If you have a week or more, loop beyond Sanya to see coastal towns, rainforest, and Haikou’s city side.
Haikou → East Coast (Wanning/Lingshui) → Sanya → optional central rainforest → return rail/flight.
High-speed rail covers major nodes quickly. Self-drive adds beach-hopping flexibility but needs more planning.
Travelers who want more than a single resort base, including surfing stops, smaller towns, and nature days.
7–10 days is comfortable. Less than 6 usually means cutting stops.