Why visit
Honolulu (Oahu) is Waikiki beach, Diamond Head crater, Pearl Harbor, North Shore surf, and a food culture that invented poke.
United States at a glance
Country center
38.0°, -97.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
9,372,610 km²
3,618,783 mi²
Country population
334.9 million
36/km²
Subregion
North America
Currency
United States dollar ($)
USD
Dial
+1201
Language
English
Demonym
American
Internet
.us
UN
Member state
ISO code
US / USA
Where in the world
38.0° · -97.0°
United States
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Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world · CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Honolulu's Diamond Head is a volcanic tuff cone that last erupted 150,000 years ago; it is now a state monument with a hike to the summit.
- Pearl Harbor, attacked December 7, 1941, brought the US into WWII; the USS Arizona Memorial marks the sunken battleship.
- Waikiki Beach is actually an imported beach: most of its sand has been trucked in from other islands since the 1920s.
- The US has no official national language: English is de facto but not de jure.
- Alaska was bought from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million (~2 cents per acre at the time).
Bordering United States
Traveler notes
- Pearl Harbor memorial (free, timed tickets)
- Diamond Head hike at dawn
- North Shore (Haleiwa, Pipeline) for surf culture
Plan checks
- Build a three-day plan before extending. Most travel cities are easy to undersell to yourself.
- Check seasonal timing: high season can triple costs on some coastal destinations.
- Verify swim safety, ocean conditions, and water-quality reports by month.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Honolulu
What currency is used in Honolulu?
Honolulu uses the United States dollar ($), ISO code USD.
What languages are spoken in United States?
The primary language is English.
What is the international calling code for United States?
The calling code is +1201.
Other North America destinations
Las Vegas
Las Vegas is the Strip's theme-park casinos, Red Rock Canyon climbing nearby, and access to Grand Canyon, Zion, and Death Valley on short flights or drives.
Seattle
Seattle is Pike Place Market, Space Needle, Chihuly glass garden, ferry rides, and Mount Rainier + Olympic National Park 2 hours out.
Vancouver
Vancouver is Stanley Park's seawall, Granville Island's market, Gastown's restored old streets, and the North Shore mountains + Whistler 2 hours away.
Montreal
Montreal is French-speaking Canada. Old Montreal's stone streets, Plateau Mont-Royal cafés, Mile End's bagels, and festivals every summer weekend.
Quebec City
Quebec City has North America's only walled Old Town. Château Frontenac, Petit Champlain, the Plains of Abraham, and winter Carnaval.
Toronto
Toronto is CN Tower, Kensington Market, Toronto Islands, St. Lawrence Market, and some of the most diverse ethnic food in North America across neighborhoods.