Welcome back to my blog, girl! So happy to have you on again. Today I want to share one of my truly hidden travel gems with you: Easter Island. You might associate Easter Island with the giant stone sculptures that are spread all over the island. Those sculptures are named ‘Moai’. The island gets an even more mystical touch, when you know that Moai were once manmade from the volcanic rock on the island multiple thousand years ago. I was so lucky to spend my birthday on Easter Island. Getting welcomed by the friendly locals so warmly with a necklace of colorful flowers and feeling the spirit of the island so deeply, it all made me the most special birthday I’ve ever had in my entire life!
Today, I will guide you around the island, what you need to know before traveling to Easter Island and what great things to see and do. Girl, I am absolutely sure that you should travel to it at least once and visit this breathtaking place on earth in the middle of nowhere.
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Note: COVID-19 pandemic might affect the activities described below. They might get cancelled or do not take place at your time of visit. Please check the providers’ pages carefully and regularly as things might change on short notice. Check out the government’s website from your home country for the latest immigration updates that apply to you when visiting Chile.
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Story Contents
What is Easter Island?
Easter Island is a volcanic island in Polynesia. Officially it’s a special territory of Chile located in the southeastern Pacific Ocean. Therefore, the residents don’t speak Spanish, they speak Rapanui. In total, Easter Island is 14 miles (23 kilometers) long by 7 miles (11 kilometers) wide and covers an area of 63 square miles (163 square kilometers). It is 2,2k miles away from mainland Chile and 2,6k miles from Tahiti. What makes Easter Island so unique is definitely its isolation from any closest country or island and overwhelms visitors with its mystical appearance.
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When is the best time to visit Easter Island?
The climate on Easter Island can be described as tropical rainforest climate. The humidity speaks for itself but also makes Easter Island so beautifully green. Summer on the island is from December till March. This is also the high season on Easter Island. In the other months it gets a bit colder and rain showers are more likely. However, Easter Island is a perfect destination that can be visited year round. On average the temperatures are 22 degrees Celsius with the hottest month January that comes with warm 29 degrees Celsius.
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How to get to Easter Island?
Given the remoteness of Easter Island, it can be best reached by aircraft towards Hanga Roa airport. Several direct flights from and to Santiago de Chile and Tahiti are offered during the week. Most flights are operated by LATAM, the largest Chilean airline. A flight from Santiago de Chile (Chile’s capital city) bound for Easter Island takes more than 5 hours and let’s face it, it’s an entire flight over the Pacific Ocean. Overall, Easter Island makes a perfect add on to any travel journey across Chile and this is exactly what I once did in my birthday week.
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Where to stay on Easter Island?
As you can imagine, Easter Island is still a hidden gem and only a few hotels and apartments have opened for tourism. So please make sure to book your accommodations early in advance to save the best spots. Most hotels are located in Hanga Roa, the main city on Easter Island. In all cases the transfer from the airport to your hotel will just take a few minutes. Here is a link to find your next accommodation on Easter Island. I stayed at Hotel Hare Uta and can totally recommend their iconic architecture, hospitality, and cozy rooms. The views are just breathtaking and make it easy to soak in all the nature from around you. Besides, they have a special surprise ready (I will not tell you what it is) for special occasions such as birthdays, honeymoons, and more.
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What to do on Easter Island?
On arrival at the airport you can buy the entrance pass to the Rapa Nui National Park which literally spans over the entire island and is home to the many beautiful Moai. The NP is a World Heritage Site designated by the UNESCO. And the pass costs US$ 80 per adult and is valid for up to 10 consecutive days. Given the quite small size of the island, surprisingly, Easter Island offers plenty of amazing things to see and do. Let me show you what to explore during your travel to Easter Island, so you don’t miss anything babe:
- Discover the different Moai (see next paragraph for the best ones!)
- Drive around the island in a rental car and visit all different archaeological sights
- Go on a guided tour to learn more about Moai history
- Take a sunbath and a dip in the ocean at Anakena beach
- Engage in a snorkeling and diving tour to explore the underwater world
- Go on a whale watching tour in the Pacific Ocean
- Visit the cave Cueva De Las Dos Ventanas
- Participate in a traditional cooking and dancing event
- Do a horseback riding experience
- Visit Volcano Poike and a crater at viewpoint Rano Kau
- Hike across the island
- Indulge history at Rapa Nui Museum
- Enjoy a breathtaking time in nature
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Where are the best Moai on Easter Island?
When you travel to Easter Island, of course you would want to visit the Moai right away! It’s being said that all Moai sculptures have been in very bad shape and fallen down. However, archaeologists have contributed in restorations, so you’ll find a few spots with great Moai back in their shape and original position. Please keep in mind that you get access to the archaeological sights, but often you can’t get that close to the Moai or even touch them. It is forbidden and following those rules, you treat the Polynesian culture with respect and humility. Below I list all the great Moai sights on the island with direct links to Google Maps:
#3 Ahu Akivi
#4 Ahu Tahai
#5 Ahu Vinapu
#6 Ahu Nau Nau
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Not enough of the Americas? What do you think about traveling to México and explore the Mexican Caribbean in and around Tulum? Here are my blog posts about the best bohemian chic Tulum boutique accommodations and best activities in and around Tulum perfect for all females traveling solo.
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Would you love to visit Easter Island girl? Have any questions about traveling to this place? Please leave your comments and thoughts below or on Instagram @storiesoutofthesuitcase. Happy Traveling ♥
