Tepito Ote Henua (“The Center of the World”), as the people who lived there once called it, is the most remote inhabited island on the planet. No other landmass is as isolated, which gives it an aura of mystery.
Easter Island is a National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it offers something for everyone: pink sand beaches like Ovahe, the heavenly charms of Anakena, volcanoes and grasslands to explore on foot or on horseback, marine life you can discover on diving trips, silent caverns and the Moai statues that bore witness to the rise and fall of a complex and stratified society.
But its spirit lives on in its people, language, clothing, music, dance, crafts and food. Every February, the people celebrate a return to their roots with Tapati, two weeks of festivities based on ancestral traditions such as body painting, awe-inspiring competitions, song, dance and the selection of their queen.
The island has plenty to offer the rest of the year as well. Its climate is always warm, its tourism and service infrastructure is continually improving, and the tranquility and beauty of its landscapes coupled with the charm of its people will make you want to return.
Know the experience of our visitors in Chile, through this video!
Anakena is a marvel because of its warm and placid turquoise waters, white coral sands and palm trees (brought over from Tahiti in the 1960s) as well as the unique character offered by its two Ahu sites and their respective Moai statues.
The beach is located about 18 km northeast of Hanga Roa, so you’ll need to take a rental car or taxi. This is the only beach on the island that is officially approved for swimming, though the Rapa Nui natives prefer to the natural pools formed between rocks in other areas.
Hanga Roa
Most of the hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs on Easter Island are located in Hanga Roa. The town also has two banks, crafts shops, a supermarket, art galleries, a gas station, rental agencies for cars and motorcycles and an information center.
It is easy to get around Hanga Roa on foot with the sea breeze as your constant companion.
One local highlight is the caleta (cove), which has a number of diving schools, a couple of restaurants and a quality ice cream shop/café with a view of the sea. You might catch a glimpse of a curious sea turtle surfacing in search of food.
Orongo
This ceremonial village consists of a complex of 53 houses built with flat stones and a series of rocks bearing petroglyphs that symbolize fertility, the birdman, and the Make Make, the great divinity in Rapa Nui culture. Orongo is located at the top of the Rano Kau Volcano.
Ranu Raraku
You’ll find Ranu Raraku Volcano, the cradle of the Moai, across the island from Hanga Roa. The volcano was formed in the wake of activity from Maunga Terevaka. It was chosen by the people of Rapa Nui to provide the materials for their monumental carved stone statues thanks to the relative softness of its rocks.
The volcano is one of the most appealing spots on the island for tourists and researchers alike because over 300 Moai statues of varying sizes and states of completion are scattered on its slopes.
Rano Kau Volcano
The crater is 1.6 kilometers in diameter and 200 meters deep, and the way it overlooks the sea is simply breathtaking. In addition, it is home to a lagoon and a kind of natural greenhouse where mahute, ferns, makoi, nahe nahe, and other species grow thanks to its unique microclimate. It’s a wonderful place for peaceful contemplation.
Surfing
Because the waves here crash on lava and coral, we suggest that only experts practice this sport here.
Diving
One of the main attractions of Easter Island is the clarity of its waters with visibility up to 50 meters. This allows us to be hold its caves, mountains, and underwater cliffs, populated by corals, octopus, and fish such as the Tipitipi hoe, Maito, Marau, Teteme, Kana-Kana, and totoamo. Some popular dive spots are The Garden, Omohi, the Cathedral, the motu, the Cliff, and the Bridge. As places are difficult to find, you should go with someone who knows the area and who has a boat.
Horseback Riding
Horses and cows are found all over. But beware: many of them are wild. It is best to askfor the people who rent horses and arrange the price with them. The northern area of Hanga Roa is ideal to be explored on horseback. A full day journey to the top of Terevaka Volcano, the highest point on the island, is unforgettable.
Swimming and Sunbathing
On the island there is only a swimming beach called Anakena, which is about 30 minutes from Hanga Roa by car.
Near the village is the tiny beach Pea, perfect for a dip.
Tour the Island by Bicycle
Cycling is a fun way to explore part of the island. There are several shops on Atamu Tokena Avenue offering the service.
Sport Fishing
This is one of the most popular sports on the island. This is due to the island having more than 120 species of fish, and the mode of “catch and release”.
Trekking
There are many places and trails to explore this National Park. Just remember to cause the least impact possible on the environment, to not venture off the paths, and to respect the rules set by the park rangers.
“La Tapati” in Rapa Nui
Tapati Rapa Nui, the most important cultural gathering on Easter Island will begin this 31st of January and carried out all the way through to the 14th of February of 2015, where the Rapa Nui people reencounter their ancient sport traditions and activities.
As a way to preserve and project the identity of this ethnic culture, ever since the seventies, this festival unites the Rapa Nui people, allowing tourists to experience, alongside the community, the island´s traditional passion expressed through diverse ancestral manifestations.
The basic idea of this festivity is to seek for tangible and intangible cultural encounters, to take care of and preserve the land as well as the Rapa Nui past, becoming one of the largest tasks trying to give it a more current focus, while installing a mission and vision to lead the way.
Craft Market and the Municipal Fair
In both places the craftsmen show their works in mahute (native plant of the island), moais of all sizes, carved wood, feathers and shell necklaces, sarongs, and shirts, among other things. Of course, since it is a touristy place, these prices are often quite high. Try bargaining.
Admission
All visitors are required to pay a fee upon arriving on the island, which is a national park. The price is US$20 for Chileans, US$60 for foreign nationals, and US$10 for children. The fee can be paid in Orongo or in Rano Raraku.
A traditional Dish
Tuna is offered in a variety of forms. You’ll find it grilled, in empanadas, in ceviche, and as a savory churrasco-style sandwich sold at small carts by the cove.
Be Careful with the Ahus (altars) and Moai Statues
Visitors are not permitted to get up on the stone platforms or touch the Moai.
Getting There
There are seven weekly flights from Santiago to Matavari Airport in Hanga Roa (5 h 25 min). There are currently no other flights to the island from anywhere else in the world.
When to go?
Easter Island has a subtropical, oceanic climate, so sunny days are common with showers at anytime. The hottest months are January and February, while the coldest are July and August. The high season goes from November to March, being the summer months when more people come to the island (with subsequentin creases in prices). The average water temperature is 18 ° C (64°F).
Keep in mind
-Except some hotels and restaurants, few establishments accept credit cards. We suggest to pay in cash (Chilean pesos or dollars). On the island there are only two ATMs.
- Although water is drinkable, it tastes pretty bad. Therefore, always have a bottle of mineral water on hand.
