Planning your visit to Easter Island



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  Billy Bishop 07/02/2018

3500 kilometres east of Chile, far into the Pacific Ocean you will find (Isla de Pascua). Don’t be alarmed when you don’t see the name Easter Island, the island has many names including Isla de Pascua (official Spanish name), Rapa Nui and Great Rapa.

 

This small island is famous for the 500 year old plus Moai stone statues that are scattered across the landscape. Many of the giant rock carvings of the Moai stand stall against the Pacific Ocean, whilst others are high up on the volcanic slopes, buried to their neck in soil. There is much debate and mystery around the creation and transportation of the Moai, it is somewhere you need to visit to appreciate fully.

 

Though Easter Island is mostly famed for the Moai statues, there is a lot to see and do. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Rapa Nui National Park covers nearly half of the island and is the place of concentrated Rapa Nui people and culture and some of the best preserved Moai statues. Hanga Roa harbour is the best place on the island to spot sea turtles and the place to be for surfing. Visit one of the many volcanoes on the island, including Rano Raraku, Poike and the spectacular Rano Kau; follow the trails to the top of these craters for spectacular views.

 



Easter Island Information





There is always some useful information you need when visiting somewhere so remote:


·        Spanish and Rapanui are the main languages


·        The currency is Chilean pesos


·        Credit cards are accepted but often incur a hefty fee – take plenty of cash


·        The flight time is 6 hours from Santiago


·        The time zone is GMT-4, 2 hours behind Santiago


·        The airport is Mataveri International Airport or Aeropuerto Internacional Mataveri de Isla de Pascua

 



Getting to Easter Island





It isn’t the easiest place on Earth to reach. In fact, the only viable way of getting to Easter Island from Santiago is by plane. The flight soon leaves Santiago, heading west towards the south pacific and you likely won’t see any land until you suddenly see Easter Island upon landing.

 

LATAM is the only airline who flies the route. Although flights are subject to change due to COVID, there are usually three flights per week. These depart from mainland Chile in the morning and take just under 6 hours to get to Easter Island.

 

Flights to Easter Island are not cheap, but it is worth the visit. You need to book in advance if you want to pay less than $500 per person, but if you decide to visit at short notice, you could pay closer to $1000.

 



Best time of year to visit Easter Island







The size of the island means that when there are crowds, they are noticeable. As it is located in the Southern Hemisphere, the summer is January to March just like the rest of South America.

 

Though January to March is the summer, temperatures don’t vary massively across the year. It is best to visit either side of these months, when rainfall is still low, temperatures are good and the island is quieter. September, October, November, April and May are good months. If you choose to visit between May and September you will likely find it to be very damp, grey and wet.

 

As it is an island in the middle of the pacific, wind and rain are possible at any time. Always be prepared by packing a rain and wind-proof coat.

 




How long to spend on Easter Island





Considering the distance from anywhere, you will want to spend at least two days on the island. This will ensure that you aren’t tired for the duration and that you can enjoy the island fully. I would recommend four days if you want to get the most out of Easter Island.

 

At only 163 square kilometres, it is a small island, but it is packed with historical and cultural sights. Around 7000 people call this island home, therefore there are always places to visit, eat and shop.

 

Four days on the island will provide you enough time to see everything, including many of the Moai scattered across the island, the amazing sunsets and sunrises, the capital of Hanga Roa and the spectacular volcanoes.

 




Tangol Tours on Easter Island





Tangol has a wide selection of tours available on Easter Island, from those lasting just three hours to others lasting four days.

 

For a taste of everything that Easter Island has to offer, Tangol have a classic Easter Island tour. This tour takes in some of the best sights that Rapa Nui has to offer, including volcanoes, Ahu Tongariki (preserved Moai), beaches and historically important sights. The Easter Island adventure  package lets you experience the island in a more adventurous style. Hiking up the Terevaka volcano, snorkelling the turquoise waters and watching a cultural show are some of the activites included with this tri.

 

Both of the four day trips provide you with plenty of free time for you to explore the island at leisure, for example, enjoying a fantastic sunset across the south pacific behind the Ahu Tahai archaeological site. These multi-day tours also include your accommodation and breakfast, tours and airport transfers, though flights, national park fees and extras are not included.

 

Day trips offered by Tangol include watching the sunrise in Tongariki, a historical and cultural tour or a surfing lesson in the heart of the capital city, along with many others!

 

 









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