I stayed in a camper van in Hawaii for $119 a night, and it was a trip from hell in paradise filled with hidden costs and issues

Ashley ProbstSep 13, 2022, 19:05 IST

My camper-van trip in Hawaii wasn't very cheap or very fun.Ashley Probst

I rented a camper van in Hawaii for $119 a night. It wasn't worth it, and it didn't save me money.
I had issues driving and staying in the van and finding legal spots to park it overnight.

Waking up on the beach in Hawaii may sound like a dreamy respite, but my recent stay in a camper van on Oahu was the opposite.

I rented a camper van in Hawaii and regretted it.Ashley Probst

Renting a van includes the risk of last-minute changes.

My hosts messaged me the night before my reservation about a major change to our pickup arrangements.Ashley Probst

Finding legal places to park overnight was a challenge.

Amenities on the Malaekahana Beach Campground property.Ashley Probst

There was no user manual with the van, so I had to inquire about a lot of things.

Since there were no instructions in the Airbnb listing, I expected there to be a user manual in a conspicuous place, like this tray.Ashley Probst

With a rental, you're on your own for any cleanliness issues.

Some of the pillows and towels supplied in the van looked dirty.Ashley Probst

Maintenance issues can be high stakes when your mode of transportation is also your temporary home.

The parking-brake light was stuck on.Ashley Probst

Maneuvering the van was nerve-racking.

I didn't like driving over this bridge in Haleiwa because it felt too tight for such a wide vehicle.Ashley Probst

Parking such a big rig was challenging, especially when technology failed me.

The backup camera stopped working when I tried to park the van for the first time.Ashley Probst

In some cases I adjusted my travel plans to suit the camper van and my safety concerns.

I strategically parked in places with angled stalls to easily enter and exit.Ashley Probst

On my first night, I arrived at the campground late and got locked out.

I was supposed to park in this spot for my first night in the van, but I couldn't access it.Ashley Probst

Another visitor advised me to stay in the parking lot overnight.

The entrance gate was locked when I arrived at the campground.Ashley Probst

The next morning I realized my van would have been too tall to access the campsite anyway.

I wouldn't have been able to drive the van through this tree tunnel with a 6-foot clearance.Ashley Probst

Fortunately, my second campsite was quite enjoyable and easy to find.

I booked a parking space at Sun Farm Hawaii through Hipcamp.Ashley Probst

The property was gorgeous, and the owners and guests were welcoming.

The property was covered in fruit trees, tropical flowers, and other plants.Ashley Probst

My van didn't have a shower or toilet, so I was excited to use those amenities in this campsite.

The outdoor shower.Ashley Probst

During my last morning with the van, I finally figured out how to operate various things that I'd thought were broken.

I didn't see this faded note with instructions until the morning I was scheduled to check out.Ashley Probst

Overall, renting the camper van cost way more than I'd thought it would.

Renting a van isn't always cheaper than staying at a hotel.Ashley Probst, Airbnb

It would've been cheaper to book a more traditional stay and rent a small car.

The van experience was unique, but it was not perfect.Ashley Probst

I'll never stay in a camper van in Hawaii again, and I wouldn't recommend it either.

Van life in Hawaii comes with issues that can harm locals.Ashley Probst

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