When we look at a map and look for the Isla de Pascua We found it as a small point very far from the coast of Chile. But it is a Chilean island in Pacific waters and is known throughout the world for its mysterious and ancient statues.
Easter Island too called Rapa Nui and it is a typical island of Polynesian culture. It is very far from Chile but contains one of its World Heritage because the statues make up the Rapa Nui National Park since 1995. Would you like to meet her? It is not at hand, it is true, so you have to organize the trip well but the good thing is that it receives visitors and is prepared for tourism.
Characteristics of Easter Island
The island is from volcanic originIt has an area of almost 164 thousand square kilometers and a stable population of around five thousand inhabitants. There is only one town, Hanga Roa, the capital. Enjoy a cool tropical climate, not so hot or extremely cold. It is shaped like a right triangle, there are hills, hills and some islets around it.
The story goes that around the second century BC the Rapanui people came here from Polynesia. They considered themselves descendants of their gods and there were tribes and classes among them. They lived from agriculture and fishing and religious centers were located on the coast. Archaeologists speculate that the island suffered from overpopulation between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries and that due to food shortages they left the villages and went to live in the caves, even abandoning the ceremonial centers and statues. In reality, and it must be taken into account, all these stories or speculations about the Rapanui are based on stories from Europeans so they should not be taken as the revealed truth either.
In colonial times, slave ships arrived here and thousands of islanders became slaves by force. Also, as in other parts of America, Europeans brought disease and many died of smallpox or tuberculosis. Finally, towards the end of the XNUMXth century, Easter Island was annexed to Chilean territory after the purchase of the territory and the signing of a treaty that assured the islanders no more slave levies.
How to get to Easter Island
To the island you arrive by plane. The Chilean airline LAN has regular flights from Santiago de Chile. From the Chilean capital the flight is five and a half hours once a week. This is the flight that continues its journey to Papeete, in French Polynesia. There were other routes but they were discontinued.
You can get Boat but it is neither easy nor fast. The Chilean Navy makes trips from Valparaíso. There are only two supply trips a year, with no fixed departure dates. The trip is cheaper, of course, and lasts for seven days of adventures. But it is necessary to be vigilant, find the dates and directly, live in Chile to leave as soon as the trip is confirmed. For the tourist, nothing comfortable.
Tourism in easter island
The plane drops you off at Mataveri Airport, on the outskirts of the island capital. If you have a hotel reservation, surely there is someone waiting, if not there are taxis. These taxis can also be hired to tour the island. Prices are negotiated with the driver without problem. There's also tourism agencies and tours organized by the most tourist attractions and the presence of a guide is always helpful. A tour can last three hours or a whole day. And if you like independence you can always rent a 4 × 4 car.
Among the current offers is the possibility of making trekking, horseback riding, boating, diving and mountain bike rides. The main attractions are within the Rapa Nui National Park. You must pay entrance and the site opens from 9 in the morning and until 6 or 7 in the afternoon, depending on the time of year. Archaeological sites are the first destination and moai, the statues with eyes and hats, in some cases, they will take a good part of your camera's memory card.
There are many of these statues throughout the island but the ones that are whole and on platforms that look out to the sea are few. There are some near Hanga Roa and others are near the Father Sebastián Englert Anthropological Museum. Inside the island you will see more of these mysterious statues, some half carved, others buried in the volcanic earth, others already restored. The archaeological sites are mostly on the south coast, where there is also the beautiful Rano Kau volcano. In fact, if you take the boat tour, you walk through its old crater and see Orongo, the ceremonial village and many more moai.
Easter Island also offers many walks through its natural landscapes: climb to the top of Maunga Terevaka, for example, from just over 500 meters of altitude, know caves and some of its best beaches. There is a white sand beach called Anakena, decorated with moai, and there is also the Ovahe beach, surrounded by cliffs.
Activities in Easter Island
Easter Island also offers many cultural activities and experiences that bring you closer to the indigenous culture of the island. The local tourist office has organized certain festivals, dinners or special shows: the Tapati Rapa Nui It is a festival that takes place the first two weeks of February and that focuses on competitions between different groups, trips in traditional boats and the election of a queen. There's also dance performances and reenactment of ancestral ceremonies that are specially prepared for tourism.
The general advice is that to get to know Easter Island you have to stay a maximum of four days and a minimum of two.
Accommodation in Easter Island
There are many accommodations, among hotels, cabins, hostels, rental houses. If you don't have a lot of money, there is a recommended hostel where backpackers usually stay. If you want luxury, go to the hotels that are concentrated, almost all of them, in Hanga Roa. Hotels and cabins often offer bicycles. Prices? If you sleep in a tent, calculate between 25 and 30 euros for two people in a camp. A medium cabin costs between 80 and 100 euros per night and a hotel between 170 and 190 euros.
Obviously, in high season everything goes up. If your choice is the cheapest of all, go with a store, then There are two camping: the Tipanie Moana and the Mihinoa. If you don't bring your tent / tent, they lend it to you with sleeping bags and mats included, igloo type. These campsites have rooms with shared bathroom, in case you have a horrible day, rain or river. They do not include food, of course, but if you book they will pick you up at the airport.
Practical information on Easter Island
Is the water drinkable in hotels and other accommodation. Wifi internet is slow throughout the island although a latest government announcement says they will put free WiFi in the civic center and on Hanga Roa beach.
All the tourist shopping They are made in the main street of the city: typical shirts, handicrafts in stone, wood and ceramics, necklaces, key rings, reproductions of moais, dresses, silver jewelry, hand-painted ceramics, sarongs, blouses.