Top places to visit in Easter Island

• Ahu Tongariki

  Moai Platform · 4.9 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The most iconic moai platform on Easter Island — 15 massive statues standing shoulder-to-shoulder facing inland, re-erected 1992–1996 with Japanese crane assistance after being toppled in island wars. The sunrise behind them is among the…

• Rano Raraku — Moai Quarry

  Archaeological Quarry · 4.9 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The volcanic crater where 95% of Easter Island's moai were carved. Nearly 400 statues remain here in various stages of completion — buried to the neck, lying on slopes, never finished. The eeriest and most mysterious archaeological site on…

• Anakena Beach

  Coral Sand Beach with Moai · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Easter Island's finest beach — a perfect crescent of white coral sand backed by palm trees, featuring Ahu Nau Nau (7 moai with red topknots) and Ahu Ature Huki. The only beach on the island good for swimming, with calm warm waters from…

• Rano Kau Volcanic Crater

  Volcanic Crater · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A spectacular 1.6 km diameter volcanic crater at the island's southwestern tip, filled with a dark peat bog and totora reed islands. The 300 m crater walls rise from the Pacific Ocean — one of the most dramatic volcanic landscapes anywhere…

• Tahai Ceremonial Complex

  Moai Complex · 4.8 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The closest major moai site to Hanga Roa, just a 20-minute walk from the center. Three platforms: Ahu Tahai (one moai), Ahu Ko Te Riku (a restored moai with painted coral eyes), and Ahu Vai Uri (five moai). The sunset over the Pacific…

• Orongo Ceremonial Village

  Ceremonial Village · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Perched on Rano Kau's crater rim, Orongo hosted the annual Birdman (Tangata Manu) competition where competitors swam to offshore Motu Nui islet to retrieve the first sooty tern egg and claim chieftainship for a year. 53 stone houses and…

• Ahu Akivi

  Inland Moai Platform · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  The only moai platform on Easter Island where the seven statues face the ocean rather than inland — uniquely oriented to align with the autumn equinox sunset. The moai here represent the seven scouts sent by King Hotu Matu'a before the…

Things to do

• Full-Day Rapa Nui National Park Tour Cultural · 8 h · from CLP 65,000 per person
• Orongo Ceremonial Village & Rano Kau Crater Tour Cultural · 3.5 h · from CLP 18,000 per person
• Ahu Tongariki Sunrise Photography Session Cultural · 3 h · from CLP 28,000 per person
• Anakena Beach & Moai Snorkeling Day Nature · 6 h · from CLP 25,000 per person
• Horse Riding to Ahu Akivi & Puna Pau Adventure · 4 h · from CLP 35,000 per person

Day trips and tours

• Rapa Nui Complete — All Major Moai Sites (Tongariki + Raraku + Akivi + Tahai) 9 h · from CLP 65,000
• Easter Island Sea & Culture — Orongo Ceremonial Village + Anakena Snorkelling 9 h · from CLP 50,000

Where to stay in Easter Island

• Hanga Roa Town about CLP 250,000 per night

  The only town on Easter Island and the gateway to all Rapa Nui National Park sites. All hotels, restaurants, the Tau Cultural Centre, and boat tours depart from here. The Policarpo Toro seafront has excellent sunset…

Hotels

• Explora Rapa Nui 5-star · CLP 100,000 to CLP 260,000 per night
• Hangaroa Eco Village & Spa 5-star · CLP 65,000 to CLP 180,000 per night
• Hotel Taha Tai 3-star · CLP 28,000 to CLP 65,000 per night
• Hostal Tekena Inn 2-star · CLP 6,000 to CLP 18,000 per night

Where to eat

• Haka Honu chilean, seafood, polynesian · about CLP 18,000 per person
• Mikafé cafe, healthy · about CLP 9,000 per person
• Te Moana Restaurant polynesian, seafood, fusion · about CLP 45,000 per person
• Club Social Rapa Nui chilean, traditional · about CLP 7,000 per person
• La Taverne du Pêcheur french, seafood · about CLP 55,000 per person

Getting to Easter Island

Airport: Easter Island (IPC)

How visitors arrive in Easter Island

• Flight from Santiago By air from Santiago · common

  Mataveri airport at Hanga Roa is the island's only airport and has non-stop service from Santiago, the main link to the mainland. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Cruise ship call By ferry · possible

  Some trans-Pacific cruises stop here, anchoring offshore with passengers brought in by tender boat. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Sailing ship or private yacht By ferry from New Zealand · possible

  A tall ship makes an occasional voyage from New Zealand and ocean sailors can arrive by their own boats. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Walk from Mataveri airport to Hanga Roa

  The airport sits next to Hanga Roa and the town core is a short walk; many visitors walk to their lodging. Source: chile.travel

• Guesthouse pickup

  Many guesthouses meet arriving flights; arrange pickup with your host in advance. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Taxi at the airport unconfirmed

  Taxis are an option if you have not arranged a pickup with your lodging; agree the fare first for trips beyond town. Source: imaginarapanui.com

Getting around

• Animal Ride

  Parts of the island, including the Poike peninsula and Terevaka, can be explored on horseback as well as on foot.

• Bicycle limited to a few areas

  Bicycles can be rented, but paved roads are limited to Hanga Roa and the road to Anakena, so riding elsewhere means rough dirt tracks.

• Taxi

  Taxis are available in Hanga Roa and can be used to reach other parts of the island, with the fare agreed with the driver beforehand.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Unofficial Park Guide at Moai Sites

  Ahu Tongariki, Rano Raraku, Orongo

  Individuals without CONAF ranger badges approach tourists at moai sites offering "private guided access" or the ability to "get closer" to the moai for an informal fee (10,000–30,000 CLP). No such special access exists — all access is strictly regulated by CONAF.

  How to avoid it: The Rapa Nui National Park entry (80,000+ CLP) covers all sites. CONAF rangers wear khaki uniforms with official badges. Any person in civilian clothes claiming special access is unofficial. Report attempts to the park rangers.

Best time to visit Easter Island

• Jan 27°C
• Feb 28°C
• Mar 27°C
• Apr 26°C
• May 23°C
• Jun 22°C
• Jul 21°C
• Aug 21°C
• Sep 22°C
• Oct 23°C
• Nov 24°C
• Dec 26°C

More in Chile

• Santiago
• San Pedro de Atacama
• Valparaíso
• Torres del Paine
• Puerto Natales
• Viña del Mar

Frequently asked questions about Easter Island

What are the top-rated places to visit in Easter Island?

The highest-rated places in our Easter Island guide are Ahu Tongariki, Rano Raraku — Moai Quarry, Anakena Beach, Rano Kau Volcanic Crater, Tahai Ceremonial Complex.

Where should I stay in Easter Island?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Easter Island: Hanga Roa Town.

How do I get around Easter Island?

Ways to get around Easter Island covered in our guide: Animal ride, Bicycle, Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Easter Island?

Scams reported to us for Easter Island include Unofficial Park Guide at Moai Sites. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Easter Island?

Average daytime highs in Easter Island run from 21°C in Jul to 28°C in Feb.

Which airport is nearest to Easter Island?

The nearest airport to Easter Island has the code IPC.