Are Maui Luaus Worth the Expense?Are Maui luaus really worth the money? How to determine the true value of a luau in Maui. Difference between a Maui discount luau and a cheap Hawaiian show. Independent luau reviews.
Wood Sign First, you've got to get there. Airfare to Maui will run you anywhere from $600-$2,000 depending on cabin class and where you're flying from. Once you land, you will have to rent a car unless you plan to spend the whole time in and around your resort. Tack a few hundred more onto the bill. The first place you will be driving your rental car is to your Maui lodging. These range from moderately priced Maui oceanfront condos to prohibitively expensive 5 star Maui resorts but cheap Maui hotels do not exist. Next on our list of vacation expenses is food. Maui restaurants can be pricey but there is also lots of great inexpensive food here. You can save a pretty penny by eating many of your meals with the locals. Now that you're fed and settled, you'll be looking for things to do. Maui whale watching and helicopter tours are available for a price. Hiking or bike tours are much more affordable. Water lovers can go scuba diving in Maui or on the Maui Princess dinner cruise. Or maybe kiteboarding or kayaking can be part of your Maui adventure. Maui beaches are probably the most popular of Maui attractions and the beaches in Maui are free. Other free things to do in Maui include watching the sun rise and set and window shopping in Whalers Village and Paia town.
So Where Do Maui Luaus Fit In?A tropical beach luau on Maui costs almost $100 per adult. Prices for children vary from free for very young kids to nearly $50 per child over 12.The question is, is it worth this? In order to help you decide, let's look at each element separately.
Luau FoodPhotographic Print The quality of the food varies but to be perfectly honest with you, you could get a better meal at a plate lunch place for less than $15 per person. To be fair, the plate lunch would not include any alcoholic beverages or be all-you-can-eat. Even though you can eat as much as you like at a luau, I think the average person would be hard pressed to scarf down $90 worth of food and drink.
Maui Luau ShowsIn my opinion, this is where the value is.You're on the beach at sunset. A physically fit Hawaiian man, naked from the waist up, blows a conch shell and lights the torches. The drums begin to beat, setting the mood. The show begins. Beautiful female dancers with flowing tresses tell stories with the graceful hand and body movements known as hula. Tahitian women wearing grass skirts shimmy their hips faster than seems humanly possible. Scary-looking Polynesian warriors stomp and chant in frightening voices. The evening culminates with the exciting Samoan fire knife dance. You leave amazed that the fire knife dancer was not harmed during the spectacle. It's a night you'll remember always.
What About A Maui Luau Discount?If you can order tickets ahead of time online and get a discount on one of the best luaus on Maui it is a good idea to do so.But please do not think that the free or cheap Hawaiian shows on offer around Maui island are the equivalent. You really do get what you pay for here. Tiny and I went to one of these "free" shows once. It was on the grounds of a hotel in the Lahaina area. As it turns out, they were selling food and drinks at this show. As we were not staying at this hotel, we certainly were not going to go there for the show and not buy any food. We spent less than $50 on this evening out.Was it worth this? No. The Hawaiian show consisted of a comical (not meant to be) performance given by 3 white people and 1 Hawaiian man who looked as if he had seen better days. This is what can happen when you try to get something for nothing. So are the best luaus on Maui worth the ticket price? I think so. If this is your first trip to Hawaii or if you are here for your honeymoon or another special occasion, then definitely. A Maui luau is a must do in these situations. If you've visited the Hawaiian islands many times but have never been to a luau, go! It's good fun. And while we are talking about value, my vote for best Maui luau for families goes to the Royal Lahaina Luau which allows each paying adult to bring in 1 child under 12 for free. Related PagesReturn to the Maui Luau GuideIndependent Maui luau reviews. Pricing and schedules for the best luaus on Maui. Find the perfect Wailea or Kaanapali beach Lahaina luau to attend during your Maui, HI vacation.
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