Read our guide to planning an Easter Island tour, from where to visit to when.
Easter Island is one of the most unique places on the planet. Situated in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, the island is around 3,500-km west from mainland Chile, reached by a short flight from Santiago. The first thing you notice upon arrival is the endless ocean which encompasses this Chilean haven, as total peace and solitude washes over you. And now, an adventure along the world's oldest cultural paths awaits.
Also known as Rapa Nui in the island's native language, this enchanting Pacific gem is famous for its captivating mix of archaeological wonders and undisturbed natural beauty. Its selection of landmarks feel like an open-air museum of Polynesian heritage, encompassed by bewildering volcanic landscapes and rolling hills. There are endless things to do on Easter Island, paired with an array of soul-stirring places to stay, relax and eat.
With the help of our Latin America Specialists, we have put together a quintessential guide to visiting Easter Island, equipping you with all you need to know as you plan your life-transforming trip.
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The Best Things to Do on Easter Island
See the iconic Moai statues
Many flock to Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, in hope of glimpsing the iconic Moai statues, a collection of archaeological emblems which offer a rare insight into Polynesian history. Carved by the Rapa Nui people between 1400 and 1650 CE, these statues, averaging 13-feet tall, represent ancestral figures and are believed to embody spiritual power and protection. Enhanced by the island's secluded ambience, observing the Moai statues is an experience which ignites one's most inner curiosities, as tales of one of the world's most remote cultures are told.
Key sites include Rano Raraku, the volcanic quarry where almost all the statues were carved, and Ahu Tongariki, the largest ceremonial platform on the island, featuring 15 restored Moai with the ocean as a dramatic backdrop. Easter Island also offers diverse experiences beyond the statues: its rugged landscapes, ancient petroglyphs, and continuing Rapa Nui traditions make it a truly unique destination for history enthusiasts and travellers seeking cultural depth.
Visit the ruins of Orongo
More fascinating cultural lessons await on your Easter Island tour, as the bewildering ruins of Orongo welcome visitors to wander one of the world's most intriguing landmarks. Situated on the rim of the Rano Kau volcano, Orongo was a sacred ceremonial village dedicated to the annual Birdman (Tangata Manu) competition, a ritual central to Rapa Nui culture. During the competition, tribal representatives climbed down the volcanic cliffs, swam to the nearby islet of Motu Nui, and returned with the first egg of the season from the sooty tern bird. The winner’s tribe gained authority and prestige for the year.
Touring the ancient stone dwellings and petroglyphs of Orongo, you can feel its mystery transforming into something very real, as the colourful histories of Easter Island come alive. Surrounding you is a panorama of Easter Island's most stunning scenes, crowned by the might Pacific Ocean, as the destination's cultural and natural grandeur come together in a soul-stirring performance.
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Embrace the most scenic beaches in Latin America
For something slightly different to the archaeological excursions Rapa Nui is renowned for, a visit to one of the island's magnificent beaches is a great option. The remote situation of the ocean-bound gem makes a day on the beach extra special, offering time to soak up its enchanting atmosphere whilst surrounding yourself with pristine, natural beauty.
Anakena Beach is the most famous option, located in Rapa Nui National Park, embodying the quintessential allure of Easter Island with its own collection of Moai statues and a rich timeline behind it. Its white sands, open space and scattered palm trees make it feel like something from a movie. For something quieter, you can visit some of Easter Island's smaller beaches, like the natural pools of Poko Poko and Pea, both in the town of Hanga Roa.
Marvel at Rano Kau
One of the most marvellous landscapes, not just in Chile, but in the world, Rano Kau is a gigantic volcano and crater lake which sprawls across the southwest point of the island, surrounded by sea cliffs. The volcano homes the village ruins of Orongo, but also has an intriguing history of its own. Rano Kau is one of the three volcanoes whose eruption caused the formation of Easter Island, maintaining its important status as it provided water to natives for centuries.
Now, Rano Kau stands as one of South America's most jaw-dropping natural scenes, its circular crater lake offering a peculiar sight as green isles of grass float upon it. A climb to the top of the extinct volcano invites you to gaze at wondrous, ocean panoramas, making it the perfect spot from which to admire the unique beauty of Easter Island
The Best Places to Stay on Easter Island
There are some wonderful hotels on Easter Island, perfect for travellers of all ages. When planning your holiday with Wayfairer, our Travel Specialists will only include high-range hotels and lodges which capture the essence of your chosen travel destination. Your Easter Island hotel will display the island's natural beauty whilst showing a respect for local cultures, inviting you to immerse yourself into the refreshing vibe of Rapa Nui. in an ethical way.
Nayara Hangaroa
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The architecture of Nayara Hangaroa blends into the beautiful natural landscapes of Easter Island.
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Harnessing the harmonious ambience of Easter Island, pairing it with a particularly stylish boutique vibe, Hotel Puku Vai exceeds all expectations of a homely hotel near the airport. Whilst its convenient location may be the first thing that attracts you to this hotel, its cultural charm is what draws you in most. Each part of Hotel Puku Vai champions Rapa Nui heritage, from its name (which translates to 'stone and water', representing civilisation and nature) to its design.
Your room in Hotel Puku Vai is simplistic, offering a stripped-back feeling of luxury which spotlights Easter Island's intrinsic beauty and remains non-disruptive to the humility of the island's settlements. Still, you have all the facilities you need, including the hotel's swimming pool which is shaped after a Tahonga, tributing the symbol of fertility and prosperity, and encased by tropical foliage.
Taha Tai
Embrace the chilled out atmosphere of Easter Island, relaxing on the coast in style with a stay at Taha Tai. The name literally translates to 'by the sea', pointing to the way in which this laid-back hotel honours the grandeur of Rapa Nui's unique location in the midst of the Pacific's greatness. Hotel Taha Tai offers stylish rooms and bungalows, accommodating all types of travellers in comfortable rooms accented by locally-sourced wood in what feels like a small ocean-side village.
Gastronomy at Taha Tai invites you to revel in Easter Island's local cuisines alongside international options, seating you ahead of a magnificent ocean vista each morning and evening. Attentive staff exemplify the friendly aura of Polynesian culture, whilst the hotel's luscious, tropical gardens immerse you within the natural beauty of the island.
See an example of a Chile travel itinerary which includes Easter Island:
Top Tips for your Easter Island Tour
A flight from Santiago Airport will bring you to the wondrous yet small island of Rapa Nui, where your adventure awaits. To aid your journey around this magnificent Chilean travel destination, here are some top tips from our Luxury Latin America Specialists.
1. Be respectful to local people by learning some Spanish phrases and buying from small businesses. The island's small population of 7,000-8,000 forms a significant part of its colourful character and thriving tourism infrastructure, and it is because of these people that you are granted access to Easter Island's fascinating landmarks and landscapes.
2. Be prepared for an off-grid feel to your trip, as mobile service tends to be weak around the island. You will find Wi-Fi in your Easter Island hotel, but we feel it is best to embrace the traditional lifestyle rather than depending on technology throughout your trip. If you are working, our concierge will be able to advise you on accessing data.
3. Be aware that animals often roam freely on Easter Island, including dogs, goats, sheep and wild horses. The majority of these animals are cared for by locals, so you should welcome their independence as yet another charming quality of the island, but be wary if driving!
4. If you plan to take advantage of the fabulous scenery and lack of light pollution on Easter Island, seek out the island's best sunsets. The best place to do this is the archaeological site of Tahai, where the island's moai tradition blends with incredible ocean sunsets and sunrises.
If you are keen to venture on an Easter Island tour with Wayfairer Travel, make sure to Enquire Today and get paired with the perfect Travel Specialist for you!