![\"Ahu](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Ahu-Tongariki.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nEaster Island, located in the midst of the vast Pacific Ocean, is one of the most remote inhabited destinations in the world. Renowned globally for its enigmatic stone statues, the moai, this island offers adventurers an unparalleled experience that combines history, culture, and unparalleled natural beauty.<\/p>\n
Easter Island gained its name from the day it was first encountered by the Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1722. However, the local name is Rapa Nui, which holds deep cultural significance for the native inhabitants.<\/p>\n
Here’s my ultimate guide to Easter Island, with everything you need to know to have an unforgettable trip to this magical destination. <\/p>\n
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Most of the hotels and lodges are located in Hang Roa. It’s common for establishments to offer airport transfers for the convenience of visitors, so we recommend arranging this before booking your stay. Some accommodations in Hang Roa include:<\/p>\n
![\"Raru](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/crater-of-Raru-Kanu-Volcano-2.jpeg\")
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Flights to Rapa Nui from Santiago, Chile, typically arrive early in the morning, giving you plenty of time to settle in and explore Hang Roa, the main village where the local population resides. Here, you’ll find a variety of hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafes where you can indulge in local cuisine and relax after your journey. <\/p>\n
Easter Island is an incredible place to explore and take in breaking landscapes and adventure. Whether you are looking to spend a weekend or a few more days exploring the island, here are some great things to do during your visit. Note that to visit some of these locations you will need a guide.<\/p>\n
![\"Sunset](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Sunset-at-Ahu-Tahai.jpeg\")
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While there are many places you have to visit with a guide, you can freely visit the following without needing a guide.<\/p>\n
![\"Sunrise](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Sunrise-at-Ahu-Tongariki.jpeg\")
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Rapa Nui is the main attraction as you can find the moais here. These towering stone statues, scattered across the landscape, are more than just sculptures; they are revered as ancestral figures by the indigenous Rapa Nui people. Each Moai displays unique facial features and carries a sense of mystery, embodying the spirits of those who came before.<\/p>\n
To enter Rapa Nui National Park<\/a>, you must purchase an entrance ticket, which costs 80 USD. This ticket can be obtained online or in person at the kiosk in the center of Hang Roa, where the craft market is located. The entrance fee to the National Park includes access to all the most important archaeological sites on Easter Island and is valid for three days.<\/b><\/p>\n It’s important to note that visiting the Rapa Nui National Park must be done only in the company of an accredited local guide. After the pandemic, it has become an official requirement to enter the archaeological sites of Rapa Nui with a guide. Therefore, in accordance with your interests, you must at least hire a guide for a day or half a day if you wish to visit the most important archaeological sites. This will ensure an enriching and educational experience and contribute to preserving and protecting the island’s cultural heritage.<\/p>\n Personally, I recommend hiring a guide service directly with the National Federation of Tourist Guides of Easter Island, as they are official and accredited guides. You can contact them through their Instagram page<\/a> or via WhatsApp at (+56976051511). This is a good option if you’re traveling with more people and want to split the cost of the guide. If you’re traveling alone, a more economical option is to join one of the daily tours available at some of the agencies located in the center of Hang Roa.<\/p>\n The rules within the National Park are very strict. It is prohibited to smoke, camp, litter, enter without a ticket or guide, touch the moai statues, use drones, litter, or light fires. Violations of any of these regulations will result in fines and even jail sentences. Respecting these rules is essential to preserving the cultural and natural heritage.<\/p>\n Download the visitor’s guide<\/a><\/p>\n There are many great places to eat and drink on Easter Island and here are seven great restaurant options.<\/p>\n Rapa Nui is part of Chilean territory, so the most common and practical way to get there is through Santiago, the capital of Chile.<\/p>\n The only airline operating flights to Rapa Nui from Santiago de Chile is LATAM, which often results in high prices. Due to the headwind, the flight to Rapa Nui lasts almost six hours heading east, while the return flight usually takes a little over four hours.<\/p>\n Some tips for getting a cheap plane ticket include avoiding the high season, namely the Austral summer (December-March), especially during the school holidays in Chile (January\/February). Since it’s part of Chilean territory, buying a plane ticket from Chile or using a Chilean VPN may result in slightly cheaper fares than buying one from abroad. Given that it’s not a budget destination, booking plane tickets in advance is crucial to ensure availability and get better rates.<\/p>\n Another route option is from Papeete to Rapa Nui. This route can be taken via LATAM or Tahiti Nui (operated by LATAM). However, flight frequency is not daily and the cost of flights is usually high.<\/p>\n In addition to flights, another option to reach Easter Island is through cruises, but they typically don’t allow enough time to fully explore the island.<\/p>\n The best way to explore the island is undoubtedly by renting your own car. This allows you to freely roam around, excluding visits to archaeological sites that require a guide for entry. If you hire a guide, they often offer the option to either accompany you in their own vehicle or ride with you for a lower price.<\/p>\n The most economical and convenient option I’ve found for renting a car was through Rosita (WhatsApp: +56 9 9775 3196), the owner of Rent a Car Oceanic<\/a>. They offer a variety of cars perfect for navigating the island terrain, and they also provide discounts for rentals of more than one day.<\/p>\n Download the Island map<\/a><\/p>\n Despite being Chilean territory, Rapa Nui has different entry requirements. To board your flight to Rapa Nui from Santiago, you must have a round-trip plane ticket with a maximum stay of one month on the island. Additionally, you need to register a hotel reservation with the Ministry of Tourism and complete an online form<\/a>, where you’ll need to provide all this information beforehand.<\/p>\n This form<\/a> can be completed up to 21 days before the trip. It’s essential to include the name of the accommodation where you’ll be staying. Once the form is completed, it’s important to have the email with the folio number generated. Remember that this form can only be filled out online.<\/a><\/p>\n The best months to visit the island are during the Austral summer (December-March), but these are also high-season due to coinciding with the vacation months in Chile.<\/p>\n To fully enjoy the island’s main attractions, it’s recommended that you spend at least three full days here. The high prices for plane tickets and accommodation, restaurants, and excursions often lead most tourists to shorten their stay. However, with three full days, you’ll have the opportunity to properly explore the archaeological sites, enjoy the stunning beaches, and immerse yourself in the rich culture of Rapa Nui.<\/p>\n Rapa Nui has a subtropical climate with warm temperatures and high humidity for most of the year. It rains a lot on this island, so it’s advisable to bring closed and comfortable walking shoes, a raincoat or windbreaker, and beachwear to enjoy the beautiful coasts.<\/p>\n The official currency in Rapa Nui is the Chilean peso. Before arriving on the island, exchanging money in Chile for Chilean pesos is advisable to have cash on hand. However, most businesses on the island accept credit card payments or US dollars. Additionally, currency exchange offices and ATMs are available to withdraw money.<\/p>\n We hope that this article has inspired you to visit Easter Island! If you have questions about El Calafate or tips to share with our readers please leave these in the comments below.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n Want to share your travel tips by writing for We Are Travel Girls? Visit our<\/i><\/b> Contribute Page<\/i><\/b><\/a> to submit your article.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\nBest Tours On Easter Island<\/h2>\n
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![\"Raru](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/crater-of-Raru-Kanu-Volcano.jpeg\")
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![\"Rano](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Rano-Raraku-Moai-Factory.jpeg\")
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![\"Rano](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Rano-Raraku-Moai-Factory-8.jpeg\")
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![\"Rano](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Rano-Raraku-Moai-Factory-7.jpeg\")
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![\"Average](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/average-weather-easter-island.png\")
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![\"Rano](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Rano-Raraku-Moai-Factory-5.jpeg\")
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