Easter Island

Phenomenal experience. You can feel the deep, deep history of this place. There are wild horses everywhere, the sunrises and sunsets are magical, the stars at night are incredible, the people are wonderful, and the seafood is as fresh as it gets. I visited on a solo trip and rented a car. You can head up to the highest point on the island before sunrise and it’s pitch black like I’ve never seen. Then the sun breaks over the Moai statues. One of the coolest places I’ve ever visited.

Easter Island is not just a place you visit — it’s a place that visits you. It stays with you long after you’ve left, like a dream you keep remembering in flashes. It's hauntingly beautiful, deeply mystical, and one of the most powerful, spiritual travel experiences you can have on Earth. If you're someone who seeks more than just photos — if you want meaning, energy, and presence — Easter Island will speak to your soul.

Moai or moʻai (/ˈmoʊ.aɪ/ ⓘ MOH-eye; Spanish: moái; Rapa Nui: moʻai, lit. 'statue') are monolithic human figures carved by the Rapa Nui people on Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in eastern Polynesia between the years 1250 and 1500.[1][2] Nearly half are still at Rano Raraku, the main moai quarry, but hundreds were transported from there and set on stone platforms called ahu around the island's perimeter. Almost all moai have overly large heads, which account for three-eighths of the size of the whole statue. They also have no legs. The moai are chiefly the living faces (aringa ora) of deified ancestors (aringa ora ata tepuna). The statues still gazed inland across their clan lands when Europeans first visited the island in 1722, but all of them had fallen by the latter part of the 19th century.[4] The moai were toppled in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, possibly as a result of European contact or internecine tribal wars.[5] The production and transportation of the more than 900 statues[6][7] is considered a remarkable creative and physical feat.[8] The tallest moai erected, called Paro, was almost 10 metres (33 ft) high and weighed 82 tonnes (81 long tons; 90 short tons).[9][10] The heaviest moai erected was a shorter but squatter moai at Ahu Tongariki, weighing 86 tonnes (85 long tons; 95 short tons). One unfinished sculpture, if completed, would be approximately 21 m (69 ft) tall, with a weight of about 145–165 tonnes (143–162 long tons; 160–182 short tons).[11] Statues are still being discovered as of 2023.

I loved Easter Island. We stayed at Explorer Rapa Nui. This island is unique as the only animals that are there natively are birds. The only other animals that are there are cows, horses, chickens, pigs, goats, cats and dogs. The animals roam free all over the island and the horses are mostly wild. We came to learn that the natives don’t really like the horses as they no longer serve a purpose. They used to be used for transportation, but now they have cars. I personally think the horses are an attractive attribute to the island. I actually sought out souvenirs about the horses but found none. There is many different beliefs on this island about how and when the first people arrived, and who created the statues, I guess no one really knows.

This is one of the best tourist attractions for me so far. The sight of these stone monuments with big heads and round eyes is simply amazing; one can only wonder how the ancient people managed to make these and how they landed in their platforms. Our guide told us the rich history of Rapa Nui and truly needs to be told to the next generation to continue to preserve their culture. The Moai statues are just marvelous. Definitely should be in anyone’s bucket list!

easter island was a grand old time. except for the part where the statues challenged me to a height-off, where i inexplicably won 😆🙏🏼😚💋

Easter Island, a remote Chilean territory in the Pacific Ocean, is a captivating destination that offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes, ancient history, and Polynesian culture. The island is renowned for its iconic moai statues, towering stone figures that have puzzled and intrigued visitors for centuries. These remarkable sculptures are scattered across the island's rugged terrain, standing as silent guardians of a mysterious past. Exploring Easter Island is like stepping back in time, with its rugged coastlines, lush greenery, and volcanic craters providing a dramatic backdrop for adventure. Visitors can hike along scenic trails to discover hidden archaeological sites, witness breathtaking sunsets over the ocean, or simply relax on pristine beaches. In addition to its natural beauty, Easter Island also offers insights into its rich cultural heritage. Visitors can learn about the island's Polynesian roots through traditional dance performances, artisan workshops, and visits to local museums. The island's small but vibrant community welcomes visitors with warmth and hospitality, ensuring a memorable and immersive experience. When visiting Easter Island, it's important to be mindful of its fragile ecosystem and respect the island's cultural heritage. Sustainable tourism practices are encouraged to preserve this unique destination for future generations to enjoy. Overall, Easter Island is a must-visit destination for travelers seeking adventure, history, and natural beauty. Its remote location and enigmatic charm make it a truly unforgettable experience.

BEST VACATION EVER! No explanation needed. Love the Polynesian culture. the heads are GIANT. By far the best sunset views on the island is Ahu Tahai. The moai quarry is magical if I could I would rate this 100 stars I would no hesitation. The sand has a pinkish hue and crystal clear water. When my plane landed in Mataveri international airport I yelled welcome to paradise! If you can afford to go here go. This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen in my life. The park ragers are super friendly,I accidentally went to Ahu Tongariki without a guide and they let me in without a guide. And hotel staff of Hotel Ohana are super friendly. Thugs are expensive but worth it. Best cafe in town Nena’s specialty coffee Rapa Nui go there if you can find it.

Incredible tours of a magical place. Easter Island Travel offers a wide variety of tours, from half day highlights to multiple day excursions. I booked two different private tours for my boyfriend and I, plus an early morning sunrise at Ahu Tongariki. We did Tour A: Journey of Legends, and Tour B: Megaliths (6.5 hours each). These 3 options came to approx $666 (lol) for two people. They also offer small group tours for a lower price, but I recommend a private tour, which is personalized to your preferences. We began our first tour at 6am to see the Tongariki sunrise. Bruna picked us up from our hotel and we began the journey along the south coast. Bruna is an amazing guide and I highly recommend her! Her explanations were interesting and easy to follow, and she is very down to earth and cool. She also took beautiful photos of us. After watching the sun rise we went to Anakena Beach, Te Pito Kura, Tahai, Rano Kau, and a few more places. The next day for Tour B, my boyfriend was not feeling well and needed to stay in bed all day. So it was just me and Bruna, and I still had a great time. It felt like traveling around with a friend. The following day I took my boyfriend back to the places he had missed. I had retained most all of the information I learned, so I could guide him! Overall, a fun and educational experience, and the best way to see the island as a first time visitor. Do not hesitate to book with Easter Island Travel.

I came to Easter Island a couple of years ago for about 4-5 days and I had the most memorable experience of my life and I give a lot of credit to Easter Island Travel for the amazing personally tailored tours they provided me of almost the whole island in a short time period! My first day of touring was with Jose and he was a great tour guide. I spent the remaining tours with Marcus (the owner) and he showed me pretty much the rest of the island. I had mentioned to Marcus and Jose I wanted to do photography as my focus and they made sure to keep that in mind. They showed me great photo spots, including taking me there at the right time of day for the best lighting. I would highly recommend Easter Island Travel for anyone visiting the island! Note: They spoke both English and Spanish very well.

This is highly rated, and for good reason. Jose was our guide, and he was great in making sure we got to all our spots during the day (and picked us up promptly), and helped when the weather was at its worse the second day we booked him. He mentioned he had been working every day for a month without a break, and also helped his brother at his restaurant in the evenings, so perhaps he was tired when he was doing our tours. Our first day, our original guide had a family issue, so Jose (who was supposed to do the later group tour) did our morning sunrise one at Tongariki. He got us very early that day and we were able to get great weather and photos the first day. It was originally supposed to be a private tour all day, but because of the guide being out, we agreed to move to a small group tour later in the morning (he dropped us back off after the sunrise portion and got us later for the rest of the day tour). Day two brought awful weather, so we were soaked all day. My hiking shoes may have walked their final steps that day, since they were so muddy. It seemed to me we could have had the verbal portion of the tour in the car while it poured, then ran out to take our photos when there was a short break in the weather, then moved on to our next destination. But we ended up getting out at each stop and hearing the tour, causing us all to be wet virtually all day. I got some good information, but perhaps I was spoiled in the Galapagos Islands with our previous guides, as I always felt like there was more we could have heard. Maybe it's just because the weather was so bad, it soured my experience, but overall, it's a good, just not as great as I expected, tour. At least the company was accommodating in refunding me the difference between the private and group tour quickly. That raises them one star.

Amazing tour and company! Marcus and the whole crew at Easter Island Travel were amazing! They worked closely with our group of 15 to set things up just the way we wanted (where to pick up and drop off, when, and where/when to grab lunch). We did the Express Tour and had an amazing time. Marcus sang traditional Rapa Nui songs to us, was a wealth of information, took some amazing photos of our group, and was super fun to have as a guide.