Things to Do in Easter Island

By Zenan Delaney

Year-round activities on Easter Island include scuba diving and tuna fishing. For a more cultural experience, check out the weekly shows like Kari Kari, the national folkloric ballet where audience participation is part of the extravaganza. The existence of a small cinema in Hanga Roa came as a big surprise. However, it was no surprise that they only screen one film, "Rapa Nui."

One of the biggest attractions on Easter Island are the Moai sculptures. For Moai sculptures, undoubtedly the biggest highlight is the area of Ahu Tongariki, which features what is considered to be the most complete and impressive groupings of sculptures on the island - if you don't have much time to explore the island, this is the one place you shouldn't miss.

Another particularly picturesque spot on the island is the village of Orongo, on the slopes of an extinct volcano. It’s a good place to kick back for a few days or to base yourself for visits around the island.

TIP: take a flashlight. One of the top tourist attractions on the island, the Dos Ventanas (Two windows) cave, is not only very hard to find but for the most part in total darkness. If you go hunting for the cave, look carefully as there is no sign and the entrance is merely a small hole in the ground. Most go right by it, without the help of a local person it is very difficult to find. The cave is an old lava tube that you must crawl down to reach two openings in the cliff face some 50 meters or more above the sea. The experience and the view from the cave are well worth the effort.