Easter Island Overview

Standing Moai's at Anakena Beach on Rapa Nui

By Zenan Delaney

People visit Easter Island (Rapa Nui) from all over the globe to discover the unique tribal customs of this one of a kind people and see their wondrous Moai’s. Yet few learn of the darker and more mysterious side of the islander’s culture and, even, why it’s called Easter Island. (Simply, it was discovered by a Dutch man on Easter Day, but in the local tongue, Rapa Nui means belly button of the world.)

Each year, thousands of tourists make the five-hour journey to Easter Island, now one of the most popular travel destinations for overseas visitors. People visit Easter Island (Rapa Nui) from all over the globe to discover the unique tribal customs of this one of a kind people and see their wondrous Moai’s.  Yet few learn of the darker and more mysterious side of the islander’s culture and, even, why it’s called Easter Island. (Simply, it was discovered by a Dutch man on Easter Day, but in the local tongue, Rapa Nui means belly button of the world.)

Each year, thousands of tourists make the five-hour journey to Easter Island, now one of the most popular travel destinations for overseas visitor

Abandoned in the Pacific Ocean, thousands of miles from the mainland, it is famous for its moai sculptures and ancient cultural celebrations.

Armed with four days and a well-planned itinerary, you will see most of the island, though you’ll want to stay longer to relax.

Moai’s are what most people visit the island to see, and they never fail to disappoint. The volcano that is their birthplace, the quarry and all of the scared sites will keep you in awe. For good reason, there are strict laws against messing with a Moai, it’s sometimes forbidden to stand on the plinths they stand on. You’ll find Standing Moai shrines located in several places around the island. At some sites some Moai have been toppled due to previous interclass or family disputes. On the Moai Mountain you’ll see sleeping, sprouting Moai as they were first carved horizontally and then hoisted into an upright position so their back could be carved.

Before you even get to the famous statues, you arrive to the island and are greeted at the airport with a mix of Polynesian-style floral garlands and Chilean chaos, one of the most poorly organized in Chile. If you book a hotel before you depart, ask if it’s possible that the transfer driver picks you up in the terminal building.

Thankfully, after you leave the airport, you enter a world where one can totally relax and leave the stress of travel behind. There are many hotels and places to stay on the island, but those looking for a quiet retreat would do well to choose a hotel away from the center of the capital city, Hanga Roa. In the city, the noisy nightclubs can make for a sleepless night!

Rapa Nui is not only an incredible island but a unique place, with great people. Don’t leave it out of your Chilean itinerary.