There are not that many hostels in Kailua-Kona and the surrounding areas so if you can’t find a place to sleep at a hostel and your budget is tight, consider other affordable options such as camping or sharing a vacation rental with friends.
We split the Kona coast into two parts for convenience:
- Hostels in Kailua-Kona (the town)
- Hostels in South Kona (the district, know for coffee plantations, snorkeling and the lush forests
Hostels in Kailua-Kona
Three hostels located in Kailua-Kona town are My Hawaii Hostel, the Kona Beach Hostel, and the Koa Wood Hale (aka Patey’s Place). My Hawaii Hostel is newer and has nicer amenities and a cleaner look. Even though it is a bit more expensive than the other options the value for money is excellent. On the other hand, Koa Wood Hale is a bit cheaper and is closer to the town center. The Kona Beach Hostel is in our opinion best, location-wise.
1: My Hawaii Hostel
This hostel opened in late 2015 in Kailua-Kona on Alii Drive about 3 miles south of the town center. Even though they are a bit farther from the town center, getting there is easy using either your own transport or public transport (Hele On Bus or the Keauhou Trolley). The rooms are without exception clean and the staff friendly. It is located very close to beaches and surf spots and is a short drive or trolley ride to the town center.
visit the My Hawaii Hostel website.
2: Koa Wood Hale
Located a 10-minute walk from downtown Kona and the ocean, this hostel is the closest to the town center. Not as clean and well equipped as the other hostels, but as hostels go it is still a reasonable budget option. Make sure to inquire about parking and check-in time before arriving!
visit the Koa Wood Hale on Yelp (no official website available).
3: Kona Beach Hostel
This hostel is located in the heart of downtown Kailua-Kona, just one block from the beach and a short walk from cafes, restaurants, bars, and boutiques on Ali’i Drive. Room types include co-ed dorms, female dorms, and private rooms and guests have access to a fully equipped kitchen, outdoor common areas, BBQ, wifi, and coin-operated laundry.
Visit the Kona Beach Hostel website.
The Kona Beach Hostel is conveniently located in the heart of Kailua Kona.
Hostels in Captain Cook (South of Kona)
If you want to stay away from the busyness of town in a lush, cool, and beautiful part of the west side of the Big Island, then the south Kona district is where you should head. Captain Cook is about a 20-minute drive from Kailua-Kona but has plenty of shops, restaurants and a supermarket.
1: Pineapple park (Kona location)
Pineapple Park is located ten miles south of Kailua-Kona in Kealakekua. They have both dorm rooms and numerous private rooms, some with their own bathroom. They are near one of our favorite snorkeling places in Hawaii, the Captain Cook Monument, coffee farms, and kayaking adventures.
visit the pineapple park website.