Wanderlust Travel Magazine (UK)
Footnotes
Easter Island
THE TRIP
The author stayed at the Nayara Hangaroa hotel (0161 791 8120; hangaroa.cl), which provided accommodation and a guided tour.
Vital statistics
Capital: Hanga Roa
Population: 7,750
Languages: Rapanui, Spanish
Time: GMT-6 (September-april GMT-5)
International dialling code: +56
Visas: UK travellers do not require a visa for Chile for stays of less than 90 days. Before flying to Easter Island, visitors must fill out an online entry form (ingresorapanui.interior.gob.cl); the maximum stay is 30 days. Money: Chilean peso (CLP), currently around CLP960 to the UK£1. There are a couple of ATMS in Hanga Roa but they sometimes run out, so bring a supply of cash. US dollars are widely accepted and several places offer currency exchange, although rates are poor.
When to go
Easter Island has a warm, subtropical climate and can be visited year round. Rain is always a possibility, with April-july the wettest months. December-april: The warmest period of the year, with temperatures between 19°C and 25°C; high season for tourists. May-november: Temperatures drop to between 16°C and 22°C and there’s a greater chance of rain but visitor numbers are lower.
Health & safety
For the latest advice on entry requirements, including regarding COVID-19, visit the FCDO site (www.gov.uk). At time of press, tourists entering Chile must have a negative PCR test performed 72 hours before boarding, complete a Traveler’s Sworn Statement e-form before flying and have health insurance covering COVID-19. Visit https://chile.travel/en/traveltochileplan for more information.
Travellers should also be up to date with the routine immunisations required in the UK, including diphtheria, hepatitis A and tetanus. Check in with fitfortravel.nhs.uk for latest updates.
Getting there
British Airways (0344 493 0787, britishairways.com) flies direct from London Heathrow to Santiago. Flight time is roughly 14.5 hours; return fares start at around £650.
It my be cheaper to travel via a European, USA or Latin American city with an airline such as LATAM (0800 026 0728, latam.com) or Iberia (0203 684 3774, iberia.com).
LATAM is the only airline serving Easter Island, flying daily to/from Santiago. Flight time is from 4.5 hours; return fares typically range between £400 and £900. Services are currently disrupted due to the pandemic.
Getting around
Guided group tours of the main sites are popular but often a bit hurried. Kava Kava Tours (kavakavatours.com) and Easter Island Spirit (easterislandspirit.com), run by James Grant-peterkin, offer private tours.
There’s no public transport and few taxis but several places rent out cars and motorbikes; note that there’s no vehicle insurance on the island. Hiring a bike is a good option for visiting local sites.
Cost of travel
Easter Island is an expensive destination, with accommodation and food prices similar to major cities in North America and western Europe. Entry to Parque Nacional Rapa Nui costs US$80, valid for ten days. Lunch or dinner in a restaurant costs around £12-25pp, though there are a few cheaper cafés and self catering is possible.
Accommodation
Almost all of Easter Island’s hotels and guesthouses are in or around Hanga Roa. Prices are high and the most popular places often get booked up quickly.
There are several decent mid-range options with double rooms in the £65-125 bracket such as Hostal Tojika (tojika.com) and Inaki Uhi (+56 9 6652 4496), plus a few cheaper hostels and campsites.
At the top end of the scale, the luxurious Nayara Hangaroa (0161 791 8120, hangaroa.cl) has doubles from £615.