Yoko Correia Nishimiya, Unsplash License

Easter Island

Mysterious Moai and Volcanic Landscapes

Easter Island stands out in Oceania’s vast ocean expanse. Located far from mainland continents, it belongs to Chile yet feels worlds away. The island is famous for its massive stone figures called moai, carved centuries ago by early Polynesian settlers. These statues dot the landscape and reveal a deep cultural history tied to astronomy, navigation and community life. Surrounded by clear waters, the island also supports unique plant and animal life. Visitors find quiet beaches, rugged cliffs and ancient villages that tell stories of resilience and adaptation in an isolated environment.

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Island in Chile

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.2

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	7

Read details

3/5

English is spoken in most hotels, tourist shops, and with guides, but locals primarily speak Spanish and Rapa Nui. A few Spanish phrases can be helpful.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Easter Island Summary

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World-class for mysterious stone statues. Visit famous moai sites, cycle across remote landscapes, explore volcanic craters and watch dramatic ocean sunsets.

Place score

8.1

Best at:

Islands

Historic sites

Natural sites

Guided tours

Ruins

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

🛡️ 9

Travel Beginners

❤️ 8

Couples

Chile – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type L Type C: Type L: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Chilean Peso (CLP) £1 ≈ CLP 1,306
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in Chile, particularly in cities and tourist areas. Credit and debit cards are commonly used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated in Chile but not mandatory. A 10% tip is typical in restaurants. Taxi drivers and hotel staff also appreciate small tips for good service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally allowed in designated areas, but it is illegal to drink alcohol on the streets in some cities. It is best to consume alcohol in licensed venues.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces, including restaurants, bars, and public transport.

Fiestas Patrias (18–19 September)	National holiday celebrating Chile's independence with parades and festivities
Christmas (25 December)	Celebrated with family gatherings and festive meals

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 133 (Police), 131 (Ambulance), 132 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Cabify
Other:	Chile is famous for its natural beauty, including the Andes mountains, Atacama Desert, and Patagonia. It is a top destination for adventure tourism and outdoor activities.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

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Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Easter Island, Chile

☀️

Jan

☀️

Feb

☀️

Mar

☀️

Apr

🌦️

May

🌤️

Jun

🌤️

Jul

🌤️

Aug

🌤️

Sep

☀️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

☀️

Dec

High season:	Jan. - March, Dec.
Shoulder season:	April, Sep. - Nov.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Tapati Rapa Nui festival runs late January to mid February; flights and rooms book out far ahead

Only reachable by flight from Santiago de Chile, with limited seats; book months ahead for December to March

Tourists may stay at most 30 days and must show pre-booked accommodation on arrival

Don't miss

🗿 Visit the massive moai statues at Ahu Tongariki
🏖️ Relax on the white sands of Anakena Beach
⛏️ Explore the Rano Raraku volcanic quarry of moai
🌅 Watch the sunset from the Tahai Ceremonial Complex
🌊 Discover the seven moai at Ahu Akivi facing ocean

You've been here?

Why travel to Easter Island?

Easter Island is all about the magic of the Moai statues and the captivating history of the Rapa Nui culture. The island’s landscapes, shaped by volcanic activity, offer breathtaking hiking trails, secluded beaches and an off-the-beaten-path vibe. The island is remote and travel can be expensive, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Colegio San Sebastián de Akivi
2 Rano Raraku
3 Ahu Toŋariki
4 Ahu Nau Nau
5 Vinapu

🎡Places for activities

1 Anakena
2 Rano Raraku
3 Rapa Nui National Park
4 Orongo
5 Ahu Te Pito Kura
6 Ahu Taroe

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Terevaka

🎈Events

Tapati Rapa Nui Festival
Semana Santa (Easter Week)
Rapa Nui Marathon
Hiva Oa Cultural Week
Surfing Competitions at Playa Pea

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Knowledge before you go

Book flights early. Only LATAM flies from Santiago, limited seats.
Buy 10-day park pass on arrival; required for all moai sites except two beaches.
Hire licensed guide for most archaeological sites; self-driving restricted since 2022.
Rent a car or scooter in Hanga Roa to explore freely between guided tours and beaches.

How to travel to Easter Island

Fly to Easter Island’s Mataveri International Airport (IPC) from Santiago, Chile or Papeete, Tahiti. LATAM Airlines offers regular flights. The remoteness means booking in advance is a good idea, especially during the high season.

Access summary

From Mataveri Airport (IPC): Short taxi ride to Hanga Roa, about 5–10 minutes.
From Santiago de Chile: Nonstop LATAM flights usually around 5–6.5 hours.
Highly isolated; no regular ferries, access almost exclusively by air.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Easter Island

Accommodations range from guesthouses and hostels to mid-range hotels. There are no large resorts. Staying in Hanga Roa is convenient for dining and access to tours.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Iorana Isla de Pascua Hotel

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How to get around Easter Island

The island is small and renting a car, bike or scooter is the best way to explore. Guided tours are popular for learning the history of archaeological sites. Taxis and shuttles are also available.

Budget snapshot

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Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-17 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to CLP) is 17% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.

Safety information overview

General safety

Easter Island is very safe, with low crime rates. Just take basic precautions with valuables and avoid walking alone at night in remote areas.

Health & Medical

The island has a small hospital in Hanga Roa, but for major health issues, evacuation to mainland Chile may be necessary. Bring any medications you might need, as availability is limited.

Accessibility

Many archaeological sites are outdoors with uneven terrain. Accessible travel may be challenging for those with mobility issues, but guided tours can often accommodate needs with prior arrangements.

Tap water

Tap water is safe to drink in Hanga Roa, but bottled water is recommended for those with sensitive stomachs. Bring a refillable bottle to reduce plastic waste.