Phoebettmh Travel: (Chile) - The mystery of Easter Island tour

Easter Island is one of the most isolated islands on Earth. Officially a territory of Chile, it lies far off in the Pacific Ocean, roughly halfway to Tahiti. Known as one of the world's sacred sites, it is most famous for its enigmatic giant stone busts, built centuries ago, which reflect the history of the dramatic rise and fall of the most isolated Polynesian culture.

The mystery of Easter Island tour - (Isla de Pascua) - Chile

How to get there

The island is accessible by regular commercial air service, and tourism is the main industry of the island.

The mystery of Easter Island tour - (Isla de Pascua) - Chile

- Still, it is rather "out of the way" for most people, with a minimum of more than 5.5 hours in the air from the nearest continent, and very limited routes to get there. The only regular flights are via LAN Airlines, several times each week on the route between Tahiti and daily to Santiago de Chile.

The mystery of Easter Island tour - (Isla de Pascua) - Chile

- If you want to take the intrepid route Tallship Soren Larsen sails to Easter Island from New Zealand once a year. The voyage takes 35 days, crossing the point on earth furthest from land.

How to get around

Easter Island is extremely small, so it is possible to get around fairly easily. There are rental cars, generally jeeps, available from a few rental agencies in Hanga Roa, as well as a few dirtbikes.

The mystery of Easter Island tour - (Isla de Pascua) - Chile

- With a car, it's possible to see most of the sites on the island in a few hours.

- Most hosts will also rent out their jeep to you (at a very competitive rate) if you simply ask. Be aware, you will not get insurance with your car hire.

- Bicycles can be hired on a daily basis.

The mystery of Easter Island tour - (Isla de Pascua) - Chile

For those on a tight schedule, a rental car is really quite advantageous, and sometimes not much more expensive than other options and offering more independence for more curious or adventurous visitors than an organized tour. Bicycling may be tried, but note that aside from the main paved roads in Hanga Roa or the single smooth paved road to Anakena, roads to many main sites are of dirt and sometimes quite uneven and potholed, so the benefit of a car cannot be overstated for some parts of the island. Note that for motor scooters and motorbikes, a valid driver's license specifically for these vehicles is required. Otherwise, driver's licenses for cars will allow the use of cars or 4x4 quad bikes.

The mystery of Easter Island tour - (Isla de Pascua) - Chile

Food & Restaurant

There are around 25 restaurants catering to tourists on the island:

The mystery of Easter Island tour - (Isla de Pascua) - Chile

- Te Moana - Quite possibly the best restaurant on the island. The Tuna Sandwich is particularly good. A live band is often playing on Wednesdays and the weekends. Get to Te Moana early or it is likely that you will not get a table.

- La Taverne du Pêcheur - A small restaurant in the port section of the village held by a resident of Rapa Nui who lived for some time in the French Polynesia. Very good seafood, the most expensive restaurant on the island. Some consider it to be a lot of money for not much of value.

- Varua, Atamu Takena. A new restaurant with all the classics to be found on the island at good prices, plus an excellent value Menu del dia. Service and food both excellent.

- A bout du Monde - A nice restaurant overlooking the sea. Pretty expensive but the seafood is really good. During certain nights, you can also watch a Polynesian dance for a hour or so.

Guest houses

Some of the accommodations on Easter Island are "guest houses". A number of guest houses describe themselves as hotels, and certainly would pass for them elsewhere in the world as well. These hotels frequently have restaurants offering at least breakfast, and often dinner as well.

The mystery of Easter Island tour - (Isla de Pascua) - Chile

- Inaki Uhi , Atamu Tekena, Hanga Roa, Tel: (56 32) 2100231. A great place to stay, located on the main street in the centre of town, close to restaurants, supermarkets, pubs and services

- Tekarera Kainga Ora, Tel: (56 98) 134 5757. Excellent accommodation close to the center of the town, but not on the main street.

- Tauraa Hotel, Atamu Tekena, Hanga Roa, Tel: (56-32) 100 463. Very clean guest house, less than 5 minutes from the airport.

- Kona Tau, Avaraipau, Hanga Roa. Tel: (56-32) 2100321. A very nice hostel, and quite cheap taking the island in mind

- Tupa Hotel, Sebastian Englert, Hanga Roa, Tel: (56-32) 2100 225, A larger 30 room hotel with a spectacular ocean view, two blocks from the main street

(Wiki)