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Easter Island
Rapa Nui / Easter Island · Valparaíso Region, Chile
A lonely island watched over by 887 moai: a mysterious civilisation in the middle of the Pacific
Know before you go
- Never climb or touch the moai (heavy fines)
- don't take stones or artefacts
- drones need a permit.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
A masterpiece of the Rapa Nui people: most of the 887 moai stand with their backs to the sea, facing their villages (the 7 at Ahu Akivi are a rare exception facing the sea), telling of ancestor worship and tribal wars; the 'Birdman' ritual and the rongorongo tablets have still not been fully deciphered. Inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1995, it is one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world — solitude is its deepest character.
Local customs
- Visitors must buy a national park ticket (about USD 80)
- visit sites with a guide or on marked routes
- islanders are warm-hearted — please respect Rapa Nui culture.
Religion & beliefs
- Ancestor worship (the moai embody ancestors) and the 'Birdman' faith
- the ahu (platforms) are sacred — don't climb or touch the statues.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Chile: no drinking in public places
- Drink in restaurants and bars
- Drinking in streets, squares, seafront promenades and other public places
It is illegal.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Chile travel advice
Chile: no open fires in national parks
- Use fire only at permitted campsites
- Lighting an open fire outside designated campsites in a national park
You can have your tourist permit cancelled, be ordered to leave within 72 hours or be deported; starting a forest fire can also bring criminal charges.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Chile travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- Never climb or touch the moai (heavy fines)
- don't take stones or artefacts
- drones need a permit.
Locals appreciate DO
- The Rapa Nui people appreciate visitors who respect their culture and learn the island's history
- watching sunrise at Tongariki (15 moai) and attending traditional dance performances are most popular.
Plan your visit
Practical info
| Best time | Best October–April (southern summer) |
|---|
Travel tips
- October–April (the southern summer) is best. There are only 1–2 flights a day (about 5.5 hours from Santiago), so book flights and accommodation months ahead
- allow 3–4 days
- the Tapati festival (February) is liveliest.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Tuna ceviche
- Tuna empanadas
- Umu earth-oven feast
Tuna ceviche, tuna empanadas, umu earth-oven feast (group booking), island sweet potatoes / pineapples, seafood soup
| Where to eat | Restaurants and budget fast-food places on Hanga Roa's main street; bring your own lunch to distant sights such as Ahu Tongariki |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | No eating, drinking or climbing in the restricted areas around the moai platforms |
| Typical price per person | CLP 18,000–30,000 ≈ CNY 133–222 |
| Tips | Bring all your own water and food for sights outside town. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
Victorika · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photos
Photos
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Mc vc · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Rjcastillo · CC BY-SA 4.0
Aurbina · Public domain
Sources & verification notes
Compiled from Chile tourism board guides to Easter Island
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