Easter Island Travel Guide

The story

A small island with giant statues

Easter Island, called Rapa Nui, belongs to Chile and is famous for its moai statues. Most visitors arrive on a flight from Santiago, since a route from Tahiti has not operated since 2020, according to one island guide.

Much of the island is a national park, and a single ticket covers all the archaeological sites.

10 daysvalidity of the national park ticket

5 nightsminimum stay one local guide recommends

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Practical guide

Plan your Easter Island trip

Check before you go: visitors generally need to complete a Single Entry Form before boarding in Santiago and show a registered lodging. Check the official Chilean and park sites for current rules and prices.

Getting there

Most visitors fly LATAM from Santiago (SCL) to Mataveri airport (IPC). Flights run roughly daily, with extra flights from December to March.
Around 25 cruise calls a year reach the island.
One guide recommends buying the Santiago leg directly from the airline.

Before you board

Most visitors must complete the Single Entry Form online before the flight from Santiago.
You need a registered lodging that matches the form. Staying with friends requires a letter from your host.
Citizens of the USA, EU and Canada generally need a passport and a ticket showing departure within 90 days. Confirm for your passport.

National park ticket

One ticket per person covers all sites and is valid for 10 days from your first site entry.
Rano Raraku and Orongo can each be entered once per ticket, and other sites any number of times.
Tickets are sold on the official park site or at park offices in Hanga Roa. Show the ticket at each site.
Many circuits need an accredited local guide. Confirm current rules and prices on the park's site.

Best time

November to March is summer, with strong sun and the most visitors.
May to August is cooler and wetter, with cold nights, and the sea is still swimmable.
The Tapati Rapa Nui festival peaks in the first two weeks of February, so reserve far ahead.

Main sites

Rano Raraku, Orongo, Anakena, Ahu Tongariki, Ahu Tahai and Ahu Akivi.
Terevaka can be hiked alone. A guide is recommended for Poike and the north coast.

Getting around and costs

Hanga Roa is the only town and is walkable. Cars and e-bikes can be rented.
The Chilean peso is the official currency. Prices are far above mainland Chile because goods are flown or shipped in.
Theft from rooms is the main risk, so use hotel safes.

Details come from an independent island travel guide and are marked by it as subject to change. We checked on November 1, 2026. Entry rules, fees and prices change, so confirm them with official sources before you go.