A more extreme location than Easter Island cannot be imagined, but it is perhaps given an unfair reputation as being a place that only the highly intrepid adventurer can get to. What people don’t realize is that regular transportation to and from the island is easily scheduled via the airport in Santiago, Chile. And for South American trips, this is by far one of the most original.
Located some 3,800km off the western coast of mainland Chile, Easter Island is world-famous for being one of the world’s most isolated places, and for the giant Moai statues that rise from the earth like stone men. The entire island is an open-air national park that protects the statues and the archaeological sites on the island, and for a relatively untouched landscape, you will be hard-pressed to find better.
The main town is Hanga Roa and it has all the accommodation of a normal tourist spot. In fact, tourism is what keeps this little island going. Hotels, restaurants, rental cars, jeeps, dirt bikes, bicycles, or even horses … all of these are ways you can explore the island. And while most of the “hot spots” can be taken in during a day trip, spending a few days here is a really unique experience that most travellers will probably never get a chance to partake of.
Most of the accommodation is in the form of guest houses, and their owners will generally arrange to have someone meet you at the airport to pick you up. Many of them offer guided tours of the island, which can really help in taking it all in with as little hassle as possible.
