About Easter Island
Easter Island is a Polynesian island that is part of Chile. It is located in the southeastern part of the Pacific Ocean, at the most southeastern point of the Polynesian Triangle. It is a volcanic high island that houses 3 extinct volcanoes. The island is classified mainly as a tropical rainforest climate however it borders on a humid sub-tropical climate.
Easter Island is one of the world’s most remote inhabited islands. The closest inhabited island to Easter Island is Pitcairn Island, which is 1289 miles away. It is home to 5800 residents. History says that Easter Island’s inhabitants have been through many precipitous declines in its population due to: famines, civil war, epidemics, slave raids, near deforestation and slave raids.
Leisure Activities in Easter Island
There are many places to see on Easter Island that would fall into the leisure and relaxation category of vacations.
- Rano Raraku
Easter Island is most famous for its 887 monumental statues that are called moai. Most of these moai come from the volcano Rano Raraku. In this unique location, hundreds of artists and sculptors over hundreds of years worked to produce gigantic statues of the volcanic stone. Visitors can walk through the internal and external slopes of the extinct volcano and witness these impressive statues.
- Hanga Roa
Hanga Roa is the capital city of Easter Island. This is an impressive town to walk through and experience its culture. There is a beautiful church to see as well as the ceremonial complex of Tahai. This complex includes the remains of old houses and well-known boathouses where notable islanders lived along with their families.
- Anakena Beach
Anakena Beach is a popular beach for visitors to experience. It is blessed not only with two significant archeological sites but it also has beautiful soft white sand and lapis lazuli-colored water. It is the perfect beach for some leisurely diving in the gorgeous water or some relaxation on the perfect sand.
Leisure Vacation Packages in Easter Island
Considering the size and remoteness of the island, vacation packages are not plentiful on Easter Island as they are on other islands across the globe. The Explora Rapa Nui is a five star hotel on the island that offers fifteen exploration tours to be interspersed through relaxation periods. Each afternoon a tour guide will meet visitors in the lobby and enlighten them with the explorations that will be held the following day. The Explora hotel houses only 30 rooms but provides amenities such as a swimming pool, bar and solar-heated jacuzzi. It offers relaxing massages in the Hare Taheta. Luxury is imperative when it comes to the food the hotel serves.
The Tupa Hotel offers forty rooms in different categories (depending on price). It is away from the bustle of Hanga Roa and visitors will experience quiet and calm. Their packages include daily breakfast, private bathrooms, free wifi in common areas and free transportation to and from the airport.
Hare Noi is one of the top-rated hotels on Easter Island. Hare Noi offers only a few rooms but plenty of opportunities to see Easter Island.
How much will Easter Island cost?
Easter Island is somewhat known for its higher costs. Lan is the one and only airline to fly in Rapa Nui on Easter Island and therefore there are a limited number of flights. Roundtrip airline tickets for economy class can range between $500 and $900. However, on the flight, travelers will be served good food, their own tv screens and entertainment options.
Accommodations can be expensive, depending on what you are looking for. The Explora Rapa Nui is expensive at well over $2000 for accommodations alone for a week. Other hotels are more reasonable at $700 plus for a weeks accommodation. Food can typically be more expensive as well. There are many little supermarkets in the larger towns and the prices in each differ quite a bit. It is advisable to check around at different stores before making a purchase.