Travel guide

Recommended length of stay

Many hear that two full days at Easter Island is sufficient to see the main sites. While this may be true, many still appreciate at least 1 extra day after the tours for any activity of their choice, making the recommended shortest stay 5 days, 4 nights. After two days of touring you will have become quite well familiarized with the island, and will surely not have any problem filling the spare time with any activity of your choice.

Those who enjoy trying out different activities or just relaxing in a tranquil ambient might want to stay at least a week.

Flights

LATAM Airlines operates scheduled flights to Mataveri (IPC). The airline is part of oneworld, so frequent-flyer credits from partner carriers may help. Most visitors connect via Santiago (SCL); LATAM has also offered seasonal or limited Papeete (PPT) – IPC service — check the current timetable on LATAM’s site, as routes and frequencies change every season.

Getting best price

For the SCL–IPC leg, fares are usually lowest when booked directly on LATAM’s website. Many online travel agencies add heavy mark-ups on this thin, heavily regulated route.

Finding flights

Capacity is still limited compared with mainland Chile, so seats can disappear weeks ahead in high season. If a round-trip search shows nothing, try this:

• Open latamairlines.com.
• Search for a one-way flight from Santiago (SCL) to Easter Island (IPC) until you find an available date.
• Once you have found an available flight to Easter Island, search for an available one-way return flight.
• Once you have available dates, do the same search again for a round trip, using the available dates you found.

Visas and entry to Chile

Easter Island is part of Chile. Citizens of USA, European Union, Canada and Australia do not need a visa to enter Chile. All these citizens need is a passport and a flight ticket showing that you will leave the country within 90 days. Visitors from other countries must apply for a visa at their nearest Chilean consulate.

Chile has charged a reciprocity fee to some nationalities when entering by air at Santiago (historically Australia and Mexico). Amounts and rules change — confirm with the Chilean consulate or border authorities. Routing via Papeete directly to IPC (when offered) may avoid the Santiago international arrival charge, but always verify your own case.

You may pay with cash or credit card. After payment you will be given a passport stamp as proof of payment. The stamp is valid until the passport expires, except for Australians, for whom the stamp is only good for 90 days.

Safety and crimes

Violent crime toward tourists on Easter Island is basically unheard of. Even at night you'll be safe walking alone in Hanga Roa.

Something that does occur is theft at your hotel room. Don't leave money and valuables for people to see when you leave your room and make sure you lock the door. At the better accomodations you may ask for a safe box if there isn't one already in your room.

Climate

The winds can be quite strong during any period of the year. During summer (November - March) temperatures don't often reach more than 30°C, though it may sometimes feel like more because of humidity. The sun during this period is strong, so do not forget to put on sunblock (can be bought at the pharmacy Cruz Verde in the town center).

It does rain occasionally during summer, but especially during winter (May - August) is it important to bring a light rain coat for any spontaneous showers. The day temperature may still sometimes peak to a bit below 30° C, but the temperature drops quickly on cloudy days. Especially at nights it might get cold, with temperatures dropping as low as 10° C. At winter it'll often be too cold to lay at the beach, but the water will still be warm enough for a swim if you're not too picky.

It may be windy any day of the year, so if you bring a hat, preferrably bring one that won't easily blow away.

When to go

Tourist services are active year-round.

During summer it'll be hotter and less risk of rainfall, but there will be much more tourists. The grass is often scorched up and dry at summer, and green at winter, which might make a difference from a photographer's perspective.

The peak of the high season is the two first weeks of February during the Tapati Rapa Nui festival. This is a great opportunity to see the different aspects of the Rapa Nui culture, but to make sure you'll find a decent hotel it'd be a good idea to book at least six months before arrival.

Exploring

To make the most out of your visit to this unique island, most people prefer to do at least two days of touring with a private guide to not miss all the history, legends and stories behind the remnants of the unique Rapa Nui civilization. Taking on the two classical highlights vehicle tours you will discover all the main essential sites of the island.

Renting a car or e-bike is popular for coastal roads and sunset runs, but national-park archaeological sites still require tickets and usually an accredited guide — self-driving does not replace those rules. Book vehicles early in February. See places to visit to plan.

If you enjoy walking in nature, a hike would be a nice addition. Common hikes are:

• Terevaka
• Poike
• North coast

It's possible to do the Terevaka hike on your own, but for the north coast and Poike hike it would be a shame to miss all the hidden unique archaeology and caves for not being accompanied by a guide.

Economy

Chilean pesos (CLP) are the official currency; many hotels and shops also quote US dollars. Island exchange rates vary, so paying in CLP via card or ATM often beats informal dollar pricing. The CLP/USD rate moves constantly (often far from the old “500 CLP” rule of thumb) — check a live FX source before you go.

There are three ATM machines at Easter Island; at the airport (opens two hours before plane arrives and closes when plane leaves) and at the banks Banco Santander and Banco Estado. The ATM machines at the banks are open 24/7. The one at Banco Santander usually works best with foreign credit cards. Both banks are located by the coast, below the central market.

Sometimes it happens that the ATM machines go out of service. If you want to be on the safe side you could bring some money in cash, but most bigger restaurants and shops accept credit cards nowadays, so you should be fine without cash for a day or two anyway.

Because nearly everything is flown or shipped in, Easter Island remains much pricier than mainland Chile. Cabins or hostels with kitchens help — savvy visitors sometimes pack a few shelf-stable extras from Santiago (respect airline weight limits).

Getting around in town

The only town at Easter Island is called Hanga Roa. The main street is called Atamu Tekena, along which you'll find many restaurants and shops. The crossing street Te Pito o te Henua with the church at the top is also quite busy. The heart of the center is the market. Because of the small size of the town you can often walk to where you are going, but you may also take a taxi to any part of Hanga Roa for a few dollars.

Water system

The tap water of Easter Island is clean and is fine to drink unless you have a stomach that's unusually sensitive to high mineral content. It has a slight smell of clorine and a somewhat salty taste, though the water will taste better if you fill up a bottle and cool it down in the refridgerator.

Water pipes are quite thin and they are not designed to handle toilet paper. There should be a trash can in the bathrooms where you can throw your toilet paper.

Electricity

The power is of 220 V. The plug is similar to the European with two circular metal pins, but the pins are slightly smaller. Sometimes the European devices fit and sometimes they don't. If your device doesn't you may buy a simple connection converter at the central internet café Hare PC or the iron store Kanina close to the airport.

Shopping

Locally grown vegetables can be found by the central market in the morning. Other than that, groceries are usually flown or shipped in from Santiago and sold in the numerous shops in town.

Souvenirs are sold in many of the small shops as well as at the different sites around the island, but the best selection (and often best prices too) is found at the central market.

Tourist information office

The Chilean tourist information organization called SERNATUR has an office just by the ocean below the town center, at the other side of the road from the resturant Pea. They will help you out with any question or concern you may have.

Language

Spanish is the official language of Easter Island. Rapa Nui is the native language, but only the elders would prefer this language to Spanish. English is spoken mainly among those who work directly with the tourists. At the more economic accomodations they often have limited English knowledge.

Top 5 Easter Island travel tips

1. Take on a guided tour

   • There is so much to be heard and felt behind what you see at Rapa Nui. You should join in on a guided tour for a couple of days to get the most out of your stay and to obtain a good foundation of Easter Island knowledge. After two days of touring you'll surely have a good idea of what to do for the rest of your stay.

2. Bring clothes for all weathers

   • During summer (Dec - Feb) it might also rain, so don't forget the raincoat. Also, don't leave the beachwear at home, even during winter (Jun - Aug).

3. Attend an open 'umu ta'o

   • Combined with religious holidays, families give away food for free. Anyone is welcome. The food is cooked under ground, which is called 'umu ta'o in Rapa Nui language. Bring a plastic bag to receive the food. You get bags from buying things at any of the local shops. Find out about the next event by asking at the church.

4. Learn to speak some Rapa Nui

   • Easter Island is so much more than just statues. If you learn to say a few phrases in Rapa Nui language, it may open many doors to the social world of this island. Check out our Rapa Nui language school for free online lessons!

5. Explore by foot

   • If you have a free day over and enjoy hiking, go explore the island by foot! Since the island is so small there is no real risk involved of getting lost. You may have a look at our guided hiking tours. If you are only in it for the nature and want to do the hikes on your own you may see our list of hikes.

Travel check list

• Renew passport if necessary.
• Make sure credit card is open to abroad use.
• Check luggage weight/number of items allowed by the airlines beforehand.
• Label your bags with your name, address, and contact number.
• Check-in online with airline to get a seat that you want, as well as to double check flight times.
• Make sure you keep your travel documents and passport safe and accessible to you at ALL times while flying/transiting. You should keep them in your carry-on bag and not the bag you check in with the airlines.
• Try to book your luggage directly to Easter Island. The airport is called Mataveri and has code IPC.
• Complete Chile’s Rapa Nui FUI on ingresorapanui.interior.gob.cl within the official deadline and keep the confirmation.

Reciprocity fee

Chile has charged some nationalities a reciprocity fee when entering Chile by air at Santiago. Verify current countries and amounts before travel — the table below may be outdated:

This is for fees that Chileans have to pay the listed countries when entering, applying for visas or similar. The fee can be paid with credit card or cash. Affected nationalities will be given a passport stamp as a proof of payment. This stamp will be valid until the passport expires, with the exception of Australian citizens, for which it is good for only 90 days.

Getting to Easter Island

The great majority reach Easter Island by air, but there are other ways. Around 25 cruises per year reach this island, and even though they often leave the same day they arrive, it still makes out around 20% of the tourists that come here in a year. A tiny but adventurous fraction of the Easter Island tourists come on sail boats.

Flights to Easter Island

Practically all holidaymakers reach Rapa Nui by air on LATAM Airlines (successor to LAN), a oneworld member. Expect roughly daily SCL–IPC flights with extra rotations in the December–March high season — always confirm the live schedule.

There are two flight connections to Rapa Nui:

• Papeete (Tahiti)
• Santiago (Chile)

From 2010 to 2013 there was also a flight connection to Lima (Peru), but this didn't end up as being lucrative in the end, so the route was cancelled.

You can price tickets via major OTAs, but for the SCL–IPC segment booking directly on LATAM usually yields the fairest fare. If you are assembling a Round-the-World or Pacific circle ticket, a skilled travel agent can still be worth it.

Including Rapa Nui flight in a multi-destination fare

If you travel to many different places during the same trip, it might be a good idea to include your flight to Rapa Nui in a ticket with several flights, such as Circle Pacific or TAM South America Airpass.

Your flight may be part of a Round The World trip crossing the Pacific Ocean, when you travel to these destinations in either direction:

Sailing to Easter Island

As with all South Pacific islands, one must have experience when sailing to Easter Island. It's open water and there are no overly protecting bays.

The Easter Island ocean floor is rocky and treacherous. Anchor off the coast and never enter any port without a local onboard that knows the ocean floor well. Accidents have happened many times before when optimistic sailers try to enter ports by themselves, which ends up in the hull getting torn apart by rocks, and a sudden and unhappy ending to their trip.

Weather at Easter Island is very spontaneous, and wind can change quickly. With this in mind, always make sure you anchor well, and always have your sail boat manned by at least one person.

The only charge for anchoring at Easter Island as a small sail boat is 12 000 CLP (around 15 USD) per person for the use of the chilean radio channels. You don't need to notify your arrival in advance. Simply arrive, contact the port over radio, and all will be organized.

Maximum stay is 30 days, just like for any traveler coming to Easter Island.