Easter Island Travel Guide
- Overview
- Places to Explore
- Sights
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Entertainment
- Shopping
- Activities
- Travel Tips
- Features
- Fodor's Choice
- Deals
- Spanish Phrases
- Guidebooks
Guidebooks
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Fodor's Argentina
Trade Paperback
Photo: Andrzej Gibasiewicz/Shutterstock
The most isolated island in the world—2,985 km (1,850 mi) from its nearest populated neighbor and 3,700 km (2,295 mi) off the Chilean coast—Easter Island was uninhabited until around 1,500 years ago. That's when, according to local legend, King Hotu Matu'a and his extended family landed on a beach on the northern shore. Exactly where they came from is still a mystery. Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl believed they came from South America and, to prove the journey was possible, set sail in 1947 from Peru in a balsa-wood boat called the Kon-Tiki. Most archaeologists, however, believe the original inhabitants were of Polynesian descent.
Easter Island Hotels
A key factor in where to stay is whether you're prepared to rent a car or do quite a lot of walking. There are a few good hotels in the center of Hanga...read more
Easter Island Restaurants
Compared to mainland Chile, Easter Island is expensive—almost everything has to be shipped or flown in—and you may sometimes feel you're not...read more
Things To Do in Easter Island
An adventurous spirit is a prerequisite for visiting...read more
Travel Deals in Easter Island
- $1999 & up -- Rio, Buenos Aires & Santiago 6-Nt. Trip w/Air go-today
- $899 -- South America 5-Country Cruise incl. $250 Credit CruCon Cruise Outlet
- Alluring South America IExplore
- $2850 & up -- South America 14-Day, 5-City Trip w/7 Tours — $2,850 LatinEscapes.com
- Breathtaking Patagonia — $7,995 IExplore
Easter Island Experiences
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Astounding archaeology: Whether it's the ubiquitous moai, the petroglyphs in the ancient village of Orongo, or the cave paintings, Easter Island... Read more
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Most people are drawn to Easter Island by the moai, the stone statues that have puzzled outsiders since the first Europeans arrived there almost... Read more
News & Features
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Trip Ideas
This might just be South America's most underrated destination. ... Read more
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Trip Ideas, Outdoors
Whether as an ending to a South American tour or as a trip of solely outdoor adventures, Patagonia calls... Read more
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Trip Ideas, Outdoors
The Atacama desert in Chile is the driest place on Earth.... Read more
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