past the stunning Kamae’e Falls. Other activities onsite are a stunning botanical garden ready to be explored, Segway and bike tours, and a large maze.
Just under a 20-minute drive south from Papa’aloa, you will find ʻAkaka Falls State Park, home to some of the Big Island’s most striking waterfalls. Take an easy stroll down the paved path lined with beautiful orchids, towering bamboo, and lush ferns. Although there is some elevation gain, the short distance of just 0.4 miles on the groomed trail is a relatively easy hike. The sight of the distant Kahuna Falls will spur you on until you reach the real gem of the hike – Akaka Falls. Akaka Falls drops 422 dramatic feet along emerald green cliffs into a deep gorge below. Take some time to enjoy the views before returning to your vehicle via the ʻAkaka Falls Loop Trail.
Pāpaʻaloa, Hawaii is just a half-hour’s drive into Hilo, the biggest town on the island, so you can enjoy all the fun activities, then retire to your peaceful little village at night, lulled to sleep by the evening rain on your roof. Come relax in Pāpaʻaloa!
Contact Us for More Pāpaʻaloa Information
At I Love Hawaii, we have a variety of vacation rentals available on the Big Island, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai. Whether you’re exploring nature at its rawest at Volcano National Park on the Big Island, surfing in Oahu’s Waikiki, catching the sunrise at Haleakala on Maui, or gazing out over the Grand Canyon of the Pacific on Kauai, our vacation rentals will ensure complete comfort during your island stay. Many of our rentals offer full kitchens, island-inspired décor, breezy lanais, and swimming pools. Please contact us to make your vacation rental booking and to get started on planning your ideal Pāpaʻaloa getaway!
