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Easter Island, known to its people as Rapa Nui and in Spanish as Isla de Pascua, is one of the most remote inhabited islands on Earth. Located in the South Pacific about 3,700 km west of mainland Chile, this small volcanic island is world-famous for its moai, nearly 1,000 giant stone statues carved by the Rapa Nui people centuries ago. Most of the island is protected as Rapa Nui National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beyond the moai, Easter Island offers volcanic craters, white-sand beaches, caves, petroglyphs and a living Polynesian culture with its own language, music and dance. Because of its fragile heritage, visiting requires some planning: there are special entry rules, a park ticket and guide requirements. This Easter Island travel guide covers the best time to visit, the top sites, where to stay, how to get there, costs, entry rules and practical tips.

Best Time to Visit Easter Island

Easter Island has a subtropical climate, with mild temperatures all year (about 18–28°C).

Summer (December–March) is the warmest and busiest season, with temperatures up to 28°C and the best beach weather. It includes the Tapati Rapa Nui festival.

Autumn (April–May) and spring (October–November) offer pleasant weather, fewer visitors and lower prices, making them excellent times to visit.

Winter (June–September) is cooler (around 15–22°C), windier and wetter, but still suitable for sightseeing.

Events:

• Tapati Rapa Nui (late January–February): A two-week cultural festival with traditional sports, music, dance, body painting and the famous Haka Pei, in which young men slide down a hillside on banana trunks.

Top Places to Visit on Easter Island

1. Ahu Tongariki

The largest ceremonial platform on the island, with 15 restored moai standing in a row against the ocean. It's the most famous sunrise spot on Rapa Nui.

2. Rano Raraku

The volcanic quarry where almost all the moai were carved. Hundreds of statues remain here in various stages of completion, some buried up to their necks, giving the impression of giant heads emerging from the hillside.

3. Anakena Beach

A white-sand beach with palm trees and turquoise water, overlooked by the moai of Ahu Nau Nau, some of the best-preserved statues on the island. According to legend, it's where the first king, Hotu Matu'a, landed.

4. Orongo and Rano Kau

The Rano Kau volcano has a spectacular crater lake. On its rim lies Orongo, a ceremonial village linked to the Birdman (Tangata Manu) cult, with stone houses and petroglyphs overlooking the offshore islets.

5. Ahu Tahai

Just outside the main town of Hanga Roa, Ahu Tahai is the island's most popular sunset spot, with a moai that has restored coral eyes.

6. Ahu Akivi

Seven moai that, unusually, face the ocean. They are said to represent the seven explorers sent by Hotu Matu'a.

7. Ana Te Pahu and Caves

Explore lava tubes and caves, some once used as shelters and gardens.

Also worth visiting: Puna Pau (the quarry for the red pukao topknots), Ahu Vinapu with its precise stonework, Ovahe Beach, Terevaka (the island's highest point) and the Father Sebastian Englert Anthropological Museum in Hanga Roa.

Suggested 5-Day Easter Island Itinerary

Day 1 – Hanga Roa: Arrive, explore the town and museum, and watch sunset at Ahu Tahai.

Day 2 – South coast and Rano Kau: Visit Ahu Vinapu, Rano Kau and Orongo.

Day 3 – East coast: Sunrise at Ahu Tongariki, then Rano Raraku and Anakena Beach.

Day 4 – Interior: Visit Ahu Akivi, Puna Pau, the caves and hike Terevaka.

Day 5 – Ocean: Go snorkelling, diving or surfing, or attend a traditional dance show.

Rapa Nui Culture and History

The island was settled by Polynesian voyagers, probably around 1,000 years ago. The Rapa Nui people built ahu (ceremonial platforms) and carved the moai, believed to represent deified ancestors who protected the community. Later, the Birdman cult emerged at Orongo, with an annual competition to retrieve the first sooty tern egg from the islet of Motu Nui. In the 19th century, slave raids and disease devastated the population, which fell to just over 100 people. Chile annexed the island in 1888. Today, the Rapa Nui community plays a major role in managing the national park and preserving its language and traditions.

Rapa Nui Food Scene

Try fresh tuna dishes such as tuna ceviche and tuna empanadas, umu (a traditional earth-oven feast of meat, fish, sweet potato and banana) and tropical fruits. Food is more expensive than on the mainland, as most supplies arrive by plane or ship.

Where to Stay on Easter Island

Almost all accommodation is in Hanga Roa, the only town.

• Central Hanga Roa: Guesthouses, cabins and hotels close to restaurants.
• Near the coast: Lodges with ocean views.
• Outskirts: Eco-lodges and luxury hotels with sea and countryside views.
• Camping: Some registered campsites in Hanga Roa.

Accommodation must be registered (authorised), and you may need to show your booking on arrival. Compare hotel prices and availability on Easter Island here.

Getting There & Around

Flying to Easter Island

Mataveri International Airport (IPC) is in Hanga Roa. LATAM operates the main flights from Santiago (SCL), taking about 5–5.5 hours, and there have also been flights from Papeete (Tahiti). Seats sell out quickly in high season. Search and compare cheap flights to Santiago and Easter Island to find the best fares.

Getting Around

• Car or scooter rental: The most flexible way to explore; roads are mostly paved.
• Bikes: Popular but hilly and windy.
• Guided tours: Required at many sites.
• Taxis: Available in Hanga Roa.

Travel Costs on Easter Island

Easter Island is much more expensive than mainland Chile. Prices are in Chilean pesos (CLP); US dollars are sometimes accepted.

The national park ticket, roughly US$80 for foreigners at last check, is valid for several days; verify the current price before your trip.

Visa & Entry Rules

Easter Island is part of Chile, so standard Chilean entry rules apply, plus special island requirements.

• Chile: Citizens of the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit Chile visa-free for up to 90 days. Check requirements for your nationality.
• Maximum stay: Visitors can stay on Easter Island for a maximum of 30 days.
• FUI form: Before travelling, complete the online Formulario Único de Ingreso (FUI) at the official site (ingresorapanui.interior.gob.cl).
• Return ticket: You must show a return or onward ticket within the 30-day limit.
• Accommodation: You need a booking at SERNATUR-registered accommodation, or an invitation letter from a resident.
• National park ticket: Buy the Rapa Nui National Park ticket (online or in Hanga Roa); it's required to access the main sites.
• Guides: At most archaeological sites, visitors must be accompanied by a certified guide.

Rules may change, so check official Chilean and Rapa Nui sources before booking.

Local Tips for Easter Island

• Never touch the moai: Climbing or touching statues and ahu is prohibited and carries heavy fines.
• Park ticket: Keep it with you; some sites, such as Rano Raraku and Orongo, allow only one entry.
• Sun protection: The sun is strong and there's little shade.
• Book flights early: Seats from Santiago fill quickly.
• Cash: Bring some cash; ATMs and card payments are available but limited.
• Respect culture: Ask before photographing people.
• Staying connected: Mobile coverage is good in Hanga Roa but limited elsewhere. Use a local SIM or a Chile eSIM. Get your Chile eSIM here.

Tours & Experiences

• Full-day moai tour: Ahu Tongariki, Rano Raraku and Anakena.
• Orongo and Rano Kau tour: Birdman cult and crater lake.
• Sunrise tour: Ahu Tongariki at dawn.
• Diving and snorkelling: Clear waters and an underwater moai replica.
• Rapa Nui dance show: Traditional music and dance.
• Horse riding: Explore the countryside.

Browse and book the best tours on Easter Island here.

FAQ

How do you get to Easter Island?

Fly from Santiago with LATAM, about 5–5.5 hours.

How long can you stay on Easter Island?

A maximum of 30 days.

Do you need a guide on Easter Island?

Yes. Most archaeological sites in the national park require a certified guide.

How much does the Rapa Nui National Park ticket cost?

Around US$80 for foreigners at last check; confirm before travelling.

When is the best time to visit Easter Island?

October–April for warm weather, and February for the Tapati festival.

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