Maui, Hawaii Itinerary Jan 2026

 Maui, Hawaii Itinerary Jan 2026


Black Sand Beach in Maui, Hawaii 


ITINERARY: FOR HI-RESOLUTION ITINERARY CLICK HERE: Maui Jan 2026 Itinerary

✈️ Flights

Arrival:
We flew into Maui Island Kahului Airport (OGG) via Southwest Airlines. 

  • Easy outdoor airport & baggage claim 
  • 📍 Note: Pick up travel guides from Baggage Claim area. Pamphlets include free coupons for activities 

Departure:
We flew to Kauai Island Lihue Airport (LIH) after our stay in Maui 

Tip: 📍 Place an AirTag or tracker in your luggage and carryon!

Random Roosters all over the island - even in bushes/trees!

🚐 Getting Around

  • Rental Car 
    • For maximum flexibility, we rented a car through Costco Travel.
    • Maui Airport shuttle required to reach rental car facility
    • Rental car lines can be long (up to 1 hour). Highly recommend one person takes the shuttle & get the rental car while the other person gets the bags. 
      • 📍TIP: If renting with Budget or other companies offering VIP / Fast Break, sign up in advance 
      •  A compact car was sufficient for the island

  • Driving Tips:

    • Bring a cell phone holder and phone charger for the car 

    • Strict speed limits — we saw several police pulling over tourists for going over speed limits

    • Do not drive backroads in Maui. See map below.

Map showing areas to avoid driving in Maui 

🏨 Where We Stayed

  • 2 nights: Courtyard by Marriott (near Maui Airport) - we stayed here because it was closer to our destinations: Road to Hana & Haleakala 
  • 2 nights: Westin Maui Resort (West Side) - this was incredible. Highly recommend! 

Hotel Notes:
Both hotels met our needs, but the Westin Maui Resort was exceptional. Highly recommend!

☀️ Weather in January 

January was hot but tolerable during the day and cooler at night. Needed light sweater at night. 

Viewpoints on the Road to Hana

💰 Money & Payments

  • Cash: Some local restaurants are cash only 
  • Credit Cards: Accepted almost everywhere else 

🎒 What to Pack
  • Drivers License & have digital copy on your phone (just in case) 
  • Medication: Motrin/Tylenol, anti-diarrhea pills, gas-x, tums etc. 
    • If get car sick, bring non-drowsy Dramamine (high dose of ginger) for the long, windy car rides especially for Road to Hana 
  • Clothing: In January, weather was 75+ degrees during day and 65 degrees at night. 
    • Highly recommend linen/cotton clothing 
    • Bring insect repellent, mineral sunscreen, hat 
    • Light jacket/shawl for cold nights 
    • Rain/wind jacket 
    • Swimsuits & cover up 
    • Clothing for Sunrise on Haleakala - make sure to pack warm clothing including winter gear (Beanie, scarf, thick hand gloves, blanket from hotel, thick jackets etc). Highly recommend 3-4 layers on upper body and lower body.
  • Bring ziplocks bags, hand sanitizer, plastic bags, napkins for car, and/or soft top cooler
  • Shoes:
    • Hiking boots if going to Sunrise on Haleakala and Pipiwai Trail

💡 Useful Tips

  • Download Google Maps Offline of Maui before your trip in case you lose cell service. We did lose cell service randomly on the island. AT&T worked better than Verizon in most areas. 

  • Check google reviews for any place you visit for most up-to-date information

  • Several restaurants are closed Mondays

🥗 Vegetarian & Vegan Food

Hawaii is surprisingly easy for vegetarians! Places we enjoyed include: 

  • Ahouni Foods
  • Hana Farms Roadside Farms
    • Macadamia Nut Banana Bread 
    • Pizza is excellent 
  • Coconut Glens Ice Cream - yum! 
  • Grandmas Coffeehouse - Cash only
    • Veggie Bagel is delicious 
  • Leoda’s Kitchen & Pie Shop
    • Try the sandwiches & pies!
  • Aloha Eats 
  • Gazebo - white Chocolate Macademia Pancakes
  • Uluani - shaved ice 
  • NOTE: We went to Costco for chocolate souvenirs to bring back!

🌍 Our Top Highlights 

💡 Tip: We bought & downloaded Guide Along (GPS-based narrated driving tour) before our trip for historical and sightseeing commentary.

✅ Ho'okpia Beach - see turtles!
Ho'okpia Beach 

✅ Road to Hana 

  • Pipiwai Trail $$ - Hike past Banyan Tree, Bamboo Forest and waterfall. This can be skipped if not enough time. Recommend being there first thing in the AM.
    Bamboo Forest

Black Sand Beach
  • Ke‘anae Peninsula Overlook
✅Haleakala NP Sunrise $$ - It gets really cold. If unable to get reservations, be at the gate at 7am and you'll get really beautiful views too! Or, can also go at Sunset! 
  • Reservations needed! Availability for reservations come out 30 days prior. 
  • Note: If you visit both Pipiwai Trail and Haleakala NP, they're the same ticket for 24 hours
Haleakala NP Sunrise


✅ Nakalele Blowhole $$ - Rough hike to blowhole, but absolutely worth it! 

Nakalele Blowhole: Watch the video!


✅ Papawai Scenic Lookout - see whales (if season)

Whale watching: Watch the video!

✅ʻĪao Valley State Monument $$

Iao Valley State Park: 2nd wettest location in Hawaii 

✅Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm  $$ - Try the lavender scone! 

  • 💡 Tip: When you arrive at the airport, get a Maui Brochure. You'll get a free coupon for admission! 
Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm

✅Maui Gold Pineapple Storefront  $$

✅South Maui Gardens - Nursery with several eating places, animals and plants

✅Beaches: 

  • DT Fleming Beach 
  • Kaanapali Beach - sunset 

Kaanapali Beach - sunset 



Location: Maui, Hawaii, USA

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