In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, in Oceania is isolated Easter Island . The territory is Chilean, so it only receives flights leaving Santiago, on a journey that takes 5 hours.
Easter Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is part of the Polynesian triangle, with the vertices formed by New Zealand and Hawaii, and hence it is easy to understand why its first name was Te Pito O Te Henua, which means “navel of the world ”.
Called by the natives of Rapa Nui it was formed by 3 large volcanoes that have not been active for over 3 million years – yes, millions!
Colonized by Polynesian people between the 4th and 7th centuries, they developed a unique culture, evidenced by the iconic stone statues, the moai and that today the more than 900 enormous statues are major attractions and a reason for visits by tourists from all over the world.
The arrival of Dutch navigator Jacob Roggeveen in 1722 took place on Easter Sunday, hence the name Easter Island. Today, around 8 thousand people live on the island, with tourism as its main economic activity.
How to get there and how long to stay on Easter Island
Currently, there is only one daily Latam flight that lands on Easter Island. The flight leaves from Santiago, that is, regardless of where in the world the tourist is, they will have to make a stopover in Santiago.
Easter Island is small and four nights are enough to see the main tourist attractions. The tip is to make the most of your trip and stay at least two nights in the capital of Chile, which is full of good restaurants and a lively cultural life.
A suggestion for accommodation in Santiago and the boutique hotel Magnolia which is located in a charming historic building, but its interior is decorated with contemporary furniture and beautiful works of art. The rooms are spacious, with clean and welcoming decor, and on the rooftop, an open-air bar invites you for good drinks and snacks.
What you need to know about Easter Island
- It is important to point out that although the destination is an island, the main attractions are not the paradisiacal beaches with soft sand, but rather the archaeological sites, the history and culture of the Rapanui people. These are very rich and worth the trip!
- In gastronomy, of course, fish dominate the menu, which has tuna as the flagship of practically all recipes: from burgers to ceviche. It is important to keep in mind that all industrialized products take a long journey by ship to reach the island, therefore, prices are usually higher.
- As there are few inhabitants on the island, the place is very safe. Residents don’t have the habit of locking their homes and cars and it’s peaceful to walk alone through the small shopping center.
- The official currency is the Chilean peso.
- Two languages are spoken in the territory: Spanish and Rapanui (or Vananga Rapanui), a language of Polynesian origin and spoken daily among the locals.
- Unmissable points on your itinerary: watch the sunset in Ahu Tahai; Anakena beach; Te Pito Kura; Rano Raraku (the main quarry where the Moai were carved); Ahu Tongariki; Orongo; Rano Kau Volcano; and watch the sunrise at Ahu Tongariki (the island’s main postcard that brings together a sequence of 15 moai back to Hotu’iti beach).
- Best times to visit Easter Island: the destination does not have a harsh winter, meaning you can make the most of the tours at any time of year. Summer, between the months of December and March, is the high season and prices tend to be higher. During this period, the temperature usually reaches 28ºC – 30ºC.
- Don’t forget to pack: sunscreen; sunglasses; hiking shoes; windproof cover (especially in winter); and pool attire.
Where to stay on Easter Island: Nayara Hangaroa
The biggest and best rated hotel on the small Easter Island is the Nayara Hangaroa. Its biggest difference is that the guest does not need to “think about anything”, and when we write this it is in the most literal sense of the phrase.
Upon disembarking at the small Aeropuerto Internacional Mataveri, a smiling driver with a necklace of natural flowers typical of the region will welcome the guest with the words: IORAN! From that moment on, the visitor’s concern will be to make the most of the tours and ensure good photos.
Located very close to the airport, about 5 minutes by car, getting to Nayara is impressive. The clean and spacious reception sets the tone for the property where luxury is not reflected in works by famous artists and crystal chandeliers, but in showing the essence of the local population and culture in a light way and making visitors feel welcomed by this warm and magical island.
With a bold renovation plan that began this year and will end at the end of 2024, the 75 rooms, all with private terraces and views of the island’s typical vegetation or the deep waters of the Pacific, they are spacious and quiet.
Among the changes received are larger mirrors, sockets next to the beds, new showers and upholstery. No structural changes will be made, so the renovation takes place while the hotel is in operation, but is not heard or noticed by guests. Silence actually prevails in the place.
Source: CNN Brasil
Johanna Foster is an expert opinion writer with over 7 years of experience. She has a reputation for delivering insightful and thought-provoking articles on a variety of subjects. Her work can be found on some of the top online news websites, and she is currently lending her voice to the world stock market.
