Are you already thinking of the perfect destination for your next vacation? Well, if what you are looking for is a paradisiacal place where you can enjoy a temperate climate, crystal clear waters and spectacular mountainous landscapes, Hawaii is your destination. In addition, it is a place that is also worthwhile for its traditions and its people. Without a doubt, traveling to this American territory is one of the most incredible experiences you can live. The best of all is that it is an ideal destination both to go as a couple and to go with family, friends or totally alone.
Among the many attractions of Hawaii highlights the Volcanoes National Park (Hawaii Volcanoes National Park), of which today we speak. Would you like to join us? I assure you that this corner will leave you speechless!
Two of the most active volcanoes in the world
If you have the opportunity to travel to Hawaii, you cannot miss the Volcanoes National Park, declared a World Heritage Site and a World Biosphere Reserve. And we are talking about one of the most spectacular places in the world, among other things because here are two of the most active volcanoes on the planet. We mean Mauna Loa and Kilauea. As you can imagine, the landscape is changing due to the volcanic eruptions that are happening, so you can see the most surprising geological formations.
Pele, the goddess of the volcano
Founded in 1916, the park goes from the same level of the sea to the summit of the largest volcano on the planet. We refer to the aforementioned Mauna Loa, which is 4,170 meters high. Of course, the great attraction of the park is the Kilauea volcano, which has been continuously spewing lava since 1983. Legend has it that Pele, goddess of the volcano, traveled all the islands of Hawaii to settle in this place. You can tour the park through the trails that show craters, jungles and lava deserts.
What to see in the park
Of course, you should also visit the Thomas A. Jaggar Museum, dedicated to the first scientist who investigated the Kilaurea volcano, which has many scientific instruments, lava and other interesting things; the lava tunnels, especially the Thurston Tunnel (Nahuku in Hawaiian), which is more than 540 years old and leads to a truly spectacular forest; and the Kilauea Visitor Center, from where we recommend that you start your visit to the park, as they offer a video and necessary and interesting information about the volcanoes and the environment. And if you still have time to spare, don’t forget to take a tour of the spectacular black sand beaches that have not yet been covered by lava.
Legend says…
Before we say goodbye, we want to tell you about a legend about the park and the rest of Hawaii that you may need to know. And it is said that anyone who picks up a rock or black sand from the archipelago will be cursed by the goddess Pele until the rock is returned. As historians do not have records of this legend until the 1950s, it is believed that the park guards themselves invented it so that no one extracted stones. Of course, in the cabinet of the Kilauea Military Camp they have an exhibition of stones returned by people who wanted to leave behind the curse that had fallen on them.
Then we leave you with our gallery , where you will discover more images of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Do not miss it!
