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If you’re visiting Oahu, Hawaii the Polynesian Cultural Center needs to be on your itinerary. When planning our trip to Oahu a few years ago, everyone we spoke to mentioned that this was a highlight of their trip. Before this, neither my husband or I had heard of the Polynesian Cultural Center, but are we ever glad we did! Our trip would not have been complete without this cultural visit and I can’t say enough good things about our visit. Check out our complete two-week Oahu itinerary, and refer to the tips for visiting the Polynesian Center below.
Here are some tips if you are planning a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center.
- Research ticket packages and purchase in advance. All of the packages are available on the Polynesian Cultural Center website to purchase. I recommend booking in advance so you don’t have to wait in a long line when you arrive. We chose the Ambassador Luau Package with a guided tour and as part of this package we also got a backstage tour, lei greeting and a souvenir DVD.
- If you are attending as a couple or small family, you will be sat with others during the Luau dinner. The main course is buffet style and tables go up in sections to get their food. When you arrive for dinner, you are seated according you your ticket level and group size. Everyone sits at long family style dinner tables, which means there are items to pass around. It was a little awkward for my husband and I as we were sat with a family of 6… and they weren’t very talkative with us. So just know that you will be sat with others if your group doesn’t fill an entire table.
- Bring a camera! There are so many neat things to take photos of throughout the villages. Make sure you take a phone or camera with you so you don’t miss out on anything.
- Parking fills up fairly quickly, get there early. The center opens at noon and there can be some traffic delays getting in. Keep that in mind if you have a guided tour.
- Depending on your package you can return for free! We found out this detail when we were checking in and it was a pleasant surprise. The Polynesian Cultural Center has a lot to see so take advantage of this if you can. It definitely is a great value when you are paying so much for your tickets.
We thought this was an incredible learning experience and it was very interactive. I would highly suggest this to anyone heading Oahu, and would love to go back myself one day.
20 comments
I have to admit, a “cultural center” sounds like a really boring place to visit, but your assessment of it makes it seem vital to a Hawaii visit. I will remember that as we plan to go in the next few years!
I kind of thought that too when we heard about it. But when we went to the website it was much more interesting! Very glad we went.
Looks like a culturally immersive experience? Interesting how everybody talks about landscapes in Hawaii. Thanks for the insights.
It really was! And yes beautiful landscapes.
On first thought is sounds very boring, but you make it interesting definitely! I love things like that beside the usual things on my trips. Thanks for sharing it, I need to add it to my bucket list when I’ll be there.
Ha! Yes that’s what we thought at first too. They should really rename it to make it more exciting.
Hawaii is somewhere I’d love to visit one day, but it’s so far and expensive for me! Sounds like you had a fun time, and this cultural centre is a good choice for families too.
It was a great time and very good for families!
This sounds like quite an educational experience and great to get a sense of Polynesian culture. I had a similar experience in New Zealand at a traditional Mauri village, so when I’m in Hawaii I will definitely look into this.
That’s very cool. If I ever go to New Zealand I’ll look up that village.
we love to understand cultures better whenever we travel to a new location. I a must sure they have a rich history and a story worth telling. This would be good for families to it seems from your experience.
It really is a great experience. I would say not for young children though.
Great tips! I think we would feel at home here, considering that it’s very much like the Philippines but with a different history and culture.
It is a very welcoming place! Highly recommend it.
Very nice tips, I will definitely use them when I visit these sites. For now it’s just a dream 🙂
Dreams are good too!! Then you won’t be disappointed 😉
Looks like a popular photographable place in Hawaii. I am not sure I will leave the beach to go here. Thanks for suggesting 🙂
Yeah the beaches are quite beautiful too!!
I do travel photography and just interested, how people react if they are photographed there? I love picturing life on the streets, markets and just locals doing something interesting.
I saw some people being photographed setting up their stalls and doing some wood work (didn’t ask for money or seem to mind), and some people were dressed up in some traditional looking clothing and they wanted money for photos. A bit of both.