Cultura giusta

A few weeks ago, I was on a flight to San Francisco when I received the sweetest surprise, a text from my boyfriend saying he got us tickets to Kauai, Hawaii! If you’re planning a trip to this magical island, I’d love to share with you some of my favorite things we did during our stay.

We spent most of our time in Hanalei Bay on Kauai’s North Shore, so many of these travel tips and recommendations are centered around that area. From beautiful beaches to unforgettable hikes, here’s everything I’d suggest for your own Kauai getaway.

Kauai Sushi Station

We flew from LAX to the Lihue airport, we arrived just in time for dinner. It worked out so perfectly because the Kauai Sushi station was on the way to Hanalei Bay. The sushi was delicious. Definitely recommend. It got pretty busy at a certain point but definitely worth it. The fish was so fresh.

Tunnels Beach

On our drive to Tunnels Beach on Kauai’s North Shore, it was raining a little but as we arrived, a beautiful rainbow stretched across the sky. The beach was empty and we felt like Hawaii was welcoming us with a beautiful rainbow 🙂

We went out early in the morning and for a while, it felt like we had the beach completely to ourselves. We laughed, swam, snorkeled, and even spotted an eel! It was such a special morning. One I will truly remember forever.

Hiking the Nā Pali Coast

We hiked the breathtaking Nā Pali Coast, and I have to give major credit to my boyfriend, he’s the most thoughtful planner. A whole month before our trip, he woke up at 2:00am PST just to reserve our park entry passes.

The views along the trail were beyond anything I imagined: towering sea cliffs, everything was so lush, full of life. The Nā Pali Coast is famous for its dramatic cliffs, accessible only by foot, boat, or helicopter, and it’s often ranked among the most beautiful coastlines in the world. It was one of the most memorable parts of our trip to Kauai.

We got muddy along the way, but honestly, that made the hike feel even more adventurous.

As I looked around, it felt like every inch of the Nā Pali Coast was pulsing with life. If you’re searching for the best hikes in Kauai, this one absolutely belongs at the top of your list. It’s challenging, yes, but it’s also one of the most breathtaking hikes I’ve ever been on. A must for any Kauai itinerary!

Later that day, we snorkeled in Kauai’s warm waters and had an unforgettable experience swimming with turtles. As I swam alongside my boyfriend, we spotted a turtle deep down below. While we were completely mesmerized, I realized there was another turtle just inches beneath me. It felt like a scene straight out of a movie!

We watched as the turtle swam away, and my boyfriend followed. Then, the turtle paused. The two of them, my boyfriend and the turtle, locked eyes in a quiet, magical moment. It was one of those rare experiences that felt like a storybook. Another moment I will remember forever.

Wailua Falls

The next day we went to see Wailua Falls, a beautiful and easily accessible waterfall. Although we couldn’t get as close as we’d hoped, the view was still incredibly stunning.

Hanalei Bay

There were so many beautiful shops, boutiques, and restaurants in Hanalei.

A few of my favorite food spots in Hanalei:

• Hanalei Poke
• Wake Up Delicious: Didn’t get to try the garlic shrimp but if and when I go back it’s at the top of my list
• Big Nick’s
• Musubi Truck

Spending time with my boyfriend’s parents made the trip even more meaningful.

One of the nights we went to this beautiful rooftop bar at the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. The views at sunset were beautiful. The perfect spot to unwind after a day of exploring Kauai. If you’re looking for a romantic or scenic place to grab a drink in Kauai, I highly recommend catching sunset here.

Poipu & around Kauai

• Java Kai Coffee, I didn’t realize this was a chain but the food was so good.
• Living Foods: really nice grocery store in Poipu

Surfing for Beginners

Kauai is an amazing place to learn how to surf! I was lucky to have a great instructor 🙂

and to my surprise, I stood up on my very first wave! It felt natural, I definitely found a new hobby and would like to continue practicing! There’s something incredibly freeing about catching a wave and standing up, even if it was a baby one. In my mind, it felt huge, but I’m proud to say I’m officially part of the baby wave surfing community lol

I’m so grateful for the incredible experiences and unforgettable moments we shared on this Kauai trip. Hawaii truly is a colorful, tropical paradise filled with so much life and beauty at every turn. It truly has a special place in my heart. I feel so thankful to have traveled to such a magical Hawaiian destination, surrounded by so much love and laughter.

Until next time, Hawaii. Thank you ♡

With so much love,