Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
Polynesian culture, stunning landscapes and of course those mysterious Moai await in Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island.
This volcanic, remote island in the Pacific Ocean is part of Chile, and its history and culture are absolutely fascinating.
While it takes some effort to get to Easter Island and there are particular details you need to know about ahead of time, it's well worth it to visit one of the world's most off-the-beaten-path destinations.
‘Isla de Pascua’ is the Spanish translation of Easter Island, while Rapa Nui is the Indigenous name for the island, and efforts are underway to make this more mainstream which is why you’ll see the island referred to with all of those names.
Permits and a tour guide are required to visit archeological sites in the national park (which is about 45 per cent of the island)—a major change introduced in recent years to help protect the fragile sites. There are many half-day, full-day and multi-day tours that cover the best things to do on Easter Island, which can be booked through hotels or operators in the main town, Hanga Roa.
Top highlights of Rapa Nui are watching sunrise at Ahu Tongariki, exploring and the quarry of Rano Raraku where the Moai were carved and hundreds can be seen today, watching a performance at Ballet Cultural Kari Kari and enjoying the sunset at Tahai.
There are also outdoor adventures like scenic hikes, horseback riding, ATV rides to beaches and walking around the volcanic crater at Rano Raraku.
