brown rock formation on green grass field during daytime

Easter Island

Easter Island, known locally as Rapa Nui, is a remote Pacific island where you can walk among carved moai statues.

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Easter Island, called Rapa Nui by its Polynesian people, is a special territory of Chile in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, roughly 3,700 kilometers (about 2,300 miles) west of mainland Chile. Visitors come for the moai, large stone figures carved by the Rapa Nui people and set on stone platforms called ahu. The Rano Raraku quarry, where many moai were carved, is among the most visited sites, and Rapa Nui National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, protects the archaeological sites and volcanic terrain.

The island suits travelers who want a focused trip built around history, archaeology and coastline. Most main sites lie within a short drive of Hanga Roa, the island's main town, so a rental car or a guided tour is the usual way to see them. Flights are limited, so book early and check entry rules before you fix your dates. The park is run by CONAF, Chile's forest service, and its entry ticket is needed for the main moai sites. February, March and November have mild weather and suit most trips.

Easter Island in five

Fill in the Rapa Nui entry formEaster Island has its own entry form on top of Chile's rules, and visitors can stay up to 30 days. Read the entry guide before you book flights.Entry requirements
Book the Santiago flight earlyMost visitors fly from Santiago to Mataveri Airport (IPC), the island's airport near Hanga Roa. Seats can sell out in busy months, so fix the flight dates first.Getting around
Buy the Rapa Nui National Park ticketThe moai at Ahu Tongariki and Rano Raraku sit inside the national park, which charges an entry ticket. Keep it with you on the days you visit the sites.Tours and tickets
Carry Chilean pesos in cashCard payments can be limited on the island, and some small shops, guides and drivers take only cash. Bring enough pesos for the whole stay before you leave the mainland.Money and costs
Rent a car early for the island loopThe main sites are spread around the island. Book before you fly, and remember that traffic in Chile drives on the right.

Things to do in Easter Island

See all attractions in Easter Island

Church · Easter IslandParroquia de la Santa Cruz

Historic site · Easter IslandAhu Tautira

Monument · Easter IslandAhu Vinapu

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Easter IslandPut the places you like in Easter Island on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Chilean peso (CLP)
Entry: Chile entry rules, plus a Rapa Nui form on arrival Read more
Emergency: 133 police, 131 ambulance, 132 fire
Tipping: Check the bill for a service charge before you tip
Time: UTC-6, UTC-5 in daylight saving (Chile's summer)

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh24°Low23°Warm, breezy
FebruaryRain12 rainy daysHigh25°Low23°Tapati festival
MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh24°Low23°Warm, mild
AprilRain14 rainy daysHigh23°Low22°Cooling, windy
MayRain13 rainy daysHigh22°Low21°Cool, showery
JunePartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh21°Low19°Cool, windy
JulyPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh20°Low18°Cool, windy
AugustPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low18°Cool, windy
SeptemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh19°Low18°Mild, showery
OctoberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh20°Low19°Mild, windy
NovemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh21°Low20°Mild, breezy
DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh22°Low21°Warm, busy

Average daily high and low in Hanga Roa, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Easter Island

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 14°
Humidity: 63%
Wind: 24 km/h
Chance of rain: 25%

Easter Island

03:43 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-5

Today18°16°25%Monday: Drizzle. High 18°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 25%.
Tue19°17°14%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 14%.
Wed20°17°3%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 3%.
Thu20°18°14%Thursday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 14%.
Fri20°18°16%Friday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 16%.
Sat20°19°10%Saturday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 10%.
Sun20°19°18%Sunday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 18%.

Updated 12:20 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 990.8 CLP

Amount

Converted to

CLP · Chilean Peso

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Rano Kauabout 20 to 30 minutes by carA volcanic crater and the Orongo ceremonial village on the cliff edge, best for the views.
Ahu Tongarikiabout 40 minutes by carFifteen moai in a row on the east coast, with sunrise views in good weather.
Anakenaabout 30 minutes by carA white-sand beach on the north coast, with moai and palm shade for a slow afternoon.
Rano Rarakuabout 40 minutes by carThe quarry where most moai were carved, with some still standing in the ground.

Before you go to Easter Island

eSIM for Easter IslandCompare data plans before you flyRead the guide

Insurance for a remote islandCheck cover for transfers to the mainlandRead the guide

Money and cards for the islandCompare pesos, cards and cashRead the guide

Hanga Roa and Anakena staysCompare bases before you bookRead the guide

Rules for Easter Island, checked

Chile's entry rules apply, and Rapa Nui has its own entry form and a 30-day stay limit. Check the Chilean immigration site before you book.
Do not climb on, sit on or stand on the moai or their ahu platforms. The national park is run by CONAF, Chile's forest service.
Declare fresh food, plants, seeds and animal products on the arrival form. Chile's agricultural service sets these controls.
Drive on the right and carry a valid driving licence.

All Easter Island guides

gray rock formation under white clouds and blue sky during daytime

RulesEaster Island entry requirements: Rapa Nui form and 30-day limitChecked Oct 12, 2026

Plan around Easter Island

All of Chile

Entry rules, money and transport for a Chile trip

Read the guide Visas and entry

Who needs a visa and how to enter Chile

Read the guide Getting around

Flights, rental cars and transport on the island

Read the guide Money and costs

Cash, cards and typical prices on the island

Read the guide Where to stay

Places to base yourself on the island

Read the guide Tours and tickets

Park tickets and guided visits to the moai

Read the guide

Easter Island FAQ

Is Easter Island worth visiting?

Yes, if you want the moai, the crater at Rano Kau and the ceremonial village of Orongo on one small island. It is remote, so plan the trip around flights and the entry form.

How many days do you need on Easter Island?

Three to four days covers the main sites with a rental car. Add days if you want to hike or join the Tapati festival in February.

How do you get to Easter Island?

Most visitors fly from Santiago to Mataveri Airport (IPC), near Hanga Roa. Book the flight first, then plan the sites and the car around it.

Do you need a visa for Easter Island?

Chile's entry rules apply. Check Chile's visa list for your nationality, then fill in the Rapa Nui form and keep the 30-day stay limit in mind when you book.

Do you need cash on Easter Island?

Bring Chilean pesos, since card payments can be limited outside the main hotels and restaurants. Withdraw enough in Santiago before your flight.

When is the best time to visit Easter Island?

February, March and November have mild weather and suit most trips. June to August is cooler and windier, and February brings the Tapati festival.