Kauai hotels are special. The Garden Isle is your first stop in paradise where you'll find Kauai hotels with lush tropical greenery and sparkling sand beaches. Visitors to the island worship not only its postcard-perfect beauty, but Kauai 's diversity of cultures, activities, shopping, and dining.
Photo credit: HTJ
Kauai hotels located in Lihue just off the southeastern coast Kauai between Hanamaulu and Puhi near Wailua Falls. The 80-foot falls were shown in the opening credits of the TV show "Fantasy Island".
Kauai hotels located in Princeville on the northern coast Kauai between Hanalei and Kilauea on the banks of the Hanalei River near the Halelea Forest Reserve and Kaweonui Point.
Hotel options in Kapaa, located on the eastern coast of Kauai between Kealia and Wailua near Opeakaa Falls, beautiful Kauai Beaches and the Coconut Marketplace, Kauai 's largest outdoor bazaar.
Hotels in Koloa, the birthplace of Prince Kuhio located on the southern coast of Kauai between Lawai and Poipu near the Waita Reservoir and Nahumaalo Point.
Getting around on Kauai includes rental cars, hotel shuttles, and taxis. Several companies provide guided tours aboard motor-coaches, mini-buses, vans, four-wheel drive vehicles, and limousines. Every major rental car company is represented and with the number of them, it keeps prices competitive.
Kauai also has limited bus service, but most travelers rent a car to enable them to see all the sights on their schedule. Kauai is a circular island and one major highway nearly circles it, beginning in Lihue and going north, Kuhio Highway (Hwy. 56) goes to Kee Beach past Hanalei. Going west, Kaumualii Highway (Hwy. 50) travels past Kekaha nearly to Polihale State Park.
All passengers in a vehicle must wear a seatbelt and all infants must be strapped into car seats. Pedestrians always have the right of way, even if they're not in the crosswalk.
Kauai has only the number of traffic lights necessary and to maintain this, everyone follows "aloha" traffic customs. Just remember to drive slow, yield to others, and no tailgating. Make the most of your time on the island by immersing in the local style of driving when on one-lane bridges. Yield to oncoming traffic when you arrive at a one-lane bridge. If you are the oncoming traffic and there is a line waiting on the other side, stop and let your neighbors cross. It's much more laid-back than driving on the mainland, so enjoy the scenery and drive safely.
Kauai was the first and northernmost of the 130 Hawaiian Islands to be discovered by Captain Cook, has been around the longest of the Hawaiian Islands, believed to be around 5 million years old, and may be the last to be developed. As seven of the world's classified climatic zones may be found on Kauai, spanning the entire spectrum of arid to moist, the weather here varies more frequently than on the other islands, with the central, densely forested region receiving the most rain. Natural activities are most appropriate for your Kauai visit, including a hiking trip with a guide, cruising around the local waters in search of whales, or enjoying a breathtaking tour of the island by helicopter.