Blue Tile Beach House Paia

Top 10 Small Town

by kcbrit

"Hippy Town"

What can I say about this place? Fell in love with it the first day of my trip there. This is not your regular vacation resort. In fact I would say it is quite the opposite and life takes place in the slow lane. Fabulous beaches and great restaurants that don't break the bank. There are no fancy hotels so you'll have to look for vacation rentals in the area. If you are staying on Maui try to spend a day here and take advantage of all Paia has to offer.
Paia was recently named one of America's top 10 small towns in Budget Travel magazine, 9/07.

Paia from an expert

by xoxococoaxoxo

Paia is a cute little town with a few shops and some good views. If you are going to Hana, you will have to go past Ho'okipa Park, a popular surfing spot for locals. If you want, you can go down the driveway to watch the waves from the beach. Don't go to far out on the coral, though, as an unexpected wave could carry you out to sea.
Baldwin Beach is a wonderful beach, very long too. If you want a calm swimming spot, go to the left if you are facing the ocean to get to Baby beach. Though it has a small current, it is completley protected and has no waves. For an exciting experience, go to the right side of the beach for waves. In the summer, waves are small on the North Shore, but in winter they can be very rough. If the red flag is out, use extreme caution.
The stores in Paia are VERY expensive, due to high rent. Also, most stores claim that they are the "last stop 'till Hana". Actually, there are lots of little stands along the way. Hope you have a great time in Paia!