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Easter Island (Rapa Nui)

Few areas in the world possess a more mystical pull than this tiny speck of land, one of the most isolated places on Earth. It's hard to feel connected to Chile, over 23oo miles (3700km) to the east, let alone the wider world. Endowed with the most logic-defying statues on the planet – the strikingly familiar moai – Easter Island (Rapa Nui to its native Polynesian inhabitants) emanates a magnetic, mysterious vibe.

But Easter Island is much more than an open-air museum. Diving, snorkeling and surfing are fabulous. On land, there's no better eco-friendly way to experience the island's savage beauty than on foot, from a bike saddle or on horseback. But if all you want to do is recharge the batteries, a couple of superb expanses of white sand beckon.

Although Easter Island is world famous and visitors are on the increase, everything remains small and personable – it's all about eco-travel.

Explore Easter Island (Rapa Nui)

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Easter Island (Rapa Nui).

  • Area

    Orongo Ceremonial Village

    Nearly covered in a bog of floating totora reeds, the crater lake of Rano Kau resembles a giant witch's cauldron and is a wild greenhouse of endemic…

  • Archaeological Site

    Rano Raraku

    Known as 'the nursery,' the volcano of Rano Raraku, about 18km from Hanga Roa, is the quarry for the hard tuff from which the moai were cut. You'll feel…

  • Archaeological Site

    Ahu Tongariki

    The monumental Ahu Tongariki has plenty to set your camera's flash popping. With 15 imposing statues, it is the largest ahu ever built. The statues gaze…

  • Beach

    Anakena

    Beach bums in search of a place to wallow will love this postcard-perfect, white-sand beach. It also forms a lovely backdrop for Ahu Nau Nau, which…

  • National Park

    Parque Nacional Rapa Nui

    The vast majority of Rapa Nui falls within the boundaries of this national park. Think of it like an open-air museum with mysterious archaeological sites…

  • Peninsula

    Península Poike

    At the eastern end of the island, this high plateau is crowned by the extinct volcano Maunga Pu A Katiki (400m) and bound in by steep cliffs. There are…

  • Archaeological Site

    Ahu Tahai

    Ahu Tahai is a highly photogenic site that contains three restored ahu (ceremonial platform). Ahu Tahai proper is the ahu in the middle, supporting a…

  • Museum

    Museo Antropológico Sebastián Englert

    This well-organized museum makes a perfect introduction to the island's history and culture. It displays basalt fishhooks, obsidian spearheads and other…

  • Archaeological Site

    Ahu Akivi

    Unusual for its inland location, Ahu Akivi, the first scientific restoration on the island (in 1960), sports seven restored moai. They are the only ones…

  • Mountain

    Maunga Terevaka

    Maunga Terevaka is the island's highest point (507m) and the youngest of its three volcanoes. This barren hill is only accessible on foot or on horseback…

  • Archaeological Site

    Ahu Tautira

    If you've just arrived and can't wait for your first encounter with the moai (large anthropomorphic statues), head straight to Ahu Tautira. This site…

  • Bay

    Caleta Hanga Roa

    Your first encounter with the moai will probably take place at Ahu Tautira, which overlooks Caleta Hanga Roa, the fishing port in Hanga Roa at the foot of…

  • Cave

    Ana Kai Tangata

    This vast cave carved into black cliffs sports beautiful rock paintings with birdman motifs. However, when we passed through it was closed due to falling…

  • Archaeological Site

    Ahu Te Pito Kura

    Beside Bahía La Pérouse, a nearly 10m-long moai lies facedown with its neck broken; it's the largest moai moved from Rano Raraku and erected on an ahu. A…

  • Archaeological Site

    Puna Pau

    The volcanic Puna Pau quarry was used to make the reddish, cylindrical pukao (topknots) that were placed on many moai. Some 60 of these were transported…

  • Cave

    Ana Te Pahu

    Off the dirt road to Akivi, Ana Te Pahu comprises former cave dwellings with an overgrown garden of sweet potatoes, taro and bananas. The caves here are…

  • Church

    Iglesia Hanga Roa

    The unmissable Iglesia Hanga Roa, the island's Catholic church, is well worth a visit for its spectacular carvings, which integrate Christian doctrine…

  • Archaeological Site

    Ahu Tepeu

    This large ahu has several fallen moai and a village site with foundations of hare paenga (elliptical houses) and the walls of several round houses,…

  • Harbor

    Caleta Hanga Piko

    Easily overlooked by visitors, the little Caleta Hanga Piko is used by local fishers. Facing away from the caleta, the restored Ahu Riata supports a…

  • Beach

    Ovahe

    Near Anakena, this beach offers seclusion for wannabe Robinson Crusoes but is considered dangerous because of falling rocks.

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Easter Island (Rapa Nui).

  • Activities

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