Hainan is China’s southernmost island province—a tropical getaway with palms, coral-rich waters, and the famously gentle pace locals call “slow island life.” Once a remote outpost, it blossomed into a holiday favorite thanks to powdery beaches, rainforest hills, and a proud food culture anchored by coconut, seafood, and the four Hainan classics: Wenchang chicken, Jiaji duck, Hele crab, and Dongshan goat.

Expect sunshine in winter and spring, with summer bringing steamy afternoons and occasional storms. Many travelers pair Sanya’s resort coast (Yalong, Dadonghai, and Haitang bays) with Haikou’s heritage arcades and extinct volcano park—an easy hop on Hainan’s ring high-speed rail. Pack breathable layers, reef-safe sunscreen, and a light rain jacket just in case.

Practical notes: Hainan offers streamlined entry for many nationalities—check the latest policy before booking. Within the island, e-hailing taxis are abundant, and the coastal train is fast and scenic. Seafood markets are lively; agree on prices before cooking and avoid endangered species. Coconut water is everywhere, and local Fushan coffee makes a smooth morning pick-me-up.

Sanya

Sanya is Hainan’s sunny playground, ringed by bays of pale sand and calm, swimmable water. Yalong Bay is postcard-perfect, Dadonghai is central and lively, and Haitang Bay mixes luxury resorts with access to hot springs and duty-free shopping.

• Top sights: Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park (canopy viewpoints), Wuzhizhou Island (snorkeling and clear water), Luhuitou Park (sunset), Nanshan Temple (108-meter Guanyin statue), Nantian Hot Spring (mineral pools among palms).
• Food & drink: Coconut chicken hotpot, stir-fried Hele crab with ginger-scallion, Hainanese chicken rice, qingbuliang (iced coconut dessert), and Fushan coffee.
• Stay: For mid-range value near the beach, look around Dadonghai or Sanya Bay; for quiet resorts and hot springs access, check Haitang Bay. Browse stays on Hotels.com (Sanya) or VRBO (Sanya).
• Getting there: Fly into Sanya Phoenix Airport (SYX). Compare fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. Taxis to Dadonghai take ~30 minutes (about CNY 40–60), to Haitang Bay ~45–60 minutes (about CNY 120–160).

Day 1: Arrive in Sanya, Beach Walks and Coconut Comforts

Afternoon: Land in Sanya and check in around Dadonghai or Haitang Bay. Ease into island time with a gentle beach walk—Dadonghai’s promenade has calm water and soft sand that’s perfect for a first dip.

Evening: Dinner with a local hug: coconut chicken hotpot. Ask for Wenchang chicken in fresh coconut broth for a light, aromatic start to Hainan flavors. Cap the night with a seaside stroll; if you’re near Luhuitou Peninsula, ride up for sunset views over the city’s crescent bays.

Day 2: Yalong Bay + Forest Park Views, Then Hot Springs Soak

Morning: Head to Yalong Bay early for clear, gentle water and long walking stretches. Snag a lounger, swim, and snack on fresh fruit from beach vendors—perfect for a relaxing vibe.

Afternoon: Ride up to Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park. The canopy walkway and hilltop pavilions serve sweeping bay views and breezes—an easy, scenic amble rather than a strenuous hike. Afterward, go to Nantian Hot Spring near Haitang Bay for mineral pools shaded by palms.

Evening: Keep it low-key with a hot-spring-side dinner or head to Haitang Bay’s dining clusters. Look for simple island staples: stir-fried morning glory, garlicky clams, and Hele crab when in season. If you like dessert, try qingbuliang—ice-cold coconut milk with beans, fruit, and jelly.

Day 3: Wuzhizhou Island—Snorkel and Sea Breezes

Morning: Depart early for Wuzhizhou Island (ferries run from Houhai/Haitang area; bring passport). The island is renowned for clear water and beginner-friendly snorkeling. Rent gear on-site and stick to marked zones; use reef-safe sunscreen.

Afternoon: Take a lazy lap of the island via the shuttle to photogenic bays. Grab lunch at one of the beach cafés—simple grilled fish or coconut rice bowls hit the spot between swims.

Evening: Return to Sanya and keep dinner casual. If you’re curious about seafood markets, visit the First Market area: pick fresh prawns, squid, or grouper and have a nearby kitchen cook it to your taste (steamed with soy and ginger or black-pepper stir-fry are reliable).

Haikou

Haikou, Hainan’s capital, swaps beach loungers for heritage arcades, leafy parks, and a fascinating volcano geopark dotted with ancient lava tunnels. It’s flat, walkable, and deliciously snackable, with a café scene that pours local Fushan coffee.

• Top sights: Qilou Old Street (arcade architecture and snack stalls), Haikou Volcano Cluster Global Geopark (crater walks and lava tubes), Evergreen Park (sunset lawns), Haikou Bay waterfront.
• Food & drink: Laoba cha (old Hainan “tea” breakfasts with buns and noodles), Hainan noodles, Jiaji duck over rice, coconut milk desserts, and island-roasted coffee.
• Stay: For mid-range convenience, base near the Qilou Old Street/Haidian Island area. Browse Hotels.com (Haikou) or VRBO (Haikou).
• Getting there from Sanya: Take the Hainan ring high-speed rail (2–2.5 hours, ~CNY 100–150). Book on Trip.com Trains. Taxis in Haikou are plentiful; Meilan Airport is ~40–45 minutes from downtown by cab or an easy hop on the suburban rail to Haikou East Station.

Day 4: Sanya → Haikou by Train, Arcades and Sunset Lawns

Morning: Board a morning high-speed train from Sanya to Haikou. Watch the coast ripple past coconut groves—smooth, scenic, and budget-friendly. Drop bags at your hotel near the old town.

Afternoon: Wander Qilou Old Street, where early-20th-century arcades shade cafés and snack counters. Try Hainan noodles with slow-braised broth and a cup of Fushan coffee; pick up coconut candies or black-sesame pastries as edible souvenirs.

Evening: Stroll Evergreen Park’s paths to Haikou Bay for golden-hour skies. For dinner, assemble a “four-famous” sampler: Wenchang chicken (poached with ginger-scallion dip), Jiaji duck (rich and tender), Dongshan goat (lightly spicy), and Hele crab when available—share plates for a relaxed, mid-range feast.

Day 5: Volcano Geopark and Departure

Morning: Ride out to the Haikou Volcano Cluster Global Geopark. Walk the rim trails, peer into cooled lava tubes, and learn how ancient eruptions shaped Hainan’s fertile soils and stone villages.

Afternoon: Lunch back in town—try coconut rice with cured meats or a simple fish soup. If time allows, browse a last coffee bar for locally roasted beans. Transfer to Meilan Airport or the rail station for your onward journey.

Evening: Fly onward or connect back to the mainland. Compare fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights.

Where to Eat and Drink: Specific Picks and What to Order

• Breakfast cafés (Sanya): Beachfront bakeries around Dadonghai for croissants and cappuccinos; many also brew smooth Fushan coffee. Order a coconut yogurt parfait plus a flat white for a light start.
• Lunch ideas (Sanya): At Yalong Bay, look for simple seafood canteens serving steamed grouper with soy-ginger and garlic choy sum; near Haitang, hot-spring resort restaurants do delicate coconut rice and stir-fried clams.
• Dinner (Sanya): Coconut chicken hotpot with bamboo shoots; add taro and corn to sweeten the broth. For markets, pick live prawns, mantis shrimp, and squid to be cooked garlic-stir-fry or salt-and-pepper style.
• Haikou snack crawl: Around Qilou Old Street, seek Hainan noodles (clear pork-chicken broth, lean pork slices), rice rolls with chive and dried shrimp, and qingbuliang for dessert—icy, refreshing, not too sweet.
• Coffee to try: Fushan arabica from Hainan’s north—nutty and low acidity—served as pour-over or iced latte across both cities.

Logistics, Budget & Booking

• Budget (50/100): Expect mid-range comfort: CNY 450–900 per room-night, seafood dinners from CNY 80–160 per person, hot springs around CNY 138–238 per adult. Public beaches are free; scenic areas have modest entry fees.
• Trains: Sanya ↔ Haikou high-speed trains are frequent; reserve seats on Trip.com Trains.
• Flights: For international and mainland connections, compare on Kiwi.com and Trip.com Flights.
• Where to stay: Use Hotels.com (Sanya), VRBO (Sanya), Hotels.com (Haikou), and VRBO (Haikou) to filter by beach access, breakfast, and hot springs.

Optional Add-Ons If You Connect via Hong Kong

Many flights to Hainan route conveniently via Hong Kong. If you have a layover or plan a pre/post stop, these well-reviewed tours make excellent, low-effort additions:

• Top-Rated Hong Kong Tour: Peak Tram, Dim Sum & Cultural Sights

  

  Ride the historic Peak Tram, sample dim sum, and explore Old Town Central with priority access and a guide.

• STARLIGHT: Victoria Harbour Night Yacht Tour

  

  See the skyline from the water at night—an iconic way to end a transit day.

• Big Bus Hong Kong Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour

  

  Effortlessly cover neighborhoods, markets, and waterfronts between flights.

Summary: In five unhurried days, you’ll swim Sanya’s sparkling bays, float in mineral-rich hot springs, sip coconut and Fushan coffee, then time-travel down Haikou’s arcade streets and volcanic trails. The high-speed train keeps the pace easy and the budget balanced—so you can relax, recharge, and bring home island calm.