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Easter Island (Rapa Nui): what to know before you travel

· By , journalist

Easter Island (Rapa Nui): what to know before you travel

Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, is Chilean territory located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, more than 3,700 kilometers from mainland Chile and more than 2,000 kilometers from the nearest inhabited island. It's by far the most isolated destination the country has to offer.

How to get there

The only way in is by plane, with flights departing from Santiago that take 5 to 6 hours. Since it's a long-haul flight with no alternative routes, it's worth booking well ahead, as fares rise considerably in high season (December to March, and also July-August due to Chile's winter school holidays).

How many days to plan for

Three full nights is enough to cover the main archaeological sites (Rano Raraku, Ahu Tongariki, Ahu Akivi) and the Rano Kau crater, but many travelers who make it this far prefer to stay 5 days or more to add activities like diving, surfing, or a more relaxed pace, given the cost and length of the flight to get there.

To have data from the moment you land in mainland Chile, compare the eSIM and prepaid SIM options for Chile.

To enter the park's sites you need an accredited guide: we compare prices, duration and what each trip includes in our guide to Easter Island tours.

If you want a package with hotel and tours, we compare 6 options of 3 to 7 days, from US$373 without flights, in our guide to Easter Island tour packages.

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