Surprise yourself with the landscapes of Easter Island
Do you know Easter Island? A magical and incredible place. Here we share with you the destinations you should visit when you go to the island.
Chile is a country that has several tourist destinations very attractive for tourists, among them, Torres del Paine, San Pedro de Atacama, Viña del Mar, Juan Fernández Island, Easter Island and others.
Located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean (Océano Pacífico), Easter Island or Rapa Nui (Isla de Pascua o Rapa Nui) is a beautiful place that preserves a history of hundreds of years, full of traditions, culture and archaeological settlements.
One of them is the story of the god Make Make (dios Make Make), the creator deity of the Rapa Nui culture.
Thanks to its natural beauty, history and tradition, in 1995 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (Patrimonio de la Humanidad).
What destinations can you visit?
- Hanga Roa
A city and main port of the island, where you can find restaurants, bars, discotheques and craft stores.
It has a wonderful waterfront where you can walk and contemplate the seashore. There is a cove where there are diving schools, cafes and ice cream parlors.
- Moais of Ahu Akivi
Seven moais located in the Rapa Nui National Park, 9 kilometers from Hanga Roa. To reach them we recommend taking a tour and hopefully at sunset to have a beautiful view of this incredible place.
The construction of this ceremonial platform began in the late fifteenth century and lasted until the sixteenth century. In that place there was a crematorium, where the ancient settlers cremated their dead.
The moais were built on the Rano Raraku Volcano and once ready they were moved to the ceremonial platform.
- Motu Nui
The largest islet on Easter Island. Here the Tangata Manu ceremony was held, which consisted of running after the first egg of the manutara or black-tipped tern.
This was one of the ceremonial centers of the ancient inhabitants of the island. Only one of them became the big winner, obtaining the title of Tangata Manu (bird man, “hombre pájaro”).
Knowing a little more about the Rapa Nui traditions and culture is really fascinating.
- Rano Raraku Volcano
A little farther from the city of Hanga Roa is the Rano Raraku volcano, about 20 kilometers away.
It is a must-see destination, because the moais that are found on the island were built there. Around it there are many of them and marked trails that you can walk.
The Rano Raraku volcano has a height of 160 meters, a crater of 700 meters and inside a wonderful lagoon, which is part of the incredible landscape that nature gives you.
- Anakena Beach
Warm waters, turquoise water and white sand. This beach has nothing to envy to the beaches of the Caribbean.
This true paradise is located 18 kilometers from Hanga Roa and has become a must-see destination for tourists.
If you want to know the depths of the sea, you can snorkel and witness the crystal clear waters of Anakena Beach.
- Rano Kau Volcano
Located 6 kilometers from Hanga Roa, specifically in the Rapa Nui National Park, it receives hundreds of tourists looking for trekking and touring the place.
Its height reaches 100 meters high and at the top is the volcanic crater and the lagoon inside of 50 meters deep. A beautiful landscape for those who come to this place.
- Terevaka Volcano
It has 511 meters above sea level, making it the highest volcano on the island (maunga Terevaka or Mount Terevaka).
Tourists reach the summit by trekking or on horseback. Those who do so will have a beautiful 360° view of the island. Do you dare to go?
- Archaeological center of Orongo
Visit the ruins of the ancient ceremonial village located on the Rano Kau Volcano. Its houses are made of slab stone walls. There are 48 boat-shaped buildings that are very well preserved.
The ancient inhabitants used to spend the night in these houses days before the tangata-manu (birdman) competition ceremony. One of its peculiarities is that some of the houses are connected by a corridor that allowed them to pass from one place to another.
In the Orongo Archaeological Center you can see cave paintings and petroglyphs.
- Ahu Tongariki
Meet the 15 stone moais, the largest monument in all of Polynesia.
Each one has a different shape and size. The smallest measures 5.6 meters and the tallest 8.8 meters. The heaviest weighs 86 tons.
These moais are built with lapilli tuff, which is found in the Rano Raraku Volcano. The platform that supports them is 4 meters long.
At what time is it advisable to go? In the morning, at dawn. The sunlight crossing the moais will be part of a beautiful postcard
.What activities can you do on Easter Island?
- Trekking
Easter Island has wonderful landscapes, ideal for hiking and trekking. Below, we share with you some routes and their level of difficulty.
Hanga Roa – Rano Kau Route (easy)
Rano Kau Viewpoint – Vai Atare (easy)
Ahu Akivi – Terevaka (medium difficulty)
Tahai-Anakena (medium difficulty)
The transparent, turquoise and crystalline waters of the island’s coasts are ideal for diving.
Thanks to the pleasant water temperature, which ranges between 18° and 26°, tourists are encouraged to practice this incredible sport.
Where can you dive? In Motu Nui, Motu Iti and Motu Kao Kao. There are several diving centers on the island that offer courses with experienced instructors.
- Horseback riding and cycling
There are tour companies that offer various tours, including horseback riding or bicycle tours in some corners of the island.
If you know how to ride a horse or you are interested in cycling through the most emblematic natural landscapes of the island, go ahead and schedule your tour.
Looking for lodging in Santiago?
In the center of Santiago is the Magnolia Hotel, a mansion built in 1929, which has luxury rooms and other spaces such as the restaurant, bar and terrace, whose space will allow you to live a pleasant time outdoors.
Its exclusive design, allowed it to win the Le Prix Versailles award in the category «Best Hotel Design in Latin America and the Caribbean» delivered by UNESCO in 2017.
The hotel is located at 539 Huérfanos Street, Santiago. A 5-minute walk from the Bellas Artes metro station and approximately 45 minutes by car from Arturo Merino Benitez Airport.
Learn more about Hotel Magnolia and make your reservation by clicking HERE
