Maui Travel Guide: Road to Hana, Beaches & the Best of the Valley Isle
- Maui splits into four zones: West (Lahaina, Kaanapali), South (Kihei, Wailea), Upcountry (Haleakalā) and East (the Road to Hana).
- Two drives define a Maui trip — sunrise at Haleakalā's summit and the hairpin road to Hana.
- New here? Start with the Maui travel guide, then build days with the week-long trip guide.
- Planning the logistics? Jump to plan a trip to Maui.
Maui is the island most first-timers fall for. It's big enough to feel varied — beaches on one coast, cattle country and a 10,000-foot volcano inland, rainforest and waterfalls on the other side — but small enough to see in a week. Haleakalā rises above the whole island. The Road to Hana strings together the eastern shore. Everything else is deciding which beach town to sleep in.
Ultimate Maui GuidebookWhich Maui guide to actually carry, and the insider tips they share.
Maui Travel GuideDistricts, beaches and local advice for Lahaina, Kihei, Wailea and Kaanapali.
Hawaii Travel Guide: MauiRoad to Hana tips and where to base yourself on the island.
Maui Trip GuideA sample seven-day itinerary that covers Hana, the summit and the beaches.
How to choose where to stay on Maui
| Base | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Kaanapali / Lahaina (West) | Resorts, sunsets, snorkeling | Priciest; farthest from Hana |
| Kihei / Wailea (South) | Beaches, value in Kihei, luxury in Wailea | Less lush, can be windy |
| Upcountry / Hana (East) | Quiet, nature, Haleakalā access | Few restaurants, long drives |
Most people split the difference: West or South Maui for the beach days, with one long push out to Hana and a pre-dawn run up to the crater. If you'd rather have someone else drive Hana's 600 curves, the tours section covers guided options. And before you fly, the packing list saves you buying reef-safe sunscreen at resort prices. Official island info lives at Go Hawaii — Maui.
Deciding between islands entirely? The visitors guide to Hawaii lays them side by side, or compare guidebooks in Maui Lonely Planet vs the rest.