Visitor numbers reach up to 20,000 over this period. Using radiocarbon dating, archaeologists now believe that the first colonizers of the island, explorers from Polynesia, arrived on Easter Island sometime around 1,200 AD. What To See On Easter Islands: 9 Main Tourist Attractions There is also one weekly flight from Papeete (Tahiti) in French Polynesia to Easter Island on Tuesdays (returning the following Monday). Because the island is so compact, you can easily access these skies making this one of the best places for stargazing in the world. Pont s/n, $470 USD double standard, $605 USD double suite), a five-star resort with swimming pools and spa facilities, an on-site restaurant (with divine food) and huge bedrooms with designer stone bathtubs and decorative touches to make them blend seamlessly into their surroundings. Flights can cost from $500 USD return per person, although they can cost from $1,200 USD if youre visiting between September and April, the islands high season. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. However, Easter Island officially belongs to Chile, even though it lies exactly 3,746 kilometers west of the country. Getting to Easter Island from Chile is relatively straightforward as these flights leave up to three times daily in high season (October through April) and up to twice daily (Wednesdays and Sundays) in low season (May through September). Easter Island is best visited in the warmer months when the temperature is around 22C on the high season. This isolation has helped to preserve the island's unique culture and environment. With its mysterious, stoic moaiwatching over the island and craterous, seemingly barren landscapes that hint at a turbid, fascinating history, Easter Island** (aka Isla de Pascua as its known in Spanish or Rapa Nui as is its local name) captivates most travelers. A playful combination of Polynesian Olympics and an extraordinary talent show, the upbeat display of Polynesian culture might be the best in the South Pacific. Thus, there are many transport options on Easter Island, and each . (This happened to me.) Plus, your own feed of TPG content. Head to Orongo to see the eerie bog deep inside the Rano Kau crater and the views beyond, to the Pacific Ocean. Easter Island and Machu Picchu - Easter Island Forum - Tripadvisor Although the island is still functioning, expect everything to be a bit disorganized. At the time, I wanted to spend around 1,000 per month, which would have been easily doable. Some of our lodging like the Kona Koa Lodge excelled at communicating with us. I spent almost a week there in 2015 and could have easily spent more. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Thousands of Rapa Nui people continue to live there to this day. 5. from $177 per adult. She now lives between Europe and South America and, since 2014, has been travelling throughout this continent, authoring guidebooks, writing for international travel publications and creating comprehensive travel guides for Worldly Adventurer. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The Points & Miles Backpacker is a weekly column appearing every Monday. However, my trip to Rano Raraku was hugely enhanced by the enthusiasm of my guide and youll be surprised by how many of the around four hundred moai remain in the quarry there thatll youll miss if you dont know where to look. The temperature was in the forties except when the wind was blowing. When visiting, be sure to refer to the island as Rapa Nui if you want to have a better reception from the local people who are fiercely proud of their culture and island. They do provide you with more details in your email confirmation after you purchase your park pass but all of the links in the email were broken! If you're interested in history and culture as well as beautiful scenery, this is your kind of place. How To Get To Easter Island From Chile - BikeHike Technically, Easter Island falls under the category of having subtropical weather, meaning that, in general, the weather is warm and humid, but during winter temperatures can drop into the 50s. Another thing that might catch your eye is how barren the island is. Ahu Akahanga is well worth visiting while driving around the island. Pitcairn Island Travel Guide | Things To See & Do On Pitcairn Island The second-to-last day of the competition sees all of the competing participants, their families, and even tourists join a parade through the streets of Hanga Roa, where all are dressed in traditional costumes and accompanied by Rapanui music and dancing. Lots of it is devoid of trees. Their planes depart from Santiago with a flight time of around six hours on the outward journey. I tried to write to your "hotmail" address, but the message came back as "unknown". Its one of the most remote destinations in the globe so you probably have wondered whether or not it would be worth it to make it all the way out there, perhaps jumping on a handfull of flights. - + - + Are you looking for a one-of-a-kind adventure that will take you to a stunning destination unlike any other? That might not seem like a big deal to you but if youre traveling across the globe for astrophotography shots and only have a few days available, the lack of clarity can get frustrating as it makes planning a once in a lifetime shot a guessing game. Strangely enough, the islands are part of the Valparaiso Region, even though they are geographically closer to the Atacama Region if you were to draw a line due west to mainland Chile. Diving On Easter Island: An Expensive But Worthwhile Experience Before visiting Easter Island, Id been recommended to buy food on the mainland in Santiago to take with me. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-18043', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flight schedules and it would cost almost $1000, so I want to make sure that there is enough to see and do to justify the trip and expense. Here, you'll find the widest range of moai in various sizes and stages of completion many overgrown or toppled over. 10 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Easter Island - Matador Network ), including access to the entry form you are required to complete before you fly; a confirmation email will be sent to you that you must present when you are at the airport. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Wonder if there's a chance to have that restarted, and if that'll be the case, whether that's indeed a viable option (e.g. 1645, all visitors must comply with the following security protocol: Easter Island is located in the Pacific Ocean and the nearest land masses arethePitcairn Islands, 1,931 kilometers west. You can buy these online here. Any thoughts and advice would be appreciated. As I found out on my trip to Easter Island, there are plenty of ways that you can explore this 163 square kilometer island without forking out thousands of dollars. Top Easter Island travel tip: Make sure to book a window seat on the left-hand side of the plane on the way there and back for the best views. Her service took all the guesswork out of planning our vacation and led to the most fun and unforgettable trip we have ever had!. I am thinking about taking a vacation to Chile next March/April and am intrigued by the possibility of going to Easter Island. Its easy enough to ask local people for directions. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. For US$400, it definitely seems worth the price, even if only for a 3-4 day stay. The journey to Easter Island aboard this ship also takes seven days through open waters so its only really suited to those with particularly strong sea legs. Everything is cheaper booked locally and sometimes negotiable. Misconceptions have long plagued the history of this Pacific Island (a topic Ill be covering in a future post) and arguably the best way to learn about the real history of its people is by talking to them. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. When I visited Easter Island, the most fascinating part of my trip was the chance to talk to the local Rapanui people. I was told that the best Easter Island tours to take were to Orongo on the far southern point of the island, the remains of the ceremonial stone village where the Birdman competition was held, and to Rano Raraku, the quarry where the moai were carved. Find the full list here. Easter Island or Rapanui food is characteristically full of tuna historically one of the main fish found in the surrounding waters and used in everything from empanadasto ceviche. This small island is only about 10 miles across, and you really only need a few days here. Here's . Endowed with the most logic-defying statues on the planet - the strikingly familiar . It calls itself the city at the end of the world and sometimes it seems like all the wind of the Americas sweeps down there. And some of the stations that do require a passport, dont always ask for them. It was good based on local reports but based on everything I had heard, I was expecting something more impressive. Some inland stretches more closely resemble the rocky, rolling fields of Ireland than an island in the South Pacific. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. You go ashore by Zodiacs and step off into several inches of water. I went to Easter Island in June and enjoyed the quietness of the place but found that there was a fair amount of rain; showers are common most days so if you plan on taking photos, you might be disappointed with the number of overcast and damp days. Check here before booking an award fare. I too noticed that the prices seem to have come down considerably. Nearby, Ahu Tongariki has the most standing moai. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". For example, we were blatantly cut in line on multiple occasions by locals who seemed to just feel like it they did not have to wait behind a tourist. Even though both places are great, Easter Island was much better :) Machu Picchu was only a day trip, and there's only that much to see there. As there are local people who still inhabit much of the area, its also essential to go with a guide to avoid accidentally standing on important historic remains. Remember: you will need a licensed guide to come with you, so rent a vehicle that has enough space! One thing that did drive me a bit crazy during my time on Easter Island was the lack of clarity when it came to visiting the sites. It was a dream of mine to visit Easter Island and it was quite special. Would I do it again? Hi Steph, I am trying to contact the Oceanic car rental place to book a car but the link doesn't work and I can't find a website address or email that works Do you know how to contact them, or who I could contact to find out. Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. But that doesn't mean it's always a South Pacific idyll. When is the Tapati Rapa Nui Festival in 2013? Theres a decent selection of restaurants on the island, too. Certainly worth visiting for seeing the artwork from yesteryears, while in Easter Island. Accommodation on Easter Island can also be costly. Why We Fell in Love with Brac Island, Croatia - Earth Trekkers The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. They were easily the best I tried during my trip. Copyright 2021 Worldly Adventurer | Privacy Policy, $119,000 CLP ($149 USD) + $90,000 CLP ($114 USD) for transport, Total for two people for four days (including three full-day guided tours), $879,000 CLP ($1,095 USD) + $90,000 CLP ($114 USD) for transport. Personally, when I went diving at Easter Island the water clarity wasnt the most amazing thing Id ever seen (see below). There are some fun size beaches like Playa poko poko and a little snorkel area where you can get up close to sea turtles so if getting in the water is your thing then there still is something for you. While the peak summer months are good for sunbathing at Anakena beach, if you fancy hiking or any sort of exploration, youll find it tough to do it thanks to the islands humidity, even if the sea breezes bring welcome reprieve. These are pretty stunning coast lines with otherworldly lava rocks seemingly frozen in time. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. This costs$63,000 CLP ($80 USD) and can be paid for either at the booth just inside the airport terminal or along Atamu Tekena* in Hanga Roa (afew doors south of the Santa Cruz pharmacy) before attempting to enter any sites. Note that the entrada, or appetizer, portion is almost as big as the main course and costs less than half the price. You can find a list of licensed guides on the island here (which start from around $40 USD per day per person for an English-speaking guide without transport included), while Easter Island Travel are one of the islands tour agencies, run tours that include transport with a maximum of eight passengers, and have guides that speak good English. We would fly and start in Santiago ending In Buernos Aires. Both of these periods still have good weather, warm temperatures (around 22C-25C), and relatively few tourists. So for people seeking to connect to the cosmos, Easter Island can definitely be worth the trip. Traffic around Hanga Roa and even on the roads heading out to the main moai sites can be a real problem because of the sheer number of people and cars, so you can expect extreme congestion when youre driving. Besides the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? A true bucket-list adventure. J'ai essaye de vous ecrire a votre addresse a "hotmail" mais le message m'a ete retourne comme "inconnu". Related: How to get to Easter Island: Everything You Need to Know. Dishes cost between $14,000 CLP and $18,000 CLP ($18 USD and $22 USD), which is about the same price as most restaurants on the island, but the quality is exceptional. And how can we contact them? The Best Time To Visit Easter Island - Burma Travels But its a notoriously expensive South American destination and one that is commonly believed to be difficult to visit without spending a fortune. Ahu Huri A Urenga: If you're traveling with company or have made friends, you can save money by renting a car (from $60 per day) instead of paying for a guided tour. Pont s/n, double $35,000 CLP ($54 USD), dorm $15,000 CLP ($23 USD), rent camping equipment $10,000 CLP ($15 USD), camping with your own equipment ($12 USD)). One pamphlet we had said a guide is recommended when in reality it was required. Make sure to sample their tuna dishes. When to visit: Easter Island is a year-round destination, with the time to visit being from December through April. Here's how you can visit Easter Island. Another challenging aspect of putting together an itinerary on Easter island is the lack of communication. The culmination of the events takes place on the final day when the two winners of the preceding activities are coronated the King and Queen of Tapati. Rapa Nui National Park is spread across the island and contains the most important archaeological sites and restorations. Expect to pay between $100 and $200 for a room, or more. What is the name of the family that we can contact in Rapa Nui? Which is great, because there aren't many other budget options. So this lack of clarity was one of the major headaches we encountered on the island. I was really impressed by the facilities at Hareswiss (Calle Te Hoe Manu s/n, double cabin $92,000 CLP ($140 USD), single occupancy of cabin $65,000 CLP ($99 USD), who have three well-equipped cabins overlooking the sea, about a 25-minute walk (or $3,000 CLP ($4.50 USD) taxi journey) from Caleta Hanga Roa, the main part of the town. So dont set your expectations too high. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If you love pristine untouched nature and wildlife, you'll love it here! Is Easter Island worth the trip? - Easter Island Forum Unfortunately, during the week long stay in Easter Island we encountered some of those. Insular Rent a Car is the only car rental company that I believe is now operating on the island. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Easter Island: A Unique Destination Worth Visiting You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. How much does it cost to get to Easter Island? Easter Island called only by its native name, Rapa Nui, on the island was never fully abandoned. A three nights stay is too short, if you like trekking, diving, riding bikes and horses, a 5 or 6 nights stay would be much better, but please, RapaNui is not Cancun, Punta Cana etc. For top-quality dining at only marginally more expensive prices than in most other restaurants, head to Kaloa (inside Hangaroa Eco Village & Spa, Av. Are you thinking about visiting Easter Island? Top Easter Island travel tip: Rent a car in the afternoon so that you can drive to see the sunset at Ahu Tahai or at Hanga Piko or Hanga Kioe (two lesser-visited spots for beautiful sunset views) and get up early the next morning to drive to Ahu Tongariki for the sunrise. A visit to a laiki is a great way to get an eyeful and taste of nature's bounty for which Greece is justly famous for. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Aloha Nui Residencial Easter Island/Haumaka Tours, Flights from Santiago, Chile to Easter Island. If you're traveling solo like I did, La Casa De Kori is a decent hostel with beds starting at $27 per night. In fact, the idea of visiting the staggeringly remote Easter Island is one that drives many tourists to Chile. Most visitors add a four or five-day trip to Easter Island to their Chilean itinerary, as flights from Santiago are almost the only way to get to the island. Youll also find Umu Rapa Nui or Easter Island curanto, a traditional dish of meat, chicken, or fish, wrapped in banana leaves and cooked over hot stones. Easter Island is very very safe so you shouldnt worry about bringing cash onto the island. Thank you very very much, Steph!!! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-375658', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');airfare at http://www.lanchile.cl (Aprox. Most people visit Easter Island in the first two weeks of February when the annual Tapati Rapa Nui festival takes place. Hi Mariusz, I have no idea if it will be restarted or not, unfortunately! South Pacific islands are culturally and geographically divided into Polynesia (from the Greek meaning 'many islands') and Melanesia (meaning 'black islands'). While it's possible to see the major sites in a few days, we personally believe a week isn't even enough. After the island opened up after the pandemic, they decided to require (not just recommend) guides at all of the major archaeological sites. What's a Flashpacker? With only an event or two per day (such as banana tree sled races and choreographed dance performances starring hundreds of Rapa Nui in traditional costumes) you'll still have plenty of time to explore the national park.