Cheap Places to Stay in Kauai (Best Budget Hotels Included)

If you’ve taken a look at places to stay in Kauai, then you probably know the going rate is around $200+ per night. And that is probably why you ended up on this page, because you are looking for cheap places to stay in Kauai to match your budget.  

Lucky for you, there are actually quite a few ways to find cheap accommodation in Kauai. From camping, glamping, cheap hotels, cabins, etc, there are easy ways to do Kauai on a budget. Our best suggestion is to move around the island and combine a few of these cheap places to stay in Kauai.

So let’s break down all the different ways to find cheap accommodation in Kauai. 

This post may contain affiliate links. Disclosure policy.

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Camping: 

Camping around the island is by far the most budget-friendly accommodation in Kauai. With some campgrounds costing as low as $3/night. Plus, many of the campgrounds allow you to sleep just feet from the waves crashing onto the shore. 

There are county, state and private campgrounds offering cheap places to stay in Kauai. But of course you will need camping gear if you choose this option. You can either travel with camping gear or rent some on the island. 

Where To Rent Camping Gear In Kauai

Pitch-A-Tent Kauai rents out affordable camping gear on the island. They are located on the East side of the island near Lihue. Although, you don’t get the actual address until you pay in full for your gear.

Pitch a tent uses contact-less pick up. So when the day you have scheduled to pick up your gear, head to a pickup box location provided and enter the special code they email you.

Some other local companies that rent gear are Kayak Kauai, Napali Kayak, and Pedal ‘n Paddle.

Another company that rents out camping gear is Outdoors Geek but the rental process is a little different.

Outdoors Geek’s rental process is a little more complicated. Once you select the gear you want, you add in the dates you want it for and they will send it via USPS to the island right before your trip. Then you simply head to USPS and pick it up!

Depending on how long you plan to camp on the island will help decipher if renting gear is worth the price. We personally find this option a bit more of a risk, because, let’s be real, who hasn’t had a package delayed by the USPS before?

Deciding if renting camping gear in Kauai is worth it?

For example, Pitch-A-Tent has a 2-day minimum rental. So if you are just camping for 2 days, the cost of rental gear is $115 ($57/day). But if you rent the gear for 7-day the cost is $250 ($35/day). 

With Outdoors Geek, the price is $219 for 1-3 days ($73/day), $284 for 4-7 days ($40/day), $349 for 8-14 days ($24/day), etc. 

So if you already own your own camping gear, we would suggest checking a bag with your airline, as it will be significantly cheaper or even free with select airlines.

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Glamping:

Another great option for cheap accommodation on Kauai is Glamping (aka – Glamorous Camping.) It’s a step above camping, usually with an actual bed, but still limited comforts beyond that.

Hipcamp is a popular website for finding cheap places to stay in Kauai that are more unique than your average cheap hotel.

Lucky for you, there is a unique glamping opportunity on the Northeast corner of Kauai at an organic farm with HipCamp.

This specific glamping experience offers a canvas tent structure with a queen size bed. Additionally, there is a mosquito net, refrigerator, hot shower, sink, shade canopy, cooking utensils, table, porta potty, etc.

If you didn’t travel to Kauai with all your camping gear, but want to find cheap accommodation in Kauai, this experience provides everything you need. 

Book a glamping experience on Hipcamp

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Cheap Hotels in Kauai: 

If you are looking for the best places to stay in Kauai on a budget, there are a few cheap hotels to choose from.

But it’s more of a gamble, and more like a 2-3 star hotel at most. I wouldn’t expect the luxury feel when choosing these budget friendly hotels. Rather a bed, a flushing toilet/shower, maybe AC?, and probably a room that could use a good update. No fancy easy access to golf courses, tennis courts, spa, fitness center, etc.

But it can also offer a place to stay in Kauai for the night for a fraction of the cost of a luxury hotel. 

Here are a few cheap hotels in Kauai that offer a room for around $200 per night or cheaper: 

Tip Top Motel – Tip Top Motel sits on top of a famous Cafe known for its pancakes and macnut cookie in the heart of Lihue. The business started in 1916, but in 1965 moved the business over to the building that now houses guests in 34 different private rooms. The rooms are VERY basic, but it is one of the cheapest hotels in Kauai. 

Kauai Palms Hotel – Kauai Palms Hotel is another budget hotel in the heart of Lihue. So if you are looking for ocean views, this might not be the best option. But it is within walking distance of many shops and restaurants. The Kauai Palms Hotel building was built in the 1950’s and reflects the old Hawaiian style. Rooms are again pretty basic, but have a little more Hawaiian style added in. 

Kauai Shores Hotel – Kauai Shores Hotel is located on the east coast in Kapaa. It is one of the cheaper hotel options in the area and offers some nice amenities. Such as an outdoor pool, hot tub, private beach, and on-site restaurant. The rooms seem to be average, but could use an update.

Also, be sure to check out their specials page as they often have unique deals going on. Such as stay 5 nights, get the next night free. 

The Kauai Inn – The Kauai Inn is located near the Nawiliwili Bay in a historic building dating over 100 years old. Here you can get a stunning view of the mountains and a short walk to Niumalu Beach Park.  However the it’s more of a rocky shoreline than a beach. And this area is near the airport, so expect flights overhead.

Hotel Coral Reef – Along the oceanfront in Kapaa, is Hotel Coral Reef Resort. It is a smaller hotel that has been around since 1956. The rooms have since been remodeled. 

Aston Islanders – Located near the heart of Kapaa and with nice ocean frontage is Aston Islanders. Rooms are modest but a good price for what you get. Close proximity to local restaurants, shops, and more. 

The ISO – Located oceanfront in Kapaa you will find The ISO. While it does seem like they are renovating rooms, it’s a continued work in progress. But you might still pay the same price for a “renovated” room even if it is an outdated room.

There is a restaurant called Bull Shed on site, but it is an additional cost. Expect more of a budget hotel room, and maybe you will be surprised if you score one of the renovated rooms!

Plantation Hale Suites – An affordable hotel offering 3 outdoor pools and a 3-minute walk to the beach is Plantation Hale. While the rooms might be in need of an update, it is a good option for cheap hotels in Kauai.

The Historic Inn Waimea – One of the only affordable budget hotels near Waimea is The Historic Inn. Rooms are modest and offer more of a Bed & Breakfast feel. 

The West Inn – The West Inn is located Southwest in Waimea. It is a bit outdated, but offering cheap accommodation in Kauai. This is one of the better options if you want to visit Waimea Canyon or Kokee State Park.

Waimea Plantation Cottages – A unique affordable accommodation in Kauai is the Waimea Plantation Cottages. On 43 acres of oceanfront are 59 authentic plantation homes for rent. The cottages offer 1 to 5 bedroom units, which can be great for housing a solo traveler up to a large family. 

Kauai Beach Resort & Spa – On the higher end is Kauai Beach Resort & Spa. But if you are looking for an affordable resort in Kauai on the ocean to sit back and relax, this is one of the more affordable resorts in Kauai. Expect to pay over $200/night even in non-peak season. 

Do keep in mind, most of these cheap hotels in Kauai will incur additional costs:

Taxes: Taxes are usually not included in the price, and Hawaii has a high tax rate. The state-imposed tax on hotel rooms is 14.5%.

Resort fees: If the hotel/resort has any amenities for guests to use (such as breakfast, fitness room, pool area, beach toys, etc) they often add on a resort fee.

Parking: Parking is not always added into the cost of the hotel. Often near cities, hotels/resorts will charge an additional fee for parking. 

So with all the added taxes & fees, you can typically expect to pay way more than the “nightly rate” you first find via the website.

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Vacation Rental:

Similarly to cheap hotels in Kauai, there are also cheap vacation rentals on the island as well. We use VRBO or Airbnb to find cheap places to stay in Kauai on a budget.

I often use the filters in the search bar to find places that are under $200/night so it can help narrow down my search and help me stay on budget. 

Similarly to cheap hotels in Kauai, there are many more fees and restrictions tacked on after the nightly price. So while you might find a good deal on a nightly rate, there will definitely be costs that make it more expensive. Such as cleaning fees, service fees, damage deposits, taxes, minimum night stays, etc. 

Generally, the fees are the same whether you stay for 1 night versus 1 week. For example, I found a place in Lihue that was $80/night, but with all the additional fees tacked on, it was $335/night. But generally, the longer the stay, the more days the fees can be spread out. So a $100 cleaning fee for 5 days only adds $20 extra per day, versus one night with a $100 cleaning fee. So just keep this in mind when trying to find cheap accommodation in Kauai. 

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Tentalow/Bungalow/Yurt: 

A unique cheap place to stay in Kauai is renting a tentalow, bungalow, or yurt. Kumu Camp has all three to rent on the island’s east side, just feet from the ocean. The price runs $85-$240 per night, and can accommodate 1-10 people depending on the cheap accommodation in Kauai you choose. 

This does offer a more rustic atmosphere, so I wouldn’t quite expect a full “glamping” experience. Kumu Camp does have an outdoor kitchen with a grill, intermittent wifi, hot showers, and flushing toilets. 

But again, if you didn’t bring your camping gear with you to the Hawaiian Islands, then renting one of these unique accommodations can be one of the best cheap places to stay in Kauai. They provide all the linens and extras you might need for a good night’s rest.

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Hostels in Kauai: 

Sadly, there are no longer any hostels open in Kauai. Kauai Beach House is your only hope, but as of late they are doing “renovations”. And there is not much information about when they will be done. 

There are various ways to get in contact with them on Kauai Beach House’s website. But I personally was not able to get in contact with them. And per reviews on both Google & Trip Advisor, it seems as though they don’t have great communication with guests.

So I can’t advise this option for best cheap places to stay in Kauai, unless you have a backup plan or hear otherwise from other guests. 

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Cabins For Rent in Kauai: 

If you are looking for a “camping” experience but want 4 walls, a roof and bed, then renting a cabin in Kokee State Park is the perfect cheap accommodation in Kauai for you. Kokee State Park has 5 different cabins for rent. 

Do note, these cabins are located in the mountains, so expect temperatures to be lower than down at sea level. These are rather rustic cabins in the woods, so you can expect to find a few critters and no cell service. Which can provide the perfect little piece of solitude in Kauai.

All cabins come equipped with kitchen essentials, bath towels, and linens. They also come with wood burning stoves, so maybe pick up a couple bundles of wood on your way up to the mountains. 

Book at Cabin at Kokee State Park

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Rent a Campervan in Kauai

(Vehicle & Accommodation In One Place):

If you are going to rent a car, consider getting a camper van which can be both a vehicle to get you from point A to B and a place to stay.

While vehicle camping is technically “prohibited” in Kauai, there are a few private campgrounds that do allow it.

Plus we found there really isn’t anyone enforcing the rules at most of the camping areas. So you could consider following the Stealth Camping rules by showing up late and leaving early.

If you do rent a campervan while in Kauai, the best places to stay are Kumu Camp, Camp Naue, or Camp Sloggett. Our favorite companies to rent from are Outdoorsy & RVezy.

Or consider getting a rig with 4×4 and getting more off-grid to the remote state primitive campsites.

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Book A Private Room in an Airbnb: 

Another option for finding cheap places to stay in Kauai is a private room in someone’s house. This can be a great way to save some money and find one of the best places to stay in Kauai.  But know that you will likely be sharing the space with other people.

I often add a filter for accommodation from $0-$200 to find cheap accommodation in Kauai on Airbnb. This will show you all different types of accommodation offered, such as an entire place, private room, or shared room. If you are specifically looking for a private room or shared room, then you can click the filters to just show you those Airbnb locations. 

Luckily many of these cheap types of accommodations have a lower cleaning fee and have less restrictions. But contrary to that, you are often sharing a full kitchen, living room, and bathroom.

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Takeaway | Guide for Cheap places to stay in Kauai on a budget

Kauai is simply a very expensive island to visit. But it is a truly magical place, so it’s worth it if you can find cheap stays that fit your budget.

Jake and I spent 13 days straight camping in Kauai. And ultimately, camping allowed us to afford a much longer stay in Kauai, but it definitely wore us down after a while. So we definitely wish we added in a few of these different cheap places to stay in Kauai.

Adding in a few cheap hotels or renting a private room in someone’s house, could have been exactly the reset we needed.

But keep in mind that we were not looking for a relaxing vacation on the beach. We spent every day exploring new places on the island, mixing in mountain hikes, waterfalls, beaches, sightseeing tours, and restaurants. So a luxury resort probably would have been a waste of money for how little time we would have spent there.

So we hope this guide for the best places to stay in Kauai on a budget helps you live your best life at a fraction of the price on this beautiful island!

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