Moai
The months in gold are when the weather, the crowds and the prices work out best.
Rapa Nui is worth the long journey if you are interested in archaeology and remote landscapes. Aim for October through March for the best weather. Most visitors find three to four days is the right amount of time to see the main sites.
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Three to four full days.
Most visitors arrive via a five hour flight from Santiago.
You must buy your national park entry online in advance.
The sun is very strong and there is almost no shade at the sites.
The reality of the island
The island is small and windy. You will spend your days driving between stone platforms along the coast. It is quiet, and the primary activity is walking through fields of tall grass to reach the statues.
Expect limited shade. The sun is intense, and the wind is constant. You will be walking on uneven volcanic rock, so pack sturdy boots.
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When to go
Summer months from December to February are the warmest. You get the most sunshine, but you will also encounter more tourists at the popular sites like Rano Raraku.
The shoulder months of October, November, and March offer a balance. The weather remains pleasant, and the crowds are noticeably thinner.
Planning your budget
Daily costs average around 180000 CLP. Food is expensive because almost everything is shipped from the mainland. Fresh produce is especially pricey.
Budget for a rental car. Public transport does not exist here. Having your own vehicle is the only practical way to visit multiple sites in one day.
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Common mistakes
Many people arrive without a national park ticket. You cannot buy this at the entrance gates. You must purchase it online or at the official office in town before you start your tour.
Do not underestimate the isolation. There is one town, Hanga Roa. If you stay outside of it, you will have few options for dinner or supplies.
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National park ticket must be bought in advance, not at the gate.
The daily figure is an estimate and does not include flights. The exchange rate is real, and it moves once a day, not by the second.
The background
Moai or moꞌai ( MOH-eye; Rapa Nui: moꞌai, lit. 'statue', pronounced [ˈmoʔai]; Spanish: moái) are monolithic human figures carved from stone by the Rapa Nui people, on Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in eastern Polynesia between the years 1250 and 1500. Nearly half are still at Rano Raraku, the main moai quarry, but hundreds were transported from there and set on stone platforms called ahu around the island's perimeter. Almost all moai have overly large heads, which account for three-eighths of the size of the whole statue. They also have no legs. The moai are chiefly the living faces (aringa ora) of deified ancestors (aringa ora ata tepuna). Although the stone moai are the most famous, the Rapa Nui also carved small wooden moai: moꞌai kavakava (male), moꞌai paepae/papa (female), and moꞌai taŋata (male). The statues still gazed inland across their clan lands when Europeans first visited the island in 1722, but all of them had fallen by the latter part of the 19th century. The moai were toppled in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, possibly as a result of European contact or internecine tribal wars. The production and transportation of the more than 900 statues is considered a remarkab
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Questions people ask
Can I walk to the statues from the town?
Only a few are within walking distance of Hanga Roa. Most of the sites are scattered across the island and require a car or a guided tour.
Is it safe to drink the tap water?
Most visitors prefer to drink bottled water. While the local supply is generally fine, it can cause stomach issues for travelers.
Do I need a guide?
You do not need a guide to enter the park. However, a guide can provide context about the history that you will not find on signs at the sites.
Are there beaches on the island?
There is one main beach called Anakena. It has white sand and palm trees, though it is small compared to continental beaches.
Can I use credit cards everywhere?
Larger hotels and restaurants take cards. Always carry cash for small shops and local markets as card machines often lose connection.