Hawaii: Go Maui discount card

Even when you do find a good deal on airfare to Maui and a hotel, the extra costs of sightseeing and activities can quickly break your vacation budget. If you’re looking to snorkel, surf, dive and bike your way through your island vacation for less, think about buying the Go Maui Card.

Deal: The Go Maui Card is valid for any two ($269/$209 per adult/child 3-12), three ($319/$249), five ($399/$299) or seven ($519/$390) days within a 14-day period. The card entitles you to free general admission passes for a variety of tours, beach activities and cultural attractions, as well as a car-rental upgrade from Dollar. You can visit as many places as you want to, but only once per day.

While it would be tough to get your money’s worth out of the two-day pass, the three- and five-day passes can be a good deal if you plan on taking surf lessons, renting a boogie board, going on a snorkel cruise, biking down Haleakala volcano and traipsing with the kids through the award-winning Maui Ocean Center.

When: The cards can be purchased anytime before your trip, but it takes 10 business days for standard shipping ($5, or $15 for three-day express delivery). Alternatively, you can pick up your cards at select stores after you arrive in Maui for no additional cost. The cards expire at the end of the year after you purchase them (i.e., purchase one now and you will have until December 31st, 2008, to use it).

Caveats: In order for the cards to work, everyone in your group has to have one. Also, think carefully about which of the tours and activities you’re really going to do during your trip, and how much they might otherwise cost. Keep in mind that you won’t have any choice of providers, for example, which surf clinic to go to. Finally, certain tours (e.g., whale watching) are only offered seasonally.

Critique: The card’s extra dining discounts (at only three restaurants on Maui!) are negligible.

Why Go: If you plan to play in the ocean almost every day, this card could save you heaps of money.

Why Not: If you’re only going to a few museums and renting snorkel gear, the card definitely isn’t worth it.

Contact: Go Maui Card, (800) 887-9103

Have you tried the Go Maui Card? If so, did you get your money’s worth?

Related Los Angeles Times links:
Stretch of Maui beach closed after shark attack
New Hawaii Superferry will sail between Oahu, Maui & Kauai
Whale watching tours in Alaska, Hawaii & Mexico

– Sara Benson, L.A. Times Travel Deal Detective

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at 3:39 pm by Sara Benson and is filed under Family & Kids, Hawaii, Islands & Beaches, Maui, Outdoors & Adventure. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.