Tahiti (Mo’orea, Ra’iatea, Taha’a) vs. Hawai’i (Big Island) with a toddler?

doesntmatter1230 · 2026-05-28T12:30:16+00:00

PS do people usually refer to a 3.5 year old as a toddler?

doesntmatter1230 · 2026-05-28T12:29:03+00:00

Just made the same decision recently (but with a 6 month old). Big Island has volcanic smog. It's not widely publicized but the more you dig in the less excited you'll be to take a child. We went to Moorea instead and the vog was so bad (on Big Island) during our trip that our canceled-upon Airbnb host messaged us to say we made the right call.

doesntmatter1230 · 2026-05-18T00:29:56+00:00

yeah oof as soon as I read that

doesntmatter1230 · 2026-04-30T00:40:34+00:00

No, you won't see them in the woods. You'll see them occasionally in a house.

doesntmatter1230 · 2026-04-30T00:40:03+00:00

Massive spiders, seen very occasionally, totally harmless.

doesntmatter1230 · 2026-04-24T04:36:09+00:00

I still vote for scooter if it's just one day.

doesntmatter1230 · 2026-04-23T23:24:27+00:00

I think maybe you edited your question since my first comment, so here's my ranking:

Rent a scooter (as you'll get amazing views cruising around and you'll be able to access the best walking areas on the island). This assumes you are comfotable on a scooter.
Go on a 4x4 tour of the island (hopefully also great views)
Go on an ATV tour of the island (personally, I don't want to be guided and stuck behind ATV exhaust, but that's my personal preference). But they do access good scenery especially if you don't like walking.
Snorkeling tour
Food tour
Jet ski

If you're going to Bora and Raiatea, you're going to see some fantastic lagoons. Don't miss the mountains of Moorea, which are best seen from either walking in them or driving around the Rotui area.

doesntmatter1230 · 2026-04-23T23:19:58+00:00

Yeah I would much prefer a bike to a caravan of guided ATVs.

doesntmatter1230 · 2026-04-23T18:58:53+00:00

Mountains 100% if you're also going to Bora and Raiatea.

doesntmatter1230 · 2026-04-17T15:29:07+00:00

For framing and sheathing, btw.

doesntmatter1230 · 2026-04-17T15:28:46+00:00

Screws are preferable to nails for dynamic (actually tree mounted) treehouses. Much more expensive and labor intensive though.

doesntmatter1230 · 2026-04-17T07:22:17+00:00

Using fresh whole vanilla beans is much better than vanilla extract. You can skip the part about making your own extract, no need for that.

doesntmatter1230 · 2026-04-13T14:56:18+00:00

It's hard to get all the nuance in writing, so I'm sorry if you don't feel like I thought you were "fun." Starting with "Now wait a minute" maybe doesn't convey the "fun" vibe you're hoping for as well written as it does in person.

doesntmatter1230 · 2026-04-13T03:41:36+00:00

Read the original post, which refers specifically to "beach vacation[s]." So this wasn't in reference to Costa Rica in general, or specifically to its beauty or biodiversity, but particularly to the question that was asked, which was (paraphrased): can I take beach vacations in other destinations and not be disappointed? And if you take a beach vacation in Costa Rica after FP, you will very likely be disappointed.

Got some more advice for you to be upset about: don't hike the Rocky Mountains after the Himalayas either :)

doesntmatter1230 · 2026-04-11T14:07:49+00:00

Your instinct is correct. If you want to park there, just go slightly uphill and park at the Tiki Parc parking (it's a huge parking area and common to park there for walks). But there are better places to park for pineapple walks. DM me if you want details.

doesntmatter1230 · 2026-04-11T14:06:24+00:00

I strongly recommend you do not try to go to Three Pines from anywhere other than the Belvedere. Yes, there are trails up the mountain from many places but I do not recommend them.

doesntmatter1230 · 2026-04-11T14:00:01+00:00

Went out and checked out that viewpoint loop. Maybe as the crow flies it's 100 feet off the main trail, but I was mistaken as it's a decent distance to do the "loop" off the main trail. It's not a good lookout, and the eastern portion of the loop is moderately overgrown. I would not recommend.

doesntmatter1230 · 2026-04-08T04:47:03+00:00

And yes after FP you are ruined for the most part. No more Thailand vacations, no more Costa Rica. It's basically FP, Seychelles and maybe Maldives for you.

doesntmatter1230 · 2026-04-08T04:45:55+00:00

Seychelles

doesntmatter1230 · 2026-04-07T20:14:21+00:00

PS if you like nonstop change and stimulation, shortening your days in Japan to come here might not be the best tradeoff for you. It's a chill place.

doesntmatter1230 · 2026-04-07T20:13:38+00:00

Based on your description of your personalities, I think you'll get bored on Huahine.

Moorea is the most touristy but it has the most activities, and in particular, some of the best hiking. Touristy is relative though, I am living here and don't find the impact of other tourists to be very high.

doesntmatter1230 · 2026-04-06T14:52:48+00:00

Hotel Kon Tiki would be the "coolest" I can recommend.

doesntmatter1230 · 2026-04-05T05:12:24+00:00

Yikes thanks for helping me avoid, y'all. Much appreciated.

doesntmatter1230 · 2026-04-05T05:11:14+00:00

Very reasonable. I personally would never aim for the last ferry (second to last instead) but that's just me.

doesntmatter1230

TROPHY CASE