The fact that Easter Island is one of the most isolated islands in the world makes it one of the most sought after island destinations. It is especially world-famous for the over 900 stone monoliths or the ‘moai’ spread across the face of the island. A cloud of mystery surrounds these statues with the local guides saying that something happened on the island that forced the locals to destroy their gods. If you haven’t visited Easter Island, you have missed the chance to be at one of the most mystifying islands.
Historical Attractions
In addition to offering many historical attractions, Easter Island allows its visitors to engage in a wide range of activities. in fact, the small island spread across just 163 sq. km. has over 20,000 archaeological sites. Also known as Rapa Nui, the island features 887 Moai statues that are expected to be cut between 1100 and 1700 AD. The island has around 1,000 petroglyph sites that have around 4,000 petroglyphs. Then, there are over 800 caves, most of which have valuable artifacts and have been used in the past as refuge caves.
Crater of Rano Kau
If you visit Easter Island, make sure to visit its most striking volcanic formation, the Crater of Rano Kau. It is more than 1.5 km wide at its rim and 1.1 km wide. The slopes around it rise more than 150 metre high. The amazing thing is that this crater is filled with a wetland that consists of lakes and shrubs. The last time any activity was found in the crater was in the beginning of the 20th century when steam was reported to be rising from it.
Easter Island Foods
Easter Island has a number of popular food options to offer its visitors. If you visit the island, make sure to enjoy its langostas or local lobsters, which are expensive. Ceviche de pescado is made using raw tuna marinated in lemon juice. Empanadas or local pastries are especially sought after by visitors. The island has several restaurants, with most of them offering seafood. You can have your coffee at Caramelo Atamu Tekena, and lunch and dinner at Miro Restobar in Hanga Roa.
Pristine Beaches
In addition to its archaeological sites, Easter Island also offers two pristine white beaches. Anakena is located on the north of the island, while the other beach near Ahu Vaihu is located to the south. The beaches offer a world of activities for visitors to engage in. this includes snorkeling, surfing, scuba diving, kayaking, canoeing, trekking, fishing, and mountain biking.
Roiho Cave System & Orongo
The Roiho Cave System is the longest found cave system on the island, more than 6.50 km long. Human skulls, endemic invertebrates, arrowheads and petroglyphs have been found in this cave system. The leading petroglyph sites include Orongo petroglyphs, Ava ‘o Kiri and Vai A Heva.
Transportation
You can land on Easter Island at the Mataveri International Airport in Hanga Roa. As the island is pretty small, you can easily get around it. The different local transport options include rental cars and dirt bikes. It would be best to hire a jeep to explore the entire island. You would need a valid driver’s licence to rent a vehicle.
