Easter Island

Easter Island, located at a distance of about 2,000 miles from Chile has developed into a popular tourist destination in the country. A solitude destination away from the hustle bustle of city life, the island offers perfect scope of a relaxing vacation. This island is mostly famous for its giant stone monoliths referred to as Moai that line the coastline. A triangle of volcanic rock, this island is situated in the South Pacific. The early settlers of the island named the island as “Te Pito O Te Henua” (Navel of The World). The island is also famous for its “Rapunai” culture and “Rapunai” sculptors dotting the coastline.

Getting to Easter Island

It is best to reach Easter Island through air. Lan Chile airlines operating between Chile, Santiago, Tahiti, and Papeete serves the island. Airfare from Santiago in Chile to Easter Island and back costs around 800 USD. Several companies arrange for package trips that include tours of the island along with accommodation choices. You can even to opt to stay at private homes that will offer you the opportunity to meet the islanders and experience the local culture of the island. The Rapunai themselves operates the tourism to Easter Island.

Attractions in Easter Island

The statues of the island reflecting the “Rapunai” sculptors are also a popular tourist attraction of this site of tourism in Chile. Another popular possession of this island is the Rongorongo script, the only written language in Oceania. This is land is also famosud for its rock carvings known as petroglyphs along with wood carvings, tapa (barkcloth) crafts, string figures, and tattooing. Easter Island presently features as one of the unique places of tourism interest. Here, you can also plan a visit to the open-air museum that displays a collection of artworks promoting the cultural heritage of the island. Another major attraction of this island is its spectacular scenic beauty. You will get to see lava formations. Volcanic craters, beaches, and many archeological sites of interest. The island also celebrates Tapati, a festival glorifying the Polynesian cultural heritage of the island.

Here is a detailed look at some of the popular attractions of this island –

Rano Raraku: The most popular moai statues were made from the volcanic rock of this mountain quarry. This is scattered in and around the slopes in various stages of completion.

Rano Kau: You can visit this place of attraction to get a view of the spectacular island. You can opt for a hike to the summit of this 400m volcano and catch a glimpse of the soliyude of nature at its best.

Orongo: This lake-filled crater features the remains of the Birdman cult practiced until 1867.

Ahu Tahai: The ahu known as the ceremonial platform at Tahai settles near a canoe ramp made of rounded beach stones. This structure is thought to be among the earliest ahu structure on the island that dates back to 690 A.D. American archeologist, William Mulloy, later restored this structure.

Ahu Tongariki: This site of tourist interest will offer you a view of 15 of the island’s popular moai statues. This statues stand in a military line-up upon a rock platform.

Accommodations in Easter Island

This particular island also houses a range of accommodation opportunities catering to the every tastes and needs of tourists. Here you will find a range of luxury to budget hotels to choose from. Some of the popular hotels offering accommodation opportunities in this island are as follows –

Tauraa Hotel

Explora Rapa Nui - Posada de Mike

Kaimana Inn Hotel & Restaurant

Tiare Pacific

Manu Nui Inn